Advice to Obama from a Veteran

This is a letter I received in an email and it seemed worth sharing. This letter is from a WWII veteran. I checked this out on snopes and it says this letter is correctly attributed.



Dear President Obama,

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don't believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos'n Mate. Now I live in a "rest home" located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can't figure out what country you are the president of.

You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:
"We're no longer a Christian nation"

"America is arrogant" - (Your wife even announced to the world, "America is mean spirited." Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)


I'd say shame on the both of you, but I don't think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said," America hasn't lived up to her ideals."

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn't mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don't think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don't, I'll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don't want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don't mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don't want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you're the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you're not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you're thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.

You're not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That's not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.

And I sure as hell don't want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.

Sincerely,

Harold B. Estes

Settled In - For Just A Little While

On my recent hiking trip I had a great deal of time to think and pray, even more than I had planned. After I made the decision to not continue with the full hike I had a great deal of unplanned time on my hands. To give you a hint of how much time – I finished 3 books, watched several movies, did some short day hikes and still had time to cook a little and consider life in general.

I found myself surprisingly content in a way that I have not been in a long time. The best way I could it explain it to my friend was “I am settling into my age.” Let me elaborate on what I mean for those of you who are older than me and about to get a little ruffled over that statement.

In hiking terms:
On the first day we hike 11 long and difficult miles. At the end of the day we were exhausted and a little unsure of what we have committed too. We finally found the campsite, took our packs off and ate dinner. We stayed busy setting up the camp and getting things ready for the next day but at least we were not walking up hill anymore.

We had a lot of hard miles to cover the following day and none of us were sure what would be in store ahead but for those few hours we had settled into camp. The tension began to melt away and suddenly I looked around and realized I was surrounded by the handy work of an amazing creator.

Application:
I have put in some long hard miles the past few years but I feel like I have settled in for a little while. It’s not that I am stagnant but that I am doing the chores that need to be done right now and preparing for what is to come the best I can based on the knowledge gained from the previous miles.

I have no idea what God has in store for the next stage of my life but I am grateful for the few moments of being settled in and the contentment that comes with it. The thoughts of tomorrow and the wonder of what is to come are right below the surface but for a few moments you I just marvel at what God has done.

Turn in Your Neighbors.....One Step Closer

My friend sent me an email this morning with a link to the white house blog on it. I of course had to read it for myself because I thought this sounds utterly bazaar but low and behold here is the direct quote:

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

In case you want to read the whole post for yourself: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things

So now they are asking us to patrol the Internet and our emails and turn them into the government so they may control what is going around.

Hmm I am the only one that sees parades of Hitler youth marching by in my head right now. This is just out there.

Well perhaps as we march toward the destruction of our democratic freedoms we are also marching towards the soon coming of the Lord Jesus; this is our silver lining in an otherwise sad state of things.

Don't Waste Your Life

I decided to change my myspace song last week and found that my favorite rap artist is on tour and coming to our area. My excitement overflowed and I sought out the few friends I have that enjoy the same genre and imediately planned the trip.

I am so excited to see a generation of truly talented musicians raise up and preach the word of God. This is not watered down sugar coated theology; this is in your face challenging gospel! This is a challenge to all of those who think that people have to be "drawn in" and then given the gospel. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ brought to the masses in a language they can understand. But, God is not disrespected with some flimsy interpretation or some watered down version of His word, this is "lyrical preaching." Preach on brothers!!

I am posting an interview with a pastor that makes this same point very well.
There is also a Lecrae video posted for any of you who have not had the opportunity to experince this fantastic music! Get past your style and enter in. Enjoy!

No Mr. President

This is a short little diddy by John Piper called "No Mr. President."
Preach on brother!

Read this Before You Die

We can discuss theology and technicalities but you must start with the basics. Do you know Jesus Christ and does Jesus Christ know you?
Read this Before You Die!!

Saved?

There is no one in right standing with or that seeks after God on their own. I will be held accountable to the laws of God. (Romans 3:9-20) On the day of judgment the evil ones will be separated out and thrown in the lake of fire. (Matthew 13:49-50)

Even if I want to do what is right I do not have the ability to keep doing it on my own because nothing good dwells in me apart from Christ. (Romans 7:18) But, God the Father draws me in - He calls me out of the depths of my sin. (John 6:44)

Before Christ my heart is hard and I am storing up God’s anger against me and it is set to be given to me on judgment day because I deserve it. If I am self seeking and do not obey the truth I will have the full wrath of God on me. However, if I seek the Lord and I persevere in the truth I will receive eternal life. It does not matter how I started out or who I was; it only matters if I sought Jesus when He called. (Romans 2:5-11)

I once lived however I wanted doing whatever I wanted, but I was spiritually dead. But, even when I was foul and a God hater, God chose to have mercy on me. He loved me enough to give His son to pay the price for my sin. It is not because of anything I did but only because of the grace and kindness of God that I am able to carry on and receive eternal life. (Ephesians 2:1-10 & John 3:16)

You see when God called me I was able to believe and tell everyone that Jesus was raised from the dead after He paid the price for my sins. God saved me. (Romans 10:9)

Now I know God’s law and in my life there is less sin everyday. But, if I do sin Jesus is my advocate. He paid for my sins. And now my life reflects that in my actions. You see if I said that I know Jesus but my life was the same as before what would that say? (1 John 2:1-6)

God works everything together to accomplish what He wants. Whether it is good or bad He uses it to further His kingdom. So, if God is for me and works all things for good, then what do I have to worry about? (Romans 8:28-33) The Bible tells me the only thing I should fear is that which can destroy my soul and send me to hell. (Matthew 10:28)

So, now I have peace with God through Jesus and I can be joyful in every situation. I am not joyful because of the situation but because of what God is doing through it. (Romans 5:1-5)

Election

I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as
preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what is
nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism;
Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can
preach the gospel...unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His
dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable,
eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we
can preach the gospel unless we base it upon the special and
particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ
wrought out upon the Cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which
lets saints fall away after they are called.

-Charles Spurgeon


The doctrines of our election, and free justification in Christ Jesus
are daily more and more pressed upon my heart. They fill my soul
with a holy fire and afford me great confidence in God my Saviour.

I hope we shall catch fire from each other, and that there will be a
holy emulation amongst us, who shall most debase man and exalt the
Lord Jesus. Nothing but the doctrines of the Reformation can do
this. All others leave freewill in man and make him, in part at least, a
saviour to himself. My soul, come not thou near the secret of those
who teach such things...I know Christ is all in all. Man Is nothing: he
hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God
worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure.

Oh, the excellency of the doctrine of election and of the saints' final
perseverance! I am persuaded, til a man comes to believe and feel
these important truths, he cannot come out of himself, but when
convinced of these and assured of their application to his own heart,
he then walks by faith indeed!

-George Whitefield

Structure

Our society has setup a standard of acceptance, tolerance and excuse making. Some churches have embraced this attitude and others struggle. But, the practice has crept into our daily lives without notice; much to the detriment of the health of the church.

So, the very Christians that should be leading by example are now busy making excuses on why the teenagers cannot possibly live up to the standards that God has setup, women can do anything men can do no matter what you say, you don’t know my past and how hard it has been, I cant possibly understand all of this so why bother, church people are difficult and mean. This is where our structure is falling apart.

You see God setup the church and the family to function in a certain way and the modern church is struggling. The older are suppose to mentor the younger, the men are suppose to lead, there are suppose to be standards for the children, women are to submit, we are to honor one another and learn from one anther. But, our society has set us up to be so me centered we get wrapped up in making sure I get what I need that we leave our brother or sister lying on the side of the road.

Here’s an example of the breakdown:
A husband is so worn out from an unsubmitted wife that he gives up and does not lead his family in prayer and scripture; he would rather work than take on the entire family.

His children begin to have to make life decisions but have little Biblical basis to go on. The family has never really had the intimacy of Bible study together so the kids are not comfortable discussing tough issues with their parents so they just make whatever decision they want. The child gets in trouble, the father tries to discipline, the mother blames the father and the whole family is in turmoil.

Now while all of this is going on they are trying to learn and teach at their church. But, because of the home life they are not sufficiently fed in their personal time to give back to others and they feel guilty that they are not getting it right so they are reluctant to participate.

Now multiply that by 30 families and put them in one church. Now you have a bunch of reluctant malnourished Christians wondering why they are worn out and feeling defeated. And there stands the pastor pouring out everything he has with little structural support.

Now here is an example of working within the structure God has given us:
A man, with the support of his wife, sits his family down everyday to pray together and read the Bible. The children have a strong background in the word as well as countless hours of serious and intimate time with their parents.

Now the child has the opportunity to make decisions and they have the Biblical knowledge to make wise ones. But, even when they make mistakes the parents unite and discipline the child quickly. The child learns of grave, forgiveness, consequences and love.

The house is ordered and the parents are united. When this family comes to church they are well fed from the week’s Bible study they had together. They are ready to speak wisdom and train others. Multiply that by 30 families and the pastor has support and does not bear the full weight of the burden.

Church discipline can also be used properly in a church like this because the men are able to discern what is needed to be done without the cloudiness of their own guilt in the way. The home practiced submission of the congregation also makes church discipline possible.

Now I understand that these are simplified examples but the point is the same. God setup a structure for a reason; it was not just because He felt like it. If your home is not in order it is difficult for your church to be in order.

It is true within families that you must sometimes choose your battles with your children wisely. I will definitively say that reading the Bible and praying with your family is a battle you must choose if you are a Christian family!

Men do not leave your families lying on the side of the road. Women do not hinder your husband’s God given mandate to be the spiritual leader of the house. Stop robbing your children of the upbringing that God intended for them. If you never give your children standards they have nothing to aim for.