Why you are a scholar and a gentleman , gracious sir…thank you (curtsies 😌)

You’re welcome ma’am – and thank you for your addition. Upon reading it and thinking about all else I’m cognizant of, it struck me that in many ways the average person there has been suppressed in much the same way that the Dems have done to many groups here in our nation – including through the use of what amounts to soft communism (at least prior to Starmer, who has gone full tilt totalitarian and reminds me very much of Walz in many ways).

It is and has always been about the will of the people to both stand up for themselves and simultaneously submit themselves to the Lord – just as it is in the US. It is light against darkness and an evil so palpable that one can cut it with a knife.

Unfortunately, soon may come the time that no matter the path taken, the result for a time in both countries will be a far weaker nation with the only difference being whether or not it has taken the upwards turn towards the light on the mountain or the downwards turn towards the impenetrable darkness of the deep pit.

I pray for both nations that their people look deep inside and muster the will, resolve, and courage to overcome. The only things I know with absolute certainty are that I shall not submit to that inky black darkness ever and that our Lord and Savior will never forsake us if we do not forsake him.

There can be no denying, my friend, that a spiritual war is raging across the Western world, the flames fanned by those who serve another master, whether they themselves recognize it or not. And it is so palpable that it is impossible for me to comprehend how so many cannot see it…and feel it.

Even churches have shockingly abandoned God and His teachings and moved towards modern day cults, something which has horrified me and I know others. The Anglican Church in Britain has completely lost its way, preferring to align itself with fashionable ideologies which are completely antithetical to Christianity…..up to and including accepting Islam as the equal to Christianity. Heartbreaking…no, strike that…appalling… to see so many churches being “repurposed” into mosques.

I read an article with photos the other day which showed Muslims tearing down with their hands a cross from the roof of a church which was, according to the headline “undergoing alterations”. All withntye acquiescence, approval, and protection of both Labour and (small c) conservative governments which have handed over the family silver to a cult completely antithetical to its culture and history. I can hardly take it in.

In other words, all of Britain is “undergoing alterations”.

I do not see the British rising against any of what is being imposed. I fear for many reasons we are hearing the death rattles of a small but once great country.

How eloquently you express yourself, dear sir. You do so for me as well. In my quieter moments I wonder if what we are enduring is not a judgement…that we are, however, in His infinite mercies, being given a reprieve so that we as a nation can gather ourselves to rise and fight against the unspeakable evil which sits in the seat of stolen power.

That for the moment God has stayed His hand. I wonder for how much longer…

These are some of the myriad thoughts which swirl through me daily. And as I reread what I’ve written I seem to have been disjointed in expressing them, for which I apologize.

A thoughtful post, Harrison….thank you.

BJ,
I often say I am “keeping one eye on the horizon, in anticipation of clouds of locusts” and I find universal agreement, …yes even from leftist loonies.

Its getting to the point that Helen Keller, although deaf, blind and well, lets face it DEAD, is still voting AND aware of the Spiritual war being waged across the globe.

Little by little, dutch.

One lost soul at a time.

“governments which have handed over the family silver to a cult completely antithetical to its culture and history. I can hardly take it in.”

They must be “Minnesota nice”.

It matters naught how we research, examine, or slice and dice it.
It truly has been stripped to the single, bare essential.
This is war.
Good versus evil.
God versus Satan.

You’re reminding me of Andrew Breitbart’s declaration of war, Lorrie.

It is that.

In answer to “how so many cannot see it…and feel it” – IMO the major reason is that to recognize what is going on, one must believe in the existence of God…and thus also the one who walks to and fro, along with the existence of evil itself. If one doesn’t, then all one sees is different groups of people disagreeing about “policy.” Too, one must look “below the surface”, instead of with a shallow vision – and take a broader view of events, instead of looking at things in isolation. So many are simply oblivions.

In my wanderings among the various communication mediums over the years, including face-to-face discussions – the one thing that has been clearly, consistently, and vociferously attack by large groups of foot soldiers for darkness is the very concept of God. Nothing, absolutely nothing – not abortion or economic issues or any other topic, invokes such a loud, large, and determined an uprising against it. Of course, this is by design.

As if that weren’t bad enough, just as you have described with the Anglican church and the “conversion” of buildings, so too has been the infiltration and poisoning of all Christian faiths (for that matter all faiths centered on anything OTHER than Islam…) over at least several decades and their conversion towards darkness. It often starts with a single subject, most often using a fragment of the Word taken out of context and twisted for the purpose of the attack, usually appealing to emotions and guilt. It’s used as a trojan horse to begin the destruction of the church and twist the word beyond recognition. It ends up leading to what can only be described as abominations and invariably schisms. There may not be a single Western religious group that hasn’t had this occur to some degree. Even as we sit here, the Vatican is inhabited by what can only be properly described as a demon (apologies to our Catholic brethren, but it’s far past time for blunt truths). Many other ‘denominations’ are in the same condition, going against the very plain and unambiguous Word and installing lesser demons themselves. The hypocrisy does not go unnoticed and it has resulting in many abandoning not just the church they went to, but their faith itself – as well as either drives away others who might be saved or fills their mind with poisonous doctrine and in some cases outright blasphemy.

For myself, possibly the most telling single action of the weakness of most churches and those who ‘lead’ them was the subservience to those demons in government whom drove the decrees that even churches must be shut down at a time when they were needed the most, not only by their congregations but by the many in their communities who desperately needed them. One of THE most essential things in life was declared to not be “essential.” From my observations, it went even beyond that – accepting the “world” views to the point that even when many local governments withdrew the decrees relatively early, they continued to remain shut for months – and in some cases years. It doesn’t matter if the vast majority of the congregation itself was trembling in fear of being near another human being, a church itself should NEVER close and its shepherd should never stay away from it. If but one faithful soul were to show up to pray or in need of reassurance, they should be open and available.

/lectern

In regards to the inhabitants of the UK and Ireland, those in the US, or in any other western nation – they and all of us must remember that with God absolutely ANYTHING is possible.

“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

Matthew 17:19-21

Perhaps you’re right about your quieter moment thoughts in part or in whole – or perhaps some of it is just that which we have brought upon ourselves through our actions and inaction. One can be the most faithful and God fearing human on the planet, but if you hide your light under a bushel basket and speak not and do not while evil swirls all around you, what is the cause of the consequences, God’s judgement – or your inaction?

I would remind that we have free will, which carries with it both responsibilities and consequences. It is not God’s judgement carried out when evil leads to the atrocities too oft in the news for example. The wicked one would have us all and his evil would destroy all IF we allow it. We, all of us, must resolve to NOT allow it and do everything within our abilities to right the ship and drive out the darkness. We should not cower in the back of the boat in fear during this storm, but instead boldly step out onto the water and walk towards Christ. May it be so for us all.

Please never apologize for allowing that which flows within to come tumbling out onto the pages regardless of its form. I’m very appreciative that you feel comfortable enough to share and willing to in spite of whatever wart you might perceive that others, including myself, might not (you covered a broad range). Thank you for doing so, as we all have thoughts swirling within and expressing them can be beneficial to ourselves and others in a myriad of ways.

God Bless Betsy and may your and your loved ones Labor Day be a peaceful one.

Oh Harrison…I’ve come to your beautiful, thoughtful post late on Labor Day.

I’d actually retired but as is common with me now, I tossed and turned…so much swirling around in my head and heart…that I finally arose to fix a cup of tea and to revisit.

I am so glad that in doing so I found your post advising me of your answer to mine yesterday. Perhaps I was directed to do so?

I very well feel I may have been 🙏🏻

My reply to you will be inadequate. Today has been very emotional for me as we are turning a page in our lives and have said farewell to twin grandsons who are headed far away to university. We have been such an integral part of their growing up, and suddenly…they are gone. The days are long, but the years are short…too short. Such is life with its changes in landscape and no rewind or pause button…

Suffice it to say that as I read your missive, I found myself saying “Yes, YES!!” to all you wrote. As if somehow you had some power to read everything about which I’ve been thinking…especially concerning the demons which have infiltrated and captured those who I always thought would stand firmly for our Father and His teachings.

I think of all which has manifested in these past terrible four years it is that which has dismayed, disturbed, and shocked me in equal measures.

From Franklin Graham to Bergoglio to Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and many in between whose names are lesser known but who are earthly shepherds to flocks in desperate need of spiritual sustenance…each one abandoned in one way or another our Shepherd; and instead assumed stances more as servants of governments and cultish ideologies.

I appreciate your eloquence, dear sir. And your sharing what I know are deep contemplations which are remarkable in their similarities to mine as of late.

There is peace in all this chaos knowing that the only firm foundation is Almighty God, His Son Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The eternal Holy Trinity. Aleksandre Solzhenitsyn wrote about how comforting it was to understand that all was within His control. He added that the only thing he prayed for was that the sword he wielded so well in his writings would not fall from his hand.

It really is quite a thing to understand so simple a reality and to hold tight to our mustard seeds, trusting all to God, and (in perhaps a trite phrase) do our human best to bloom where we are planted, according to His purposes we pray.

So we soldier on, recognizing that His mercies are fresh every morning and knowing that there are unknown blessings to come. Faith tells us this is so.

I’m off to gwelli now (that’s Welsh for “bed”). Thank you once more for such a lovely reply. Blessings always, my friend. I shall see you anon no doubt. Bet

Hope that you finally had a restful slumber Betsy. Just a reminder that there isn’t such a thing as “inadequate” in a conversation – they flow where they go and as they will, much like a walk through a forest without paths.

Will say a prayer for your grandsons, that they might not be captured by the world while away at university and they discover instead something good which captures their imaginations and helps them along their way. Parting with those near and dear is never an easy thing – all the more so when it’s at the transition from one phase of life to another, such as their’s now is. Such a transition can feel as if a death has occurred – and in some ways one has, as the fabric of the world as was known is forever changed and that segment of our lives and all of its richness melds into the tapestry of our past. ‘Tis why my tendency is to say “See you later” rather than “Goodbye.” The best I can offer is a reminder to keep glowing the embers of the memories that they might endure and radiate their loving warmth once again when summoned forth. The aspects of time you so richly described are very important lessons which frequently crystallize late and are too oft not properly conveyed to the young. In the blink of an eye all that was, is, or will ever be.

Pray my ramblings in some form or fashioned helped your own ponderings and brought some manner of peace, powerless as I might be – though would admit to writing at times without conscious thought such that while the forest might be my own, the path is not and its sporadic markers are felt not seen, as if another is indeed saying “Yes, YES!” As for the contemplations which make up the forest, some are seedlings, other saplings and some are towering oaks.

Would agree with Aleksandre that all is within God’s control, but my own view is that said reins are held quite loosely to allow for unfettered free choice. His Word is our map and the truths conveyed through the Holy Spirit are our guideposts – but it remains our choice and responsibility what to do with them – to heed and follow or wander astray, even to find our way back. The comfort for me is in knowing that whatever the path one might travel, no matter the fog we might struggle through, or knotted roots which might trip us that He is always with us, loves us, and offers His grace…and that in the end He – and we – win. For those whom are His it might not always be in the here and now – but it will most assuredly be.

So yes, my friend – soldier on and those times you are faced with the cold harshness of the world, pull your cloak of faith about you and rejuvenate yourself with His Blessings. May you ever hold tight your mustard seed and maintain Him as your anchor and may His Peace fill you and yours this and every day. Till another time – God be with you.

Methinks it is the submission to the Lord, that is Satans biggest recruiting tool.

Perhaps Dutch, but I think more likely it is man’s fallen nature and desires.

The odd thing though is that what many don’t recognize is that all submit to many things in life, be it the law or the wishes of our loved ones or unfortunately the pressures of the crowd. When one gives in to evil, that too is submission – to the one who walks to and fro.

Betsy, you’re currently living in Wales? I had no idea. I’ve always been surprised that Wales never seems to make headlines regarding political news.

What are the Welsh like, in general? – I don’t mean to put you on the spot – if somebody asked me,”What are the Americans like, in general?” I could basically respond that we are currently a Country divided, much to do with the selection of BHO in 2008 and again in 2012, and now even worse with the Left’s Cabal running the show.

Do the Welsh just seem to along with the flow? How much input do they have in the UK Government?

Sorry, don’t mean to burden you, Betsy, I am always eager to learn more about the political landscape everywhere. God bless.

You are not burdening me, dear lady.

No rita…from 1986-2016. Returned because of grandchildren and my mother was aging. I was happier there at the time than I had ever been in my life, and in truth left my heart there. But one gets to an age when one has to ignore the moment and try to look around corners, to decide that if the worst happens, where the best place to be is. None of us are getting any younger, and the NHS is notoriously unfit for purpose.

As for the Welsh people, I found them to be warm and accepting of this American. But then I began my life there willing to abandon all I had grown up with here in the States and to become absorbed completely in their country and customs. I always considered myself a guest but came to be accepted as a Welsh woman. That from a local in the village when an American tourist said to me in the small shop where I worked, “Oh!! You’re an American!”

“No, she’s a local,” said an overhearing, passing friend…

Nothing before or since warmed my heart like that compliment. I loved them all.

My sister in law is there still, and many beloved friends, so we keep up as if we were.

Wales is so different from Britain’s other parts. So much proud and interesting history. But government-wise, no less paternal, authoritarian, or nannying. From conversations with my SIL, it seems the normally laid back Welsh are getting truly fed up with what is going on…as yet “migrants” haven’t yet been dumped into North Wales, which is where we lived. But we figure its only a matter of time. What will happen then is anyone’s guess.

The Welsh in general are none too fond of the English, so I suspect the reception committee will not be welcoming, and more than likely might be hostile.

We won’t return even for a visit.

We lived there during halcyon days which have died away into the same Marxist conditions but much worse that we here are starting to experience,

Thomas Wolfe was right…you can’t go home again. Fortunately I learned this early in my life. I don’t want beautiful memories ruined by what is now. It would break my heart.

I see I’ve rambled, girl…hope that goes at least some way towards answering your questions 😊
It’s a tragedy…

My reactions about returning to other places I have called home mirror yours. I don’t want what once was defiled by what is. 🏡 😢

See below.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The information I received was, according to academic historians inaccurate

The 1989book OTHER LOSSES incorrectly states that one million captured German soldiers died in Eisenhower’s concentration camps for captured German soldiers

Rheinwiesenlager – Wikipedia

The19 concentration camps built by the allies where captured German soldiers were kept
Approximately 4000 died while detained.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheinwiesenlager
Contrarian viewpoint:

Rheinwiesenlager: How The US Killed Hundreds Of Thousands In Secret

https://allthatsinteresting.com/rheinwiesenlager

😲

I would be interested in that link that home schoolers have consistently done better. As opposed to what? The statistics for public school kids about to the minuscule amount who might home school. I find it hilarious that anyone thinks that higher level math, science or English can be home schooled. But hey that is just me.

What I find far more hilarious is that fools and the pompous consistently overestimate themselves and vastly underestimate the knowledge, skills, intelligence, experience, and abilities of those they deem the vast unwashed.

In particular in the here and now, while there ARE a handful of excellent, actual teachers with both the ability and knowledge to teach, there are far, far more (particularly in large urban areas) that are nothing but shrieking harpies and puffed up buffoons spewing propaganda and teaching that there aren’t any correct answers and filling kids heads with falsehoods and zero real, factual knowledge to mention nothing of the utter lack of teaching of far more critical things than mere facts and rote methodologies – skills such as the ability to think critically, analyze the complex, and understand the intricacies.

The fact remains as well that there are those who can teach THEMSELVES anything at any level with the proper access to materials – including those doing the homeschooling.

Then there is the simple reality that nobody knows everything – nor needs to know many things – in order to do that which they are drawn to or to succeed in life.

Not sure either Betsy.. but think it’s possible with leadership we have now..Trump.. don’t know if I’ll live to see it but lots of people of all political stripes don’t want to keep going in present direction..
This too shall pass ..🙏🙏😘

🇺🇸💪😀👍

On the one hand, since we have friendly debate about whether it really started in 1915, or goes back much further, its reasonable to assume its going to take several generations to truly clean up the mess.

On the other hand,….
“Slowly,…and then all at once!”

The Singing Revolution was on a ‘slow boil’ for a couple of years, but boiled over and the populace evicted the Soviet Union,…in THREE DAYS.

There is a change in the air, dear Jim. I can feel it. I think a lot of us can. But those winds of change will not move as quickly as we would hope.

Almighty God weaves his tapestry endlessly. He knows what He is doing, even as we might not. We will trust. All the best things take time 🙏🏻💕

There must be division at all costs!

It is interesting that “divide and conquer” is increasingly challenged.

There are lots of testimonials of former Democrats, and various ethnic groups, who are no longer buying what the status quo has been selling.

This past school year there was less division. Parents and students were not flaunting how they identified.

It was a welcome return to just teaching kids.

I am hoping for a continued return “to normal” this year as well. It is my last year.

Hang in there Lorrie!