My Sunday Thought, April 26, 2015: Oh, Pooh!

“I'm not lost for I know where I am.
But however, where I am may be lost.”

-- A.A. Milne, "Winnie-the-Pooh"

The timeless wisdom of Winnie-the-Pooh is lost on many. I was going to add "especially the young," but, unlike the adults of yesteryear, it is probably lost on many of today's adults, as well. When you think about our country, the quote above seems very poignant.

I am saddened that we seem to forget the sacrifices made by many to make our nation what it used to be, but I am more saddened that the nation, itself, isn't what it used to be. Change, much like pooh, happens. The one constant in the universe is change. I have always expected change to happen for the better, as it always has. But there seems to have been a fundamental change to how we view change and our expectations of the outcome of change which we would have previously expected from change. Say what? Winnie-the-Pooh would probably understand.  It is almost as if we stopped giving a damn one way or the other about what happens.  We piss and moan about it, then go on about our lives like so many ants, simply accepting whatever happened as an inevitable part of our reality.

Sometimes I wonder if it's because we have forgotten to expect the best or if we've forgotten what the best looks like so, when we're confronted with mediocrity, we're satisfied. It's the mindset being forced on us where everyone gets a trophy for participating; there are no winners or losers. Is it enough that we just exist?  No wonder some say exceptionalism is dead.

I took this photo of a VFW member raising the flag during the playing of the National Anthem at an oyster festival in Olympia Washington. You know, the National Anthem of the United States of America? Anyway, two people were standing at attention during the tune - me and him. I know there were other patriots in the crowd, they've either just forgotten how to act the part, or they're too afraid of ridicule from the non-patriots in the crowd.  It seemed very unusual when you consider the two local military bases along with reserves and guard... or, is it?

Yesterday we started denying our country, our flag, and our Constitution. Today we are, once again, denying Christ by refusing to stand up against those that would persecute Christians. Who knows what we'll be denying tomorrow. Is mediocre really good enough for you? Do you really think kind of believing in something is good enough? Do you really believe ISIS isn't here already? And, finally, do you know even have a clue what you're willing to stand and fight for?

Like the Pooh bear, I'm not lost because I know where I am. However, where I am would definitely seem to be very lost.

This Sunday, take a moment and think about what you're willing to sacrifice to keep what you have safe, then think about whether you're willing to die at the hands of some insane terrorist if you don't deny Christ and your faith. It's a matter of degree, a mindset. Are you satisfied with mediocrity or are you capable of exceptionalism. When thrown to the wolves will you cry, wet your pants, and fold like frightened child, or tear them apart with your bare hands? Will you simply kneel down and accept your fate, or are you capable of stepping up for yourself and others? How about standing up for your beliefs?  And, if not now, when? Do you really know where you stand and, more importantly, why?  Until you do, how can you ever truly expect to have faith?  By the way, saying you have faith because you have faith that you do, is not an answer.

Then again, maybe I'm wrong. 

Editor's Note (re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card):  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Pastor Frank Anthony Villari

Pastor Tony is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path."