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Many times throughout the
history of mankind the warning of our Christian scriptures have been given
to mighty empires. There was the Great King who had the warning written on
the wall while he feasted and drank. "Your kingdom has been found
wanting."
Maybe we should reflect on
those age old warnings to great nations. Lest I be called the messenger
let me point you to the history of my own family which I have worked for
many years to preserve.
My own grandmother, Bellzona,
was caught in such a time of turmoil. She was as helpless to change events
and happenings as are many of us. These things I have simply copied and
organized were actually the things she saved. If you will scroll down to
the "Mass murder of the Osage" you will see she simply just folded the
newspaper clipping and stuck it in her little tin box. A small act, but
one speaking of her feelings as to the things happening around her. "I
can't do anything about this, but one of my grandchildren may see it and
take warning or action which ever the case may be," she might have
thought.
Today, we are faced with many
of the same dilemma's as these ancestors of mine and ours. We go about our
business, doing just the routine things put upon us, often not questioning
whether it is right or wrong.
We get caught up into doing
what everyone else is doing and are equal to other great empires who were
victims of peer pressure also. If there is one error or oversight in our
own little world which becomes a sin, or simply what is actually just a
missing of our target, will it then become a part of a collective cancer,
growing to great proportions? Maybe not, but maybe.
Sometimes, we all are like
spoiled children who are allowed to have bad manners. This mind you is the
meaning of the word, "spoiled," and not the fact that the child is loved.
How can we love our children,
our neighbors, as we have been challenged to do by our scriptures if we do
not stop to think about the terrible sacrifices our very own dear family
made for us, much less those who were not even of our own blood? As I
point out in my recordings, these sacrifices were not something of a rash,
impetuous nature. They were a life time of living and working toward a
goal of building right things. A momentary mouthing of a promise was not
enough then, it is not enough today.
During the World Wars there
was a phrase, "On the Home Front." It had a wealth of meaning, for it was
the home front where the battle was really fought. What was called
"Victory Gardens," and many other things going to the "war effort," the
people practised under the direction of the leaders. For what ever reason,
as a diversion from the horrors of the war or for real benefits probably,
are a part of lost information. However, for whatever reason, it did work
to keep strong families.
Today, our "Home Front" has
been severely attacked. Not by any one ideology or control, or philosophy
or person, other than that powerful master, called materialism. This
insidious monster has reached into every level of the nation, causing more
destruction and disrepair to the environment and moral stature than any
other single tool. It has become the unseen King controlling every facet
of our lives. One "needs" to keep up appearances at all risks. A new car,
a well cared for appearance in the home, attractive well groomed
appearance. All of these things are not ugly or undesirable, but rather
are attractive. However, when other family values are ignored at any risk
or expense of adhering to these things, then there is the sin.
All this, please kind reader,
do not feel put upon, for it is only to my own dear loved ones I wish to
remind. "You know the truth, and the truth will set you free." These were
the words of first of all our scriptures, and then of our own Grandmother,
who loved to quote them, Bellzona.
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/america/donna/picturebook/index.htm |
