Regrettably, today is my final day as a member of this board. First, I would like to say what it has meant to me to have been a part of it. I have learned so many wonderful things. But one of the most life changing things has been to have learned the importance of how important it is to clearly define my personal viewpoints, how to articulate those points through honest debate, to understand the value in listening to others viewpoints and in all that, to have learned humility and grace. As Christians, these are values God wants us to have.
I will fondly remember all those who were so supportive during the time we went through Hurricane Helene. So many offered prayers and encouragement to those of us who were terrified after what we went through.
We've shared many experiences together and many I will carry with me as I look to what God has for me next in my journey.
I'm leaving because the tone and objectives of this board have changed. I have greatly admired @RobertBarnes all these years and have learned a lot from him. But these last months have seen some troubling changes. As a Christian, it's important for us to carefully and respectfully call into question when we see a fellow Christian falter in their faith. There is an increasing level of anger, hate, and arrogance that niw seems to be present on a daily basis. It's devolved into personal attacks on nearly everyone; even those who have, at a minimum, exhibited love and commitment to this nation. These are not attributes God wants us to exhibit nor embrace.
I understand the desire to avoid war and conflict. But there are moments when they are necessary. Those moments always include fighting and defeating EVIL. The scriptures are full of those examples. God Himself waged war against evil, time and time again because evil is destructive and deadly not just to our physical beings but to our very souls.
The first thing our founding fathers did, one of whom is my own generational grandfather, is set that tone in word. They began by defining the fight in the penning of the Declaration of Independence. In this quote, is our MANDATE to fight.
"But when a LONG TRAIN OF ABUSES and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM, it is their RIGHT, it is their DUTY, to THROW OFF such Government, and to provide NEW GUARDS for their FUTURE SECURITY."
We are told in these words that there IS a place to throw off that evil, and the reason to throw off evil is to preserve life. In the past, those within our government lied to us and told us we went to war to preserve freedom. That simply was a lie because we've been infiltrated by that very same evil. That evil demanded and tricked us into doing their evil bidding. That entity is who went to war with us in early stages of our nation as a result of our Declaration of freedom from their tyranny.
Our founders left us the blueprint of how to break free if we ever faced this challenge again. History has provided us with the documentation and knowledge that this evil entity, once defeated in 1783, repeatedly came back ever since to reclaim what they believe to be theirs. Our nation does not belong to them. Their evil has spread like a malignant cancer over our nation because no one has stood up to this Goliath. Now, we have a leader who has taken up that fight. Is he flawed? Yes. Has he made mistakes? Yes. It's because no human is perfect. But God has placed this man in leadership at this moment in time, has preserved his life and given him the wisdom for that fight. As Christians, we MUST recognize God's sovereignty above all else. HE is ultimately in control, and He has His purposes. These are fundamental doctrines to the Christian faith.
The devil knows these things as well. He's clever and devious and is using every tool in his box to divide and conquer us. Ultimately, it's Satan who hates our nation because we, the people, have always tried to stand up for the good, for preservation of life, to provide freedom and equality. These are God's principles, and Satan hates them. Too many in this nation have turned their backs on God, on our founding principles, on our citizens all for power and money. It has been eroding our foundations for decades.
In order to fix this broken house, we have to tear out the rotten parts. Just like when a home is flooded with dirty, contaminated water, it begins to rot the structure of the house. So, the rotten parts have to be destroyed. But it first begins with the ground outside the house. If that ground isn't cleaned up, it threatens the integrity of that house. The well from which the water comes from must be cleansed, or that poison can enter that house and poison it. It means bringing in excavators and heavy machinery to remove the debris and rework the earth for the survival of the home. Once that work is complete, then the work inside the house can begin. This is what President Trump and his team are doing. They are going after the City of London, the British Empire, degrading its power, its financial structure, its reach, so that once the work begins inside our country, they can't return once again returm to destroy it.
It's a mission fraught with danger and uncertainty because the enemies responses can't always be known. These present significat challenges and it requires trust. Trust is gained when someone has proven their medal for the fight. But all these challenges must be faced for us to have victory.
Secondly, our founders took up the fight in deed as we took up arms, picking up muskets and swords to fight that evil head on. Our ancestors showed us with extreme grit and determination that the fight was not only worth having, it HAD to be fought. We can WIN the fight, especially with God on our side. God has already defeated Satan. God has also helped our nation win the fight against evil forces in the past. He can degeat evil forces whenever He wants. He has promised us that when we turn to Him in repentance, HE will win the fight for us. That fight is God's, and it's by His choosing.
II Chronicles 7
"14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
The final paragraph of that fine document concludes how we determine our own destiny. How we have the right to ENFORCE our freedom, and that entity, the State of Great Britain, penned in this document, is the one we still face today. It's that entity we still have the right to be free from and to defend against, even at the tip of a sword.
"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
May God grant us the courage to face the enemy head on with grace, strength, and dignity.
