tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-115464792024-02-22T08:47:51.229-08:00Future and Hope BlogCharles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.comBlogger266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-44030702500360666152023-12-02T08:18:00.000-08:002023-12-03T09:53:57.922-08:00<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">COGNITIVE SECURITY DEFINED:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">(Based on: </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3333333432674408px;">Testimony</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> at US Capital of Michael Shellenberger)</span><o:p style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"></o:p></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The CIA created Cognitive Security (manipulation) psychological operations (PsyOps) to use against US enemies to manipulate their thoughts, get them to think a specific way, change their worldview and cause them to <b><i><u>act</u></i></b>, and if necessary violently, to overthrow their nations’ leaders. This was deployed and perfected during what we now call the, “Arab Spring.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since the 2016 general election, all five main security agencies: CIA, FBI, NSA, DIS, & DHS are using Cognitive Security measures against US citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">NO GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE THIS POWER!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Definitely not the US Constitutional Republic)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What does Cognitive Security mean?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The short answer is: control the information people receive. The Democrat Party wants to control the information people receive so that the way average people think about the world, the stories they are told: see and hear, by trickling bits and pieces of information over time, will eventually shape or, if necessary, change their worldview. For example, if you are told constantly from a multitude of different sources, including family and friends, eventually, you will begin to alter your thinking about a subject. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Today, we hear from everywhere, “Donald Trump is a Nazi,” or “Donald Trump will be a dictator like Hitler.” Neither is the term, “Nazi” defined, nor is the historical context about Hitler provided. For the uninformed, “Nazi” means, “National Socialism.” Donald Trump may be many things, but he is not a socialist. Adolph Hitler was responsible for starting World War II and the death of over 6 million Jewish people: men, women and specifically, 1.5 million children. As far as we know, the most destructive thing Donald Trump has done is call one woman a fat pig or posted mean tweets. The moral equivalency is staggering – not really. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How many college age students took to the streets to shout death to the Jews right after the October 7, 2023 brutal and murderous attack on Israel: hundreds, thousands, millions around the world? Their worldview was changed by purposeful misinformation. Malleable children are being indoctrinated over time, influenced by multiple, non-parent monitored stimulating sources like Facebook, Instagram, and the evilest of all, TicTok, which is run by the child-manipulating and child-mutilating Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Social media friends and followers then acted, in many cases violently. These people have been manipulated and transformed into an out of control, mindless mob. This is precisely the result the Democrat Party controlled “intelligence” agencies wanted to achieve.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The only defense to this mind manipulation is Almighty God’s Inspired Holy Word of God, the Bible. Pray His Holy Spirit will instruct the followers of Jesus to be ready to fight mind-control behavior alteration and big lies with His Truth. If we do not surrender our lives to Jesus and beg His Holy Spirit to control our thoughts and our lives, we will succumb to this ever-present danger to the future of mankind, the loss of God’s gift of our own free will.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-4333174018085829782023-05-29T11:42:00.001-07:002023-05-29T11:42:39.557-07:00Memorial Day 2023<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It's been close to 2 years since I've written anything worth posting. On this Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, I wanted to take a moment and say, "Thank you," to those who gave their lives so that we might live in the Land of Liberty. As a veteran, I know the sacrifice I was willing to make for the United States of America and our Constitution. But today, I want to remember the millions who gave, as President Abraham Lincoln stated in his Gettysburg Address, the last full measure of devotion. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I want to say, "Thank you," to the Pilgrims who braved the perils of the unknown to settle this new continent for the advancement of the Kingdom of God, to the Patriots who threw off the tyranny of a vengeful monarchy and rejected the false doctrine of the divine right of kings, to the hundreds of thousands who died to free slaves and forever end slavery in this nation, for those who perished to bring World War I to a quick end of the senseless slaughter, to those who liberated Europe </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">from the </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">evil </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Master Race ideology</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> and the peoples of East Asia from a domineering empire, to those who gave their lives </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">to prevent the spread of global communism </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">in the thankless police action in Viet Nam, and to those slain in the never-ending wars against the bloodthirsty butchers of radical Islam.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But today, I want to memorialize my parents, Jack & Bertha Patricoff. My dad fought in the Pacific Theater of WWII, and </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">although wounded, he </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">survived. Unfortunately, the child they conceived did not. Seven years after the war ended, they adopted me, something they did not have to do. I believe The Creator of the Universe put it on their hearts to do so. I am eternally grateful that they chose to take me into their home and raise me to love and obey Almighty God. From the training I received from their hands, I learned His Word. In time, He revealed Himself to me and saved me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Which brings me to the most important sacrifice of all. Jesus gave His life, so that I might live. He paid the sin penalty for everyone. He rose from the dead to prove He was and is the promised One. As we see the world embracing evil, His return is imminent. I look forward to His appearing and seeing Him face-to-face, and thanking Him for all He has done for </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">all humanity, and </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">me personally.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div></div></div>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-6589218573934745772021-10-28T18:51:00.000-07:002021-10-28T18:51:42.808-07:00Is Secession the only Answer – Part 6?<div style="text-align: center;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Will Americans Separate from the Left to Save America, Our US Constitution, and The Bill of Rights?</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">(A Study)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s been months since my last blog post (</span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/08/is-secession-only-answer-part-5.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Part 5</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">) and for good reason. I wanted to step back and evaluate the condition of the nation from a distance. I’ve traveled a good portion of the country since August 1<sup>st</sup>, and witnessed individual liberty protecting states versus enslavement states. The divide is even greater than I determined earlier in the year. I have repeatedly asked the question, is it reasonable to consider secession from the tyrannical Left? At this point, it seems inevitable and it <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">is</u> our only hope. The ideological separation is unbridgeable as tyrannical practices crush individual liberty each new day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">We must understand the Left demands Marxist ideology over truth and humanity. It does not matter to the Left how many people must suffer and/or die so long as their ideology advances, smashing all opposition. We don’t need the Left. We can live in peace without them. If we do not establish a new freedom-based nation fast, liberty will be lost to all mankind before another year passes. If you don’t believe me, consider how much liberty has been destroyed by the power-hungry, blood-thirsty Left in 9 short months. They won’t stop until the founding principles and values of America are torched and placed on the ash-heap of history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Natural secession has already begun (for an example, see <a href="https://parler.com/user/FactsMatterRoman" target="_blank">Facts Matter</a>). Liberty-loving Americans are moving to freedom protecting states like Florida, South Dakota, and Texas. I hope others will make a stand for Liberty before it is too late. We now know the current administration abandoned American citizens in Afghanistan to be slaughtered by demon possessed Islamic radicals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine you are a 25-year-old Afghan woman that grew up in a Westernized community and became a translator helping American soldiers. You learned about Jesus, and surrendered your life to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine how you would react the morning you show up to work at the Bagram AFB, knowing the Taliban are on the march. Where are the Americans, those who promised to protect you? You trusted them to keep their word. Did they lie to you? Have they betrayed you to certain terror, torture, and death? Biden wants us to forget what he did. The Islamic world will never forget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Braindead Biden has opened our southern border to the disease infected, hardened criminals and Islamic killers. His Department of Justice (DoJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are being unleashed to threaten and if necessary attack parents who speak out at school board meetings, challenging mandatory masking of children or forcing them to be stabbed with experimental vaccinations, and objecting to teenage girls being raped in school bathrooms and its government coverup. Military members, healthcare workers, first responders, employees of any company that holds a government contract or subcontract at any level must take the jab or lose their jobs. Biden said </span><i>anyone </i><span>who objects to his, “Infrastructure Bill” is </span><i>complicit</i><span> preventing the nation’s economic recovery. Hundreds remain in jail for their casual participation in the January 6</span><sup>th </sup><span>protest, called by the Left as an </span><i>insurrection</i></span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">. The Left is using specific terms with legal connotations to render conservatives criminals. We must secede now, while the administration is too weak to stop it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can anyone give me a good reason not to secede? I’m aware of the argument that it could lead to a second civil war and it will probably be bloodier than America’s first. Abraham Lincoln believed the bloodshed was necessary to pay for the national sin of slavery. America’s modern sins are so numerous I for one welcome the conflict no matter the cost in blood and treasure because conflict will lead to resolution and the restoration of freedom. However, I believe we can separate peacefully. Three counties in Western Maryland have begun a process to leave Maryland and join West Virginia and seven counties in Oregon are doing the same with Idaho. Let the evil Left have their corrupt cities. I will happily move to a rural, small town in fly-over country. But this leads me to the next amendment in the Bill of Rights, since the Left is criminalizing all opposition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of our individual liberties designed to protect citizens from government sponsored injustice is the 5<sup>th </sup>Amendment to the United States Constitution. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">What has happened to the overzealous US citizens who entered the US Capital over 9 months ago, who have been hunted and arrested by government agents? I wondered about them and if they were being treated as US citizens protected by the 5<sup>th </sup>Amendment, or foreign-enemy combatants, granted no legal protections at all. I learned over 400 men and women (many elderly) were thrown into a federal detention facility in Washington D.C., placed in isolated confinement, denied defense representation or visitors, and many mistreated, barely granted human dignity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are reports they have been subject to torturous beatings, and COVID-19 vaccination coercion. I thought the COVID pandemic requires the release of prisoners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But these are American citizens and they are not deterred even though they are detained. </span><span style="color: #954f72; font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://amgreatness.com/2021/07/18/exclusive-audio-listen-to-january-6-detainees-sing-the-national-anthem/" style="color: #954f72;">American Greatness</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">released an audio capturing the prisoners singing the Star-Spangled Banner in order to lift spirits and boost morale while they await their trials scheduled, maybe, sometime next year. Justice delayed is justice denied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s important to keep in mind, Detainees have not been accused of committing any violent crimes, and they are being held without bail. Then, I learned that US Representatives: Louis Gohmert of Texas, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Matt Gaetz of Florida, and Bob Good of Virginia were denied access to speak with their confined constituents. This not only violates the 5<sup>th </sup>Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is evil and must be resisted until destroyed. How does this Satanic abuse of power square with </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">the 5<sup>th </sup>Amendment?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Article</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">V </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(5<sup>th </sup></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amendment</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Has a single Grand Jury been convened? Why are their liberties being deprived without due process of law? I wonder what legal perversions the Democrat Communist Party (DCP) Department of (<i>"In"</i>) Justice is creating out of whole cloth. It is so easy for their friends in Big Tech to stitch together a web of lies against these American Patriots, present the false evidence, threaten their family members, and otherwise convince them to render a guilty plea. In exchange, they will be “offered” a reduced sentence, surrender their right to vote in all future elections, and have their life ruined for however many days God will allow them to breathe His air. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">What about depriving private property without due process of law? Bully Biden enforces the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) continuance of the rent moratorium even after he had legal scholars warn him that it would be unconstitutional. Worse, he’s issued an unconstitutional executive order mandating the experimental vaccine for all private companies that have 100 employees or more, for all businesses that hold government contracts, and the termination of employees that refuse to receive the jab. The U.S. Constitution does not grant any president such authority. He has ridiculed our understanding of Liberty and declared in a town-hall meeting that all those who refuse the shot, be terminated. Gleefully, he’ll take away livelihoods without due process of law. And the Left-filled crowd cheered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: start; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">When is enough, enough? Or, is it too late? I finished reading </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8HYbZJCClY" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"American Marxism," by Mark Levin</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">. I cannot recommend it enough. In the 7<sup>th </sup>and last chapter, he offers reasonable antidotes to the poison the DCP is injecting into our nation. I will do what I can to put many of these solutions into practice. If Americans do not unite for Liberty’s sake, the nation will be gone and with it the last best hope for liberty on Earth. Tyranny will rule until Jesus returns to establish His Kingdom and set the captives free.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-64689339051272962942021-08-01T10:32:00.000-07:002021-08-01T10:32:00.881-07:00Is Secession the only Answer – Part 5?<style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Will Americans Fight to Save America, Its US Constitution, and The Bill of Rights?</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(A Study)</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="-webkit-standard"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since I started this study of the Bill of Rights, I’ve watched one God granted individual right after another be taken and destroyed by the Democrat Communist Party (DCP). Before I started writing this post the Whitehouse announced with pride they are colluding with big tech to spy on non-party members’ social media accounts and text messages to stop the, “Super spread of misinformation,” regarding the CORONA virus vaccine. They say they are not spying. <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">LIARS!</u> They are destined for Hell unless they repent, beg Jesus for His forgiveness, and change their behavior. They claim they’re spying to save lives. Another collective lie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been asking the question, is it reasonable to consider secession from the tyrannical Left? Now I think, let’s do it. I’m glad I’m hearing other conservatives ask this question. Most rebuke the idea, but at least it’s being discussed. But now with government surveillance of US Citizens out in the open, and the digitally-counted illegal, president’s declaration that non DCP members are the greatest existential threat to the Left, they are at war with all who support the United States Constitution. It’s not hyperbole. Take a good look. We’re living in a police, surveillance state violating the 4<sup>th </sup>Amendment to the US Constitution, which says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Article </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">IV </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(4<sup>th </sup></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amendment</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because the government is colluding with big tech to spy on us, no Conservative American is secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. It’s my opinion, no Conservative is safe, period. Because the DCP is practicing surveillance, we are being violated by warrantless searches. If people do not realize this individual right is gone, they are not paying attention. When can the government, “Cooperate” with private enterprises to do what it expressly cannot do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span>I’ve heard it said, “I don’t care. I have nothing to hide.” Or, “I’m nobody the Left would care about.” Over the past 100 years, Socialists/Communists have never let even the least influential human who disagrees with their worldview, live, including the silent ones and their children. You may think you have nothing to hide, but look what the then powerful did to Jesus. <b>THE SON </b>of <b>GOD </b>not only had nothing to hide, but demonstrated and declared <b>HE </b>was (and is) </span></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial;">the </span><b style="font-family: Arial;">WAY</b><span style="font-family: Arial;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">the </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">TRUTH</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">and the </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">LIFE</b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"> and no one comes to the </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span>FATHER</span> </b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">except through </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span>HIM</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">. Sinners like me, tried in vain to kill </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span>HIM</span> </b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">who knew no sin. Then, </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span>HE</span> </b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">rose from the dead to prove </span><b style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span>HIS</span> </b><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">point. If one thinks they have nothing to hide, when the Left decides to ruin a life, they can piece together from social media posts a false narrative of who and what their enemy is – Racist. There will be nowhere to hide when the Left completes their character assassination.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The totalitarian Left has successfully transformed the United States Constitution and every individual right secured by the Bill of Rights into meaningless pieces of paper. When the Left completes their agenda, there won’t be an America worth saving. Will we rise up and fight, or cower under these tyrants because we want to be able to post a narcissistic selfie on social media?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s examine a short list of topics that if questioned will have the evil Left send the mob after free-thinking seekers of truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The China virus started in a Wuhan, China virology lab,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Taking the vaccine, or wearing a mask is a personal choice – no one should be forced by the government (or employer), or shamed by the media to take or wear it,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The 2020 Election results are questionable and the evidence is mounting from independent audits to prove the election was stolen,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Children do not need the China virus vaccine,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The government is spying on Conservatives,</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Illegal Aliens invade our nation through our southern border (over 1 million and counting in 6 months),</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">The January 6</span><sup style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">th </sup><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">protest was not an insurrection, and</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;">Psycho-babel Critical Race Theory weakens our entire social structure, divides us as a people, and will ultimately destroy our nation.</span></li></ul></span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m sure you can come up with many more issues that will bring you under critical surveillance. Try taking a stand for Biblical truth about creation, marriage, and all lives matter to God and those who love <b>HIM</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">And recently we learned that the Department of Homeland in-Security (DHS) <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ruled</u> to terminate contracts issued by the Great State of TEXAS to continue building the TEXAS boarder wall. What an idiotic decision. Furthermore, it violates basic contract law and the, “Commerce” clause of the Constitution. Anyone who knows anything about contracts knows terminations may cost as much as the original contract and in the end, there is nothing to show for the expenses except lawyer receipts. What’s TEXAS to do if the Federal government refuses to protect US citizens from the invading, COVID infected hordes, murderous MS-13 gang members, and radical Islamic terrorists? I suggest TEXAS restate Davy Crocket’s 1835 declaration to the US Congress when he left to fight for TEXAS’s independence and act like an independent free state. I’ll write more about this when we reach the 10<sup>th </sup>Amendment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want my readers to understand I support the US Constitution. I swore an oath to preserve and defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic. I’m convinced the DCP operatives, who control government at all levels, are enemies of America’s Constitutional Republic. If those who oppose secession are relying on the 3<sup>rd </sup>branch of government, the Supreme Court has proven by its behavior they are cowards, won’t uphold the Constitution, allow the radical mobs to control their decisions, and as a result will do nothing. <b>WE THE PEOPLE </b>must act and act soon before it is too late to act. If we throw off the Left states and establish our own Constitutional Republic within the existing “Red” States, we have a chance to preserve Liberty for ourselves and our posterity. If we want to Make America Great Again (MAGA), we must sever all political bonds with those who are Hell-bent on destroying her and us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we take the brave step to create an independent nation, rooted and grounded on Judeo-Christian traditional values, we could restart education for our children based on the Bible and not Marxist activism (please read <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8HYbZJCClY" target="_blank">"American Marxism," by Mark Levin</a>), strengthen our defense, establish our boarders, and remove communism from our land. More importantly, we can once again advance the Kingdom of God, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and encourage people to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ all to the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have to fight for God’s gifts of Life and Liberty. We have to fight with Truth against the lying Leftists. To help prepare for this war, I recommend the following resources (in ascending order of importance):<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.judicialwatch.org/tom-fittons-weekly-update/crt-west-point/" style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Tom Fitton – Judicial Watch – DoD CRT Training at West Point</span></a></li><li><a href="https://nation.foxnews.com/watch/4e68afda3f895a5faa8af4620f90141d/" style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Dan Bongino’s Speech at Turning Point USA</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmhPsqjDuQg" style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">J. Warner Wallace – Person of Interest</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8HYbZJCClY" style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">"American Marxism," by Mark Levin</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WteqSNB3GQ" style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Real Life with Jack Hibbs & Amir Tsarfati - July 2021</span></a></li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Left has had a 100 year plus head start on us. We can’t let them destroy the last best hope for Liberty on Earth – The United States of America.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ngKtyNvWckMGX4dWXyCEefPwBCR17begI37hiK31zdhuTX3YQuoMOsRzDZNQ3Z-5nV84qJ16xobNNcYXmqItJlq8lAWqR33xNeJX23l_dwUzwWD6BybJ9ozm3X_EBz9KfoW/s425/%252806-14-19%2529+Flag+Day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ngKtyNvWckMGX4dWXyCEefPwBCR17begI37hiK31zdhuTX3YQuoMOsRzDZNQ3Z-5nV84qJ16xobNNcYXmqItJlq8lAWqR33xNeJX23l_dwUzwWD6BybJ9ozm3X_EBz9KfoW/s320/%252806-14-19%2529+Flag+Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;">If we don't fight to save our country, she will be transformed into something none of us will recognize, probably worse than this:</span> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmXBfpRIXK3G1wcCObNp6rITLYC6MrhbZRsHmZFr0yvmbHFd9OJXkUuqE_tBiwmuOVQ3syX4EOLSOGdgNgoNhJPK8ucPr2R5Yk8cvEAJHqkbpfm6_2GDVYY0A6orF6O6HDqCA/s1024/Never+Forget.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmXBfpRIXK3G1wcCObNp6rITLYC6MrhbZRsHmZFr0yvmbHFd9OJXkUuqE_tBiwmuOVQ3syX4EOLSOGdgNgoNhJPK8ucPr2R5Yk8cvEAJHqkbpfm6_2GDVYY0A6orF6O6HDqCA/s320/Never+Forget.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-55922651036272103302021-07-11T07:17:00.000-07:002021-07-11T07:17:02.871-07:00Is Secession the only Answer – Part 4?<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What will Americans do When the US Military Appropriates Their Homes?</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(A Study)</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Shortly after I posted </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/06/is-secession-only-answer-part-3.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">, warning of the Left's desire to take our guns, the illegal president attacked the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment to the United States Constitution by nominating David Chipman to serve as the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He is a rabid anti-gun lobbyist. If he is pushed through confirmation, the war against law abiding American citizens will begin. Will the ATF pass a regulation to appropriate our homes to pay for their confiscation of our arms? What’s to stop them. They used tanks and snipers to attack Americans in Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge, Idaho. Throughout recorded history, the unprincipled Left has always treated people with contempt and cruelty because they do not acknowledge their Creator, reject that we are all created in His image and of equal value to Him, and can be exterminated for the good of the collective. What is to stop them from taking the home you may have worked your entire life to own? I ask again, is it unreasonable for us to secede from this tyrannical dictatorship before it is too late to retain the last best hope for freedom on the Earth?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Like the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment, the 3<sup>rd </sup>has few words. It says:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Article </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">III </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">(3<sup>rd </sup></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amendment</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Please pay attention to the last phrase, <i>“but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”</i> George Washington warned the unscrupulous (the Left is unscrupulous) will use law to accomplish evil deeds. As I stated in </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/06/is-secession-only-answer-part-3.html" style="color: #954f72;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Part 3</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">, the Left has shown itself ideologically consistent throughout history, and their key objective is to obtain100% control of the populace. Once people no longer have the means to defend themselves, they will submit – or else. And after they have killed 10% of the population (their estimate), taking personal property “for the good of society” will be easy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Promulgated regulations from Federal Agencies, or from any level of government, do not go through legislative rigor. Rarely are they given any attention until someone receives a summons, like my friend Jack Phillips. We all saw this with the draconian lockdowns during COVID. For over one hundred years, the Left has been redistributing wealth with predictable outcomes: social divisions, racial hatred, narcissism, moral corruption, ethical compromise, victim politics resulting in: oppression, slavery, poverty, and death. (<i>Destroying The Shadow Agenda</i>, by Bruce Porter).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Never underestimate the Left and their deep, motivating hatred for all things Godly and this nation of His Liberty He created to provide a place where His Gospel of Salvation could flourish and be taken to a lost and dying world. With that they want to abolish private property. Have you heard of the Left’s new term, “Housing Justice?” The best definition is this: if a neighborhood looks “nice,” it must be racist and needs to be changed. The best way to change it is to eliminate single-family zoning and increase density. In the current “Infrastructure Legislation,” if a city or town doesn’t allow for this change, they will not receive federal HUD funding and grants. The Left’s rally cry is: “Abolish the suburbs.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">If the local governments won’t cooperate, the Federal government may, and I believe will, enforce housing justice with the US military. What’s to stop them from choosing your home to turn it into a multi-family dwelling or house military enforcing personnel? If they choose my house, any new "neighbor" or soldier in my home will get an earful of true American History, starting with the Mayflower Compact, a logical destruction of Leftist ideology, and bombarded with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Holy Bible. If they don’t come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, then they must have killed my body and sent me into the loving care of my LORD and Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Because the Left is rewriting American History, they are doomed to repeat the oppressions, death, and destruction of the past. Some "Blue" states are already creating ways to prevent their citizens from migrating to other States that uphold the principles of Individual Liberty. If they can't force them to remain, they are willing to exact punitive and confiscatory taxation on those who flee to freedom. It's only a matter of time before the Federal government prescribes a similar law and use it to confiscate personal and real property, because a home is a remnant of slave-ownership mentality and systemic racism. After all, it's just property.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>NO, you lying Leftists</b><b style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> –</span></b><b> it's my HOME!</b> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4</span><sup style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; letter-spacing: 0pt;">th</span></sup><span style="text-indent: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">July, America's Independence Day, just passed. Again, I recommend reading our founding document, “</span></span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/07/does-declaration-of-independence-still.html" style="color: #954f72; font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Declaration of Independence</span></a><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">.” The Left hates this document and calls it racist. That is a lie from psychopathic liars. They are enemies of America within our country and they will stop at nothing to destroy it and everyone who disagrees with them. Do real Americans still believe in the Declaration's principles and values, and the causes of our separation from the crown? Are we willing to fight the Left, take no prisoners, and grant no quarter? They'll show us no mercy and take what doesn't belong to them all in the name of social justice. They expect us to be, "Turn the other cheek," Christians. They would be surprised if we fabricated </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">whips</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and used them</span></span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> to drive Leftist cowards out of this land of the Lord's. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our cause is just. This is war.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">This day we fight! First on our knees in prayer to ask for clarity, conviction, and courage. I know Jesus said they that live by the sword shall die by the sword. I'm counting the cost. I'm willing to take up the sword of the Spirit, and my rifle to protect my home and family, America, and secure His Liberty for my children, grandchildren, and posterity. We who love God's Liberty, we have a hard fight ahead. Along with His Word and diligent prayer, we must fight with Truth and expose the lies and indoctrination of the Left. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">For those with means, they can gamble and use America's broken judicial system. I stand with President Donald J. Trump and his <a href="https://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=33259" target="_blank">class-action lawsuit against big tech</a>. If readers of this blog want to join this suit contact <a href="https://libertycenter.org" target="_blank">The American Liberty Center</a>. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Another </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Truth</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;">tool to bring to this fight is</span><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/American-Marxism-Mark-R-Levin/dp/150113597X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11T2FGCMASGST&dchild=1&keywords=american+marxism+mark+levin+hardcover&qid=1625881598&sprefix=American+M%2Caps%2C263&sr=8-1" style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: 0.25in;" target="_blank">American Marxism</a></span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">, by Mark Levin. After learning how much research Mr. Levin put into this work, I ordered it, I <i>will</i> read it, and I'm convinced it will be a useful weapon to destroy the works of the devil with facts and Truth.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Next, we'll look at the Fourth Amendment and the government's illegal search and seizure practices. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-74827068967204220872021-07-02T08:23:00.000-07:002021-07-02T08:23:30.186-07:00Does The Declaration of Independence Still Apply to America in 2021?<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">We survived the Wuhan virus and find ourselves living under a despotic Democrat Communist Party (DCP). To combat the Left, I thought it would be a good idea to read The Declaration of Independence, today. Why? After all, our hope is in Jesus Christ. But it is important to remember what our Founding Fathers wrote because they knew the truth and were willing to give all for God's gifts of life and liberty. To combat critical race theory (CRT), please read our founding documents. I defy anyone to read The Declaration of Independence and find a racist word, phrase, clause or sentence. I wrote years ago, Americans need to read it, understand it, and hold fast to it as if their lives depend on it, and I still believe this. Time is of the essence because the Left is moving fast to destroy our Constitutional Republic. As you read The Declaration of Independence, do you see history repeating itself? I would add another grievance to their list: manipulation of our elections. The men who signed America’s foundation cornerstone, knew they were signing their death warrants. I wonder if we have the clarity, conviction, and courage to sign it, today. I chose to fix my signature to my printed copy. If you love God's gift of Individual Liberty, I pray you consider doing the same.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span><br /><div align="center" style="font-family: verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><i><b>In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div align="center" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold";"><i>The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America,</i></span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold";"><b><i>When</i></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold";"><b><i>We</i></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of<span style="color: black;">Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath </span>shown<span style="color: black;">, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 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. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">endeavored<span style="color: black;">to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose, obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">neighboring<span style="color: black;">Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">For suspending our own Legislatures and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">26.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">27.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">endeavored<span style="color: black;">to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold";"><b><i>In</i></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">every stage of these Oppressions We have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold";"><b><i>We</i></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><b><i>,</i></b> 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 the 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. <em><o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div><h2 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></h2><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; orphans: auto; widows: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">New Hampshire<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">Rhode Island<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">New York<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">New Jersey<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: small;">Pennsylvania<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.45in;" valign="top" width="464"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "script mt bold"; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.2in;" valign="top" width="86"><h2 style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; 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</style></div><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "script mt bold";">July 4<sup>th </sup>2021 Signatures: If you read this far and you agree with our founders, will you Comment below and add your State and name to the list of delegates like I did. Also, will you consider sharing this post with others. Thank you.</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "script mt bold";"><b>Colorado: Charles Patricoff</b></span></div>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-85187758679159766282021-06-14T20:17:00.001-07:002021-06-18T15:00:01.503-07:00Is Secession the only Answer – Part 3?<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Will Americans Surrender Their Right to Bear Arms & Liberty for False Security?</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(A Study)</span><span face="-webkit-standard"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span face="-webkit-standard"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">When I finished <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/05/is-secession-only-answer-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">, I suggested regulating or removing the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment from the United States Constitution would be the catalyst for seceding from the Socialist/Communist government ruling America. “Reasonable gun control regulations” is a clever way to turn law abiding gun owning Americans into criminals. Convicted criminals are not allowed to possess a firearm, but they do. Before the Left disarms the populace, is secession the only choice left to keep our 1776-based, 1789-ordained and established Constitutional Republic?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">This will be a long post. The 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment has few words, but it deserves both a deep and wide discussion. It is important to remember what the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment states and why it is foundational to preserving Liberty. It says:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Article </span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">II </span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">(2</span></i><i><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">nd </span></sup></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Amendment</span></i><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">A </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">well</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">-</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">regulated </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Militia</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">, </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">being </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">necessary </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">to </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">the </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">security </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">of </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">a </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">free </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">State</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">, t</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">he </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">right </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">of </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">the </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">people </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">to </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">keep </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">and </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">bear </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Arms</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">, </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">shall </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">not </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">be infringed</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The Left (make no mistake – most Democrats are Leftists) has shown itself ideologically consistent throughout history. A key objective that must be reached before obtaining their ultimate goal (100% control) is the disarming of the populace. Once people no longer have the means to defend themselves, they will submit – or else. To achieve total domination, the Democrat Communist Party (DCP) members follow simple rules:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">There is no god to whom one must give an account,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The ends justify the means – truth is meaningless,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The masses are asses – unable to govern themselves,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Tell them what they want to hear and they will vote for you, and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Never let a crisis go to waste.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">If you want to know more about how the Left is manipulating America, one of the viellist books I’ve read is titled “Rules for Radicals,” written by America-hater Saul Alinsky. Today’s DCP members follow Alinsky’s directives better than Christians follow the teachings of Jesus, which is why so many are being deceived by evil doctrines like Critical Race Theory (CRT), Social Justice, or Equity, disguised as so called, “Science” or “Knowledge” (I Tim 6:20). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">To implement these diabolical, Liberty-destroying plans, people must surrender their firearms, “for the good of society”. The Collective would forbid a group of Liberty-loving Americans organizing into a well-regulated, well-trained, individually-equipped, militia able to defend freedom for themselves and their posterity. Listen to what the DCP media calls supporters of the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment. They use terms like: “Neo-Nazi,” “White Supremacists,” or “Radical-right Hate Groups.” The puppet-president said the greatest domestic terrorist threat (to the DCP – although he said America) and must be “rooted out” is “systemic Racism.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The DCP follows the dictates of Muslims who intend to turn America into a Sharia-compliant Islamic state, even if it takes “a hundred years” (Abdurahman M. Alamoudi, Founder, American Muslim Council). Notice lately that they’ve also become openly Anti-Semitic and have turned a blind eye to Jews being attacked in our strict, gun-control cities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">As the Left prepares for another summer filled with violent riots, they are also preparing to take away our personal property, our firearms, by force if necessary. But know this, the Left is afraid of us who swore an oath to defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Fear is contagious (Duet 20:8) The Left is afraid of the Truth. And most importantly, the Left fears the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Also, the Left is afraid that we will leave. Why? They can’t fund, fuel, feed, or fight for themselves. If we chose to show them that the things of this world do not matter to us, but Almighty God’s gifts of Life and Liberty do, and we walk away to those States that have upheld Truth, Justice, and Freedom, they would panic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Is the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment worth separating the nation over? It’s a hard question to answer. If we want a nation that turns a blind-eye to human trafficking, aborts its children, teaches young survivors to hate our history, founding, and accomplishments of abolishing slavery and liberating others, a nationalized indoctrination system convincing children there is no difference between girls and boys, if you want a nation of one party rule, then, by all means, depend on the undependable political system to right the ship of state. For me and my house, we’ll follow the LORD’s direction (Joshua 24:15). If He makes it clear it’s time to move, we are ready to obey. We’d rather not get caught in a mass migration, fleeing for our lives, unless of course, Jesus sounds the trumpet to rapture His true followers from His wrath to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">If, on the other hand, you want a nation that recognizes no nation is perfect, but this one was brought forth by the Sovereign hand of Almighty God, preserved by His Divine Providence, dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, and formed around eternal Biblical principles and values (like the Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12), then it’s not just the 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment at stake</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> – </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">it’s the future of Life and Liberty. The 2<sup>nd </sup>Amendment is more than owning a gun. It allows a human being to defend his or her life and liberty. It recognizes as a duty for us to defend the life and liberty of the innocent and defenseless too weak to defend themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Remember, the ideological divide between the world domination goals of the DCP and an average American, or a true follower of Jesus is as unbridgeable as the Grand Canyon. If this were a domestic separation, we would consider these irreconcilable differences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Imagine if you were a pastor and a battered wife came to you for advice. Would you counsel her to go home and submit to a husband who repeatedly, verbally and physically abuses her? What if she claims her husband threatened to kill her and her children? By the blackened eyes and the bruises, you can see, you can tell she’s telling the truth. Do you send her home to more beatings, admonishing her with scriptures like: Ephesians 5:22 and I Peter 3:1? Or, do you become a good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) and make sure she gets to a safe house where she can receive the help she needs to survive?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Like our battered wife, we live with single-party rule. We do not know </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">from one day to the next what behavior will come from the DCP, disguised as law. Will they take away more liberty in the name of security, will they stop increasing taxes, fees, or fines? Will they stop compulsive spending like a drunken sailor with a gambling addiction? Will they stop calling us the greatest existential threat to their country.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">All too often we see the tragedy of what happens to wives who remain in an abusive relationship. They become a true crime story. As I asked in <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/04/is-secession-only-answer-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> of this study, do we have to wait until people begin to disappear before we secede and migrate to safer states? I believe God is warning His people to decide now and hold fast to their Heavenly citizenship bestowed on them by the redemptive work of Jesus. I also believe He is preparing His people for the coming corporate and government sponsored persecution. Make no mistake, the test is coming. Do we submit as Paul commands in Romans 13, or Peter in I Peter 2:13? Or is there a just cause by which, God, through His Word, commands us to stand. Moving to a State that upholds life and liberty won’t prevent the ultimate test, but it may delay it providing more time to prepare.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Beginning with Memorial Day 2020, the Left demonstrated with nightly violence Life and Liberty meant nothing to them. Mob rule was sanctioned by every Left controlled institution. Police officers, sworn to preserve and protect, were demonized, pelted with frozen water bottles, bricks, rocks, and fireworks. Many suffered severe injuries and some were killed. Current DCP leadership made sure those arrested were released. A St. Louis, MO couple who tried to protect their personal property have been prosecuted for brandishing firearms, something the US Constitution states the government can’t infringe. No one was harmed, but some feelings were hurt, by Mark and Patricia McCloskey’s scary behavior. If they can be prosecuted, what will happen to Americans who choose to resist the gun ban regulations that are soon to be promulgated and enforced throughout the nation. If we think mask mandates were government overreach, just wait. If we don’t secede peacefully soon, this ideological divorce will become ugly, violent, and deadly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Another reason to learn how to safely use a firearm, crime is growing beyond a local community’s capacity to combat it. Weeks ago, the L.A. County Sheriff recommended that citizens arm themselves. Because of defunding his department coupled with the DCP’s promoted hatred for police, he no longer has enough personnel to protect the people. As of this post, over 2 million illegal aliens from 150 different countries have crossed our southern boarder controlled by Mexican Drug Cartels who are making millions of dollars through human trafficking (many have seen the picture and video of little boy dumped in the middle of the night at our boarder). If they are this willing to break into our country, it is mathematically plausible some are willing to break into your home. Lately, we’ve seen gangs of young men roaming our neighborhood. How will we defend ourselves if disarmed with fewer police? I have a duty before God to protect my family, neighbors and friends, and I will.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Does this DCP controlled government protect individual rights or promote collective theory? Does it really care about humanity? Whenever politics and medicine (or science) collide, politics wins. It’s clear they don’t care about life. It supports abortion on demand up to and including the birth of a child. They hate individual liberty. If they have their way, they will restrict us to our homes, mask us again, or worse, and disarm us so we cannot defend ourselves against well-armed, blood-thirsty criminals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">If we had our own nation, we could protect life and abolish abortion. We would promote the traditional family unit as God intended. We could put an end to human trafficking within our new border. We would support our police and punish criminals. We would teach our children to love God and others, pray in school, learn what they need to be responsible citizens – not Marxist activists. We would have a military that defended the nation, not promoting the latest social “science” experiment. We would avoid foreign entanglements, yet recognize other nations have every right to govern themselves as they choose. One alliance we would hold dear that with Israel relying on the promise of Divine Providence – whoever blesses Israel God will bless; whoever curses Israel He will curse (Genesis 12:3). We would allow the Gospel of Jesus to be openly preached so that all our citizens can come to know God and His salvation through Jesus and become a citizen of His Heavenly Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.25in; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve made my choice. I will not surrender to the DCP. I don’t care if they call me racist, a White Supremacist, or a narrow minded Christian, I swore an oath to Almighty God to preserve and defend the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The DCP is a domestic enemy of the United States of America. Because I know who The Truth is, He grants me clarity, conviction and courage. Just as fear is contagious, so is courage. Let us encourage one another to fight the fight of freedom for ourselves and our posterity. Let us remove ourselves from a tyrannical government that hates all people who love God, the US Constitution, Life and Liberty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGcah67cs_A" target="_blank">At least TEXAS is doing something!</a></span></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-30821841542452432022021-05-26T08:49:00.000-07:002021-05-26T08:49:34.970-07:00Is Secession the only Answer – Part 2?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Should Modern Americans Reject Traditional American Values Embedded in Our Founding Documents?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(A Study)</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In my last <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/04/is-secession-only-answer-part-1.html" target="_blank">post</a>, I introduced the question: Is Secession the only Answer to keep our Constitutional Republic? In a way, I began asking myself this question 16 years ago in one of my first blog posts writing about government evils: the failure to protect life, "<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/04/is-secession-only-answer-part-1.html" target="_blank">Has Mercy died in America?</a>". Three years later, I asked, "<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2008/01/has-god-abandoned-america.html" target="_blank">Has God Abandoned America?</a>". Ten years after, I asked 2 more questions, "<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/06/has-democrat-party-become-fourth-reich.html" target="_blank">Has the Democrat Party Become the Fourth Reich?</a>" and, "<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/07/has-america-past-tipping-point.html" target="_blank">Has America Passed a Tipping Point?</a>". As a last example, I asked after the 2020 election, "<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2020/11/who-are-todays-tyrants.html" target="_blank">Who Are Today's Tyrants?</a>". Watching the nation transform into a Socialist/Communist Hell-hole, it is time to compare the Framers concepts of good government to a century of progressive, total-government administration.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For 5,000 years of recorded history, human beings have allowed themselves to be ruled (controlled) by one form or another of totalitarian government. These governed by force and fear, most often by a single strong person like a king or queen, which still reign in many nations, today. But in 1620, a group of individuals, known to us as Pilgrims, became the first group of people to join together into a single body politic. They documented how they would live and govern themselves with what became known as, “<a href="https://www.crf-usa.org/foundations-of-our-constitution/mayflower-compact-text.html" style="color: #954f72;">The Mayflower Compact</a>.” Contained in this easy to read, one-page charter are two key elements of good government. These were and still are: 1. They exercised their <b><i>free will</i></b>, and 2. They came together by <b><i>mutual consent</i></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For a brief reminder, why we rejected the concept of, “the divine right of kings,” and separated from the crown of Great Britain, it would be good to read, “<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-declaration-of-independence-of.html" style="color: #954f72;">The Declaration of Independence</a>.” Many of the 27 grievances that caused Americans to create their own government can be seen being repeated by the Democrat Communists ruling with an iron fist, today.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now as the world speeds toward the end of this age and the highly probable and imminent return of Jesus to rapture His true followers, we see His foretold rejection of His gift of Liberty. Once we are gone, nearly everyone left behind will be deceived and will embrace enslavement to a murderous, totalitarian global dictatorship. Individual liberty and self-determination will be gone, until Almighty God executes judgement and satisfies justice with His wrath. This is not hyperbole. Every socialist/communist dictatorship demands 100% subjection to the will of the collective<span style="font-family: Arial;"> – </span>or else.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, is secession bad? If it leads to war, obviously, yes. It is possible the American Civil War would not have happened if South Carolina had not fired on Fort Sumter. I won’t get into the argument President Abraham Lincoln provoked South Carolina into acting, but I understand it. Regardless, war may be necessary if the cause is just and today, we who desire to be governed by a Constitutional Republic have irreconcilable differences with those who want Socialism/Communism. We cannot peacefully coexist. We need a civil divorce before it turns hostile.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, let us examine the Bill of Rights, which forms the cause for our separation. In this article, we’ll look at Article I, referred to as the 1<sup>st </sup>Amendment to the United States Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Article I (1<sup>st </sup>Amendment)<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Has this government established a religion? Maybe not by legislation; but it has in practice. The new government religion is Critical Race Theory with its Woke Priesthood of Self-Righteous Virtue Signalers, and Cancel Culture Enforcers. We have seen more lives ruined, shamed, and even lost whenever anyone questions their theoretical dogma. The problem with this religion, never can someone demonstrate acceptable repentance, receive forgiveness, or enjoy redemptive reconciliation. Once damned by the Cancel Culture Enforcers, one is forever damned. This government religion shall not tolerate Christianity, which has been labeled by the Woke Priesthood a, “White Supremacist Religion,” and must be removed from progressive America. When someone says, they want you removed from your nation – believe them. Regardless of whether the official government religion will let us freely exercise our faith, we who are followers of Jesus must courageously obey His command to preach the Gospel and make disciples?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">What about freedom of speech, or of the press? I expect that my blog will be cut off from public reading if it hasn’t been already. But if anyone reading this article doesn’t know that the Democrat Communist Party controls all major media outlets and what messages are delivered to the news consuming public, I suggest that you take notice of the fact, they all present the same talking points, with little or no deviation, sounds like propaganda. And if you try to communicate through the internet, the monitoring algorithms watch every keystroke. Lately, I’ve been writing regular letters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all saw what happened in Washington D.C. on January 6<sup>th</sup>. The Woke Priesthood declared the peaceful assembly a violent insurrection. The Chief Priestess wants a 9/11 style commission to investigate. What we saw with our eyes was not a violent insurrection. It was an overzealous attempt to petition the Federal government to redress an ignored grievance – the mounting, irrefutable evidence of a stolen 2020 election. By the way, we still don't know the identity of the Capitol police officer who shot and killed unarmed, USAF veteran, Ashli E. Babbit. What is Nancy hiding?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Democrat Communist Party controls every aspect of the nation’s power centers: Federal, State, & Local governments, Education at all levels, Entertainment and News Media, and major corporations. Does anyone think they will surrender power without a fight? Look how hard they fought to remove President Trump from office. Since January 20, 2021, our liberties have been eradicated. I don’t want to fight Leftists, I want to leave them. It’s time to seriously discuss creating a new nation, not one based on failed Marxist theories; but one based on self-evident Truth, dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal and endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Almighty God did not send His Son to die on a cruel cross to have His children enslaved. It was for freedom’s sake Christ died to set, and keep, us free. And who the Son sets free is free indeed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Progressive Left's abuse of the First Amendment is reason enough to separate into two nations. But if we consider the Second in depth, we'll see an unbridgeable-ideological divide, wider than the Grand Canyon.</span></span></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-59888173017163516482021-04-17T11:13:00.000-07:002021-04-17T11:13:25.451-07:00Is Secession the only Answer – Part 1?<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had been hoping the Constitutional Republic could be restored in the 2022 election cycle. However, I have realized I haven’t been paying attention to where we are this moment in history. The Democrat Communist Party (DCP) proved they can steal any election. The only reason why House and Senate seats were not robbed is they weren’t targeted with the same laser focus as the presidency. The DCP has been able to pilfer once solid red states like Colorado, which was the lab-rat test, following the California model. We all saw what they did to Arizona and Georgia. Now, Texas is in their crosshairs: flooding the state with COVID-19 infected illegal aliens, using the “Woke” mob to cancel Republican representatives, like Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Senator Ted Cruz, and Governor Greg Abbott, and attempting to force Texas to use DCP controlled counting machines and software, “to be consistent with the other states.” If the unconstitutional H.R.1 passes, then state control of elections goes away. After all, it doesn’t matter who votes, it matters who counts the votes, and the DCP controls the counting as sure as they control the narrative.</span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">The shameless lies being promoted against Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and Governor Ron DeSantis must be challenged. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">As I’ve written before, </span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><u><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2021/03/are-you-ready-to-survive-in-post-america.html" style="color: #954f72;">evil knows no restraint</a></u></i><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">. </span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The DCP’s blood lust for power knows no limits. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Now that they have control of the Federal Government, they will never relinquish it. The United States Constitution does not matter. Rules of common decency do not matter. Crushing all opposition is all that matters to them. Hedging their bets, they are moving illegals into other red states such as Montana and South Dakota, </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I believe, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 0.25in;">to solidify their dominion over the entire country. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Unfortunately, I held onto the myth that somehow, Republicans and Conservatives might reclaim political control in 2022. After seeking clarity from Jesus and studying His Word, I now see that day has passed just as assuredly as we will all pass this life and stand before His bar of judgment. Only one solution remains to have a Constitutional Republic – start over by first severing the political bonds that allow the DCP’s ruthless control over our individual lives. It is our right; it is our duty as a free people to secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">I confess, it’s either crazy or courageous to consider secession, but as lovers of life and liberty we need to ask, how much abuse from the DCP can we endure when we can see more hostility forthcoming? Will our citizenship be revoked for disagreeing with their worldview? Do we have to have our personal property confiscated, livelihoods cancelled, and objections to injustice overruled by a DCP packed kangaroo court? Do we have to be separated from our loved-ones, herded into freight cars, and marched into gas chambers to finally see what’s coming. The DCP will </span><i style="text-indent: 0.25in;">claim</i><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">, “This will never happen.” I have taken a good look at and listened closely to what’s happening right now.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Does any of this catch Almighty God by surprise? Of course not; but are Christians being caught by surprise? Many are. Can believers recognize how their God granted rights are being <span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0px;">stolen by Thief-in-Chief </span>Biden and those who control him? Unless we understand that God gave us these protections from tyrannical government, we won’t have the courage to stand up and speak out to defend them. I swore an oath to defend them against all enemies both foreign and domestic. The weapons of my warfare are <span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">mighty to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) but they also include </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">writing the truth.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">But before I can write truth to tyranny, I must make sure I am secure in Jesus. Do I know He created me and loves me with an everlasting love? Yes. Do I know He has a plan for my life? Yes. Do I know Jesus was God’s plan for my eternal salvation by being a sinless blood sacrifice for my evil sins? Yes. Do I know Jesus rose from the dead to forever make intercession for me? Yes. Has He invested His Holy Spirit in my life and sealed me until the Day of Salvation? Yes. When He rescues his Church, will I hear the trumpet calling me to come up to worship? Yes, I can’t wait, and the way the world is spinning out of control (but under His control), it’s going to sound any minute. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">If anyone reading this blog is unsure of your eternal destiny, I recommend investing an hour of your life to watch this YouTube presentation by Pastor Jack Hibbs, </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foHS1mKevPg" style="color: #954f72; text-indent: 0.25in;">“WHY? WHY? WHY?”</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Obeying His command, I will be His pen of a ready writer (Psalm 45:1). It’s time to call this US government, <i>“Tyrannical,”</i>and not worthy to govern a free people. <o:p></o:p><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">The </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">cackling wicked witch of the West and</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"> illegal Vice President, “Commie-La” Harris stated “Real people,” in the DCP </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">want guns removed from law abiding Americans and they </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">have the will and courage to act. One question remains: Do “Real Americans,” who love Liberty, have the will and courage to </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0px;">fight to the death to preserve liberty for ourselves and our posterity</span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-indent: 0px;"></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Action is the call. To answer this call, I continue to pray for clarity. How to act? When to act? Why act? What does action look like? Where to begin? Has God Almighty commanded action? </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Part 2 of this study, I will pursue a fare analysis of the Biden administration’s usurpations compared to America’s Bill of Rights. It may be that God will grant clarity as I compare the Framers concepts of good government to a century of progressive, total-government administration. The easy path is for people to do nothing. However, I believe it is time to present a case for justifying secession.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p></div>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-67698570626595966042021-03-07T19:33:00.001-08:002021-03-20T08:26:50.968-07:00Are You Ready to Survive in Post America?<style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Since November 4, 2020, the Democrat leadership in Washington D.C., released unrestrained evil on the true President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. Since January 6<sup>th</sup>, the Left has used the D.C. rally to start another unrelenting, baseless attack on President Trump, his family, and all of his followers. Then on January 20, 2021, marching orders were issued to destroy everything President Trump accomplished and cancelling all of us who supported him and still do. In the course of 45 days, Democrat Party rule has shredded the U.S. Constitution, rendered U.S. citizenship meaningless, and chosen a path of self-destruction – not America First, not America Last, but America Lost. Since I know they are coming for me and my family to ruin our lives, get us fired from our jobs, take away our Constitutionally protected liberties, and rob us of what we earned in the name of equity –never equal justice under the law – are we prepared to live under a tyrannical Post America?</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here’s why I know they are coming for me and my family. First, I was raised in an orthodox Jewish home and community. On January 31, 1971, Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, revealed Himself to me and I’ve been following Him and declaring His Gospel ever since (for those who practice Common Core math, this is over 50 years). My beloved and I met and Jesus united us as husband and wife. We fellowshipped in a strong discipleship church and learned to serve and developed a servant’s heart. Secondly, once I graduated college, I entered the USAF and had a great carrier as a regular officer. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. That oath remains alive in me. Third, we raised our children in church and they both went to Christian schools. I dragged them to several historical sites (mostly Civil War battlefields) to learn what it means to be an American, and why our understanding of Liberty is unique in the world. They and their families follow Christ, understand our Constitution, and know the Truth – Jesus is LORD and He’s coming again. Finally, we all think Donald J. Trump was the best president of our lives, the 2020 general election was stolen from him, and the Left is doing everything within their natural powers to cover up the truth. No amount of “Woke,” lies will change our strong, internal conviction. I <i>believe </i>we are prepared for what’s coming. My concern is simple. Are we?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’m confident our pastor is preparing our fellowship for the inevitable persecution that’s coming. But from what I hear from some of my other neighbors, they’re not receiving the full counsel of God from His Word. Jesus is coming. First, He will rescue His true followers: those who both know Him and more importantly, He knows them. This event is imminent. But when He returns in His glory as King, He will execute judgement. Today, is the day of salvation. His Gospel and grace is for now. He is calling all to repentance, <b><i><u>now</u></i></b>.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Left doesn’t believe they have to be accountable to anyone, for anything, because they believe we are just a cosmic accident, life has no meaning, and unless we agree with their view of the world, we have no value but to become fertilizer. With China gaining more and more world domination, look at what they do to all dissenters – they crush them. Does anyone believe the Biden administration will raise a finger to protect American citizens who voted for President Trump, profess to be Christian, a devout Jew, or Constitutional Conservative. I have Leftist neighbors who, I have reason to believe, would sell us out for less than 30 pieces of silver (this reference is in the Bible, Matthew 26:15).</span><o:p style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </o:p><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The tyrannical Left controls the message. They are lying to us. They know they stole the 2020 election and used deep deception to mask their movements. They tell liberty-loving Americans to, “Shut up!” “Sit down!” “Submit!” “Never question us, again!” Any assertion the Left makes that cannot be questioned and scrutinized thoroughly, is not worth following, that goes double for illegal orders. Therefore, we will not shut up, sit down, or submit. In fact, to preserve and protect the US Constitution against domestic enemies, will require critical thinking, cool and calm emotions, and faith that God will grant wisdom liberally to all who ask. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In light of this truth, I have many unanswered questions to explore. These include but are not limited to:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Am I prepared to surrender my firearms? If they are not confiscated forcibly, am I willing to have them registered (like a car), comply with storage regulations, and have use tracked? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Do we have a secure border? Clearly, “No.” But how bad is it? The illegal president doesn’t seem to have a clue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Does the US Constitution mean anything to the Biden Administration? Apparently not. Consequently, does my family feel safer with this Government in control of the nation?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Do we even know how many illegal immigrants have entered the country?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>How many are infected with COVID-19, tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, or other transmittable diseases?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>How many are members of criminal gangs (MS-13)?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>How many are drug smugglers or sex traffickers?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>How many are Islamic extremists bent on America’s destruction?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Is elevating illegal aliens to the detriment of American citizens legalized discrimination? Where does the America Last policy place real Americans as a priority? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Where did all those new, made-in-China, Biden T-shirts come from for the illegals?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Has my sanctuary city created facilities to temporarily house illegals until released into our neighborhood?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Do we have a real shooting war taking place on our southern border and are we losing ground to the drug cartels?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>HR-01: Do I understand what happens to future elections?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>The Equality Act: Do I grasp what’s coming?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>What about Systemic Racism (SR)? Can I present a rational debate to expose its logical flaws? Am I prepared to be called a racist for questioning whether it exists? If I raise a logical, commonsense, objection, questioning SR makes me a racist. If I question reparations, I’m a racist. If I follow the Bible, I’m a racist. If I support the Constitution, I’m a racist. If I don’t acknowledge my racist self, I’m a racist. If I stand my ground and refuse to bow my knee, I am a racist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>What is Critical Race Theory? Is it a big lie from the Left? Why are Government agencies at all levels, education institutions, and major corporations promoting it and demanding that their employees be trained in recognizing and preventing it? If it is true, then what penance can I perform that will grant absolution and redemption? When will enough be enough to satisfy a theory that can never be satisfied?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>What is “The Great Reset” – is it Global Redistribution of Wealth? Do I comprehend the vast scope of this internationally forced change?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Am I prepared for the Left’s promised persecution?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Cancel Culture vs. Freedom of Speech (and thought),<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter (including the Pre-Born),<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Social Justice (elevating one people group over another – legalized discrimination), vs Equal Justice Under the Law (do we have a duel justice system?)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>With all of these Leftist doctrines, who prospers from promoting them?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Evil knows NO restraint and the US Government has unleashed wickedness on our nation. What pleasure will hate-filled Leftists derive from destroying the most God fearing, life-preserving, individual-liberty defending, charitable, nation in World History?</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Is it also time to ask, who are the enemies of our nation? I contend it is any who practice domination over others. Controlling the lives of free, American citizens is <i><b style="text-decoration: underline;">never</b> </i>right under any circumstance (pandemics and any other crisis the Left conjures, included). If allowed, the end result is enslavement and it must be resisted at every turn. <span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; text-indent: 0px;">Further, the Left is using the January 6<sup>th </sup>walk-through the People’s House, which was invited by the Capital Police, as the reason for continuing an unnecessary deployment.</span><span style="text-indent: 0px;"></span> Frankly, if American Patriots wanted to capture the Capital Building, the Socialist Democrats and all RINOs would be in jail<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;">awaiting trial for real abuses of delegated power</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">. I and my family and friends denounce and reject racism and the violent overthrow of the government. But we won’t submit to Mastermind Tyrants. If pushed too far, secession is on the table and we’ll start a new Constitutional Republic. After all, the vast land of the United States consists of <span style="color: red;"><b>"Red"</b> </span>States. “Sic temper tyrannies.”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With this in mind, there comes a time in every American Patriot’s life when he or she must make a choice to make a stand for Liberty and the U.S. Constitution or bow to the forces of tyranny. That time is now. I’ve made my choice. I’ve drawn a figurative line in the sand and I’m making a stand for our God, flag, nation, and His gift of Liberty. If my blood must be spilled to refresh the tree of Liberty, so be it. I know who are the many enemies of America and because I still consider myself a soldier for Truth, Life, and Liberty, I consider this admonition from II Timothy 2:4 (NASB), “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now, I am writing to the soldiers wandering the streets of Washington, D.C. As members of the US Armed Forces, you were called to serve by Almighty God, whether you believe this truth or not. Please Him who called you to service. Soldiers, you know the razor-wire fence and continued show of force surrounding the US Capital Building is an illegal order rooted in fear and should not be obeyed. As much as the Left wants to call it a temple, it’s just a building made with human hands. Boldly question these orders. It’s long past time to take necessary action. Summon the courage to walk away.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For followers of Jesus, The Messiah, there is no condemnation. He loves us and He died for us to pay our sin penalty. All of our sins have been forgiven. To Him, and Him alone, will we bow our knees in prayer. We are citizens of His Eternal Kingdom, which has a secure border, and we have a glorious future. We do not have a president, we have a King. He has made us citizens of this great nation for His purposes – to proclaim Liberty throughout the land, unto <i><u>all</u> </i>the inhabitants thereof. At The Father’s appointed time, Jesus will return for His own, and shortly thereafter He will exact justice on those who rejected The LORD of Glory. Until then, America, our Constitutional Republic, is worth fighting for and, if necessary, offering the ultimate sacrifice.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Christians, recognize that everything is falling into place according to His Word. Pray in the name of Jesus for clarity, conviction, and courage, for the time is short and persecution is coming. But look up – our redemption draws near.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-6082038848677381612021-02-20T14:47:00.001-08:002021-02-20T14:49:20.134-08:00Thank You President Trump!<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD0FadEu0z8C9kQ1HmCDCUT7VFRQUczsKybgltpZgBN0RpOyb5uQ7LUyBFNBJvkhgVTOXvhgI-_YQllqCyPIQ4v7Hl7FGpM6S1vJs0TwtPMj5UQnJ7y-afkiTQs1qS9t5wZW8/s300/_rkg6751a__preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD0FadEu0z8C9kQ1HmCDCUT7VFRQUczsKybgltpZgBN0RpOyb5uQ7LUyBFNBJvkhgVTOXvhgI-_YQllqCyPIQ4v7Hl7FGpM6S1vJs0TwtPMj5UQnJ7y-afkiTQs1qS9t5wZW8/w200-h200/_rkg6751a__preview.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Dear Mr. President,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">I want to thank you for being our president and standing for TRUTH. My wife, Mary, and I love you and your wonderful family. Thanks to the work of truth seekers, we have high confidence those who want our nation to fail, plotted and executed the greatest robbery in criminal history. We know you won and we have reason to believe you won in a landslide. You are the BEST President of the USA in our lives and we’ve been voting since 1972.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">You told the TRUTH, you stood for the TRUTH, and you lived TRUTH. Your words and deeds matched, exposing the lies of the enemies of life and liberty. You upheld the U. S. Constitution and served our nation honorably with integrity. The Left will never comprehend our affection for you and your family, but we saw your honest leadership every day, and so did uncountable millions around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">One week before Mary’s birthday, we received an invitation to attend your 2017 inauguration. It was the greatest thrill of our then 45 years together and the best birthday present for Mary, ever. We were planning a repeat trip for January 20, 2021, but…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Again, thank you Mr. President. You are the <i><b style="text-decoration: underline;">true</b> </i>president and a good man. May God, bless you and keep you and your family in His lovingkindness, forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Best regards,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Charles</span></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-75252018953277224532021-01-27T18:02:00.001-08:002021-01-27T18:02:34.456-08:00Behavior Never Lies: You Shall Know Them by Their Fruits<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black;"><tbody><tr><td height="0" width="68"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>This is an open letter to all active, reserve and national guard service members. Take note of how your brothers and sisters in arms were treated, and are still being treated, by the Democrat Party leadership in Washington D.C.<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Democrat pets have more comfortable places to sleep. Behavior never lies and the Democrat leaders acted dishonorably. What fruit is surfacing from their lives? Do any of them protect the speech of dissenting points of view, or do they turn a blind eye to cancel culture abuses of censorship? Do they promote reconciliation or vengeance against those who disagree with their version of unity (no opposition)? Does this sound like people who support and defend our U.S. Constitution and our Bill of Rights? Why did they demand US service personnel be vetted and remove those that supported the real President, Donald J. Trump!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Leftists are tyrants and evil enemies of our US Constitution. They adhere to the Marxist motto, “The ends justify the means,” a lie from the pit of Hell. Remember your oath is to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution of the United States – not the Democrat Party. Your allegiance is to America – not any political party. Joey “Braindead” Biden may be called president and Commander-in-Chief, but you are not authorized to obey any of his unlawful orders. If an order conflicts with the Constitution, like arresting American citizens who are residing in the privacy of their homes, on charges that they stated the election was stolen, then you are enforcing an illegal order, violating our U.S. Constitution and our First Amendment. Or, if you break down a citizen’s front door to confiscate executive declared illegal weapons, you have violated the Second. Or, if you round up congregants in a church that chooses to worship God and obey Him over men, again, you have violated your sacred oath. “I was following orders,” will not be a defense in a future prosecution pursued under our U.S. Constitution.<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black;"><tbody><tr><td height="0" width="67"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Have your superiors given you a mission to accomplish? Do you know why you are being kept in D.C.? Is there an objective to be achieved? I served. I always knew the mission; our team’s objective and what victory might look like. Everything about your deployment reeks of foul play.<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black;"><tbody><tr><td height="0" width="97"></td></tr><tr><td></td><td><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Please seek God for clarity, conviction, and courage. Stop and think for yourselves. Begin to put 2 and 2 together. Everyone recognizes that what happened on January 6<sup>th</sup>was tragic. But what does the evidence show today? Don’t believe what the left is telling you. Believe what your eyes see and ears hear. Do you see anyone storming the capital? Do you hear the sounds of war rumbling in the distance? Or do you see vindictive Democrats rushing to judgment or hear the mad ravings of the Wicked Witch of the West. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Remember, she irrationally destroyed President Trumps State of the Union Address. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> <b><i><u>That</u> </i></b>was revealing behavior.</span><div><span style="font-family: times; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">The tyrannical Left controls the message. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0px;">They are lying to us and to you. They know they stole the 2020 election and used deep deception to mask their movements. Leftists</span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-indent: 0px;"></span> tell liberty-loving Americans to, “Shut up!” “Sit down!” “Submit!” “Never question us, again!” Any assertion the Left makes that cannot be questioned and scrutinized thoroughly, is not worth following, that goes double for illegal orders. Therefore, we will not shut up, sit down, or submit. In fact, to preserve and protect the US Constitution against domestic enemies, will require critical thinking, cool and calm emotions, and faith that God will grant wisdom liberally to all who ask. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is also time to ask, who are the enemies of our nation? I contend it is any who practice domination over others. Controlling the lives of free, American citizens is <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">never</u> right under any circumstance (pandemics included). If allowed, the end result is enslavement and it must be resisted at every turn. With this in mind, there comes a time in every American Patriots life when he or she must make a choice to make a stand for Liberty and our U.S. Constitution or bow to the forces of tyranny. The time is now. I’ve made my choice. I’ve drawn a figurative line in the sand and I’m making a stand for our God, flag, nation, and His gift of Liberty. If my blood must be spilled to refresh the tree of Liberty, so be it. Know who are the enemies of America</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">and consider this admonition from II Timothy 2:4 (NASB), “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” As member of the US Armed Forces, you were called to serve by Almighty God, whether you believe this truth or not. Please Him who called you to service.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; text-indent: 0.25in;">Plan ops carefully, make bold statements, and take necessary action.</span><span style="font-family: times; text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times; text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">For followers of Jesus, The Messiah, there is no condemnation. He loves us and He died for us to pay our sin penalty. All of our sins have been forgiven, past, present, and future. To Him, and Him alone, will we bow our knees in prayer. We are citizens of His Eternal Kingdom and we have a glorious future. He has made us citizens of this great nation for His purposes. At The Father’s appointed time, Jesus will return for His own, and shortly thereafter He will exact justice on those who rejected The LORD of Glory. Until then, America, our Constitutional Republic, is worth fighting for and, if necessary, offering the ultimate sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">As I wrote in my last post, please regard the last stanza of our National Anthem:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;">And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.</i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Patriots, don’t give up! Pray in the name of Jesus for clarity, conviction, and courage. And if you agree with this message, please share it with others who love Liberty and are trustworthy Americans. Our cause is just!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p></div>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-31115890578320782492020-11-14T15:27:00.003-08:002020-11-14T15:27:56.857-08:00Who Are Today’s Tyrants?<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #335ef2; font-family: Arial;">Sic Semper Tyrannis:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #335ef2; font-family: Arial;">Who Are Today’s Tyrants and Why They Must Be Destroyed?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Virginia no longer adheres to its State motto – Sic semper tyrannis, a Latin phrase meaning, “Thus always to tyrants.” Unless the northern Virginia swamp creature tyrants think they have done some noble act, voting for Joe Biden, they better watch their “6.” These unelected, unaccountable tyrants adhere more to the Marxist motto, “The ends justify the means.” But these aren’t the only tyrants. We need to identify all of them, recognize they are evil enemies of the US Constitution, and deserve swift justice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Cheating to steal the presidential election is criminal. But the godless left doesn’t care. The ends justify the means. What’s criminal to law abiding US citizens and taxpayers is foolishness to the conniving left. They’re masterminds and we are stupid, expendable lemmings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">But if we seek God for clarity, conviction, and courage, stop and think, we’ll begin to put 2 and 2 together to make 4, not 5, like the left tells us to see. The evidence of foul play before, during and after the November 3<sup>rd</sup>election continues to mount and is becoming overwhelming. President Trump should never concede under any circumstances. It’s anecdotal evidence but all Democrats I know would not spare five minutes from their irresponsible (often taxpayer funded) pursuit of raw pleasure to vote. 75 million votes are unbelievable based on the behavior patterns of typical stoned, intoxicated, or both Donkey followers. AntiFa and BLM neighborhood destroyers don’t have time to take from their busy nighttime schedules, unless they were the ones gathering and distributing truckloads of illegal ballots.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">The tyrannical left controls the printing of ballots, the computer systems – hardware and software – that counts the ballots, and the people who collect and protect the ballots. Now, they tell us liberty-loving Americans who have a credible reason to believe the election is fraught with wrongdoing, to, “Shut up!” “Sit down!” “Submit!” “Never question us, again!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">I’m sorry, but anyone, any media called quasi-fact, or any political act that cannot be questioned and scrutinized thoroughly, is not worth following. Therefore, we will not shut up, sit down, or submit. In fact, to preserve and protect the US Constitution against domestic enemies, we need to strategically select and target leftists, declare them enemies of our nation, plan our ops carefully, make bold statements, and take necessary action.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Controlling the lives of free citizens is <b><i><u>never</u> </i></b>right under any circumstance (pandemics included). Yes, I know the Supreme Court has ruled a public health restriction, but the court has made mistakes. Anyone remember the Dred Scott decision. The end result is enslavement and it must be resisted at every turn.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Since the left masterminds have decided to cancel us who love God and the nation He created, we can vote by <b><i><u>not</u> </i></b>spending our hard-earned dollars in their places of business. A good place to start: delete Facebook and Twitter and start using PARLER. We can turn off ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, and the latest traitor to truth, justice and the American way, FOX NEWS. If you need news, watch NEWSMAX, OAN, or BLAZETV. Boycott every leftist supporter and vote your free market choice. This is pure democracy in action and everyday becomes election day. After all, the ends justify the means.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">For followers of Jesus, The Messiah, there is no condemnation. He loves us and He died for us to pay our sin penalty. All of our sins have been forgiven. To Him, and Him alone, will we bow our knees in prayer. He has made us citizens of this great nation for His purposes. Therefore, we stand for our God, flag, and nation. At The Father’s appointed time, Jesus will return for His own, and shortly thereafter He will exact justice on those who rejected The LORD of Glory. Until then, America, our Constitutional Republic, is worth fighting for and, if necessary, offering the ultimate sacrifice. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">With this in mind, please regard the last stanza of our National Anthem:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">And this be our motto – “In God is our trust,”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">Patriots, don’t give up! <b>MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGRAIN!</b> Our cause is just!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ngKtyNvWckMGX4dWXyCEefPwBCR17begI37hiK31zdhuTX3YQuoMOsRzDZNQ3Z-5nV84qJ16xobNNcYXmqItJlq8lAWqR33xNeJX23l_dwUzwWD6BybJ9ozm3X_EBz9KfoW/s425/%252806-14-19%2529+Flag+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ngKtyNvWckMGX4dWXyCEefPwBCR17begI37hiK31zdhuTX3YQuoMOsRzDZNQ3Z-5nV84qJ16xobNNcYXmqItJlq8lAWqR33xNeJX23l_dwUzwWD6BybJ9ozm3X_EBz9KfoW/s320/%252806-14-19%2529+Flag+Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMLP8i3lASjZve4B_bg9yGanX3ObXzTDGCX_c3eSwua6K3aJ_i9YWfwg6T25zqLM5Iyt-bgK1UVCxjhf9gWqnHdjE3o2j9BWw1xyz4wtXjtsxoZP7vYhYDtnc7B5tDzLFTg17/s173/%252805-01-17%2529+President+Donald+Trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMLP8i3lASjZve4B_bg9yGanX3ObXzTDGCX_c3eSwua6K3aJ_i9YWfwg6T25zqLM5Iyt-bgK1UVCxjhf9gWqnHdjE3o2j9BWw1xyz4wtXjtsxoZP7vYhYDtnc7B5tDzLFTg17/s0/%252805-01-17%2529+President+Donald+Trump.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-81841456164282898642020-03-31T19:13:00.001-07:002020-03-31T19:13:12.812-07:00March 26, 2020 Dream<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last Wednesday/Thursday night was the first day of the month of Nissan (the beginning of the Passover season) according to the Hebrew calendar. That night, I had a vivid dream. In the dream, I was surrounded by arguing people. I could not understand what was being said.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then, I heard a very clear voice that came from above me. It said, “I am about to rapture my people.”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At that I woke up. I was in perfect peace.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My wife was awake, working on her computer. I shared the dream with her. I didn’t feel I should share it with anyone else until I had prayed and sought His direction.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Friday afternoon, we went to our Christian chiropractor. We were the last clients of the day, and they were issued an order to close their office at the end of the day. The wife of one of the chiropractors made a comment that she had been out driving and she said it was so weird, as if the rapture had taken place. Immediately, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to share my dream. My wife watched the woman and said she could tell the dream impacted her. While we were being aligned, my wife asked our chiropractor if I had told him my dream. He was politely interested but the other chiropractor’s wife came in to the treatment area to hear it again. My wife told me, the woman stared out the window and she seemed noticeably moved. When I finished, the woman asked, “Who doesn’t have goosebumps?”<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My wife said, “Remember the night of Passover, the children of Israel were confined to their homes. What if God wants us in our homes for His return, and isn’t it something that this is happening all over the world.” It may have been a sad moment for them to close their office, but we were rejoicing together in the real possibility that the next time we meet, it will be in glory.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All weekend, we’ve been seeking God what to do with this dream. We keep getting confirmation after assurance that it is from Him. When He rescues us, and it could be very soon, we will rejoice again together with bear hugs (no social distancing) in His Kingdom.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We don’t know if I was given this message because He is coming during this season, but it does remind us to lift up our heads for our redemption draws nigh, to long for His return, and for the Spirit and the Bride to agree, “Come quickly LORD Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday, the president extended the guidelines through April 30<sup>th</sup>, which includes resurrection Sunday. What if He blows the last trumpet while we are sequestered in our homes? How long will it take for the world to know we are gone, unless President Trump and Vice President Pence are gone, too? Then, Nancy Pelosi would become president and America would be transformed into something the kingdom darkness wants overnight.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once His people are gone, America will pass permanently into self-destruction, and the last best hope for liberty will be gone from the Earth.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-14714395437686906282019-12-14T08:57:00.001-08:002019-12-14T10:01:22.600-08:00Why do Americans Subject themselves to Masterminds?<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.25in;">
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<span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1776 – Patriotic Americans rejected the notion of the “Devine Right of Kings” and adopted “We hold these Truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1860-1865 – Liberty-loving Americans suffered a bloody Civil War to abolish slavery (enforced and fought for by Democrats) because they knew the “new nation was brought forth on this continent, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” With abolition, they amended the Constitution to ensure that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” should enjoy the blessings of liberty for themselves and their posterity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1941-1945 – Brave Americans rejected the Master race ideology and liberated Europe from that murderous evil because the self-evident 1776 Truth, all men are created equal, had become ingrained into the American spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All three of the above concepts, the Devine Right of Kings, Slavery, and the Master race ideology, have one thing in common, <b><u>tyranny</u></b>. Why then, in 2019 do we subject ourselves to a United States House of Representatives full of self righteous, Democrat <b><u>Master minds</u></b>. They have proclaimed that they do not trust Liberty-loving Americans so they have taken matters into their own hands. Furthermore, they behave in a manner that indicates they believe they know what’s best for their subjects. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I reject their enlightened, high-minded <b><u>tyranny</u></b> and embrace the self-evident Truth that all men are created equal. Their pedigrees from institutions of higher indoctrination mean nothing and definitely do <b><u>not </u></b>make them better than anyone. We the People of the United States must remove the power hungry <b><u>tyrants </u></b>and replace them with principled public servants who behave in a manner that testifies they work for Americans – we don’t work for them or any <b><u>Master mind </u></b>in the global elite ruling class.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-53393752888848540072019-06-14T19:48:00.002-07:002019-06-14T19:48:51.610-07:00Flag Day 2019<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On June 6th, I gratefully remembered those brave soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from National Socialist (Nazi) tyranny. On Flag Day, I am grateful that our national banner still represents our Constitutional Republic and stands for Liberty and Justice for all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I seriously doubt any of the Angry </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">24 </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Democrats (Socialists) circus clowns trying to cram into an electric car that won't take them very far would ever consider fighting against tyranny--their behavior, policies, and promises trade liberty for tyranny. Not one of the Angry 24 appear to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for America. If given the chance, they will sacrifice American citizens for globalism and tear down our flag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I could list the Angry 24 who want the presidential salary and lifetime pension, but the selected candidate by the Democrat-elite masterminds will be someone who satisfies the following dirty dozen criteria:</span></div>
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<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 1: Who can beat Trump and get mindless followers to chant, "Lock him up!" How original? Joy Behar wants all Republicans locked up: in concentration camps with gas chambers maybe?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 2: Who can ensure the political pendulum swings so hard and far left that it permanently sticks guaranteeing them perpetual power. They want to convert the American Constitutional Republic into a Democratic Socialist tyrannical society that removes all enemies from participating in the political process. Listen for the one who criticizes the Constitution, claims it's irrelevant and fundamentally flawed, and clamors most for the removal of the constitutionally mandated Electoral College. The big lie will be we have a constitutional crisis and every vote in the general election must count.</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 3: Who can raise the loudest objections against traditional American family values, revises history, and demeans Christianity?</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 4: Who meets Daniel 1:4 (It's in the Bible):<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Young and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good looking (Bernie? Not so much),</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No physical defects (a pure physical specimen),</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shows intelligence (can memorize and recite DNC talking points with emotion)</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who is the best puppet for the global-elite puppet masters (easily manipulated and rapidly changes with every wind of demonically inspired doctrine)</span></li>
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<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 5: Saddest "Poor-Me" Victim (Minority, Special Class Member)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 6: The most pious Gaia Worshiper (Pretended Protector of the planet),</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 7: Meanest, Smiling Baby Murderer (Women's Civil Right, Health Care Advocate, Dehumanizing women and turning them into Property)</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 8: National Health Care (Hitler did that)</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Criteria # 9: National Gun Control, Registration, and Confiscation</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> (Hitler did that, too)</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 10: Free Education (How to dumb down the next generation?)</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 11: Strongest Globalist (<a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/06/has-democrat-party-become-fourth-reich.html" target="_blank">4th Reich</a>), Open Borders, Guaranteed government jobs (enslavement)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, and</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Criteria # 12: Most effective Deceiver, Silver-tongued devil, pathological liar, but a lover of self, boastful, arrogant, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ungrateful, a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">malicious gossip, without self-</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">control, a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hater of good, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">treacherous, and hater of God (anathema).</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Regardless of the number of Socialists and Communists masquerading as Democrats, notice that none of the listed criteria includes American Sovereignty, Judea-Christian values, American Exceptionalism, Individual Liberty over collectivism, protecting our Constitutional Republic, or most importantly, repenting from our Satanic national wickedness and returning to God. The DNC forbids mentioning that their policies lead to the destruction of the nation and peoples' lives, and dooms those who follow them to eternal damnation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never once would they encourage their robotic followers to consider surrendering their lives to the Lordship and governance of Jesus, their Creator, and thus come to know the joy of His salvation. Would any of them raise their voice in humble prayer, lead people to confess their sins before the Holy One, let Jesus lead them into righteousness, and allow Almighty God heal our land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or, do they only know how to point an accusing finger at all who think differently from them, ridicule those who follow Jesus, and divide everyone into identity groups? Would any of them raise a hand against America's many enemies? It appears they would rather befriend them. Where have we seen this before?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No, the Angry 24 would rather preach faithfulness to their party, as Hitler preached faithfulness to the Fatherland, or Stalin preached faithfulness to the Communist Party and the united workers perpetual revolution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Most High is the one who has allowed Islamic radicals to attack our nation and citizens here and abroad. It is He who protected America and now has withdrawn His protection. He sentenced us to division and a collective insanity establishing a national asylum. Our only hope to avoid His wrath, is for His followers to preach confession and repentance of our sins before Almighty God, recognize Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, and be faithful to Him for He is the way, truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, the Donkey circus comes to town later this month featuring the Angry 24. I doubt it will be informative, inspiring, or entertaining. It will be unimaginative and predictable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you agree with this post, please share it with your friends. The one the DNC selects for 2020 will be much worse than BHO or HRC. Probably, one already picked by the masterminds.</span><br />
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Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-20660062652503208792019-06-05T18:02:00.001-07:002019-06-05T18:02:05.708-07:00D-Day 75 Years Later<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXK_afhp_oGxp9yPIYyoJROjqxnyc55465O9Nk7vZblNMRyEuh_mTile7FQ4_79QTXA7SFZZOFBI3wjxsF1s7p_i0P3zuNGd7OkhwzM3VLuhWUAIQ04_CSU5Lbk6EL_60GNnB/s1600/%252806-06-1944%2529+D-Day+Landing-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXK_afhp_oGxp9yPIYyoJROjqxnyc55465O9Nk7vZblNMRyEuh_mTile7FQ4_79QTXA7SFZZOFBI3wjxsF1s7p_i0P3zuNGd7OkhwzM3VLuhWUAIQ04_CSU5Lbk6EL_60GNnB/s1600/%252806-06-1944%2529+D-Day+Landing-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>June 6, 1944 Normandy, Nazi Occupied France</b><br /><b>Brave Americans Fight to Liberate Europe from National Socialist (Nazi) Tyranny</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OfGteEzRnHrDQLB5twwIHB1TAhd_JM3MESOahS7Z9aQ3DjVi9R0YFrk6xFdYoChUYic6tUAfZNukXtk7GZmyVoMF1t_IDJXfjIKYSrvDhxseyM6kNxatpUSgqmvZqbZxlozr/s1600/%252806-06-1944%2529+The+Longest+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OfGteEzRnHrDQLB5twwIHB1TAhd_JM3MESOahS7Z9aQ3DjVi9R0YFrk6xFdYoChUYic6tUAfZNukXtk7GZmyVoMF1t_IDJXfjIKYSrvDhxseyM6kNxatpUSgqmvZqbZxlozr/s200/%252806-06-1944%2529+The+Longest+Day.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">1962 Movie</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am grateful to God that he used brave American soldiers to liberate Europe from National Socialist (Nazi) tyranny. My dad didn't fight in the European Theater, but the Pacific. He was in the Army Air Corps and shot down during a sortie over Burma. He never talked about the war or the jagged scar to his back. But when he took me to see the movie, <i>"The Longest Day,"</i> he couldn't stop admiring the bravery of those who stormed the beaches, climbed Pointe du Hoc, or jumped behind enemy lines in the early morning hours before dawn. I didn't appreciate what they accomplished then. Now that Socialists threaten to complete the transformation of America into something God never intended her to be, I wonder if there are any brave souls left in our nation who will fight against socialist tyranny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I appreciate how General Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President) demonstrated true leadership when he </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">encouraged faithfulness to our nation speaking</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> with the paratroopers who would be the first to strike National Socialist (Nazi) tyranny.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HEjpFApIEYJF77d0-NEfMksrPRmkOhgXUaRx0OFKulUp-DRCI0AQVeVbipMYoiynX2ZETQHhAZq72XXCZqfHfQsRrLtj2JyG_0KAk7-NQz7JpUruREnrlGbK8UXylNJr7MO_/s1600/%252806-05-1944%2529+Eisenhower+Speaks+to+Paratroopers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HEjpFApIEYJF77d0-NEfMksrPRmkOhgXUaRx0OFKulUp-DRCI0AQVeVbipMYoiynX2ZETQHhAZq72XXCZqfHfQsRrLtj2JyG_0KAk7-NQz7JpUruREnrlGbK8UXylNJr7MO_/s200/%252806-05-1944%2529+Eisenhower+Speaks+to+Paratroopers.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>General Eisenhower with D-Day Paratroopers</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know many other nations sacrificed their native sons on that horrible, yet victorious day for liberty. But I sincerely hope we will remember what these brave soldiers did to secure liberty for ourselves and our posterity 75 years ago, June 6, 1944.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Brave Americans All</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fairness to these brave souls, will America continue to be blessed by Almighty God and remain the home of the free?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Daniel Webster</span></div>
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Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-9488512774790537832019-06-01T07:11:00.001-07:002019-06-01T15:07:41.043-07:002019 Colorado Christian Writers' Conference<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This years' <a href="https://colorado.writehisanswer.com/" target="_blank">Colorado Christian Writers' Conference</a> (CCWC) ended Saturday, May 18, 2019. As a faculty member, I want to thank everyone who attended and I sincerely hope God inspired and encouraged you to write His message to this lost and dying world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NWVMuk4kaSU50ej0AyqQ-9wi8kZZvuuLjybKi97R6Klt6bbnkrojKPstdSybA5DFGjc4RsGykV7SGEeRt57cVPu9n4ErpbsSXWDU_odsrro7oDk5BTtCu3t4jz5aU40zd-_u/s1600/2019+CO+7++web+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="800" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NWVMuk4kaSU50ej0AyqQ-9wi8kZZvuuLjybKi97R6Klt6bbnkrojKPstdSybA5DFGjc4RsGykV7SGEeRt57cVPu9n4ErpbsSXWDU_odsrro7oDk5BTtCu3t4jz5aU40zd-_u/s320/2019+CO+7++web+banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This may have been the best CCWC</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Not because it had the largest number of attendees; the opposite was true. No, I think it was the best because The Sovereign King of the Universe orchestrated a Gideon moment (Judges 7). I have accepted the offer and privilege to serve in God's army presented at CCWC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I believe He delivered a clear, clarion call to Christian Writers not only to write His answer (the recurring theme of CCWC), but more importantly to write His warning to America: "Because you have rejected Me, I will no longer bless and protect you. I am turning you over to your own way--self destruction, disintegration, and a reprobate mind. I am releasing My writers, My prophets to proclaim My judgment on the land and its people."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">His warning may be offered to give America one last opportunity to repent of its magnified sins. There are encouraging signs indicating several States have chosen to follow His way (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah). We will see if God blesses these States for taking a stand for His most precious gift--LIFE. Unfortunately, I doubt the whole nation, this daughter of Babylon, will repent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">States like Colorado are growing more hostile to all things Christian and any values that may have once been seen as wholesome and good. This beautiful land has established ugly governing policies. This hard-left controlled state cannot tolerate any <b><u><i>thought</i></u></b> contrary to its positions. Eventually, I believe Colorado will ban the annual Colorado Christian Writers' Conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is one act that might save America from His righteous, burning wrath: President Donald Trump must call the nation to repentance, declare a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, and lead Americans in crying out for His mercy. This proclamation must be stronger and more pointed than the one President Abraham Lincoln issued on March 30, 1863. If the president compromises and offers something less, we will get what we deserve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For individuals, Jesus continues to extend His invitation to enter into the joy of His Kingdom. Isaiah 61:1-2a still applies:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Repent, believe, and trust that The LORD Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life and that no one can come to The Father except through Him and He promises to save your eternal soul. Since Memorial Day, please consider His perfect sacrifice to die in your place, pay your sin penalty, and rise again to guarantee your salvation. Surrender </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">to His governance and come to know true life, liberty, and happiness.</span></div>
Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-69402682293006615832019-04-17T16:11:00.000-07:002019-04-18T09:32:27.477-07:00What does Islam intend for America?<span style="font-size: large;">What does Islam intend for America? Should we care? As a Watchman on the wall, I'm sounding the alarm. Those who read my blog, published articles and books know that I write to preserve and protect Life and Liberty. I can't stress this enough: God's gifts of Life and Liberty are being eliminated. It is the reader's choice to hear and take heed, or ignore this warning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since the culture has fed us a pack of lies, here's a few diversity questions to ponder. Are all means of government equal? Or, are some superior to others? Is oligarchy </span><span style="font-size: large;">governance </span><span style="font-size: large;">(a group of self-proclaimed masterminds), regulating all, superior to responsible self-governance? Is a government created right (abortion) equal to or greater than our Creator's self-evident inalienable right (to life). Or, do American citizens want to be ruled by Islamic clerics? Are all forms of religious expression the same, not one better than any other? When people pray, are they praying to the same god, or is there only one true God and all others false -- no gods at all? (A related article is linked here: <a href="https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/politics-means-use-abuse-scandal/">IMPRIMIS</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Have we embraced the world's deception? A May 2017 <a href="https://www.barna.com/" target="_blank">Barna Group</a> survey found 28% of self-proclaimed practicing Christians strongly agree that "all people pray to the same god or spirit, no matter what name they use for that spiritual being." (<a href="https://www.barna.com/research/competing-worldviews-influence-todays-christians/" target="_blank">https://www.barna.com/research/competing-worldviews-influence-todays-christians/</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, if our culture is right and all religions are equal, what does Islam intend for America? Paul Sperry provides insight from Islamic leaders own words in his 2005 book, "INFILTRATION." The following quotes are taken from the book's introduction.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQGfB192q85wHio86nPFAHcYHcof6YOysyv9hPu8qoWcHeJNENIarEuOwd4W3TQaUdje3NHo0opD0jppOTVYSPBOzjvNb4y6S4Od_bRero7Ql10WIW8_h0gNP3aYX_GREeBrY/s1600/Infiltration+Paul+Sperry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="343" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQGfB192q85wHio86nPFAHcYHcof6YOysyv9hPu8qoWcHeJNENIarEuOwd4W3TQaUdje3NHo0opD0jppOTVYSPBOzjvNb4y6S4Od_bRero7Ql10WIW8_h0gNP3aYX_GREeBrY/s320/Infiltration+Paul+Sperry.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Infiltration-Muslim-Subversives-Penetrated-Washington/dp/1595552480" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">INFILTRATION</a>, by <a href="https://twitter.com/paulsperry_" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Paul Sperry</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abdurahman M. Alamoudi said the goal of Muslims in America is to turn the U.S. into an Islamic state, even if it takes "a hundred years. I think if we are outside this country, we can say, 'Oh Allah, destroy America.' But once we are here, our mission in this country is to change it."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Imam Siraj Wahhaj said, "In time, this so-called democracy will crumble, and there will be nothing. And the only thing that will remain will be Islam."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Omar M. Ahmad, former chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said, "Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Quran should be the highest authority in America."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've followed <a href="https://twitter.com/paulsperry_" target="_blank">Paul Sperry</a> since April 2008, when during our trip to Israel, <a href="https://twitter.com/GenBoykin" target="_blank">LTG Jerry Boykin</a>, recommended that I read Sperry's book. For readers of my blog, I cannot urge you enough to read this work and understand it was published 14 years ago. Since then, we now know highly trained and war-tested Islamic terrorists are already here. Muslims with skills to use our civility against us, now sit in the highest seats of local, state, and Federal government.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One thing I want my readers to understand: followers of Islam are committed to fundamentally transform our Constitutional Republic into an Islamic state. What would they do once they have total control of the strongest military on Earth with an operational nuclear arsenal? Would we see religious police patrolling our neighborhoods, bringing swift justice for every offense against Sharia law? </span><a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=159878238254749&id=100026977214612" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Islam in America (1986)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In one month, I will be speaking at the <a href="https://colorado.writehisanswer.com/" target="_blank">Colorado Christian Writers' Conference</a>. My topic is: America at a Crossroads. After watching the movie, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBLWpKbC3ww" target="_blank">UNPLANNED</a>, seeing a baby boy safe in his mother's womb, violently attacked, </span><span style="font-size: large;">appear to scream after having an arm ripped off his body, </span><span style="font-size: large;">and </span><span style="font-size: large;">fight for his life to the bitter end, I think my workshop should be called, America has passed a tipping point. I believe God is allowing Islam's domination of our country as judgment for the culture of death it has become. The telling quote from <a href="http://www.abbyjohnson.org/" target="_blank">Abby Johnson</a>'s true story, UNPLANNED came from the Planned Parenthood Director, <i>"America wants abortion."</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapcWtwFTzVJvpfNeBZDZpkSuAAhN9RXEDPpuo_foJaqpESpuW2shBL7DSE0HQLTP7bIUrjX0bARyxcFL7cSctKyciWlDzjNlabkf1poSA4j8TG2mNXdUmCeB-C76Ckll6BJrL/s1600/UNPLANNED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="980" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapcWtwFTzVJvpfNeBZDZpkSuAAhN9RXEDPpuo_foJaqpESpuW2shBL7DSE0HQLTP7bIUrjX0bARyxcFL7cSctKyciWlDzjNlabkf1poSA4j8TG2mNXdUmCeB-C76Ckll6BJrL/s320/UNPLANNED.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=27572" target="_blank">Link to Abby Johnson's Speech</a></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well America, God will not ignore the murder of 60 million babies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it will take Islam to bring abortion (a capital offense under Sharia) to an end </span><span style="font-size: large;">in America, and with it, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the end of the experiment in self-government -- America.</span></span>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-72725649541066498212019-03-17T09:50:00.001-07:002019-03-17T09:50:37.947-07:00Actor & Actress Candidates<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm beginning to see more than one scripted Democrat candidate rising out of the sea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please watch this video (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h5iv6sECGU" target="_blank">The Brains Behind AOC Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">). It's worth your time, and you will begin to see, and always recognize, the diabolical agenda of the Progressive Left, now calling themselves, "Justice Democrats." But who are they and what are their historic roots?</span>Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-35105955536297853862019-02-21T16:47:00.000-08:002019-02-21T16:47:08.526-08:00Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Epilogue<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=11546479" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For new readers to this story, I linked </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/destination-hope-book-5-reconciliation.html" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Chapter 1</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Chapters 2 - 4 are linked under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">September</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 5 - 10 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/10/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">October</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 11 - 18 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/11/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">November</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 19 - 27 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/12/" style="color: #993322;" target="_blank">December</a>, 28 - 34 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/01/" target="_blank">January</a> 2019, and 35 - 39 under </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/02/" target="_blank">February</a>.</span></div>
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<b>Destination Hope – Book 5 – Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A Novel By:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Charles J. Patricoff </div>
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Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Epilogue<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>A Future and A Hope<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 28pt;">S</span></b>ince lunchtime on July 3, 1923, tourists, men, women and children from all walks of life and from all over the country, even some foreign travelers, began to gather behind a rope line south of the town stretching about one mile across an open, undisturbed field. Many in the crowd reminisced about what occurred ten years prior. A park ranger said to his audience, “Then, we estimated about 57,000 veterans participated in re-enacting Pickett’s charge. It was quite exciting to watch.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A young boy, maybe four or five years old, wearing a confederate soldier’s replica kepi, stared up to his grandfather and asked, “Will there be shooting, Grandpa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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His smiling grandfather leaned over and said, “I guess we will just have to wait to find out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The heat and humidity became oppressive, and there was no shade for the throngs of observers, except for those who knew to bring umbrellas for protection from rain or shine. Around three o’clock in the afternoon a lone bugle call sounded and a single cannon thundered. Minutes later, a long, one-man deep line of men with grey and white hair and beards emerged from the west woods lining Gettysburg’s Seminary Ridge. Every twenty yards, give or take a few, one man would carry the battle flag representing the Southern revolution. Some wore grey uniforms, and others regular modern-day business suits. Many had discarded their jackets and rolled up their shirtsleeves. All wore hats, some replicas of that day sixty years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As these men struggled to walk through waist-high wild grass resembling wheat, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths and other winged insects scattered in all directions disturbed by these intruders of their peace. At the same time, other men wearing blue uniforms appeared to the observer’s left and began to take up positions along a short rock wall and small copse of trees. Several of these distinguished men carried Old Glory flags. Everyone in the crowd knew the re-enactment of Pickett’s Charge had begun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After fifteen minutes, remnant survivors from Virginia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia, reached the Emmitsburg Road, which runs at a diagonal direct from the southwest to the northeast across the field. After they crossed the road, they began to bunch closer together. They kept walking toward men in blue from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. It became clear to the adults in the crowd that some of these elderly combatants had great difficulty keeping pace, but still they pressed forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The inquisitive lad, sitting on top of his grandfather’s shoulders, asked, “Are they going to start shooting, now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You have to wait and see,” said his grandfather.<o:p></o:p></div>
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From the ranks of the aged Confederates, an order sounded. It echoed down the line. A moment later, a similar order sounded from the staged Union troops.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Something is going to happen now,” the grandfather said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The boy’s eyes almost bulged as he grabbed his grandfather’s head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Everyone heard the final order shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Men on both sides removed their hats and began to wave them at their opponents. A cheer rose from the old soldiers and eventually the crowd joined the celebratory shouting as the Confederates closed on the Yankees standing at the wall. When the former Rebels reached the wall, both sides extended their arms in greeting. The former enemies shook hands, an unforgettable image of national reconciliation.<o:p></o:p><br />
Buglers ascended the rock wall and began to play the mournful tune now known as "Taps." Many in the crowd began to weep as they remembered the thousands who gave their lives that this one nation, under God, with its new birth of freedom, might live.</div>
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“Is that all?” the boy whined.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m afraid so,” said his grandfather.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This is boring.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m sorry you think so. Maybe another time you’ll think differently.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The family patriarch kept his grandson atop his shoulders as the crowd moved north, crossed the Emmitsburg Road and entered the National Cemetery. They gathered around a memorial, and a man dressed like Abraham Lincoln appeared in his famous black suit and stovepipe hat and gave two speeches.<o:p></o:p></div>
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During the first speech, the little boy lost interest, as the man talked about dedicating a final resting place. He laid his head down on top of his grandfather’s and drifted off to sleep. He never heard his grandfather sound the words the speaker said as he ended his presentation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wound; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan</i><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">—</span></i><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; text-indent: 0px;"></span><i>to do all, which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Later, old-soldiers, re-enactors, family members, friends and tourists gathered in the various dining establishments within Gettysburg proper. The grandfather and his inquisitive grandson enjoyed a satisfying meal at O’Rourke’s Inn, a restaurant dedicated to the famous Yankee Irish Brigade. After dinner, the boy is attracted to an artist who is sketching patrons to look as if they were once in one of the battling armies. “Can I go over there and watch him, Grandpa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Sure, but don’t wander off. I’ll only be a few minutes with these fine folks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The inquisitive boy dashed across the restaurant and in an instant, he became mesmerized by the charcoal magic appearing before him. His grandfather watched him to make sure he stayed put. The type of person who knows no strangers, he said to folks at the next table, “Did you notice how the patrons are split, even inside this establishment? Do you see? Uniformed Confederate re-enactors are on one side and Yankees on the other.” He pivoted on his seat and asked the younger couple. “Where was I?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You were about to tell us about your dad.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Well, like I was about to say, before Billy interrupted, my father wanted to be here like he was ten years ago, but…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He passed away?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The older man nodded. It took him a few seconds to gain his composure. To help, he changed the subject a bit. “His best friend, Marvin who married my father's cousin, Margret, well they moved somewhere near Houston, Texas and established a cattle ranch. Marvin passed about fifteen years back. We lost touch with Margaret—not sure, if she’s still alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“My mother, Eleanor Ellis Graham, passed in 1905, and my father passed shortly after the 50<sup>th </sup>Anniversary of Gettysburg. I think Woodrow Wilson’s election broke his heart. He couldn’t believe the American people threw away their liberty in exchange for his dictatorship. He warned me that Wilson and those like him would drive America down a slow, long descent into the darkness of lost liberty all in the name of sinful progress and the false security that a modern world brings to the community of nations and all peoples.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Sounds like another name for Communism,” William’s fellow dinner guest said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Maybe, but I guess my dad resented the fact that Wilson fooled so many folks—promising to keep us out of the war to end all wars, and then three months after he took the oath of office, he sent our boys overseas. Dad rejected Wilson’s dishonest, academic argument that our <i>Constitution </i>had outlived its usefulness and was no longer relevant to a contemporary society. And I know my father disapproved of Wilson’s attitude toward education.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know, Wilson believed the purpose of education is to make a son as little as his father. For example, if a man believes that God is the Creator of the Universe, the education system must challenge this thinking in the man’s child. To combat Wilson’s notions, dad admonished me to make my children’s and grandchildren’s education a high priority and ensure they know the truth. That’s why we’re here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Morrow and me, and our son, moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and took over a dairy farm my father purchased sometime after the war.” William could tell his listeners drifted. He changed the subject. “Billy, my grandson, is around here somewhere.” William stretched his frame and caught his grandson’s attention. Little Billy hurried to the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Billy, I’d like to introduce you to these folks. They came all the way from Colorado to visit Gettysburg.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The pretty, fair-skinned blond woman said, “Billy, it’s really nice to meet you. Do you know where Colorado is?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes Ma’am. It is far out west, where the Rocky Mountains rest, and it’s nice to meet you too.” Little Billy extended his hand to the woman’s husband, “It is a pleasure to meet you, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The pleasure is all mine, young man.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What a perfect, little gentleman,” the lady said. Then, she asked, “So young man, what do you want to be when you grow up?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Little Billy said, “I’m gonna be a preacher of the Gospel like my great-grandpa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The elder William’s eyebrows snapped upward. His eyes widened. “Wherever did you get an idea like that? Who told you your great-grandpa, my father, was a preacher?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That nice man…” He spun on the balls of his feet and stood on the tip of his toes, pointing. “Over there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William craned his neck searching. “Which man?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Little Billy glanced at his grandfather, pivoted and pointed again. “That m…” Little Billy searched the crowd across the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Which one, son?” the senior William asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I don’t see him, Grandpa. He must a left.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William recalled something his father had once shared regarding a passage he recited when describing his conversion to Christ: <i>“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” </i>William smiled at his grandson’s disappointed, pouting countenance and said with as much encouragement as he could offer, “I believe you, Billy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The End of Destination Hope – But Hope Springs Eternal.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 28pt;">Author’s Note</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Destination Hope</i> is not a story about Billy Graham’s great-grandparents. However, I have often wondered what influence his ancestors had in shaping his love for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Billy Graham we, in the Twentieth and Twenty-first century have come to know and love, the Preacher to Presidents, was born November 7, 1918 to William Franklin Graham I (1888–1962) and Morrow Coffey (1892–1981), on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina, which his paternal grandfather, Crook Graham, bought after serving in the Confederate army. Billy Graham went home to be with Jesus on February 21, 2018. I, for one, miss him, but I do look forward to seeing him in the Kingdom of the Most High.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the reader recalls from Chapter 9, on May 22, 1865, Secretary Stanton assisted Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln’s departure from the White House and helped his puppet president become its next resident. Ninety-seven years later, God gave me life. I am grateful the woman who bore me gave me up for adoption. My adoptive dad taught me his admiration for Abraham Lincoln. From his leadership, I dedicated my life’s study to the scriptures and American history. Through the written word, I learned God’s opinion regarding the value of each individual life and His gift of liberty the founders of our nation desired to protect for future American citizens.<br />
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Unfortunately, past and present American leaders, like Secretary Stanton, abused their positions of power and established an unelected, unaccountable, administrative state. Bureaucrats are using the unchecked power of government to render our founding documents irrelevant, promote the killing of approximately 60 million innocent babies, indoctrinating our youth to embrace progressive democratic-socialism, and are rapidly destroying our nation from within. Is time running out? Only the Almighty knows. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I believe God called me to write this story to reestablish a hunger in American Christians to recognize the beauty of the Constitutional Republic God created as His last best hope of liberty on Earth, and to encourage prayer for America’s restoration. God bless you, and thanks for reading.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please let me know what you think. Should I publish my next project like this?</span></div>
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Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-48136564405624002072019-02-18T20:33:00.000-08:002019-02-18T20:33:23.207-08:00Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Chapter 39<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For new readers to this story, I linked </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/destination-hope-book-5-reconciliation.html" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Chapter 1</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Chapters 2 - 4 are linked under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">September</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 5 - 10 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/10/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">October</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 11 - 18 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/11/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">November</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 19 - 27 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/12/" style="color: #993322;" target="_blank">December</a>, 28 - 34 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/01/" target="_blank">January</a> 2019, and 35 - 38 under </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/02/" target="_blank">February</a>.</span></div>
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<b>Destination Hope – Book 5 – Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A Novel By:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Charles J. Patricoff<o:p></o:p></div>
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Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Chapter 39<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Settled<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 28pt;">T</span></b>he late-evening sun set slowly behind the western Tennessee hills. The sky turned a beautiful mixture of pink, orange, blue and white. The deep green foliage of a new summer accented the hills in the distance; yet, within minutes these brilliant hues would slowly fade from distinctiveness as the dark night gained advantage. Oaks, maples, birch, elm and cottonwood trees, set against the creeping, shape-changing upper atmosphere, created an artistic landscape for the observer’s appreciation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With a few more months of hard labor, the people of Franklin, Tennessee would harvest their crops, just as new souls responded to Nathaniel Graham’s weekly sermons. As a recognized community leader, he guided his neighbors beyond their past desires for independence, concentrated their energy and resources on rebuilding their town and their lives, and helped them become reconciled to their reborn nation of liberty as they reconciled their souls to God. Nathaniel continued to teach their responsibility to grow in God’s grace, and learn to depend on and trust in Christ. The Almighty would unfold their future—like a tree bearing fruit—if they would choose to abide in Jesus, use the gifts He had invested in them, and follow His Spirit of hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Father, son, and their old dog exited the knee-high cornfield and William asked, “Do you think folks will ever stop asking about the mayor and his men?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel glanced back toward the center of the field and formulated an answer. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Son. The jury concluded that we acted in self-defense, so the matter is settled for all time. If I were you, I’d worry about your recital tonight. Are you ready?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Go on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Now?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Uh-huh, I want to hear it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William looked at his father with admiring eyes, came to an appropriate attention, and started:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“In Congress, July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies of the thirteen United States of America.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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If William had noticed, he would have seen his proud father mouthing the words along with him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“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. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain...”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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William paused for clarification. “That was King George the Third, right Pa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, son, you are correct.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William nodded and repeated the last phrase:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel held up his hand indicating a halt to the oral dissertation. “You can skip over the twenty-seven grievances; but don’t forget to recite them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, sir.” William’s eyes searched the sky as if he read the rest of the document in an instant. He resumed reciting the last dramatic paragraphs of Thomas Jefferson’s, near-sacred foundational words:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act, which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Nor, have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnum—”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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William stumbled on the long, less than familiar term.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel intervened. “Magnanimity.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As father, son, and panting dog sauntered past the family plot, William asked, “Pa, what does,” he struggled with the pronunciation, “<i>magnanimity </i>mean?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I believe Mr. Jefferson intended the idea of generosity of spirit in this passage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Kind of like when you say, God wants us to treat each other with kindness?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I think that’s correct.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William took a few more quiet strides. “I think that makes sense.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As a good father, Nathaniel asked, “Do you remember where you left off?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes sir.” William continued:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity…”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anticipating his son’s next question, Nathaniel said, “It means a relationship based on descent from the same ancestor—not by marriage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Like me and mother?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes.” Nathaniel swallowed. <i>I wonder just how much he understands. </i>But before Nathaniel could formulate a question, William continued:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“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 the 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.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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William took a deep breath, “How was that Pa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The surrounding beauty helped inspire the gratefulness filling Nathaniel’s heart. “Excellent, son, I am proud of you. Say it like that tonight at the celebration, and son…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes Pa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Don’t ever forget to rely on Divine Providence.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes sir,” William said confidently.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good boy.” He patted William’s back.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Nathaniel gazed at the scene before him, he remembered the strange dream he had where he confessed he wanted his own farm and family. He smiled. Then he smelled the thickening, musty air, and recognized the heat might be so strong; he and William may have to draw water from the creek to keep their crops from withering.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor came out of the house drying her hands on her apron. She strolled at an easy, casual pace as if taking stock of the blessings surrounding her, too. She reached a conversational distance from the two men in her life and let them know that she served supper. “Dear, you, William, and Bailey need to come in now, before our dinner turns cold.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel turned his gaze from the sky and let Eleanor into his thoughts. “I don’t know why Almighty God let me live and took such a great leader from us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor moved closer. “Well, many in the church and town think you are a great leader, too.” She winked. “And I happen to agree with them. Your voice in Nashville has helped keep Tennessee from suffering the same fate as all other former Confederate States. I hear the Federal occupiers are crueler than our lost local authorities.” Eleanor glanced at their lush cornfield, then gazed at her husband. “I, for one, am very glad you’re still here. Where would I be, where would we be if you and I never met?” Eleanor smiled at Nathaniel and stroked her slightly extended lower abdomen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel returned her smile. “I don’t know the answer to that neither.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor corrected, “It’s either, dear.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Neither, either, it’s all the same to me.” Nathaniel smirked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Well, it should matter a great deal to you, dear. What would our parishioners think if you butchered the English language from the pulpit each Sunday morning?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Oh, they won’t mind.” Nathaniel patted Bailey on his squared, graying head. “Will they, boy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bailey panted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“William, go on now, wash up and get ready for dinner, while I have a word with your mother.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William obeyed without question. “Come on, Bailey.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bailey stopped panting, tilted his head and bolted after his smaller master.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As boy and dog neared the house, Nathaniel said, “But you know, Ellie, it still bothers me. I can’t help but wonder what our country would be like right now. I mean, I think the entire nation would have been better served if God would have let him live; better yet, if He would have intervened and prevented that terrible night altogether. I suppose it’s an ageless question.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What is, dear?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel raised his eyes toward the not-too-distant hills. “Why won’t God violate our free will? Why won’t He stop someone from committing purposeful sin and unspeakable evil?” He stared at his bride. “Yet, I can’t tell you how many times He has saved me from acting foolishly. I guess we will never know in this life why God chooses to intervene in some of the affairs of mankind and leave others alone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’ve often thought about it too, dear. You remember, I told you I had the privilege of meeting him long ago, before the war. No one thought much of Lincoln then. I never really knew him, but my father thought that he was a good and honest man. If not for him, I am confident, my brother Paul would be gone, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know I’ve spent hours studying things he wrote. I’m convinced he was sent by God to lead our nation. I didn’t think that ten years ago. Like so many, I became certain he appeared as the devil incarnate. I’m sorry I believed a lie. His murder was a terrible loss for us all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Well, I’m sure God has His reasons for taking him when He did,” Eleanor said. “Maybe the war was not punishment enough for our many national sins.” She rubbed her husband’s back. “Honey, please don’t beat yourself up anymore. All is forgiven, and as far as I’m concerned, you’ve taught William well. I believe he knows our rights come from God—that the <i>Declaration of Independence </i>and the <i>Constitution </i>are inseparable documents, and Lincoln led us back to a reconciled nation and left us two great speeches, the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural, to help us remember if we begin to lose our way again. William is well prepared to carry the light of God’s liberty forward to his children. He knows he must choose to follow God, no matter what, even if this great country rejects God. Most of all, he is prepared to enter our Lord’s Kingdom. For that, I can never thank you enough. Nate, in my eyes, you are a good man.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The question still haunted him. He muttered in a weak attempt to expose it to cleansing light: <i>“Ain’t it something what one bullet can do?”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“What dear?” Eleanor asked. She shook her head as if her husband remained some great mystery. “What’s that got to do with what I just said?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s something a soldier once said to me.” Nathaniel repeated with stronger clarity, <i>‘Ain’t it something what one bullet can do?’</i> That seems like ages ago.” Then he completed his thought: “One bullet changed the course of American history.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel reached down to the ground picked up the well-chewed leather baseball lying by his right foot. He had finished stitching it back together earlier that morning. It now felt soggy and it smelled like the inside of Bailey’s mouth. “<i>Dayenu</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What dear?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=11546479" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Nathaniel looked at his bride and repeated each syllable. “<i>Day-eh-new </i>is a Hebrew word Professor Jonah Benjamin shared with me—something he learned about the Passover celebration. The word means, ‘it is enough.’” Smiling Nathaniel said, “God has so blessed my life. If He never does another thing for me, He has already done more than enough.” He pulled Eleanor close and gave her a gentle hug and kiss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After they released, Nathaniel turned Bailey’s toy between his thumb and fingers for a moment, looked at it, and then threw it as hard and as far as he could. It disappeared into the thick woods at the west end of their farmhouse’s clearing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bailey must have caught sight of it while lapping at the water pouring out of the pump as William stroked its handle. William let the rusting metal bar slam into its shut-off position. Nathaniel, Eleanor, and William watched Bailey run as hard and as fast as his legs could carry him. Then the widening, eight-year-old, happy, black Labrador barked as he disappeared into the thick underbrush.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading. It's not over, yet.</span></div>
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Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-88708479962248652652019-02-17T06:24:00.001-08:002019-02-17T06:24:25.372-08:00Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Chapter 38<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=11546479" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For new readers to this story, I linked </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/destination-hope-book-5-reconciliation.html" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Chapter 1</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Chapters 2 - 4 are linked under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">September</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 5 - 10 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/10/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">October</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 11 - 18 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/11/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">November</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 19 - 27 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/12/" style="color: #993322;" target="_blank">December</a>, 28 - 34 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/01/" target="_blank">January</a> 2019, and 35 - 37 under </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/02/" target="_blank">February</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b>Destination Hope – Book 5 – Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A Novel By:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Charles J. Patricoff<o:p></o:p></div>
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Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Chapter 38<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Trespass<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 28pt;">N</span></b>athaniel stood his ground facing the three mounted intruders. William imitated his dad’s defiance with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. Nathaniel felt the setting sun losing warmth on his face. Several yellow, orange, and red changing leaves floated toward the ground but often lifted by a gentle breeze. One of the agitated horses nickered. A few degrees to Nathaniel’s left, he noticed Eleanor standing just inside the front door’s threshold. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“What brings you out here this late in the day, your Honor?” Nathaniel asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of Merritt’s henchmen, Hodge, a hefty, dust-covered man with a scruffy beard and a scarred cheek, leaned to his left and spat a wad of chew on to the ground, as Jason said, “I’m sure you know.” He reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and, as he retrieved its contents, said, “I tried to be reasonable with you and your wife.” <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">He cocked his head toward the house. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">“</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">But you refused to listen.” He displayed an envelope. “I have here Judge Hogan’s writ ordering you to turn over what rightfully belongs to me.” His eyes shifted in William’s direction.</span><br />
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“William, come in now and clean up,” Eleanor called. “Dinner is almost ready.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s face turned upward toward his dad who set his gaze on the three intruders, eyes locked on Jason.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You heard your mother, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But pa…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I said, go on now, <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><i>son.</i></span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">” He </span>emphasized his concluding word<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> for his hostile audience more than his child.</span><br />
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William stepped behind Nathaniel. Head hung low, he took reluctant steps toward the house kicking at a stone, which headed for the horse to Mayor Merritt’s right. The roughneck, Hodge, reined his horse to block William’s path. William came to a halt and swiveled toward his dad. Nathaniel could see fear in William’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor reached to her left and burst on to the front porch. She cradled a lever-action carbine in her hands and pointed it at the invaders. Hodge, the rider barring William’s way, started to pull his revolver.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That won’t be necessary, Hodge,” Jason said. Then, with a slight jerk of his head he said to William, “Go eat your supper, son.” He shifted his glare back at Nathaniel and extended the order. “Mr. Graham, I know you are a law-abiding citizen and you will comply with this lawful order.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel refused to accept it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Suit yourself.” Jason flicked the parcel at Nathaniel’s feet. “You have three days to comply. I assume you’ll make good after our church service on Sunday?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel’s grip tightened on his scythe’s handle. A memory flashed of Richard Boyd jumping off a pew and tackling him in the Johnson Island Federal prison chapel. <i>I’ve been here before, but I can’t start anything. I can’t put Eleanor and William in danger.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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He said, “Sir, you and your men are not welcome here.” Taking one step forward, he straightened his posture as much as his bone-weary body tolerated. His eyes narrowed. “Get off my land.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jason leaned forward in his saddle. “All I want is what is rightfully mine, Graham.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William kicked at another stone. It came to rest a few feet in front of the porch steps.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know I can make things much worse for you, little Rebel,” Jason said. Both henchmen snickered. “Speaking of ‘Rebels<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">’</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">, I hear your beloved Robert E. Lee’s health is failing—pity.”</span><br />
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Nathaniel saw it. The same sinister grin surfaced on Jason’s face. Eleanor tried to describe it. Now Nathaniel recognized it, resembling the one he had seen on Gene Schmidt’s face many times during the war—the face of evil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jason reined his horse to his right. “Come on fellas.” The three intruders of the Graham family peace walked their horses heading for Mount Hope Road. As they passed Eleanor, Jason tipped the brim of his hat and grinned. He shouted over the clopping hooves, “You wouldn’t want me taking your pitiful, little farm, too.” All three carpetbagger-reconstruction leaders of the Franklin, Tennessee community laughed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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William reached down to the ground and grabbed for his back-overalls pocket.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel yelled, “Son, no, don’t—”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rock released from William’s sling hit Hodge behind his left ear with crippling force. His hat flew off as his head jerked forward. His body followed, falling into the hindquarters of Jason’s horse, causing the animal to lurch, almost throwing Jason.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“William, get inside,” Eleanor shouted, throwing the carbine to her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Merritt’s new informant and heavier henchman, Sherriff Warren, yanked his revolver, swiveled in his saddle, and aimed at the mayor’s long-time enemy and defenseless Nathaniel. Eleanor’s shot hit Warren’s right shoulder blade, causing his blast to go wide and hit the broad side of the barn. His gun fell to the dusty earth below.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jason regained control of his startled steed and reined the animal about. He shouted, “Yaw!” and charged for Nathaniel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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William grabbed another rock. Before he could seat it in the cuff of his sling, Eleanor grabbed the back of his collar, pulled him onto the porch, and almost threw her son into the house. “Stay in there,” she shouted. She slammed the front door and yelled through it, “Bar the door.” She turned to face the fray in time to see Jason drive his horse right into her husband, knocking Nathaniel hard to the ground. Nathaniel scrambled, slipped, and sprawled trying to reach the shovel propping open one of the barn doors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jason wheeled his horse for another pass. He spurred the animal and slapped it with his swagger stick.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hodge shook his head and pushed himself up to his hands and knees. Warren clutched his wounded shoulder and raced to exact vengeance on Eleanor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor popped the lever action. The smoking, spent brass shell casing flew to her right. She did not have time to take aim; she fired, snapped the lever, and fired again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Warren’s jaw-crushing facial grimace indicated he would no longer be a threat. He clutched his broad belly with his left hand. His scrunched, eyes sprung open wide as if he faced a sudden, yet clear revelation. He stumbled, his right knee buckled. Warren twisted and fell lifeless to the ground, his head thumping onto the home’s first step.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jason drove his horse in between Nathaniel and the barn. He swiped his swagger stick like a sword. Nathaniel blocked the strike with his arms, but Jason hit him with enough force to throw Nathaniel to the dirt a second time. Jason dismounted. The horse kept running toward the house’s back door. Jason grabbed the shovel. Nathaniel scrambled to retrieve his scythe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor faced her next threat. Hodge picked up his revolver, cocked the hammer, and leveled the gun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The shots sounded like they fired at the same time.</div>
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From inside the house, William watched the thinner and dusty henchman he clobbered with the stone drop to the earth, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his mother dropping her rifle. Then he saw her clutch the front porch railing and drop to her knees. He screamed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Crying, William tried to wake his mother. He almost convulsed at the sight and smell of his mother’s blood. He glanced at the battle raging in front of the barn.</div>
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Just as Nathaniel reached his feet, Jason swung the shovel smacking Nathaniel’s right side. Nathaniel gasped. His eyes rolled and he fell to the dust for a third time. Struggling to breathe, Nathaniel managed to react and roll away in time to avoid Jason’s next strike.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You meddling preacher. You are a fool. I would have left you alone. Now, I’ll have it all.” He swung the shovel at Nathaniel’s head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel jerked out of the way, and the blade dug inches into the ground missing his right ear. With a spike of energy, Nathaniel rolled to his left, obtained enough footing to scramble like a dog away from Jason’s next swing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Limping, Nathaniel entered the barn. Chickens cackled and scattered. He scanned it for anything he could use, but Jason connected with a blast to Nathaniel’s back between his shoulder blades, knocking him almost senseless deeper into the barn. He toppled to the straw covered floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shadow whinnied and kicked at her stall. The hogs grunted and the goats bleated as Nathaniel rolled onto his back. The silhouetted image of Jason stepped between Nathaniel’s spread legs. <i>Where’s Bailey?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“I warned you,” Jason growled like a mad dog. “I told you I’d come for you. Everything you wanted is gone. The woman you love is dead. The boy is mine. This farm will be mine. Where is your god now? I’ll tell you, he’s nowhere because there is no god.” Jason lifted the shovel over his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Through dazed vision, Nathaniel could see Jason’s muscles tense for the killing blow. He raised his hands in weakened self-defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A blast. Jason’s left chest exploded outward. His eyes rolled. A guttural noise escaped Jason’s mouth. The shovel dropped behind him, and his lifeless body fell on top of Nathaniel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel shoved Jason’s body off. William stood at the barn door. Nathaniel’s old .44 caliber Colt revolver still smoked in William’s tiny, shaking hands. Nathaniel’s eyes met William’s weepy brown orbs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Help mommy,” the quaking boy said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This time, he heard that phrase from a different source: <i>“One bullet saved your life.”</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nathaniel wobbled to his feet, then scrambled toward the porch, where his beloved lay. Using his pocketknife, he ripped away enough clothing to evaluate the wound, while protecting her modesty. Eleanor had regained consciousness, but she was disoriented. She had enough presence of mind to help confirm what Nathaniel observed. It appeared the bullet hit Eleanor’s fleshy side, in what Nathaniel called in a delicate, sheepish tone, her “meatier parts,” and passed through clean. “I won’t lie to you darling. It is a serious wound. You’ll need Doctor Pritchard to patch you up.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor didn’t complain. “I don’t feel pain anywhere else.” She gazed at her fright-filled son, “Momma’s going to be all right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William kept staring at the oozing hole. His breathing rate matched his mothers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>She may not be aware of all the damage, yet.</i> Nathaniel glanced at the possible trajectory. He felt a sense of gratitude when he found a bullet hole in one of the horizontal logs about waist-high, left of the door. <i>Good, I don’t think I need to probe this.</i> Nathaniel tore some more material from Eleanor’s dress to make bandages. He applied direct pressure from both sides causing great pain for both he and his wife. After about thirty minutes, Nathaniel said, “Okay, I’m going to release the pressure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Oh, thank God,” Eleanor said, once the compression lifted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel inspected the wound. “Yes, thank the Lord. The bleeding seems to be under control. Now, I think we need to move you to a place where you can be more comfortable. It’ll be dark soon. Do you think you can make it to our bed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re not putting me in there. I’ll get blood all over the new bed clothes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But darling, I—”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor held up her right hand. “Stop. I’ll be fine right here. I just need a few minutes to rest.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel turned away and saw William rocking on his knees. It appeared to Nathaniel that the boy was praying. <i>Good, </i>he thought, then he gave his attention to Eleanor. “You need Doc Pritchard to stitch you up proper.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor grabbed Nathaniel’s shirt. “You go. William can watch over me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A memory of young, Corporal Samuel Beecher flashed. <i>He died in that swamp outside of Fredericksburg after I promised I’d bring him help. </i>“Are you sure?” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel placed light pressure to Eleanor’s wounds and said, “William, look how I’m keeping these bandages on your mother. <span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Do you think you can do this while I run for help?”</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel could read the uncertainty in his son’s eyes as William said, “I’ll try.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You have to, son. And keep your mother talking. Don’t let her fall asleep. Do you understand?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor intervened. “Go, Nate, now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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He hated the fact that he had to leave, but what else could he do? The love of his life needed better help than he could give. He assisted William’s takeover of the bandaging job, inspected the situation, kissed Eleanor’s forehead, and raced for the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He did not take any time to put a saddle on Shadow. He rode bareback as hard and as fast as she could run.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In record time Nathaniel reached Doctor Pritchard’s home, disturbing his dinner. The kind physician grasped the severity of the matter, grabbed his medical bag, and hurried to retrieve his horse and buggy. Doctor Pritchard insisted that Nathaniel report what happened while he drove out to the farm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel wanted to rush home, but he knew Doctor Pritchard spoke from aged wisdom. He would have to make a full report. He encouraged Shadow to gallop across the bridge to Fort Granger in search of Captain O’Brien.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Upon reaching the gate, Nathaniel yelled to the posted guard, “I need to speak with Captain O’Brien right away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“State your business, Mister,” the guard said pointing his carbine at Nathaniel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“There’s been a shooting on the northwest side of town.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Why don’t you get the sheriff?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He’s one of the men shot—I think he’s dead.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This bit of information seemed to have the desired effect. The guard yelled, “Open the gate. Let this feller in. Somebody fetch the Captain.”</div>
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Several precious minutes passed, which Nathaniel did not have, to convince Captain O’Brien to ride out to the farm. While O’Brien and his patrol prepared to go, Nathaniel took his leave. Mounted and ready to ride, Nathaniel said, “Captain O’Brien, I know you know the way. They shot Eleanor. Doc Pritchard is on his way. I’ve got to go. Make sure she’s okay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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After all their years of conflict, Captain Sean O’Brien made a reasonable demand. “Go,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As daylight subsided, Nathaniel rode Shadow harder and faster than his earlier race into town. He had to get home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Nathaniel and Shadow reached the top of the ridge, he slowed her pace so he could get a better look at what he thought he saw. Doctor Pritchard’s buggy and horse stood in front of the house, but, “Where is everyone?” He shook Shadow’s reins. “Let’s go, girl.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Within feet of the house, Nathaniel launched off Shadow’s back and raced into the house yelling, “Ellie, William, Doc?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Here, Pa,” William shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel ran to the bedroom. He pushed open wide the door, slamming it against the inside wall. His jaw dropped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor appeared to be resting comfortably as she chastised, “Don’t you ever knock first?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Doctor Pritchard packed his medical bag, and William stared at his father while holding his mother’s hand. Eleanor smiled. Nathaniel took a deep breath and exhaled. “Thank God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“She’s going to be fine, Pastor,” Doctor Pritchard said. “You should be proud of your son. He took good care of his mother. I checked the wound—no fragments. So, I cleaned and stitched the injury. She’s going to be in some pain, but I’d guess she’ll be on her feet in maybe three days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel smiled. He wiped dewy eyes. “Thank God.”</div>
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Nathaniel tried to walk Captain Sean O’Brien and his men through the earlier events. Nathaniel found the envelope containing Judge Hogan’s order. He picked it up and handed it to Captain O’Brien. “It all started with this. I suppose, if I would have accepted it with grace, maybe none of this would have happened.”</div>
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A pair of soldiers shooed some birds pecking at Sherriff Warren’s body. They picked it off the dusty farmyard and tossed it over the back of the sheriff’s horse. Captain O’Brien took the official court parcel and said, “You know I’ll have to arrest you and take you into custody, again?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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From where Nathaniel stood, he watched another pair of troopers drag Mayor Merritt’s carcass out of the barn. Merritt had that fixed-fright stare of eternal damnation on his face, an expression Nathaniel saw all too often during the war. <i>I suppose he knows the truth, now.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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He gazed steadily at Captain O’Brien. “I understand Captain.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel heard that familiar voice; <i>“Ask him.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“Captain, O’Brien, can I ask you a favor?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Sure. From what I can tell, you have a clear case of self-defense. From what your wife and boy told me, you didn’t fire a shot. You’ve proven consistent behavior all the years I’ve known you. I misjudged your wife, too. She’s a fine woman.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“She is the favor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I figured as much.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Captain, I promise to turn myself in just as soon as I know Ellie is going to pull through this. Doc Pritchard said she’s going to need about three days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Three days to rise again. Sounds like a familiar story.” Captain O’Brien winked. “I bet you never thought I paid any attention to your preaching, huh? Well, I don’t know about me, but I’d say you’ve lived the life you harped on many times.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Startled and confused, Nathaniel asked, “What’s that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You always quoted from the Book of Proverbs, <i>‘Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’</i> Like I said, I can’t speak for myself, but I think He has directed your paths.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel nodded. He had misjudged this man, too. Nathaniel wanted to pursue the conversation, but he had a more pressing need. “Do we have a deal?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yeah, Pastor. Report to my office on Monday.” Captain O’Brien removed his riding glove and extended his right hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel accepted the gesture of good will and the firm grip seemed to indicate friendship.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Releasing his hand, Captain O’Brien yelled to his men, “Mount up, boys. Let’s get these bodies out of here.” He removed his broad-rimmed, deep-blue hat and ran his hand through his graying hair. “You and I’ve been through a lot, Graham. I say it’s about time we treated each other like friends. Call me Sean, Nate.” A soldier guided the horse carrying the Mayor’s corpse past the two new friends. Captain O’Brien said, “I never liked that man much.” He shook his head. “Done in by a boy. Serves him right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel followed Captain O’Brien to his horse. Once Captain O’Brien settled into his saddle, Nathaniel said, “I’ll see you Monday, Sean.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You take care of that wife and boy of yours.” He pocketed Judge Hogan’s order.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel wanted to ask what Sean planned to do with the summons, but simply said, “I will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Captain O’Brien rocked a bit in his saddle. “As far as I can tell, that boy of yours saved both your lives.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I agree.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Captain O’Brien came to a seated attention and snapped a perfect salute. “Good night, Nate.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel came to attention and returned the time-tested honor. “Good night, Captain. Thank you for all of your help in this mess.” He glanced about the farmyard and said with deep conviction, “God bless you, Sean.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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With that, Captain O’Brien commanded his troopers. “Move out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the twilight darkened, Nathaniel watched Captain O’Brien and his patrol ride up the rising lane, past the family plot, and disappear over the ridge leading to Mount Hope Road.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading.</span></div>
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Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-14712494147379898112019-02-10T18:26:00.002-08:002019-02-12T21:18:45.244-08:00Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Chapter 37<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For new readers to this story, I linked </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/destination-hope-book-5-reconciliation.html" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Chapter 1</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Chapters 2 - 4 are linked under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">September</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 5 - 10 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/10/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">October</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 11 - 18 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/11/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">November</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 19 - 27 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/12/" style="color: #993322;" target="_blank">December</a>, 28 - 34 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/01/" target="_blank">January</a> 2019, and 35 - 36 under </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/02/" target="_blank">February</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b>Destination Hope – Book 5 – Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A Novel By:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Charles J. Patricoff<o:p></o:p></div>
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Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Chapter 37<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Testimony<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 28pt;">R</span></b>umors speculating Judge Hogan’s decision regarding the case of Merritt versus Graham flooded the Harpeth River Valley as if the 100-year torrential rains had settled over Franklin, Tennessee. Two weeks passed—still no word from the court. The <i>Franklin Herald </i>printed every word of gossip it could find criticizing the Grahams. Nathaniel and Eleanor had thus far kept the news from reaching their son’s ears. But with each new day, Nathaniel could read the growing anxiety in the deepening etchings across the forehead of his dear wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Graham’s attorney, Mr. T. J. Eubanks, prepared his clients for the worst possible outcome. Nathaniel struggled with how to prepare his family. His main worry was: <i>How do I tell William, this boy I’ve raised, that another man is his father?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=11546479" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The Graham family took their usual places at the dinner table. Nathaniel prepared to say grace. The bounty resting before him resulted from his friend Marvin Jenkins’ generous livestock offer, back-breaking hours working the land, and the creative cooking talents developed by his lovely bride of over five years. The sweet, saucy aroma of the slow-cooked, pulled pork drove Nathaniel to a quicker than normal blessing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We thank You, dear Lord, for the gifts we are about to receive. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus, we all say, amen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both Eleanor and William repeated the closing “Amen.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor raised her head and Nathaniel noticed her face scrunch with a challenging expression. William began to play with his mashed potatoes, piling them on top of the shredded pork.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel took a forkful of pork and shoved it in his mouth. His eyes closed as he savored the flavors. “Oh, my—thank You, Lord.” He opened his eyes. “Ellie, you have outdone yourself.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She had yet to take her first bite. “Husband, I have some questions regarding one of the letters you wrote to me when you decided to stay with your men until you all received a proper parole.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A sudden uneasiness swept over Nathaniel. He never knew what Eleanor would do or say next and, to his grave misfortune, his memory lacked historical clarity, a talent she possessed that often worked against his personal interests. <i>I wish I could remember what I wrote. </i>He gazed across the dinner table at William, still mixing his mashed potatoes with the pork. <i>The boy might be onto something there. </i>Then he choked, “Which letter, darling?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It was the one where you wanted me to know how you came to trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A wave of relief, like a rising tide lifting a ship above a potential, damaging reef, helped Nathaniel breathe much easier. “What, for example?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Well, let me see if I remember what you wrote. You described that terrible accident your first Christmas away at college and how it seemed odd to you that everyone in the stage coach and your friend sustained injuries, but you suffered a small bump on your forehead. Is that right?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, I did think it strange. It occurred to me the next day. And as I thought about the crash many times thereafter, I could not comprehend how I wasn’t killed, let alone unhurt for all practical purposes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I admit,” Eleanor said, tilting her head twice in William’s direction, “I found that part of your story fascinating, and almost too unbelievable to be true, but it was what happened later that I found even more interesting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William took a forkful of potatoes and pork and dropped it on the floor. Bailey scurried to lap up the treasure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor commented, “This son of yours…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Our son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He’s your son when he misbehaves.” Eleanor rushed to clean up William’s mess. “William, if you don’t stop playing with your supper, I’ll ask your father to have a long talk with you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William looked at his dad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel reinforced his wife’s threat. He faked a mean look at William.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’ll be good. I won’t throw my food on the floor no more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor put both hands on her hips. “Very well then. Father,” Eleanor said. “I don’t think further instruction is needed. Do you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William shook his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Maybe,” Nathaniel said. “I’m watching you, young man.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William slumped on the bench seat. Bailey pawed at his leg like he wanted more offerings tossed his direction. He barked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That will be enough out of you, too, Bailey.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bailey looked at his master with his well-practiced sad eyes as if to say, “What did I do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“All right son. Your father has an important story to tell us, and I suggest you listen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, ma’am.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Now sit up straight and pay attention. You keep talking,” she said to Nathaniel. “I’m going to find that letter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel, William, and Bailey watched the queen of the Graham homestead cross the room and enter the bedroom. What sounded like a rummaging treasure hunt followed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel took a bite of his dinner and pointed at William’s plate. “Sure is good. You don’t know what you’re missing. Well my boy, where should I begin?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Tell me about the crash, Pa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But I’ve told you that before.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I know, Pa, but I like hearing it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor re-entered the main room. “Maybe later. That’s not the part I want you to hear and understand right now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William frowned and his lower lip protruded. “Yes, ma’am.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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After becoming a student of Eleanor’s expressions, Nathaniel caught the command issued behind her deep brown eyes. He offered a slight nod and choked down another morsel. He moved a pitcher of water, shoved the salt and pepper shakers to his left, and reached for his tin cup and took a sip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then he began. “I think it would be good for me to tell what happened about one month later.” He leaned to his right, closer to William, and so he could have a clear line-of-sight around Eleanor’s fresh-cut flowers. “But I also think William should know that there was a time when I didn’t know God, nor did I believe in Him.” Nathaniel glanced at his bride.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor’s eyes drifted up and beyond her husband’s right ear, shifting like she read something printed on the wall separating the living space from the bedroom. “I agree. It is appropriate that William understand all of us must come to a personal comprehension of who God is, who we are, and why we need Him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As if to declare his boredom with the conversation, Bailey moseyed toward the braided rug by his master’s chair, spun around several times, and plopped down. In seconds, his breathing became heavy and steady, almost snoring.<o:p></o:p></div>
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William rested his left cheek on his left fist, with his elbow planted on the cloth-covered table. This brought a stern expression from his mother. He rolled his eyes, sat erect, and folded his hands the way he’d been taught. At least, he appeared prepared to listen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel presented his back-story. “You see, William, even though my parents tried to instruct me in God’s word—” he patted his Bible resting to the left of his scrap-speckled dinner plate— “His ways, and godly living, I didn’t always believe what they said, or what I read.” He gestured toward Eleanor. “I’m confident, your mother might say the same thing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">“</span>Indeed,” she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Really?” asked William.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s normal for all of us to doubt and to question whether or not God is,” Nathaniel said to William. “In fact, I can show you passages where men, long ago, became great because they learned to put their trust in God, but at times doubted, or did not believe in Him at all. And one of our nation’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, once wrote, <i>‘Question with boldness everything, even the very existence of God. For if God is, surely, He would rather us question if He is, over blind obedience.’</i> Son, I believe a day will come when you will face this yourself. It will be the most important decision you will ever make, and no one can decide for you. The sooner you begin thinking about it, even at your young age, the better you will be as a boy, and in time, a man.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A blank expression surface on William’s face. Nathaniel appealed to Eleanor with his eyes and recognized that now familiar “Get on with it” look. “When I neared age fifteen, I wanted my own horse. I prayed real hard and asked God to give me a horse for my birthday. When I didn’t get one, I became angry and I decided that God must not exist. I now know that it wasn’t very smart of me. I’ve learned that thinking of my selfish wants is foolishness.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor cleared her throat giving him the “hurry it along” message again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Anyway, a few years later, I sat by the lake beyond the ridge west of here. The day seemed brighter than I could remember. I can’t explain what appeared different about it, but if I close my eyes, I can still see the flock of birds flying above the water.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What kind of birds?” William asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel shrugged and admitted with a silly grin. “I don’t know what they were, and they flew toward the hills on the other side of the lake. Somehow I concluded that all that beauty had to come from God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Is that when you accepted, Jesus?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“No. Let’s say it was the first step on a long journey. I’ll take you to that spot and show it to you. Would you like that?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes sir. When can we go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bailey popped up, apparently responding to William’s excitement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel attempted to restore calm and order. “Soon, son—soon.” <i>I hope we’ll be able to go often, God willing.</i> “But for now, let’s finish this story, and you need to finish your dinner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor shuffled over to Nathaniel’s end of the table. As she reached for his plate, she asked, “And what about you, are you finished?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel glanced at the few remaining scraps of green beans mixed with a spoonful of mashed potatoes. “Yes, thank you.” He pushed his chair away from the table. In an effort to sit in a more formal, yet relaxed and comfortable position. He crossed his legs. <i>It sure would be nice to savor a fresh cigar after a fine meal like that. But, I have a higher priority at the moment. </i>He scratched his head. “Where did I leave off?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You sat by the lake,” William said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel smiled. <i>I haven’t lost him. </i>“I can’t remember a prettier day.” He hummed reflecting on that special time. “Anyway, about six months later, I started college”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What’s college?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s a school where young men can pursue a higher education.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’ll start school next year, William,” Eleanor said,<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Will I go to college?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel laughed. “Not at first. College is for older boys. I believe mothers and fathers send their boys to college, hoping they will finish growing up and become men.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Do they?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Do they what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Become men?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel laughed again. “Not all. Some never seem to or want to become men.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel heard Eleanor mutter something like, “That’s the truth,” as she stacked the dirty dishes, but he wasn’t sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“So I went to college in Knoxville, and you know the story about the Christmas crash about three months after that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, sir. I still wish you’d tell that part.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor stood at the kitchen washbasin and twisted her head, scowling at Nathaniel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel caught her glance. “Maybe I’ll tell you that part again when I take you to the lake while we do some fishing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The rambunctious five-year-old nodded with noticeable energy, grinning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You need a haircut young man.” Eleanor touched a lock of his hair. “Those brown curls of yours make you look too much like a homeless, street urchin.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Oh, it’s not that bad,” Nathaniel said. He mussed William’s hair even more. “So, do you want me to continue, or save it for another day?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William yawned and tried to ask through it, “Ma, can pa tell me his story when we go fishing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor frowned. She pulled Nathaniel’s letter from her apron pocket and examined it as if it contained something of great value. “I did want you to hear your father’s story before going to bed tonight.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What part?” Nathaniel asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The part when the man spoke to you in the restaurant.” She checked with William. “Can you listen to your pa while I finish cleaning?” She threw her dishtowel over her left shoulder and asked Nathaniel, “Can you get to the point?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel nodded. He got it—no more fishing tales. “Okay. I’ll get right to that part of the story.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">“</span>Let me help.<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> Eleanor extracted the letter from the envelope, paged through it, then read aloud:</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>“It was about one month after I returned to school—late January. Barry had recovered from his injuries well enough to join our other friend, Larry, for supper at a roadside inn near the campus. I looked across the restaurant’s dining room and I noticed a strange-looking man. He stood by the counter where patrons paid their dinner checks.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Eleanor lowered the letter. “Can you continue from there, husband?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Sure can. William, I want you to know that the man didn’t dress funny or wear unkempt hair. In fact, he appeared cleaner than most. Imagine a smoky room full of people who look like we do after working the field all day long.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“They’d be pretty dirty.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That’s right. Something drew my attention to him, but I can’t tell you what that might have been. I must have stared at this curious-looking man for a while—I don’t know for how long. But all of a sudden, he turned his head and his eyes locked on mine. His stare seemed to pierce right through me, like I’d been shot.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s jaw dropped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor interrupted, correcting, “Close your mouth, young man.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel grinned. “I admit, being caught staring at someone is bad enough…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“And don’t let me catch you doing it,” Eleanor said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’ll try to behave,” Nathaniel said. “But son, something about the man’s eyes scared me, like he knew everything about me, so I dropped my head, fast and started eating my food even faster.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Then what happened?” Eleanor asked excitedly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I heard a man’s voice ask…”</div>
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“May I sit down?” The clean-shaven, well-groomed, almost perfectly proportioned man stood like a marble statue by the table.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel looked at his two college friends, Barry and Larry. He appealed with his eyes. The two boys did not catch his unspoken plea for help. Receiving no objections, Nathaniel raised his head and allowed his eyes to meet the piercing, penetrating eyes of the stranger. Nathaniel gestured at the open seat across from him and stuttered, “S-s-sure.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Thank you.” The new addition to dinner eased into the seat, keeping his eyes fixed on Nathaniel. With a clear baritone he asked, “How are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel came within inches of taking another bite of the well-prepared marbled beef but placed his full fork onto his plate and responded, “Well, thanks.” He glanced at his friends. They said nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You aren’t from these parts, are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>How does he know?</i> “Not exactly. I grew up west of here near Nashville in a small town called Franklin.” The unusual man captivated Nathaniel’s reserved nature. A sense of ease enveloped him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Are you attending the university?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel attempted to draw his friends into the conversation. “We all do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger nodded, his eyes still locked on Nathaniel. “What are you studying?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel responded for his companions. “Larry is taking general education courses.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Larry cocked his head in the direction of the stranger, but the stranger did not budge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel finished his thought. “He doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life.” <i>As if I do.</i> “Barry likes working with numbers.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What are you studying?” the man repeated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel swallowed, almost embarrassed. <i>He is just speaking to me, as if Barry and Larry do not exist. </i>“World history,” Nathaniel said, tentatively.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good. What have you learned about Jesus?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The question caught him off guard. “I-I-I’m not sure,” he said sheepishly.</div>
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“Pa?” William asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What’s the matter, son?” Nathaniel allowed this pause to the story anticipating that the boy might raise an issue monumental in his young mind.</div>
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“Did that man…” William’s puppy-dog sad eyes seemed to search the dinner table for the right word. He sighed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel tried to fill in the blank. “Did he introduce me to Jesus?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William brightened. “Yes, did he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel smiled and said, “No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s eyebrows lowered, appearing more confused. “But how?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“One of my two friends, Barry…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The one from the crash?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes. Barry had finished his dinner and started smoking a cigar.” <i>I’d like one now.</i></div>
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Nathaniel reached for his cup of water and took a quick drink. It failed to moisten his parched mouth that seemed to grow desert dry with each passing second. He tried to avoid the subject, but the confident presence across the table remained focused on him and, in some indiscernible way, in control of events. Nathaniel noticed one attribute. He became convinced.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>This man never blinks, and he’s demanding an answer.</i> Nathaniel choked a weak explanation. “I-I-I mean, the historical records tell us he existed. One of the ancient historians—I think his name was Josephus—wrote a brief comment about Jesus, but he didn’t indicate that Jesus was anything special, or deserving of much attention.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Is that a fact?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That’s how my professor put it anyway.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The man seemed to study every line, blemish, and whisker of Nathaniel’s face. “I see. Do you ever question your professors? You don’t have to answer. Did you read what Josephus wrote?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I don’t remember the specific issue.” Nathaniel said. “The man wrote volumes.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger said, “Josephus recorded, <i>‘Now there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.’ </i>What do you think he meant when he stated, <i>‘If it be lawful to call him a man?’</i> Did you ever give that comment any thought?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel hoped that one of his friends might come to his aid, but Larry kept eating and Barry seemed lost in his own world smoking his cigar. Sitting cattycorner from him, Nathaniel thought he caught an apparent head-bob from Larry’s apricot, bushy mussed hair as if to say, <i>“Answer him.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel’s mind raced through several possible replies. He didn’t expect he’d be challenged to think about anything this evening, let alone something that has baffled mankind for millennia. <i>Who is this man, Jesus of Nazareth? Was he a man? What else could he have been? He lived, did some good things, angered some folks, and the Romans executed him. That’s the end of it. But was he a man? Why did I stare at this man in the first place?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Then, he recalled another part. <i>Didn’t Josephus write that he appeared to them</i><i>—</i><i>his followers—alive again?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Honesty prevailed. “No, I didn’t. As I think about it now—I don’t know what to think.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The man pulled a black-leather, well-worn Bible from his lap and placed it on top of the table. “Maybe you should…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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At that moment, a wheat colored, curly haired waitress came to their table. “I see you have another friend. Would you like me to tell you what we’re serving tonight?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Would it be too much trouble to have a glass of milk, Miss?” The stranger asked, with a smile and a kind, bright-eyed expression.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re not eating, sir?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’ve already eaten, Miss, but, I would enjoy a glass of fresh milk.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Very well, sir.” She scanned her other patrons. “And what about you gentlemen? Can I bring you something else—some dessert perhaps? Our baker made some delicious apple pie, just the right balance between tart and sweet. Would anyone like me to bring a slice?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Thank God. I hate being the only one trying to answer this man’s questions. Why doesn’t he ask Barry or Larry? </i>Then another thought challenged his core. <i>Who is God? Why would I even think to thank Him? I’m not sure God…</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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The pleasant waitress interrupted Nathaniel’s reverie. “What about you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Uh, nothing for me, thanks,” Nathaniel said, snapping back into the present.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She grinned and with a gracious tone summarized. “Okay, I have one glass of milk, a piece of cherry pie for you,” she pointed her pencil at Larry, “a slice of fresh apple pie for you,” she gave a single nod at the heaviest table mate, Barry, “and nothing for you.” An inviting smile surfaced. “Are you sure? This is your last chance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m sure,” Nathaniel said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“All right, then, I’ll be right back.” She pivoted and disappeared toward the kitchen somewhere behind Nathaniel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even with the much-needed distraction, Nathaniel’s mind seemed stuck in some sensory, muddy pothole. His brain raced at full speed. His thoughts spun going nowhere. He stared at his plate. He could almost feel the man’s penetrating eyes. Somehow, he understood this man would not leave without a satisfactory response.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When his eyes met the stranger’s piercing, sparkling-with-life, windows to the soul, Nathaniel held nothing back. “I have had my doubts about the very existence of God. In my math and science classes, my professors have made strong cases that only uneducated and unenlightened men hold fast to myths regarding a divine Creator.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That’s right,” Barry said, blowing out cigar smoke.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Undeterred by Barry’s interruption, Nathaniel said, “But not long ago, I had a sense that they are wrong, despite their elevated credentials, in fact, they might be arrogant.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The smiling waitress brought the milk and pie. After setting the servings, she asked, “Can I get anyone anything else?” No answers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As she left, the heavyset Barry said, “I’ll take a cup of coffee, now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Larry rolled his eyes. “You always pull this just when we’re either ready to go, or like this time. The poor girl is trying to take care of other customers, you know. You’re not the only diner here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel noticed something else about the stranger. <i>He seems oblivious to the squabble brewing to his right.</i> Nathaniel watched the stranger opened his Bible to the book of Isaiah and found chapter 53. He seemed to control all natural reflexes. He said nothing and gave no indication he would interrupt the disputing pair. He didn’t even blink.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But Nathaniel blinked. He had reached the point of his confession. “So, to answer your question, I have looked at the beauty of the world, all of the different forms of life, the rocks and hills, the valleys, streams and lakes, the variety of animals, and I decided that there must be a Creator.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Barry choked and almost spewed his last sip of water onto Larry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Larry shouted, “Hey, watch it. Now, look what you’ve done, Nate! You almost caused him to choke to death. That’s the second time you’ve tried to kill him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel rolled his eyes at his comedic companions and resolved to release his final thought before it slipped away, forever. “There must be a designer that put all that surrounds us into motion. But, I honestly do not know who or what God is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger nodded. “He knows you, Nathaniel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel heard the words, but they didn’t register.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger added, “You are very close to God. You just don’t know it yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This time the message punched a hole through all of Nathaniel’s natural defenses. An army of certainty poured through, taking all other thoughts captive. Doubts remained, but he heard and faced the truth. For the first time in his young, eighteen-year old life, Nathaniel sat speechless.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger broke the mystical silence. “Well, I must be on my way. I’m done here.” He pushed his seat away from the table. “Remember what I told you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel searched the man’s eyes, then nodded. He wanted to hear more but held his tongue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger extended his hand to Nathaniel and finished, “Thank you for listening.” After releasing his grip, he picked up his check, pivoted, and walked toward the cashier’s station.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not knowing what else to do, Nathaniel grabbed his ticket and raced after the man. He reached the proprietor and said, “His glass of milk is on me. It’s the least I can do,” he said to the stranger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The stranger offered a single nod that resembled a slight, gracious bow. “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">Larry and Barry caught up to Nathaniel at the cashier’s station. They flanked his sides as he paid his and the stranger’s checks. Nathaniel accepted his change and turned to say</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">“Good-bye” </span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">to the stranger. “Thanks for…” In near panic, he searched the restaurant. “Where did he go?”…</span></div>
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“Where <i>did </i>he go?” Little William’s face shone with wonder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel recognized William demanded a resolution to the growing mystery, but he would add to it. “None of us knows. I rushed out of the restaurant and searched the street, all directions. Barry and Larry joined me, but they couldn’t see him either. It was cold and dark, so we didn’t linger. We started walking back to school. We talked about the stranger and wondered what happened to him, but we never saw him again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Are you funning me, Pa?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“William, one thing I hope you will learn: I will always tell you the truth.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But where did the man go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Bible teaches that many have entertained angels unaware. It also tells us that Jesus appeared to people and they didn’t recognize Him. For all I know, he was a kind, older man who obeyed what God asked him to do. Anyway, I couldn’t get his message out of my mind.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What message?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That I was very close to God; I just didn’t know it, yet. I’ve since learned that all of us have value in God’s eyes, no matter how weak or strong, poor or rich, or sick or healthy. He loves all of us and wants us to know Him and Jesus, His Son, whom He sent for us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Am I very close to God, too?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“More than you know, son, and it’s our prayer—your mother’s and mine—that you will come to know Him even better than we do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That’s right, son,” Eleanor said, beaming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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William glanced back and forth from his father and mother. He nodded. Then, he asked, “So Pa, when did you meet Jesus?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel smiled, grateful for his son’s interest in the rest of the story.</div>
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As the three young men walked back to school, they talked about the stranger. But Nathaniel couldn’t get his message out of my mind. He kept gazing at the stars. They seemed clearer than any time before, almost like they were alive. Soon he lagged behind the others, rethinking what the stranger said: <i>“You’re very close to God; you just don’t know it yet.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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After a long while, Nathaniel decided. <i>Maybe I should pray. </i><i>I’ve never prayed before. I don’t know how to do it. </i>He looked heavenward and whispered, “God,” and then he spoke the name he had never spoken before in reverence: “Jesus, if you are real, I want to know you and I want to know you, now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then something happened.</div>
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“What’s going on with you back there?” Larry shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Be quiet,” Barry said. “I sense something—something different, something odd.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Both friends turned to observe Nathaniel on his knees, staring up to the stars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Are you out of your mind, Nate?” Larry said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Barry grabbed Larry’s arm and shushed him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With clarity, conviction, and courage, Nathaniel said, “God is real and Jesus the Son of the living God is with us right here right now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’re crazy. I think you had too much to drink,” Larry laughed and ridiculed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Barry came to Nathaniel’s defense. “He hasn’t had so much as a drop. Besides, I think he’s right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel got to his feet and approached his friends. They stared at him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“There’s something different about you, Nate,” Barry said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel smiled. “Let’s go home…”</div>
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“Well, William, that’s how and when I met Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I would like to say I followed Him every day thereafter, but we’ve had our occasional disputes. I always learn that He’s right and I’m wrong, and I would say it is safe to say I’m still learning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“And with that, I think it is time for all of us to go to bed,” Eleanor said taking command of the moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But, Pa, who do you think the strange man was?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel shrugged. “I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Let’s go young man,” Eleanor said. “Tomorrow is another day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As he moseyed toward the ladder, William said, “I think the stranger was either an angel or Jesus.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Maybe, son. You may be right.” He winked at Eleanor and she smiled her reply. Nathaniel patted his thigh. Bailey popped up and followed the smallest family member. Bailey watched the little master ascend a few rungs. Then, he lay down at the ladder’s base.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading.</span></o:p></div>
Charles Patricoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512328892072362020noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11546479.post-20083887207460044782019-02-10T08:43:00.000-08:002019-02-10T08:43:47.946-08:00Destination Hope - Book 5 - Reconciliation - Chapter 36<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For new readers to this story, I linked </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/destination-hope-book-5-reconciliation.html" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Chapter 1</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Chapters 2 - 4 are linked under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/09/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">September</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 5 - 10 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/10/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">October</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 11 - 18 under </span><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/11/" style="color: #993322; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">November</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, 19 - 27 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2018/12/" style="color: #993322;" target="_blank">December</a>, 28 - 34 under <a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/01/" target="_blank">January</a> 2019, and 35 under </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://futurenhope.blogspot.com/2019/02/" target="_blank">February</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<b>Destination Hope – Book 5 – Reconciliation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A Novel By:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Charles J. Patricoff </div>
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Copyright © 2014 by Charles J. Patricoff. All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy8S72whnhtvmUKIjX0OGNx7RKPNrr4LdgQLmUmxTMRWBJnwGET2jinWNyov9__glqM-vpYzAYPSArmgOdjL6JPP_Wy46SrcczcOIbF-hnWb98IazMVrAl-JvBOgG6gwYzEHo/s1600/%252809-11-18%2529+3-Stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy8S72whnhtvmUKIjX0OGNx7RKPNrr4LdgQLmUmxTMRWBJnwGET2jinWNyov9__glqM-vpYzAYPSArmgOdjL6JPP_Wy46SrcczcOIbF-hnWb98IazMVrAl-JvBOgG6gwYzEHo/s1600/%252809-11-18%2529+3-Stars.png" /></a><b><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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<b>Chapter 36<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Rite of Passage<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Nathaniel learned how difficult it is to train a young man who itches to get his hands on useful tools. He explained all the parts, how they worked, how to load, and how to aim the rifle. After he completed the basic information, he stated, “Before I let you shoot, I need to discuss one more thing with you, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s shoulders slumped again. His head dropped between his shoulders like a turtle withdrawing into its shell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Don’t quit now, son. This is important, and I need to know you understand.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William sulked. “Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Do you remember how much fun you had when I taught you how to catch fish?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Pa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Well, now, I hope to train you how to hunt this fall. And it is weeks away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This tidbit of new information caused William’s countenance to brighten. “Really pa, you’ll take me with you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes son. It’s important to me that you know how to take care of yourself just in case, well, let me say it this way…you may have to care for your own family someday. These are things a man must know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Okay, Pa. Now, can I shoot the gun?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Not yet. I need to know that you understand this rule about hunting.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William kicked at another rock. “Now what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“William, look at me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William wagged his head as if it weighed a full ton. It took him several seconds to make complete eye contact with his father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Satisfied he had his son’s attention, Nathaniel said, “The most important rule about hunting is this: never waste an animal. Never shoot one just for the fun of it. Almighty God has provided them for our food. If you do not have a clean shot at the animal and beyond, do not take it. Let the animal go. There will be other opportunities. Do you understand?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What did I say?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Don’t kill an animal for fun. Hunt to eat. Don’t shoot unless it’s a good shot.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good. And what’s a good shot?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William squinted in thought. “Uh, if a deer stood on a ridge and I was below, even if I can see it, I can’t see what’s beyond the ridge. The bullet could pass through the animal, fly a long way, and it might kill someone or something else.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, Nathaniel nodded. After a few more questions and remarkable answers, Nathaniel believed William was ready to shoulder the firearm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over the next hour, Nathaniel watched glass bottles shatter with regular pops from the reliable Henry. Nathaniel decided it was time to take the next step. “William, leave the Henry on the table with the breach open.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But I want to shoot some more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You will.” Nathaniel removed his Colt revolver from his backpack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Isn’t that your gun from the war?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, and this requires more training before I let you shoot it. You need to learn how to hold it, how to stand, and how the hammer works for aiming.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This time, William paid much closer attention. He seemed to hang on every word his pa spoke. He followed his father’s instructions to the letter, and prepared to fire the small cannon in his shaking hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He squeezed the trigger. The hammer slammed into the brass shell casing. An unnerving explosion followed. The kickback threw the gun up and back over William’s head so hard it flew out of his hands and landed in the dirt near his pa’s feet. He swiveled about, almost fell, and his lower jaw dropped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel burst into laughter as he bent down to pick up the smoking pistol. “I think that will be all for today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Later that afternoon, Nathaniel and William reached home and Nathaniel continued the days training, talking over the mooing and bleating in the barn. “Whenever you finish shooting, you must clean and oil the gear so these arms won’t rust, and they’ll be ready the next time you want to practice or if you need them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William seemed less interested in this part of his instruction. “But, we’re not going hunting tomorrow, are we?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“No, but it is much easier to clean them now then if they’ve sat for a few days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Oh, okay.” William reached into his overalls back pocket, retrieved his slingshot, and laid it on the workbench. “I guess I won’t need this anymore.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel examined the primitive weapon he had made for William’s fourth birthday. “When I gave that to you, do you remember I told you the story of King David, who saved the nation of Israel when he was a boy because he became skilled at using a sling?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Uh-huh.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Just because I taught you how to shoot a gun doesn’t mean you’re ready to have one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again, William’s countenance fell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Don’t worry, son. You prove to me that you can handle and care for this equipment, I’ll make sure, when the time is right, you’ll have your own rifle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s face brightened. “And pistol?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel grinned. “We’ll see.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William stood on the tip of his toes to watch his pa clean and lubricate the Henry rifle. But before they completed the process, Bailey’s welcome-home barking signaled the arrival of William’s ma and his pa’s bride.<o:p></o:p></div>
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William set the oilcan down on top of the workbench and raced to greet his ma, shouting, “Ma, guess what me and pa did today?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel peered, chagrined, through the dusty back window overlooking the creek. <i>I’m in trouble now. I forgot to tell him the most important rule for today: Don’t tell ma.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel received a proper dressing down from Eleanor. She made her position clear. She questioned Nathaniel’s thinking, heritage, intelligence, and wisdom, or lack thereof. No matter how much William appealed that he wanted to go hunting with his pa, his mother would not hear it.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Several days passed and Nathaniel left early one morning to attend a scheduled meeting. Around mid-morning, Eleanor ordered William to take Bailey outside of the house and enjoy the beautiful late summer day. However, she also commanded that he should tend to the farm animals, making sure they all had plenty of food and water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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William completed his assigned chores. Bailey disappeared to patrol the woods, so William entertained himself by shooting smooth small stones with his slingshot at trees along the farm’s clearing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A sparrow landed on a tree limb. He hopped and bobbed along the branch tilting his head left and right, always looking downward, as if searching for something to eat. William loaded his sling and, in a split second, launched a pebble.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The sparrow fell. William felt a sudden mixed sense of shock, terror, and shame. He raced to the stricken creature. It struggled to breathe. Unable to think, he fell to his knees and watched. The end came for the least important bird in God’s creation, and with its passing, malicious, accusatory, fiery darts of guilt, grief, and shame penetrated William’s young heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He threw both hands to his face, hitting his forehead with the slingshot. Weeping, he stared at the weapon in his hand as if it somehow had caused this evil. He rose to his feet, stepped backwards a couple paces from the dead bird as if it were some dark, dreadful monster, and raced for home screaming, “Ma!”</div>
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It took Eleanor several minutes to calm her son. Once he stopped crying, she asked, “Why are you so upset?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As soon as those words left her mouth, she recalled a key point from the conversation she’d had with Nathaniel after Marah’s passing: repentance depends on truth, not feelings. Before she could correct or retract her question, William began to weep again. Through convulsive gasps and flowing tears, he managed to say, “I feel awful terrible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor heard her husband’s voice.<i>“Feelings keep a person self-centered; truth helps them see their need for God’s forgiveness and restoration.” </i><i>I must focus on facts. </i>“Okay, what happened?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I didn’t mean to do it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor took a deep breath. “William, try to remember. What happened?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I didn’t think I could hit it from so far away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>This is hard enough with a five-year-old. No wonder I stumbled with a seasoned soul like Marah.</i> “Son, try to calm down and think. What happened?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Maybe there is a bit of truth to the old phrase, <i>“Third time is the charm.” </i>Regardless, William confessed, “I killed a bird.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now Eleanor had to fight feelings of dumbfounding shock, disbelief, and denial. <i>Keep to the facts.</i> She stuttered, “Y-y-y-you killed a bird. How did you do it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Taking the instrument of death from his back pocket, he extended it to his mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor accepted the slingshot from his shaking hand. “Did you shoot the bird with this?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Uh-huh. I didn’t mean to.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“If you didn’t mean to, why did you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I didn’t think I could hit it from so far away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Didn’t your father teach you about killing animals?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This question brought a new tsunami of emotion. Eleanor realized that she had stumbled into the deeper truth of the matter. He disobeyed his father. She prayed in silence. <i>Now, how do I help him realize it?</i> She stared into her little boy’s weepy eyes. She could see his appeal for relief from the tormenting guilt. <i>Keep him thinking.</i> “What do you think your father would say about this?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s face almost contorted. He shook his head. He seemed out of control as he pleaded, “Ma, no. You can’t tell him. He’d be awful mad at me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>There it is. Their relationship is broken. </i>“I’m not going to tell him, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Oh good.” William seemed to relax just a bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But I think you should.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Horror gripped William. His face looked like he had seen a dead relative walking across the yard between the barn and the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A gentle breeze tossed Eleanor’s hair, and she brushed it away from her face. “I know you want to be a man. Well, a real man loves the truth, and he is honest when he commits a wrong. Almighty God desires that a man be honest before Him at all times. I suggest you practice this behavior with your pa when he comes home.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What if he—”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor held up her hand. “That’s a chance you’ll have to take. But know this: that awful feeling you have, it won’t go away. It will return every time you see your pa. I’ll stand by your side. You won’t have to face him alone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William relaxed his shoulders. This time, he did not slump. He lifted his hanging head and said, “Okay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Very well, then. Go on and wash your face and hands. Dinner will be ready in a little while, and your pa will be home soon.”</div>
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When Nathaniel arrived home, he hung his floppy hat on one of the peg hooks attached to the wall next to the front door and asked before facing his family, “How’s everyone this glorious evening?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor gave a guttural grunt. “We’ve had an interesting day.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel swiveled toward his stern-faced bride, who stood like unmovable granite with her hands folded at her waist. In an instant, Nathaniel reached a conclusion. “Now, what did I do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then he noted Eleanor’s eyes shift in William’s direction. Nathaniel tilted his head a bit to the left and made a quick assessment of his son’s sunken eyes and drooping posture. “Oh?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Again, Eleanor cleared her throat. She unfolded her hands and gave William a shove, forcing him to take a few steps in his father’s direction. “Isn’t there something you’d like to say to your father?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William kept his chin buried in his chest and replied sheepishly, “Yes, Ma’am.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Well,” she stated in an assimilated Tennessee accent, “I think you should get to it.” She raised her gaze and addressed her husband. “I’ll ready supper.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel nodded. As Eleanor almost marched to the fireplace, he padded to his chair at the head of their dinner table. “So, my little man, what’s this all about?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The confession began. Eleanor served supper—a beef stew blended with chopped carrots, celery, and walnut-size potato chunks. She seasoned the mix with diced onions, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Nathaniel had to admit, his bride’s talent for cooking blossomed. After he sampled his first bite, his anger diminished toward the foolish behavior admitted by his son.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With inserted, oft-times forceful words of encouragement from his mother, William repeated his side of the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We talked about this, didn’t we, son?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, sir.” William stirred his stew. He had yet to take a bite.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You took aim at the bird, correct?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes sir.” His eyes indicated his pending appeal. “I didn’t think I could hit it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Son, I do not intend to call you a liar; but, I don’t believe you. The truth is, you failed to stop and think about what you were about to do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But Pa—”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel held up his hand. “William, stop. Calm down and listen.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William folded his arms around his torso and sat like the stump from a broken tree surrounded by a bed of moldering leaves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel recognized that the five-year old had placed his defenses. “Are you listening?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William gave a half nod.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Now son, would you say I’m older than you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William’s eyes shifted upward. He nodded, this time with what appeared to be a bit more comprehension.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good. Do you know more today than you did last year?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William sat still at first. Then he began to fidget.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While William simmered in his self-made stew, Nathaniel swallowed another spoonful of Eleanor’s recipe. “This is really good, darling.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor blinked. “Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel shoved his meat-and-potato-filled spoon into his mouth. After savoring the moment, he started to wipe his mouth with the back of his left hand but caught Eleanor’s disapproving glare. As if he had a reflexive reaction, he reached for his napkin. <i>I suppose I should think before acting, too.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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He addressed William. “All right, then, you understand that I’m older than you, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Uh-huh.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Since you’ve learned new things over the last year, would you think I’ve learned a few more things?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“And, we’re still learning, son,” Eleanor said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel let a slight chuckle slip, cleared his throat, then pretended to be serious. “That’s true.” He winked out of the corner of his eye at his bride before speaking to William again. “You haven’t answered my question, son. Do you think your mother and I might know a few more things?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes sir, but what’s this got to do with me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Look at me, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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It took a second, but the boy complied.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The truth is, you wanted to shoot that bird. Now get up and follow me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Where are you taking him?” Eleanor asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He’s going to show me.” Nathaniel rose from his chair.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But he hasn’t eaten supper, yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“This is more important than food. You’ll have to trust me. Remember, foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. God commands me to train our son whenever the opportunity arises.” Nathaniel placed his left hand on William’s shoulder. “Take me to where you left the bird.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Father and son walked to the edge of the farm’s clearing. It took William a minute, but in the brightening moonlight, he found the sparrow’s body and pointed to it. His lip quivered. Tears rolled down his cheeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With the gentleness of a mother lifting her sleeping, new-born baby, Nathaniel picked up the stiffened remains. The bird’s eyes were closed, beak opened a bit, and its claws clenched. He held it in front of William and commanded, “Look at it, son. I want you to take a good, long look at it and tell me what you see.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William hung his wagging head. “I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, you can and you will.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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With noticeable reluctance, William raised his droopy head. His eyes shifted as he stared at the fallen creature nestled in his pa’s hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Touch it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“No.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You must. You have to learn.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William extended his right index finger and gave the bird a quick poke.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What does it feel like?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I don’t know—maybe, like a piece of wood.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel nodded. “Now, smell it. Take in a long, deep breath.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William looked up at his father. He appealed with his eyes all to no avail. He leaned over his father’s hands and inhaled. The stench of death filled his nostrils. His face grimaced like he had been punched in his stomach. “Pa,” he coughed, “that’s awful bad.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good. Remember that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William wiped his nose with his shirtsleeve. “Can’t we go back inside, now? I promise I’ll never do anything like this again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Uncertain, Nathaniel asked, “What do you see, what did you feel, what do you hear, and what did you smell?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William threw his hands over his eyes and started to cry. “It’s dead!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel straightened. Even though he knew William could not see him with his eyes covered, Nathaniel nodded, satisfied. With a gentle tone he asked, “Did this tiny bird need to die?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William gasped for air. “No, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Do you understand that even a little boy like you can cause great harm to others?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know that this bird’s life can never come back because of what you chose to do, don’t you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Very well. Now, let’s give this sparrow, which God loves, a proper burial.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William glanced up at his father with a wide-eyed stare as if he could not believe what his father just said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“And you’re going to dig its grave, right here marking the spot.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again, William hung his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel examined William’s posture. <i>I think he’s ready.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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In silence, father and son walked down the slope, passed the house—watched by its human occupant—and entered the barn. It took Nathaniel a few minutes to light an oil lamp, but soon the pair emerged. William carried the shovel over his right shoulder. Nathaniel carried the oil lamp in one hand and a tool box in the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As they neared the burial site, Nathaniel continued the training his son needed in this moment, to help shape his character. “Son, as you grow and face challenges in life, you will have to make choices. Often, they will be difficult. If you follow Jesus, He will take you on a wild, sometimes dangerous, adventure. Each new day, you will have to choose whether or not you will continue to follow Him. A choice you can make tonight is to recognize that you made a bad decision when you shot one of our Lord’s creatures.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m sorry, Pa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s not me you need to apologize to, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Ma?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“No, son.” Nathaniel set the oil lamp on a flat rock and placed his tool box next to it. He pulled a rag out of the box and wrapped the sparrow in it. “Who created this bird, son?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“God?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, God gave it life.” Nathaniel extended the oil lamp’s wick adding light to the scene. “You need to start digging.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William moaned. “Yes, sir. Are you going to tell me who I need to say I’m sorry to, Pa?” He broke the ground and began moving the earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Hmm.” Nathaniel studied his son. “I’m going to ask you some questions first.” Nathaniel hiked up his trousers and then bent down and fished through his tool box. He removed a pair of foot-long, two-inch wide, and half-inch thick pieces of wood. Straightening, he asked, “Do you remember what we talked about when I taught you to shoot?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William kept digging but kicked the blade with his boot’s heal a little harder when he answered, “The only time I should use a weapon is to hunt for food, or to protect myself, our property, friends, or family.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good. Now, did this little bird threaten you, your mother, or our farm in anyway?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“No, sir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Then I suppose you wanted to eat it. Is that why you shot at it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“No, Pa.” William stopped digging. He leaned his head against the shovel’s handle and, almost crying said, “I just wanted to try. Honest, Pa, I didn’t want to hurt it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel held the wrapped corpse in front of William’s face. “Look at it, son and remember this night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the first time since this discussion began, Nathaniel heard his son speak gut-wrenching truth: “I killed it,” William acknowledged without excuses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel extended the shrouded body. “Take it. Place the bird in its grave.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William laid the shovel down and took the fallen sparrow from his father’s hands. With gentleness, he laid it to rest.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As William began to fill the tiny grave, Nathaniel stated, “William, I want you to remember these truths. First, the heart of man is deceitfully wicked and no one, not even you or me, knows the wickedness that lies within us. This means that we have all done something that breaks God’s heart—like the pain you have right now. These wrongs are called sin. All sin, whether it is against a little bird, or someone else, all sin is against God. But, William, look at me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William patted the small mound with the back of the shovel. After he finished sealing the grave, he looked up at his father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“God has promised that if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful, which means He’ll always do this—and just, which means He knows it is the right thing to do. He will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us, like giving us a special bath, removing our sins.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Will God forgive me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He’s promised to forgive you if you admit what you did and that you wronged Him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Like, killing one of His birds?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel fashioned a small wooden cross, and William pounded it into the ground inches from the grave’s head. Nathaniel offered a quick, solemn prayer. Then he grabbed his tool box and oil lamp by their respective handles and lifted them off the ground. “Pick up the shovel. Let’s go.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The surrounding night choir of chirping crickets, clicking cicadas, buzzing mosquitoes, and croaking frogs, filled the air just as twinkling witnesses packed the sky. A cool breeze passed, causing the turning trees to wave as father and son left the burial site and walked down the slope, heading for the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel broke the silence. “Do you want to ask God to forgive you and take away your sin, son?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Pa, but I don’t know how.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Just ask Him, like you would ask me to do something for you, as the other day when we went shooting.” Nathaniel searched the constellations. “You’ve seen me pray many times. There is nothing special you have to say. All you have to do is talk to Him. He will hear you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Are you sure?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I am positive, son. Just try it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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They had passed the house when William said, “Okay.” A few paces later he said, “Jesus, I’m so sorry.” His voice rose in pitch as he began to cry. “I’m so sorry I killed your little bird.” He glanced at his father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel noticed the fresh, glistening tears and reassured, “You’re doing fine, son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William nodded and bowed his head, “Pa says You’ll forgive me if I ask. Would You, please, Jesus, forgive me? I promise I’ll never do that again. I’ll never kill one of Your creatures just for fun, ever again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The release followed and the damn of pent up emotions broke free. William fell to the ground weeping.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel got on his knees and wrapped his arms around William. The boy’s body convulsed, almost as if he suffered a fit. He buried his face into his pa’s shirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It seemed like an hour passed when Nathaniel said with sincerity and tenderness, “I love you, son. Don’t ever forget it. And God loves you more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Calm now, William rubbed his wet face on his father’s shirt. “I know. I love you, Ma, and Jesus, too.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Do you feel better?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Pa.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Then, let’s put these tools away and tell your mother how God has forgiven you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Father and son entered the house, and Eleanor raced to embrace her boy. As she hugged William, Nathaniel said, “He’s taken a giant step toward manhood, tonight. I suspect he’s ready for supper, now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor broke off her embrace and held William at arm’s length. “I kept the stew warm. Would you like some?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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William wiped new tears from his eyes with his shirt sleeve, sniffled, and nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This time, William ate and addressed his mother’s questions with a happier tone. Like a man, he accepted one other consequence for his actions. He would have to go to bed right after eating, which he did without raising one objection or complaint. Soon, Nathaniel and Eleanor heard heavier breathing coming from William’s loft.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once Eleanor cleaned her kitchen space, the parents retired to their chambers to discuss their boy’s now uncertain future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel paced as he reported, “Mr. Eubanks wants to meet with us next week.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What’s going to happen?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Nobody knows, Ellie. But Mr. Eubanks told me that the judge agreed to grant the hearing we requested.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“What aren’t you telling me?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Neither one of us can keep something from you,” Nathaniel peered in the direction of William’s loft and forced a smile. “Mr. Eubanks was surprised that the mayor didn’t raise an objection to holding the hearing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He thinks he’s already won.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel nodded. “Well, we’ll meet with Mr. Eubanks because he wants to prepare both of us for what we should expect, how we should respond to questions, and how we should behave in court.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor asked, “I know we talked about it before, but what if Jason wins? Should we take William and run. Maybe we could head out west, find John, and settle in the Colorado territory.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Ellie, we must submit to the legal authorities.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But Jason is the legal authority.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Ellie,” Nathaniel softened his tone, “we’ve been all over this. Where can we go? Wherever we try to hide, he has the resources to hunt us down. He will find us. Even if we reach and settle near John, he would be duty bound to turn us in. We have no choice but to throw ourselves on the mercy of the court, no matter how corrupt it might be, and trust God above all things, and trust Him alone.”</div>
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A week later, the Grahams met again with Mr. T. J. Eubanks. After listening to their attorney’s summary of the situation, Nathaniel asked on behalf of his bride, who sat trembling by his side, “So, what do you think?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“He claims that he and Mrs. Graham had a legitimate engagement and that they planned to marry. That you,” Mr. Eubanks shifted his attention to Eleanor, “and the mayor had an active, romantic relationship, and that you had…many, may I call them, <i>adult encounters</i>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor shot, “That’s a lie.” She twisted her entire body in the leather chair and faced Nathaniel. “We never. It was just the one time.” She swiveled in Mr. Eubanks direction. “He raped and almost killed me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Did you report it to authorities, file any criminal charges, or have him arrested?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You know I didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Then I’m afraid it’s his word against yours. He claims that you had a lover’s quarrel and you disappeared. He claims he searched for you and he considers it a stroke of good fortune that he was appointed and later elected Mayor of Franklin.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor shook her head. “None of it is true. I don’t know what he did after I left—”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr. Eubanks raised his hand. “So you concede—you did disappear?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, but if he wanted to find me, he could have. He knew I had one option. He should have known I would stay with Reverend Moody and his wife, my friend, Emma.” She accused in a sharp tone, “The man is a schemer. I know he planned all of this.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Can you prove any of your assertions, Mrs. Graham?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eleanor shrugged. “You know I can’t.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel patted Eleanor’s thigh. “We’ll just have to trust God. He knows what is best for everyone in this matter.”</div>
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The day of the hearing arrived. Mr. Eubanks assured his clients that no permanent decision would result; however, the court could award temporary custody to the mayor pending a more thorough investigation and a final decision based on its findings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Williamson County Court House and courtroom filled to its public seating capacity. To the Graham’s misfortune, for the local community this case had become the greatest source of speculative entertainment since the war. Further, the <i>Franklin Herald </i>published editorials and gossip pieces making the Graham’s out to be evil parents and Christian charlatans. Friends of the mayor seemed to have early and easy access to the courtroom, making it all the more difficult for members of the “Glory Barn” Community Fellowship to gain entrance and observe judicial proceedings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Whitaker Hogan read the Petitioner’s claim and main points regarding the child’s welfare, the Petitioner’s paternal rights, and his greater financial ability to provide for the child’s developmental and higher education needs. Judge Hogan summarized the Respondents’ answers and counter-claim that they represented a family unit, Mrs. Graham was the child’s natural mother, and that Mr. Graham had raised the child as his own son—the only father the child had ever known.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The court granted both sides opportunity to present arguments—those in favor of their respective interests or rebuttals against their opponents. Mr. Eubanks presented the long-recognized, traditional benefit of family discipline and instruction that two parents afford. As devoted followers of Jesus Christ and practitioners of the Gospel, the Grahams would provide the greater influence of Christian moral discipline—the biblical supremacy of Christian ordinances and doctrines over the secularized philosophies of contemporary times, adopted by Petitioner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Under the Graham’s guidance, Mr. Eubanks said, “The child will develop so as to stand on the platform of Christian character—intelligent, sober, and matured in judgment—a true value to our country, state and community, transformed by personal integrity, and upright manhood.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr. Eubanks concluded his argument and appealed to the court. “Your honor, we as a community must be more diligent and faithful to preserve and protect the early years of childhood.” He pointed to the Respondents—first to Nathaniel on his left and then to Eleanor, who sat in the public section’s first row. “Christian parents must be recognized by this court as the rightful providers of the discipline and religious training over their son.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Will that be all, Counselor?” Judge Hogan asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Your honor.” Nathaniel observed a sweat droplet roll down the back of Mr. Eubanks neck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan addressed the mayor’s lawyer. “Counsel for Petitioner.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The mayor’s attorney rose to his feet, tugged at his suit jacket. “We have nothing further to add, Your Honor; however, we do reserve the right to rebut Respondent’s claims, should subsequent information surface during the remainder of this hearing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Out of the corner of his eye, Nathaniel noticed Mr. Eubanks frown. <i>I wonder if he is questioning something he just heard.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan nodded. “Very well. The court has a few questions for Respondent.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr. Eubanks stood. “Your Honor, this is highly irregular. I object to the court’s direct questioning of my client.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Counselor, must I remind you that the Respondent requested this hearing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel watched his attorney’s Adam’s apple rise and fall. Then, Mr. Eubanks said, “No, Your Honor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Then, if the court desires to address your client, in your presence, I am confident that you will protect his interests. Besides, we all want to resolve this matter as soon as practicable. I think you would agree, this court shall be able to render a sound decision if all relevant facts are presented.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Your Honor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Very well, then.” Judge Hogan shifted his gaze. It bore into Nathaniel, like a drill bit into hardwood. The bushy white-haired, sunken-eyed, Southern aristocrat said, “Mr. Graham, please stand.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A demonic lump in Nathaniel’s throat attempted to choke him into paralyzing fear as he forced his posture to an almost perfect military attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan stroked his white goatee, then shuffled some papers. “Mr. Graham, I have a report here that I find disturbing.” He gazed over the top of his spectacles. “Mr. Graham, is it true you taught the child to shoot a gun?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A woman seated in the gallery gasped as if horrified by even the thought of someone doing this unimaginable thing. Other rumblings—some for, others against the act—began to ripple through the male-dominated audience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan pounded his gavel and shouted, “Order. I’ll have order in this court or I’ll have all of you removed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The mumbles faded. Relative quiet, returned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan stared at Nathaniel. “Well, do you have an answer for the court?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel recalled that Judge Hogan chose to remain on his comfortable property rather than defend his State or the Confederacy during the war. Steeled by this memory, Nathaniel refused to allow one blink. “Yes, I taught my son to shoot, Your Honor.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another gasp came from behind Nathaniel as Judge Hogan made a note. As he wrote, he said, “I see.” He raised his eyes. “Is it also true, the child killed a wild animal with a weapon?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This question brought another wave of low-level grumblings, and laughter from some of the men witnessing the spectacle. Nathaniel heard a deep male voice comment, “Brave boy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan pounded his gavel several times. “Order,” he shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel wondered. <i>Where did he get this information? </i>He let his eye shift to the right a bit and caught Jason’s broad smile. <i>I should have known.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Once the crowd’s tension subsided, Judge Hogan commanded, “Answer the question, Mr. Graham.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Yes, Your Honor—a sparrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Good shot,” another spectator said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Bailiff, remove that man from the courtroom,” Judge Hogan shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It took more than a minute, but with the voice favoring the Grahams removed and others silenced, Judge Hogan continued his line of questioning. “Tell the court, Mr. Graham. Do you consider the child’s tendency toward violence appropriate behavior for a five-year old?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The accusatory question caught Nathaniel off guard. Mr. Eubanks had not prepared him for any of this. He offered the best response he could think of under the circumstances. “Farm life requires us to learn how to defend ourselves, our land, and each other, Your Honor. We must become self-reliant as soon as possible. I can’t always be around to protect my son from predatory wild life. He needs to know how to protect himself from danger.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan said, “I see.” He lifted his head as if he was about to speak to the back of the courtroom. “Mr. Graham.” He lowered his gaze. “It is the opinion of this court that other interests must be taken into consideration. The State of Tennessee, Williamson County, and the City of Franklin also have an interest in the child’s welfare, safety and future development.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel gulped. He could see where this line of reasoning could lead. His mind recalled the biblical account from the Book of Daniel when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, destroyed Israel and Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar took the youth of Israel—those who showed signs of physical superiority. He captured ones who appeared good-looking, demonstrated intelligence, and who could be useful in the king’s service.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan continued, “Not only does the City, County, and State hold an interest in the child, it is fair to say that government holds a superior interest above that of the parents. Our government will survive long after the parents pass. Therefore, the superior interest must seek the best for the child and his future. Mr. Graham, it is the opinion of this court that the best you can offer is a dangerous life of drudgery, hard-mindless labor, to scratch whatever living from what the ground might yield. Mayor Merritt, on the other hand, possesses the financial resources to enroll the child in the finest, and I might add, safest, educational institutions, in the United States, Great Britain, or Europe. Mr. Graham, would you deny the child these opportunities?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A trapped feeling rushed over Nathaniel. He choked. <i>Any answer I give ends the argument. Oh, well, I’ll speak my heart and mind. God’s will be done. </i>“Yes, Your Honor, I would.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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An outburst rose from the audience. Eleanor hung her head and started to weep—the anguish of a mother losing her only son. Mrs. Jefferson hugged her to no avail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Judge Hogan pounded his gavel until the head broke free and flew across the courtroom, almost hitting Mayor Merritt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nathaniel stood in silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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