Don’t be “Chikin” to follow the right Shepherd


Today is Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and WOW – the response has been phenomenal! Twitter’s been going nuts. Seems every other tweet in my timeline has a picture showing packed restaurants or lines out the doors.

 
I want to believe that the majority of today’s Chick-fil-A supporters truly understand what’s at stake. Because this is about much more than a stand for traditional marriage. This is about deciding which “shepherd” we will follow.
 
There’s an insightful post at the Tea Party Tribune by a Mr. Cumudgeon who clearly understands the fundamental roots of this present conflict ~

The radical transformation of society begins with small steps: An underlying religious idea that believes humanity is a work in progress and that wise shepherds (community organizers?) are needed to aid our evolution toward perfection. That evolution, to the shepherd, is continually under threat by those who hold to the old ways – the old religion.

 
Among the recent remarks made by Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s president, what really provoked the new-age shepherds was the very idea that absolute, non-negotiable truth, as found in holy scripture, might actually exist;
 
“… As an organization, we can operate on biblical principles, asking God and pleading with God to give us wisdom on decisions we make about people and the programs and partnerships we have. And He has blessed us.”– Dan Cathy
 

What offends new-age shepherds is not what a fast-food chain thinks of same-sex marriage. It’s that the owners and company officers of Chick-fil-A follow a decidedly different Shepherd. This is heresy to new-agers.

 
Heresy, for instance, to the mayor of Chicago:

“Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values,” said new-age high priest and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, “And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values.”

 
Sorry Rahm, you are not our shepherd. “Chicago values” are not God’s values.

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Francis Schaeffer discusses Christianity’s role in the fall of Rome in his book “How Should We Then Live.” Christians represented a direct threat to Roman syncretism – sort of a multi-god, ever-evolving melting pot of religions – because they worshiped one God. And they were an existential threat to the empire itself because they put God above Caesar.
As Schaeffer rightly says; “no totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge that state and its actions.”
 

Christianity represents universal, objective truth and eternal values. Not values that “evolve” with mankind’s mercurial whims. Not “Chicago values.”
 

Which is why, as Curmudgeon concludes;

the assaults on Chick-fil-A are part and parcel of a broader “theologically based position” that holds “no gods shall be greater than our new-age gods.”

 

I think the bovine “grammar” is meant to be in keeping with Chick-fil-A’s ad campaign 🙂

 

“Eat Mor Chikin!” And follow the Good Shepherd.
 
Related:
Government’s Campaign to Eclipse God Continues Apace
 

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Preview of Coming Attractions

Want to see a stark picture of what lies ahead if Big Government continues on it’s present course of destruction? Here’s a small glimpse of the future from Rightly Concerned; a list of 12 U.S. cities that are examples of “What The Rest Of America Will Look Like Soon.”
 
Camden, Cleveland, Gary, IN… And no surprise that my state of Michigan shows up on the list – twice!
 

Michigan Central Station (abandoned) ~ Detroit, MI

 

60 years ago, most Americans were decent, hard working people and there were always good jobs available for anyone that was willing to roll up his or her sleeves and put in an honest day of work. But now all of that has changed.

 

Because the vampires of collectivism are sucking the free-market lifeblood out of the country, facilitating the demise of the civil society.
 
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Related:
From Motown to “Zombietown” Guess we can always transform the urban centers into new entertainment spots – but then just how many zombie parks does one country need?
 

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The Righteous Must Rebuild the Foundations

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?
~ Psalm 11:3 ~

 
Day by Day with the Persecuted Church – a book of 365 daily readings, is available through Open Doors International. These individual stories of perseverance, examples of unwavering faith in the face of adversity, are truly inspirational.
 
Yesterday’s selection (July 29th) was from Ghassan Khalaf. He probably wrote it more than a decade ago but, considering the secular Left’s assault on our founding principles, it struck me as being especially relevant to present-day America. It’s a reminder of our responsibility as Christians to remain faithful in the face of adversity and to re-establish the moral foundations of a society when they’ve been eroded or destroyed.

 
Ghassan is the president of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon. He’s been a firsthand witness to that country’s civil war in the 70’s and 80’s, and to the continuing turmoil fueled primarily by Hezbollah, and other Muslim factions as well as the recent tensions in Syria ~

 

During wars, moral and spiritual foundations are liable to be undermined and people tend to be permissive. They abandon God’s laws and government laws.

Even if they are the government.

In Lebanon when militiamen dominated, the government was dissolved. A state of chaos and complete confusion emerged. The foundations were destroyed. In a situation like this, what can the righteous do?
 
Learning from our situation the righteous can prove that He is the foundation when moral and spiritual foundations are destroyed, The Christian is the law in the absence of law, and he is the conscience of the nation when morals deteriorate. The example of Christ is reflected in our lives in humanity’s darkest hours. Christ is the light of the world, and we should let Him shine through us.
 
When foundations are destroyed, the righteous should not stand still. He must rebuild what is destroyed. Our call is not just to stand by and observe the destruction. Our call is to share in building up whatever is destroyed, especially in the moral and spiritual realm. What if what we have rebuilt is destroyed again? The righteous should be determined to build it again and again and again.

 
While the U.S. is not (yet) embroiled in a physical civil war of guns and bombs, we’re definitely engaged in a spiritual one. It’s a war that pits relativism against the TRUTH. We must be resolved to defend what’s left.
And we must be prepared to re-build again and again and again if necessary.
 

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…we also glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

~ Romans 5:3-5
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Related:
Jihad on Christians in Lebanon ~ Text of a speech from Brigitte Gabriel about her family’s experience during Lebanon’s tragic civil war, delivered at a Students Against Terror Concert and Rally at Duke University on a October 14, 2004.
 

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Defending Biblical Values With Our Vote

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
~ Psalm 127:1 ~

 
Powerful video that everyone who considers themselves a Christian – even a nominal one – needs to see before November. Especially the ones who bought into the whole “Hope & Change” illusion.
For believers, the 2012 election may well be the most important one of our lives.
 
Please share…
 

 
There’s also a version of the video specifically aimed at Catholic voters HERE.
 

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Saturday Shorts – 7-28-12

Random links of interest, concern or curiosity from the past week or so, that deserve at least a SHORT mention:

 
Obama wedding registry fund-raising strategy not a hit with brides ~ Sorry Barack. It’s not always all about you.
 
Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa BREAKS DOWN Ice-T For Gun Comments ~ Take that! Sliwa calls out the rapper’s blatant hypocrisy. Great video, featuring “Two if by Tea.” 🙂
 
Animals Win the Gold ~ From Creation-Evolution Headlines; As the Olympics begin in London, it’s fun to consider how animals would compete against humans.
 
Teen Starts Hot Dog Stand to Help Disabled Parents, Shut Down by City Almost Immediately ~ Nanny-state tyranny wields its iron fist in Holland, Michigan ~

“I was trying to help my mom and my dad, because they’re both on disability,” (13 year-old) Duszynski explained, saying that one parent has epilepsy and the other has multiple sclerosis, “so I was just trying to bring in some money for them and the household while they’re struggling.”

~ and in Eagle point, Oregon ~ Oregon Man Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail — for Collecting Rainwater on His Property.
 
ON THE OTHER HAND… if you’re indicted on various charges of sexual abuse and ethics violations, and you happen to be a black Democratic judge in Alabama; you can expect slightly different treatment: DOJ drops sexual abuse civil rights investigation citing ‘conflict of interest.’

 
Tick off a liberal: Take a Boy Scout to Chick-fil-A ~ Good rant. Like so many Amreicans, Matt Barber has had it with Leftist radicals trying to force their godless values on the rest of us.
 

Beyond connecting with like-minded patriots, Twitter has led me to several young conservatives on the web like Bethany, with her blog: Next Generation Voters. It’s so encouraging to find teens who appreciate America’s heritage, fearlessly and articulately sharing the truth with their peers, and the rest of us.
Bringing Faith Back! is a wonderful article about our Christian foundations.
Keep up the great work Bethany!
 

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Takin’ it to the House!


Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) delivered an historic speech on the floor of the House yesterday – receiving a standing ovation from fellow house members.
 
His message? Simple. If we want to fix the economy we need to move the mountains of red tape off the backs of the job creators!
 

Video source: The Blaze

 

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Obama’s Dream; America’s Nightmare

Obama’s America ~ 2016, a new documentary from Dinesh D’Souza, attempts to answer the question; who is Obama? Since the mainstream media didn’t ask in ’08 and obviously won’t bother to do so before this election either, this is probably a film every responsible voter needs to see before November.
 
Drawing on numerous interviews, family records and Barack Obama’s own history and worldview as recounted in his books, the documentary reveals the president’s ideology for the anti-colonial, anti-American, anti-West philosophy that it is.
 

 
While researching the film, D’Souza talked to Obama’s half-brother George Obama in Kenya (video clip below). Interestingly enough, George doesn’t share Barack’s animus toward the West and capitalism. Probably because he’s living so much closer to the truth and has witnessed first-hand the rotten fruits of anti-colonialism.
 
Yet brother Barack (clearly not his “brother’s keeper”), leader of the most prosperous country in the history of the planet, blames America for most of the world’s ills and considers capitalism a form of theft. Guess that’s what Marxist indoctrination will do to a guy.
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Obama’s America needs to be shown in many more theaters. So far it’s only been released in Texas, Tennessee, Montana and… Alaska (long drive from Michigan!).
A list of current locations is HERE.
 
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Related:
PolitiJim has seen the documentary and shares his thoughts: This Might Change the Election: Dinesh D’Souza’s 2016 Obama’s America ~

For me the scariest revelation was that the film poked holes in my assumption that Barack Obama was only a figurehead of the international union and George Soros cabal. It made me face real, hard evidence that it was Obama himself directing much of our constitutional desecration.

 

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D’Souza talks with George Obama:
[Romney should bring this guy along on the campaign trail!]

 

Posted in MSM Malpractice, Unvarnished | 3 Comments

Leftists Increasingly Intolerant of Religious Dissent

By now, we all know the drill: stand up for traditional marriage and brace for a full frontal assault from the Left. Brad Pitt’s mom discovered the ugly truth just a couple weeks ago.
 
This time, it’s fast-food chain Chick-fil-A that’s been targeted for attack. In a recent interview, company president Dan Cathy raised the ire of the Left with remarks like this: “We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit ….”
 
Scandalous? Outrageous? Offensive?
Yes – if you’re an anti-Christian Leftist.
 
Leading the charge of the Intolerance Brigade as usual are charming celebrities like Roseanne Barr ~
 

 
No surprise there. But now local elected officials are rattling their sabres as well, which – as Michelle Malkin says – is downright chilling, and an affront to the First Amendment.

It’s one thing for Hollywood moppets and television Muppets to protest Chick-fil-A over the fast-food chain president’s support for traditional marriage. They’re private citizens and entities. But when an elected public official wields the club of government against a Christian business in the name of “tolerance,” it’s not harmless kid stuff.

 
First, it was Boston’s mayor Thomas Menino:

“Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston.” He recklessly slandered the company by accusing it of “discriminat(ing) against the population.” And he warned ominously: “If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult — unless they open up their policies.”

 
And now it’s Chicago, led by alderman Joe Moreno, who just blocked a permit for a new Chick-fil-A restaurant in that city!
 
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A recent lawsuit in New Mexico reveals just how relentless the Left has become in their pursuit of the LGBT agenda. From the American Catholic:
 

A ruling by the New Mexico Court of Appeals has found that Christian photographers cannot refuse to photograph a “gay wedding” on religious grounds. The absurdity and tyranny of this ruling is almost unfathomable, but what is less surprising is the vindictive nature of the entire case. As an entire slew of court cases in Canada demonstrates, the radical homosexual movement is not about fairness, tolerance or equality. Like its equivalents among racial minorities (think Black Panther Party) or feminists, it is about envy, revenge, and domination.
 

As I have argued and will continue to argue, the homosexual movement is the movement of hate, intolerance, bigotry, and totalitarianism. Whether your are Christian or not, whether you have homosexual inclinations or not, the implications of the New Mexico court’s rulings for political liberty, religious freedom and private property rights ought to frighten you if you care in the least about these concepts.

 
What’s going on in America these days? What in the world is happening to a country that was founded by people seeking a haven from religious persecution?
Simply put ~

This is oppression. It is part of a concerted effort to invade the thoughts, beliefs and values of American citizens and particularly Christians and force them in a different direction. It is about thought-policing and ideological conformity. We must oppose it, and refuse to stop until the line is so firmly entrenched that none would dare attempt to cross it.

 
It’s also fascism. The ruling elite is attempting to force their belief system on the entire population. Freedom of religion be damned.
 
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If we don’t stand up to this assault on our values, freedom from persecution in America will be a thing of the past.
 
So… support your local Chick-fil-A! Find a location HERE.
And participate in Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day – August 1st ~ Spearheaded by Mike Huckabee
 
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Related:
Rahm Emanuel Pledges To Ban Chick-Fil-A From Chicago ~ Chicago is becoming the new murder capitol of the U.S., unemployment is close to 10%… And Mayor Rahm Emanuel is taking action: he’s banning Chick-Fil-A.
 

Posted in Cultural Erosion, Good vs.Evil, Unvarnished | Leave a comment

Mini Thespian tackles Shakespeare

Precocious performance of Henry V St. Crispin’s Day speech ~

 

 
This kid’s only five-years old?! Too cute! 🙂
 

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“The dying Christian civilization at the tip of Africa”

UPDATE 7-27-12:

Genocide Watch Issues Alert: South Africa In Early Stages Of White Genocide [Warning – very graphic photos]
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White-minority rule in South Africa ended in 1994, eighteen years ago. Unbelievably, since that time, more than 3,000 white farmers and their family members have been murdered by blacks. In the last 7 years alone there have been more than 9400 attacks on farms.
Currently, white farmers in South Africa are the most targeted population for racially motivated violence in the entire world.
 

Below is a shocking video that provides a sobering look at this ongoing tragedy:

Farm killings have increased since Julius Malema – leader of the ANC [African National Congress] Youth League – has started singing the banned song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer.”

 

Warning: contains sensitive and very graphic material.

 

World Net Daily is one of the few media sources that has regularly reported on this story. Last summer they featured a story by Ilana Mercer, a native of South Africa, who was offering a preemptive rebuttal to the media spin likely to arise from the First Lady’s pending trip to that country: Don’t believe Michelle Obama ~

It is essential that we curb the naïve enthusiasm among American elites, and those they’ve gulled, for radical, imposed, top-down transformations of relatively stable, if imperfect, societies, including their own. As the example of South Africa demonstrates, a highly developed Western society can be dismantled with relative ease. In South Africa, this deconstruction has come about in the wake of an almost overnight shift in the majority/minority power structure. In the U.S., a slower, more incremental, but equally detrimental, transformation is under way…
 
…Ironically, America’s Founding Fathers had attempted to forestall pure democracy by devising a republic. Yet under the wing of the American eagle a dispensation was negotiated in South Africa, the consequence of which is the raw, ripe rule of the mob and its dominant, anointed party…

 

 …Incredibly, the country was scorned by the West and treated as Saddam Hussein was, with boycotts and sanctions when it was governed by a racist white minority. Now that a racist, black-majority government controls the country, is as violent as Iraq, Liberia, or the Congo and rapidly becoming another Islamist-friendly, failed African state, it is the toast of the West.

 
Apparently eliminating Apartheid did not culminate in the wished-for utopian paradise of peace and harmony ~

…South Africa’s democratically elected African leaders are even more committed than their political predecessors – apartheid-era Afrikaners – to restructuring society around race.
 
With one distinction: More people are murdered in one week under African rule than died under the detention of the Afrikaner government over the course of roughly four decades.

 
Is it possible that it’s not skin color that determines how civil a society is – but rather worldview?
 

Extant societal structures that safeguard life and property can always be improved upon. But once these bulwarks against mob rule and mayhem disintegrate, they are seldom restored.
 
A civilized society, ultimately, is one in which the individual can go about the business of life unmolested. If he can’t do that simple thing, of what value is the vote?
 
The apartheid-era, traditionally Western legal institutions, however flawed, were preferable to the Rambo Nation’s “rehabilitated” institutions, riven as they are by tribal feuds, fetishes and factional loyalties.

 
The last couple decades of turmoil and tragedy in South Africa provide us with an opportunity for an honest evaluation of the civilizing effect of western traditions. We ignore the lessons of history at our own peril.
Mercer’s article concludes with the following:

Americans, who take for granted their domestic tranquility can’t afford to finesse the fate of the dying Christian civilization at the tip of Africa.
 
South Africa is a microcosm of what America could become, unless it returns to the principles that made it great. If American institutions continue to subordinate their raison d’être to politically dictated egalitarianism, reclaiming them from the deforming clutches of state-enforced tribalism will become harder and harder.

 
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Related:
The Genocide of White Farmers in South Africa ~ Includes a 10-minute excerpt from the stunning documentary “War of the Flea.”

The full movie is 93 minutes. Did you see it already on your TV-screen? We didn’t, either. Compare this to the worldwide hysteria in the time of ‘apartheid’ and draw your own conclusions…

 
White settlers never stole any land from Africans ~ Dispelling the myths surrounding the evil white African colonists:

…what the ‘settlers’ found [in the mid-19th century] was not a hugely advanced infrastructure, deep mines, airports, vast libraries of written works, grandiose institutions of learning, etc. No, as little as 170 years ago they found masses of black people (indigenous to the Southern tip of Africa, The San) living on the fringes of the stone age. Beings in skins, wielding sticks, living primitive dwellings, dragging and carrying things around, who had not even invented the wheel yet…
 
…Money, Capital and the pivotal mechanisms of the wealth that allows you to breathe, eat, have children, live a rather healthy productive and fulfilling life, but also allowed the cognitive development that leads to metropolitan development and infrastructure as we see it today – it is ALL of Western origins.

 

Posted in Fruits of Their Labors, Timeless Principles, Unvarnished | 1 Comment

They DID build that!

Like most productive members of society – those of us who live in the real world – American Crossroads took exception to President Obama’s recent attempt to diminish individual hard work, creativity, accomplishment and success. The 527 organization co-founded by Karl Rove is firing back with a new video which features small business owners from across the country:
 

 

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Brief Hiatus

Sorry for the spotty blogging… been off for a much-needed break.
 

New York Finger Lakes region: wineries, waterfalls, Watkins Glen
– and awesome views.

 
Back online tomorrow 🙂
 

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