New Birth

Michael Aiden Patrick

Meet Michael Aiden Patrick, born late afternoon on April 30th. He came into this world at 7 lbs, 6 oz., measuring just over 20 inches. He has a set of pipes that makes me wonder if he won't be one of God's prophets one day. Or maybe that is just my personal wish.

What's so special about this little fellow? He's our new grandson!

Our daughter and son-in-law are still in awe of the fruit of their love. Both are doing well, though we have had to tie a rope to their leg to keep them from floating off.

The Growing Anti-family Movement

America, it would seem, is becoming more and more anti-family. Multiple companies were pioneers, by insisting on insurance benefits for gay partners. Massachusetts and California were all too happy to circumvent that which is good and natural for that which goes against nature: gay marriage. Now Hallmark has joined the "Extraordinary League of the Perverted." Believe it or not, you can buy gay marriage cards made by this once family-friendly company.

It's their legal right to join the ranks of perversion. It's my legal right to shop there no longer, so long as they offer such products.

When will this kind of thing stop? When we, the church, turn from OUR wicked ways and seek the Lord.

Anti-family is anti-God, anti-Christ. America is comfortable in being that way because we no longer make America uncomfortable when they wallow in sin. How can we, if we wallow in it alongside them?

Join me in praying for revival in the land. It's only then that we will see a positive change in America.

There Is a Season...

Twenty days is too long without posting my thoughts. I apologize. Time has a way of moving on, regardless of one's intents and purposes. And, for all intents and purposes, I had to be moving with it.

July has been one of those months that holds all kinds of surprises for us. Shortly after my last post, my future son-in-law was out driving; it was late at night. But anytime, almost, is a good time to be riding a bike. One time that is not good for riding a bike is when a deer runs out in front of you. And that is what happened to Tracey. The deer lost, but so did Tracey.

We thought that was going to put everything on hold. But we went on with our plans, knowing Tracey was well cared for.

Our journeys took us to Baltimore for my nephew's wedding. There, Pam and I celebrated 28 years of marriage. My nephew and his bride were married on our anniversary. The entire weekend was one of celebration for us.

We returned to MS to prepare for yet another wedding: my 2nd born's choice for a life partner was the man who met a deer late one night. In spite of his broken ribs and other injuries, the couple, blinded by the prospect of love and marriage, went forward with their plans.

Off we drove to Destin, FL for the big event. Kim always said she would marry on the beach. She had her dream wedding. We stood on the beach, wind blowing, waves crashing, and curious beach-combers standing off, watching the curious scene. There, the happy couple tied the proverbial knot.

Needless to say, she made a lovely bride. But then, I am prejudiced; am her dad.

I am looking forward to another wedding. It's the wedding between Christ and the church. I long for that day when Jesus comes back for his church. Some doubt that day will ever come; I don't. I hunger for it. I want to see Jesus in his glory step out from the clouds and catch us up to be with him. What a glorious day that will be for those who look for his coming. What a frightening day for those who ignore the imminent return of the Lord.

But upward we will be carried; and there, in the presence of the angels, we will celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb. Saints of all ages will be there. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John will be there. Barnabas and Mark will be there. Paul and Silas will be there. Spurgeon, Moody, and so many others will be there. Men and women from every tribe and nation will be there. The celebration will be beyond our comprehension.

There is a season for everything. This includes the return of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Family Joy

My last posts took place in South America. This one is from South[ern] America--Mississippi.

My greatest joy of the past month (June) was not my birthday, or Father's Day; my greatest delight was sneaking down to Peru to surprise my baby girl at her graduation from high school.

We had pulled Melissa out of her school, The International Christian School of Lima, to bring her home for an unexpected furlough, known in our circles as "stateside assignment," or "STAS." ICSL was kind and allowed us to continue her studies via correspondence. With that assurance from them I promised Melissa I would do all in my power to allow her to return to march in her class's graduation.

But there was not going to be enough dollars, Euros, or Soles, to get all three of us down there. God was kind to us (he always is) and provided buddy passes for Pam and Melissa. So down they went. At the time we got those passes, it looked impossible for me to join them. The airline pilot who gave us those passes, though, had another one he could share; and he shared it with me.

Being the devious person I am, I chose to keep that information between Pam, the pilot, and me. So, two days before graduation, while Melissa was taking her final exams, I sauntered into the building. No words can describe the shock, joy, and exhuberation Melissa showed when she looked down the hallway and saw me.

No words can adequately describe Pam's or my joy and pride over Melissa's accomplishment.

So now our lives will change; Pam and I will return to South America in a couple of months. This time we go without children. It's a bittersweet feeling. We are both excited and sad. It's been something like 25 years since our nest has been empty.

Those events made for a very full June. Now comes July...

Overt Attacks on America's Families

This post is rated "R" for raunchy and ridiculous. It contains a link to an "X" posting, so reader beware.

America is being attacked. The pro-homosexual movement continues to grow in both scope and intensity. No longer is it enough to endure such perverted characters as found in "Will and Grace," along with Ellen "Degenerate," and 75, or so, other perverts that pepper our television shows; now our teens are being attacked in their schools.

One such attack is taking place in Deerfield, IL. You can read about it here. As I said, that link leads you to a posting that no one under 17--if not 77--should read. It is very disturbing. English students in Deerfield High School are being required to read homosexual porn. I read some of the excerpts myself, so this is not even close to an over-reaction or exaggeration. I have written those listed in that blog to express my disdain for their sick actions.

Another attack is around the corner. It is called "The Day of Silence." The following was e mailed to me; I researched it and found the sender to be accurate on all counts.

[begin pasted e mail]
"Day of Silence," keep your child at home April 25.

Is a Day of Silence coming to a school near you? Friday, April 25, several thousand schools across the nation will be observing "Day of Silence (DOS)." DOS is a nationwide push to promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools

A Day of Silence and It's "Sexual Deviate" promoters leads the students to believe that every person who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing, unrelenting harassment and hate. Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change. Those who oppose such teaching are characterized as ignorant and hateful bigots. You should know that these sexual deviate groups do not and cannot exclude the pedophiles from their membership. In fact the more these sexual deviate groups get a foothold the better is it for the pedophiles. After all, who doesn't love kids?

There is simply no place in our school systems for this kind of "education". Yet, it's difficult to stop as long as the School Boards continue to approve such actions. I seem to recall this idea started in San Francisco several months ago and the local community tried unsuccessfully to stop it. These groups are well organized and financed by Corporate America. One of the largest donors is Proctor & Gamble. You know the company you buy from for your family needs. Another large supporter is Ford Motor Company. Ford has been falling in sales for the past couple of years due in part from the boycott initiated by the American Family Association (AFA). The falling economy has also had a drastic effect on their sales. Oh yes I almost forgot. Jaguar donates $1,000 for every car they sell to a sexual deviate group called GLADD.

Your school, or a school near you may or may not be on their list yet (see the list of Schools) but these sexual deviate groups have time to twist some arms. Why do these School Boards give into such pressure? Simple!! They are well funded. They have deep pockets and seemly a never ending source of funds to hire the best promotional agencies that money can buy. I cannot defend a School Board member that votes yes to them. I can only say they don't want to be called a bigot in the media. If they vote No on this issue . . . they are blasted in the local media. And, these sexual deviate groups are so experienced and practiced that they have a canned answer to your every objection. So it isn't easy.

Will they stop after conducting their classes in the High Schools across this Nation? Why stop when they are being so successful? Next, the grade schools. Here is a partial list of participating schools.
http://www.missionamerica.com/agenda.php?articlenum=78

Is the guy who gets in on with a sheep a pedophile? He is a pervert for sure, but a pedophile? I guess that depends on if it's a "young" sheep. Better a sheep than your child or grandchild.

[end pasted e mail]

And finally, don't forget the California Appeals Court who has decided that at least 166 thousand families in California are wrong for home-schooling their children. That is nothing more than a new attempt to be able to control your child. You, the parent, are too stupid to know what is best for your child; they, the state, are the ones with the knowledge to make your child productive and suitable for society.

Stand up, America! Pray, friends around the world! This is a cultural war that must not be lost.