"Petty Persecution?"

To my newer readers, I've had some ongoing issues with our local (monthly) paper.  See, I've been sending them my bird art / poems for the past five years but for about a year or two now, since they started giving a Muslim man a full page to teach false doctrine, some of us (Christians) get the distinct feeling we are enduring "Petty Persecution" from the editor.  The paper messed up the title of my new poem in our new May issue (see above.)  In a letter to the editor just now, I've given her a chance to explain, and by sharing the letter with YOU all I'm explaining to YOU exactly what the problem is...

Hi, Karen

Just got the May issue...please check out the two attachments below.  #1 proves that the title of my poem when I e-mailed it to you was supposed to be "Waxwing, Eloquent"....a deliberate takeoff on the phrase "waxing eloquent."  But attachment #2 shows that it got changed to "Waxwing, Eloguent" ("g" substituted for "q" in "Eloquent," to create a word that does not exist and make me, frankly, look foolish.)

Is there an explanation for this??   The entire poem was cut-and-pasted apparently with no problem, so why was my TITLE messed up?? Please advise.

Thank you, Karen

---Chet

Below is attachment #1, which proves how I originally submitted the piece  to the editor, weeks ago...

I just e-mailed all of this to Karen, and will await her response.  In the meantime, here's the full page that the MUSLIM guy got, in this new issue....

AMAZING how he gets a full page and there are NO ERRORS, but MY little 1/8th of a page (which mentioned "Jesus" by the way, at the end of the poem) got messed up!!  I cannot help but suspect, (based on this and several OTHER instances which my Christian friends and I have experienced), that the editor (professing Christian that she is) is now favoring Islamists.  If my stuff wasn't so popular around town, she'd probably just stop printing it but it would look better for her (I think) if I just QUIT.  (I wonder if I'm being BAITED to quit, and, unfortunately, quitting MAY just be my best option going forward.  I'll pray about this!!)

Below is the ORIGINAL art of the Cedar Waxwing, by the way.  It's called "Moonlit Waxwing" and I did it in 2001.  It's my only piece of art that was ever displayed in a Gallery.  For the record, I am totally content with the reproduction of the Waxwing in the paper and I'm NOT troubled at all by the fact that it was printed in black and white.  It's the POEM...particularly the botching of the TITLE...that I object to!!

"Petty Persecution"?? Jesus said to expect even MORE than this...this is MINOR, if that's what it is!!

I love the COVER of this issue of the paper, though....

"Was ISIS Behind Notre Dame Fire? Part 3 (Last)"

"Macron says Notre Dame should be rebuilt in line with diversity; architect suggests an Islamic minaret be included."  This is the headline  for a JIHAD WATCH link, found here.  Please read.

https://www.jihadwatch.org/2019/04/macron-says-notre-dame-should-be-rebuilt-in-line-with-diversity-architect-suggests-an-islamic-minaret-be-included


On April 16th and 17th in this blog, I voiced my suspicions that ISIS was behind the Notre Dame fire, and I said WHY it is that I have those suspicions (check those blogs.)  This will be the LAST time I waste my blog time on this theory, but I have to add this in because what the French officials SAY about the fire's origin (electrical) doesn't match with this proposed ACTION.

And "Actions," as we know, "speak louder than words."

(Everything I'm about to say HERE comes in the context of what I've already written in Parts 1 and 2.)


Why would you even SUGGEST rebuilding Notre Dame to include an Islamic minaret?? Isn't that like "Please, sirs, I beg you, DON'T burn us down again, we're giving YOU a stake in this.  If you burn US down again, you'll be burning down part of YOU down this time"??  It's like YIELDING TO BLACKMAIL, in my opinion.  If the fire WAS electrical, well, change THAT when you rebuild but why include ISLAMIST elements in your architecture unless you think THAT might prevent future fires??  Why emphasize the need for DIVERSITY unless your primary need really ISN'T to upgrade your electrical system. To me, it all looks like the French KNOW that ISIS was behind this mess but can't say it because it's like admitting they are dummies for allowing the invaders they've welcomed in to their country.  

Anyway, IF I'm right about this, Macron is hiding cowardly FEAR under the pathetic guise of "we want diversity" just like he's saying the fire started from an electrical problem when it undoubtedly started from an ISLAMIC problem.  I am NOT a Roman Catholic anymore and so I have no stake in this issue from THAT standpoint, but there is NO WAY that Notre Dame should be rebuilt with any changes that make it "Chrislamish."

No.   Possible.   Way.

So for the last time I ask you, my readers...was ISIS behind the Notre Dame fire??  If not, how do you explain the RIDICULOUS proposal that Macron has made??  I, personally, see no other explanation except that the man is try to hide FEAR behind apparent VIRTUE.  End of "Chetitorial."

"Jesus's Resurrection: The Endgame to End All 'Endgames' "

Like millions of others all around the world, WE will be seeing "Avengers: Endgame" when it premieres very soon.  We are waiting till MONDAY, though!!  (Sunday is our firsr wedding anniversary, and we are replicating our first DATE on MONDAY by seeing a Marvel movie, and then going to "Tardi's," a local Italian restaurant. We are both very, very excited!!)

Anyway, by now everyone who's interested knows that "Endgame" is the sequel to LAST years' "Avengers" movie where MANY of The Avengers were killed by the evil Thanos.

And, anyone who realizes how many millions and millions of dollars the "dead" heroes will yet earn for Marvel, realizes they cannot possibly STAY dead.  They WILL be resurrected SOMEhow!!


The only question is HOW.


ANOTHER question I have is why do so many consider the REAL death and REAL resurrection of Jesus Christ to be a myth, yet they totally invest into a well-told STORY about fictional heroes who SUPPOSEDLY die....and then come back??  This past Sunday was Resurrection Sunday (also known as EASTER Sunday), and we Christians focused in a special way on the fact that Christ died and was raised again as a payment for our sins.  In so doing, he defeated SATAN who is far more evil than THANOS ever could be!!  Because it WAS "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" (as one theologian put it), the Resurrection of Christ was GOD THE FATHER'S "Endgame" as it proved He accepted the payment Jesus made for the believer's sins.  Oh, if only this generation knew the Scriptures as well as they know the details, origins and chronology of the Marvel Universe!!



I'm looking forward to the movie, yes, but I do  *****MARVEL*****  that millions don't line up to go to a church gathering which talks of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and of Jesus's Resurrection, which I call The Endgame to End All 'Endgames.'

"Dionne"

Though she's been around since the 1960s, I only REALLY started liking Dionne Warwick about a year ago, believe it or not.  See, on one level, as I was growing up I related to the fact that she was an individual who never really seemed at home in the "white" world or the "black" one, yet my preference was always for SINGER-SONGWRITERS, and that was NOT Dionne Warwick. (I did like "Friends" in the mid-80s, though!)  I felt bad hearing about her recent tax problems and I could kick myself for NOT attending Dionne's free concert in my hometown in the late 90s (around the time she released a GOSPEL album, which I bought but didn't like.) So for all of those years I was never really a FAN of Dionne Warwick, is my point.  And I never cared for, or watched, "Solid Gold" though I loved her "Rockford Files" acting appearance with Isaac Hayes, in the 70s.

Then, I was intrigued by Dionne's 2018 album "Odds and Ends," where she actually re-sang some of her old hits in French, Italian and German (as well as English.)  Wow....I had never heard ANYONE who could sing so fluently in three other languages before.  Hearing those beautiful renditions of hers was like DIONNE became the songs' author....not Bacharach-David, and the others!! I was won over.

I am presently reading Warwick's recent autobiography "My Life, As I See It" and am impressed by her elegance and intelligence.  Okay, I'll say it....I've always tended to think that singers who sing OTHER people's songs weren't as bright, or creative, as those who compose their OWN stuff.  Wow, was I wrong....Dionne Warwick is EXTREMELY intelligent.  She may not WRITE her songs, but when she "makes them her own" as she does, it's like she REwrites 'em.  I'm impressed by her musical training, instincts and heritage in a new way.  Her book is very inspirational.

Then, something ELSE happened last year which helped me "get into" Dionne.

Last fall, many of my readers may recall that I got disaffected with actress Cicely Tyson when I learned she lied, BIG TIME about something (see my blogs for Nov. 21st and Nov. 29th of 2018.) In a strange way, my disenchantment with TYSON has led to a further appreciation of DIONNE.  You see, they BOTH have Schools named after them in East Orange, NJ, not far from where I grew up.  Newer readers need to know that my first wife and I visited the Tyson School MANY times and I got to know Ms. Tyson quite well (see my blog of Feb. 9th of THIS year.)  And because they both had magnet schools in the same town, they once seemed like competitors to me, so before I got disenchanted with Ms. Tyson, Dionne Warwick was someone who I really paid no mind to.  Now, however, I feel free to appreciate HER and I'm loving it.  I was shocked to really REALIZE that Dionne starred in the movie "Slaves" 50 years ago...1969...three years before Ms. Tyson starred in "Sounder" which I *thought* was the first movie shedding light on the mistreatment of black people in the past.  I also find Dionne's profession of faith in Christ to be more credible than Cicely's, at this point.

And, I'm wondering why TYSON can't write HER autobiography like DIONNE has??  Is it because there are OTHER lies she's told, other than that whopper about her age, which PRECLUDE her opening up about herself??  I'm starting to wonder, frankly, why she's so secretive.

In conclusion, today, 78 year old Dionne Warwick has a new CD, "She's Back," available on Amazon and I'm pre-ordering one (under 12 bucks for almost 30 songs...Wow!!)   Without a doubt, with her cousin Whitney Houston and friend Aretha Franklin gone, Dionne is working on her legacy, "coming back" before SHE'S gone.  That's fine....I'm looking forward to listening and learning MORE about this inspiring, musically gifted Christian woman who is REALLY from my home state and really 78, to boot!! Better late than never!!

"Only HALF of my Kate Smith / God Bless America Letter Printed..."

Today's "New York Daily News" only printed HALF of my letter (re: Kate Smith and "God Bless America.")  However, "Half a loaf is better than none," you know.

Here's what they printed (again, the letter is about the New York Yankees ceasing to play Kate Smith's "God Bless America" at their home games anymore because she sang a song with racist lyrics in the 1930s.)  The PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, cowards that THEY are, removed a STATUE of Kate from outside their stadium because of this same "issue"!!  If these two teams meet again in the World Series this year as they did 10 years ago, instead of calling it "The 1-95 Series" they should nickname it "The Politically Correct Jellyfish Series."  Anyway, here's what the NY Daily News printed of my letter today...

(Sorry that the photos are SIDEWAYS, I took these pics in the store without buying the paper and no, that is NOT stealing!!  The letter I took the pics of is MINE, Lol!!)

In closing, here's the full letter that I submitted to the New York Post and Daily News....

Editor,

So someone has “connected some dots” and learned that Kate Smith sang a satirical “racist” song in the 1930s. Never mind that a black man also recorded the song, the “dot connecters” have assumed that Smith, who was white, must have been a racist and therefore (more “dot connecting”) her version of “God Bless America” should not be played anymore at Yankee Stadium.
 
It’s ridiculous, but for the sake of argument, let's say Kate Smith was indeed a racist. Her version of "God Bless America," as I understand it, was personally chosen by the late Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner to be played at every Yankees home game during the 7th inning stretch, since 9-11. And let’s connect some more dots…Steinbrenner must have been a racist, also, for choosing that song. Therefore, (more “dot connecting”) every single minority player that Steinbrenner has made rich since 2001 should now be principled enough to give his money back to George's surviving sons...(pending an investigation of whether Smith and Steinbrenner were really racists, of course.) After all, how can any of them in good conscience have accepted money from a “racist” who chose a “racist” to sing “God Bless America”? Do you see how ridiculous it is to go down this path of “dot connecting”?

Here are the “dots” for the Yankees to “connect.” If they give an “inch” to these demands, the folks behind them will want a “yard” and every Yankee hero in Monument Park (including Babe Ruth) who played before Jackie broke the color barrier, at one point or another, said or did something that would be considered racist today. Are the Yankees really ready to open this can of worms that the “dot connecters” are presenting to them? Will the Politically Correct next demand that Steinbrenner’s Stadium in Florida undergo a name change? 

For the most part, the Yankees are off to a lousy start, and beginning to politicize “God Bless America” like the NFL has allowed our National Anthem to be politicized is not going to help attendance, I assure you. We go to baseball games and football games to escape the divisiveness of politics and Political Correctness. What really matters is that the New York Yankees have the most diverse roster of any team in baseball, not imputing racism that cannot be proven to Kate Smith or George Steinbrenner! 

Chet Jelinski

"MANLINESS is Next to Godliness!! (For Christian Men)"

JOHN PIPER once referred to J.C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool, as "The Frank and Manly Mr. Ryle."  Ryle is, and HAS been, my favorite Christian author for the past 44 years!!  In the past FIVE years or so, I've read four books about him (pictured above) and am working on a fifth (the newest one at the END up there.)  The very TITLES of those books struggle to define Ryle, (with some success, I might add!!)

You see, Russell calls him "That Man of Granite With the Heart of a Child."  Murray describes Ryle as "Prepared to Stand Alone," and Rogers' title defines Ryle as "A Tender Lion." EACH of those descriptions certainly does Ryle justice, and they are TRUE, but I like PIPER'S "The Frank and Manly Mr. Ryle" the best!! (This wasn't the title of another BOOK about Ryle, as far as I know..."only" a sermon.)  In my opinion, all of these traits define true, Biblical, "godly manhood."

A few qualifications are in order.

     1.) All of these traits (Ryle's being "A Man of Granite" regarding his "unmoveableness" from the truth, his willingness and ability to stand alone to defend the truth , and his being "A Tender Lion" as he FOUGHT for truth), wouldn't mean a hill of beans if he didn't have, know, and PREACH the truth!! He did!!

     And, 2.) Ryle was an Anglican and I do NOT align with him doctrinally in some "lesser" things.  However, on the MAJOR doctrines of Scripture he is RIGHT ON THE MONEY so to speak.  And I love his manly, and godly, way of STATING God's truth!! So do many others....that's why there is so much renewed interest in his writings here, over 100 years after his death.  Manliness, TRUE Manliness, is "next to Godliness" in my opinion....and godly / manly ministers are, sadly, in short supply today.  This is why "we" have to reach back DECADES to find pastors who are godly and yet manly.

I, personally, and blessed to sit under the ministry of TWO such pastors in my church at the moment.  And, I "cut my spiritual teeth" for the first 14 years of my salvation under the ministry of a pastor who is perhaps the best living example of that godly / manly characteristic that I know of.  Here are HIS two most recent books, which I highly recommend....

These classics are available from Trinity Book Service here in NJ, currently at a GREATLY reduced price.  THANK GOD for men like Bishop Ryle and Pastor A.N. Martin, now 85, who show that "MANLINESS is Next to Godliness" for men like myself who are NOT pastors but most of all, for those who ARE.

"Serving My Wife: a 'Maundy Thursday' Testimonial"

Today is MAUNDY THURSDAY, the day before "Good Friday" (when we remember Christ's death) and three days before "Resurrection Sunday" (when we dwell, more than usual, on the fact that God RAISED Jesus from the dead thereby accepting His payment for the sins of His people.)  Now, "Good Friday" and "Resurrection Sunday" (a.k.a. "Easter") are Holy Days I've celebrated my entire life, and I'm sure YOU may have, TOO!!  But this "MAUNDY THURSDAY" is something relatively new to me and it's something I'm experiencing in a new way this year  You see, "Maundy (Holy) Thursday"  commemorates The Last Supper AND that wonderful instance where Jesus washed the disciples' feet, and told them, basically, to go and do likewise (John 13: 1-17.)

For the sake of my newer readers, let me explain something before I go further.

My first wife, of 38 years, died about two years ago and I honestly think I failed to "wash her feet"....SERVE her, in humbling, but beneficial ways, in other words.  I failed to serve her as I should have until the last two years of her life when she was dying of the cancer.  And after Beth went Home to Heaven, I fervently prayed and asked God to help me do better (SERVING my second wife) IF He ever allowed me the privilege of REmarriage.

He HAS (allowed me to remarry....Mercedes is her name!!)

And, by His Grace, *I* have (established a pattern of serving my new wife in "menial" ways, following Jesus' Example on "Maundy Thursday.")  By the way, just like the bread and the cup Christ passed around at the Last Supper wasn't LITERALLY His body and blood, but only a SYMBOL of same, I don't believe He LITERALLY meant that we have to wash each others' feet, to imitate Him!! The rest of Scripture gives us MANY ways to serve others via simple tasks...visiting someone who is sick or in prison...giving a cup of cold water in His Name...caring for widows and orphans...PRAYING for one another, and bearing each others' burdens...and so on.  I believe "washing the disciples' feet" is just an ANALOGY OF SERVICE TO OTHERS, you see. Some DO take it literally, and that's fine...but we don't HAVE to literally wash someone's feet, we can serve them, and Him, in many other ways.

But, I digress.

Anyway, that's why today, my FIRST "Maundy Thursday" since my remarriage, is so SPECIAL to me.  By God's Grace, I've been living out the meaning of this day EVERY day, and today is a reminder of WHY I do it...just like "Good Friday" is a reminder of how Christ suffered for my sins and SUNDAY will remind me how He rose again so that my PARDON is SEALED.

I never have needed to literally wash Mercedes's feet...as her daughter pointed out to me once, "mom's feet are always clean," Lol!!  And they are!!  But I take great joy in MASSAGING them for her, and serving her THAT way!! After all, countless are the ways SHE serves ME day-by-day!! God gives me insight to see OTHER little ways I can help her...opening the car door...helping her bring groceries in...helping with the dishes and the wash, and so on.  He also gives me JOY as I do this!!

And that's why this, today, is the BEST "Maundy Thursday" I've ever experienced!!

I hope it is for you, as well and may the meaning and peace of Resurrection Sunday be with you ALL!!



                   Artwork taken randomly from internet.  
               No copyright was violated, to my knowledge.

Help "Hateful" Huckabee!!

Mike Huckabee is under fire for merely stating BIBLICAL STANDARDS on television.  This was his blog from last night at www.mikehuckabee.com....

"Since many of you reading this likely watch my show, I suppose I need to warn you that according to some recent news articles, you are watching a show hosted by a hateful bigot.  And that was about the nicest thing said about me. 

"I recently spoke at the National Religious Broadcasters meeting in Anaheim, CA and was interviewed by the Christian Post.  They asked me what did I believe was the biggest threat facing our culture.  I replied that it was the abandonment of the Biblical standards of the family.  The view that there is no such thing as maleness or femaleness anymore.  That marriage doesn’t really matter so therefore divorce is no big deal and any form of marriage is equally valid—not just between a male and female.  That fathers aren’t that important to the development of a child.  That gender is fluid and we can just choose a gender based on how we feel rather than how we were created.  And that the Bible is an old book that no longer represents our changing culture and it often fails to be on the 'right side of history.'

"Since that article, virtually every left-wing publication in the country has blasted me for what they called "homophobic and anti-LGBTQ hate."  Most fail to point out that I said virtually NOTHING about LGBTQ anything!  My main point was the reason for so much cultural confusion and moral decadence was the Christian church.  Too many modern churches have decided to preach a gospel that doesn’t offend anyone by basically saying “do whatever you feel good about. “ We have ignored or dismissed Biblical standards so we can be modern, relevant, in-touch, and "hip."  Surely God would never want us to hurt someone’s feelings or disagree with THEIR beliefs.  I certainly don’t think God wants us to be obnoxious, judgmental, hateful, or self-righteous, but without apology I believe God has created a standard and we need to challenge our culture to tune itself to God’s truth rather than to demand God tune Himself to “my truth” and our culture.  Before I can play a piece of music, I must first tune the instrument to the musical standard.  Whether the standard is a tuning fork, a well-tuned piano, or an electronic tuning device, even the most virtuoso musician will only make noise if his/her instrument isn’t tuned to the fixed, absolute notes of the musical scale. 

"I didn’t make the rules.  If there is indeed a God and I believe there is, then He creates the rules since He created the game.  My job as a human is not to persuade Him to agree to MY behavior or standards, but to change my behavior to HIS standards.  I don’t hate anyone, but I refuse to ignore or deny God’s law or natural law.  If I fail to tune my life to those standards, how can I hope to make music of my life?  When every instrument in the band plays according to its own standard of tuning, the result is chaos and noise.  The instruments are not the same in tone or volume, or sound, but they join together to make music only if they agree on the tuning device.  You are free to live the life you wish to live, but you are not free to tune your life to what YOU feel, believe or think instead of a standard of God and end up with a result that is beautiful. 

"If that makes me a 'hateful' bigot, then it’s because those who label me that are tuned to a different standard.  With no apology, I’ll do my best to tune my life and beliefs to God’s unchanging standard rather than ask Him to re-write the Bible and tune His standards to me."

If you go to mikehuckabee.com you'll see this blog, and underneath is a place for COMMENTS.  I have already submitted MY supportive comment, mentioning how I was in his TV audience 4-5 times when he filmed in New York City, and found him to be a very fair and non-bigoted man.  *****HELP "HATEFUL" HUCKABEE!!  *****I know some don't like him, but that could be US getting persecuted when WE speak out.  Please consider going to his website and adding a few supportive comments of your OWN under his post.  

Thank you!! ---Chet






THIS IS THE COMMENT I SUBMITTED, IN CASE THEY DON'T POST IT....

Governor, thank you for "speaking the truth in love" once again.  And, you speak for MANY of us!! When you filmed in NYC, I was privileged to be in your TV audience 4-5 times with family and friends and you were a grace-filled gentleman to ALL of us.  I'm sure you know very well that Jesus said that just as HE was hated, WE will be hated and these days, the hatred comes to us as we are being falsely accused of BEING the haters.  God bless you ALWAYS!!

"Was ISIS Behind Notre Dame Fire?" Part 2

2,000 suspicious church attacks in France since 2016?? Yes!! Yesterday in my blog, I suggested that the Notre Dame fire MAY have been started by ISIS, and provided a link which shows that friends of ISIS threatened Notre Dame two years ago.  Today, I have another link stating that there have been 2,000 suspicious church attacks in France in the LAST TWO YEARS.  Here's that link...

https://www.wnd.com/2019/04/code-of-silence-obscures-surge-of-church-attacks/

So apparently this rash of church attacks started around the time that that initial attempted Notre Dame attack was frustrated?? Hmmmmmm.

In the immortal words of Arte Johnson, "Verrrry Interestingk."

The way ISIS rejoiced yesterday at the Notre Dame fire ALSO makes me wonder if they FINALLY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED....that is, to be recognized as the hateful, spiteful, destructive demons they ARE because THIS fire cannot be hidden, buried, ignored, or minimized.  And don't bother telling ME I shouldn't THINK like that until you tell THEM they shouldn't talk like THIS...... (Here's that link)...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6927101/Have-nice-day-ISIS-fanatics-revel-Notre-Dames-destruction-describing-punishment.html

Now, if this were a U.S Court of Law, I'd have to presume ISIS is "innocent until proven guilty" as I cannot PROVE that they are behind this stuff (unless the fearful French tell all that they know.)

But my friends, this is NOT a U.S. Court, it's the Court of Public Opinion and I'm free to question, and even draw conclusions here in my "Chetitorial", based on what IS known. Therefore, yes, I do question the French's apparent verdict that the Notre Dame fire started accidentally.

We here in America had better start asking MORE questions about those among us who clearly wish us harm, and about some suspicious goings on (the rash of FOREST FIRES in this country, for one thing).  It is NOT unChristian, uncharitable, unAmerican or unLOVING, to do that.

It is unwise.

And, it is NAIVE.

"Was ISIS Behind Notre Dame Fire? / Birth of The DEATHocratic Party / Tiger's Big Comeback (and Other, SPORTS-related Mini-blogs)"

Was ISIS behind the fire at Notre Dame? Some of their sympathizers attempted  to destroy it a few years ago, you know....

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/09/cell-of-french-women-radicalised-by-isis-behind-failed-notre-dame-attack

Frankly, when I saw the spire fall in flames yesterday, it reminded me of 9-11, so I make no apologies for suspecting radical Islamists for this destruction.  I'm sure that some who read this will think I'm Islamophobic, but frankly I don't care..  ISIS burns down Christian churches in other countries all the time, it's just that the media doesn't cover it like they are covering THIS fire.  Again, I'm only asking a QUESTION here...."Was ISIS behind the fire at Notre Dame?" I can't make accusations without PROOF but, given ISIS's history, I have every right to be suspicious, and to ask a question, and so do you.  Don't be bullied into accepting what those who are TRULY the ones afraid of Islam tell you. 

Birth of the DEATHocratic Party in America.  About 50 years ago when I was a hippie teen, there was a great anti-war pop song called "Sweet Cherry Wine" (not to be confused with "Sweet CAROLINE," Lol)  Some of the lyrics are as follows...

Oh yeah yesterday my friends were marching out to war
Oh yeah listen now we ain't a marching anymore
No we ain't gonna fight
Only God has the right
to decide who's to live and die

Tommy James and The Shondells really, REALLY hit on something when they sang "Only God has the right to decide who's to live and die"!! The song goes on, by MY interpretation, to say that "to save us, He (meaning God) gave us...Sweet Cherry Wine" which I perceive, rightly or wrongly, to symbolize the Blood of Christ represented in the "wine" of the Lord's Supper. (Whatever.)

Anyway, my fellow hippies and I all LOVED the line about "Only God has the right to decide who's to live and die."  We may not have believed in GOD in 1969, but we believed in WAR even LESS, you see.

Fast forward to 2019, 50 years later.  My former hippie / present NJ Governor, Democrat Phil Murphy, not only believes in ABORTION now but in assisting the elderly to commit suicide...

https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/nj-legalizes-assisted-suicide-gov-murphy-signs-bill-law

MURPHY IS NOT THE ONLY EX-HIPPIE IN AMERICA TO EMBRACE MURDER AND SUICIDE THIS WAY, and it seems that most, if not ALL of these hippie-crits are DEMOCRATS.  What happened to "Only God has the right to decide who's to live and die," pray tell??  These Democrat politicians think they ARE God, and they're  giving birth to the DEATHocratic Party in America.  Would to God that He would abort their evil plans to act as if THEY are HIM.






CHET'S SPORTS-RELATED MINI-BLOGS

     Tiger!!  I am incredibly inspired by Tiger Woods' comeback, and I don't even like Golf!!  I'm glad President Trump is honoring him.  Talk about overcoming adversity...WOW!! He has a RIGHT to celebrate (see photo above). Not since Douglas beat Tyson as a 42-1 underdog in 1990 have I seen such a captivating sports story, and that INCLUDES all of the great Yankee teams in 1996, '98, '99, 2000 and 2009.  I wish and hope that Tiger Woods gets SAVED now!!

     72 Years Since Jackie Robinson.  Yesterday was 72 years since Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier.  Jackie wore #42 and if not for what HE went through, my all-time favorite players, #24 (Willie Mays) and #42 (Mariano Rivera) could never have competed in the majors.  I am AGAINST the milking of White Guilt, but I am FOR honoring Jackie Robinson.  Tiger Woods is KIND of like the "Jackie Robinson of Golfing," he broke an UNofficial color barrier THERE.

     Shields-Hammer Fight.  No, it was NOT Captain America fighting THOR (Lol)...it was Claressa Shields, an American female boxer, going against German Christina Hammer.  It took place Saturday night in Atlantic City, New Jersey and we saw it on Showtime.  The fight was for the undisputed Women's Middleweight World Championship.

Sheilds (left) DOMINATED the fight and unified the Title, but her arrogant post-fight remarks, laced with "language," failed to impress me.  She was yet to be tested by REAL adversity in her sports career...when she can face something like TIGER did and overcome THAT, well, THEN she will earn more respect from me, frankly.  My loyalty in the world of women's boxing STILL lies with the great Maureen Shea.  Shea...not Shields, I say!!

Finally....

     Bring Back Buck, Part 3!!  I stand behind EVERYTHING I said in my April 4th blog, the Yankees are playing TERRIBLY right now.  Manager Aaron Boone, their Trainer and their Hitting Coach ALL should be fired.  Tonight, they face the World Champion Boston Red Sox (6-11) for the first time in the regular season.  The Yankees (6-9) should take NO comfort in the fact that they are doing a little better than the Bosox right now...the lowly ORIOLES are ahead of BOTH teams in the early running.

The O's fired Manager BUCK SHOWALTER last fall and again, I plead with the Yankees...BRING BACK BUCK!! We need a manager who is a master motivator.

     We were SPARED!!  We almost went to the Yankee game last Friday night because it was "Bernie Williams Bobblehead Night."  It RAINED the whole game and the Yanks were beaten by a bum team, the Chicago White Sox.  We were so glad we were SPARED going to that game because we couldn't get tickets at the last minute!!  Seemingly, HALF OF THE TEAM is on the "Injured List"...Sanchez and now BIRD are the latest additions.

"Judge Jeanine Justified"

A few weeks ago, Judge Jeanine Pirro  was suspended from her weekly TV show by her biased Muslim boss.  Jeanine's "offense"?  Raising a legitimate question about (Democrat) Rep. OMAR, a Muslim, regarding her lack of patriotism and loyalty to this country. 

Well, LAST week Jeanine (back on the air after her bogus 2 week suspension) was totally EXONERATED when Omar once again indirectly showed her true feelings.  The cover of the New York Post (see above) then nailed Omar to the wall, forcing Omar to play the victim and say she was "taken out of context."  She wasn't.  Her heartless comments about those murdered on 9-11 were universally understood AND condemned, even by some in the political Party which foolishly and hastily elevated her to  power!!

Omar wasn't taken out of context, but it would be nice if she was taken out of CONGRESS...and not just for a 2 week suspension.. As for Judge Jeanine? She not only is back on the air to the delight of her fans but she is totally JUSTIFIED, in the court of public opinion, for questioning Omar.  Some of us knew she was "justified" with her question right from the start, but many "fence-sitters" hopefully had their eyes opened!!

"Shepherds After God's Own Heart: A Grateful Testimony"

 At the beginning of Pastor Martin's SECOND "Pastoral Theology" book, pictured above, is the Scripture verse from Jeremiah 3:15.  In that verse, God promises "And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."  I have just purchased this new book and started to read it, and I am sure that I will be "fed with knowledge and new understanding" of God's Word, just as I was from the FIRST volume!! Anyway, in my 44 years of walking with the Lord, I have been SO blessed to have MANY such shepherds in my life, but yesterday was a SPECIAL day which brought that truth into sharp focus.  Therefore, I must write the following!!

Yesterday, way out in Michigan, my FIRST Pastor, Pastor Albert N. Martin, turned 85!!  Here he is (in a photo from several years ago).

Pastor Martin authored the book above, has written several OTHER books and pamphlets, and can be heard on sermonaudio and many other places. He was my pastor for 14 years and I go to him (by phone or e-mail and even face-to-face at times) even NOW, if the need arises.  He is a TRUE shepherd!! (He is FORMALLY "retired" but a true shepherd NEVER retires.)  I cannot estimate how much I owe to the ministry of this man in my life!!  God has used him TREMENDOUSLY.  Five years ago I compiled a book of testimonials from over 80 others on the occasion of his 80th birthday.  More info about this book may be found by searching "A Tribute For Pastor A.N. Martin" on Facebook.  (blurb.com has a free preview of the entire book so this is NOT an attempt to sell books here, the book is FREE.)

And then, here in New Jersey, my NEWEST Pastor, 24 year-old Travis Dykes (below), met with his Ordination Council yesterday and unanimously passed his Ordination Exam.  He will be officially ordained this Sunday night at our church's Evening Service. This is a photo of him  answering theological and practical questions yesterday...

It was THRILLING to see and hear a young man , my NEWEST Pastor, answer question after question with solid, straightforward BIBLICAL answers!! Surely, if a shepherd is to "feed us with knowledge and understanding" he, himself, must POSSESS those things...and Travis does because God GAVE him those gifts!! I'm not a Pastor, and Deacons weren't allowed to grill this young man yesterday, but if I could have I'd have been tempted to ask him "Would you be willing to be imprisoned or put to death rather than deny Christ, if it ever came to that??"  (I said I'd be TEMPTED to ask that question, but the reality is...I wouldn't HAVE to, because knowing Travis as I do, I already know the answer.)  Apparently his GRANDFATHER was a tremendous influence in his life and what I witnessed yesterday inspired me ALL THE MORE to leave a godly legacy to MY grandchildren.

Yes, yesterday was SPECIAL as my FIRST Pastor turned 85 and my NEWEST one is cleared for Ordination.  The two don't know each other or even know OF each other, but they both know the LORD Who has given them both to me as "Shepherds After His Own Heart."

For these two men, and EVERY GODLY SHEPHERD I'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH SINCE 1975, I publicly give God thanks this morning ....and I didn't want to wait 6 months till "Pastoral Appreciation Month" to do so, you see!!  The events of yesterday made it impossible to wait that long!! David, (who Scripture ALSO called "the man after God's own heart" and who was a LITERAL shepherd at one point) likened himself to a "ready writer" in Psalm 45.  I simply HAD to write this out THIS MORNING, because "my heart IS overflowing with a good theme" (Psalm 45, verse 1, New King James Version, emphasis mine.)

* I blogged here a bit about Pastor Martin's FIRST "Pastoral Theology" book last April 13th.  And a THIRD book in this series is planned, Lord Willing!!

"If You Support to Abort, You Must Import?"

I get Yahoo News each morning and, ironically, a PRO-ABORTION BILLBOARD was featured in "Yahoo Lifestyle" today.  God have mercy on us, they are now advertising KILLING BABIES as casually as restaurants, hotels, and Theme Parks are advertised.

The Billboard is in Illinois (a blue state) near the Missouri (RED state) border.  Apparently, the Democrats in the blue state want to entice those who find it HARDER to abort in red state Missouri to bring their "business" to them.  Disgusting. I hope no one is reading this while EATING, as it's Breakfast time, Lol!!  But it seems to me that this billboard's placement is somewhat symbolic, as GENERALLY it's the Democrats in the BLUE states who are obsessed with aborting babies and GENERALLY it's Republicans who are AGAINST this murder.  

And that observation leads me to today's "Chetitorial."

I haven't totally figured out why Dems support abortion so much, but hey, it DOES seem that Dems TEND to support it and that they also are FOR open borders...letting illegals in through Mexico.  They entice illegals to enter America just like they are wooing those who want abortions to come to Illinois.  On the other hand, Republicans TEND to be Pro-Life and USUALLY are against illegal immigration.  In my opinion, Democrats are NOT for open borders because they're humanitarians.  If they were humanitarians, they wouldn't support the INhumane practice of murdering their own kids in the womb.  No, Dems are for open borders because they need to replenish the supply of potential Democrat voters they lose when they GREEDILY abort their children. They want to STAY in power so they can KEEP aborting FREELY, you see. (Well, maybe you DON'T see,  but this blog is about what I see...and that's what I see. And I see / opine that they need to import illegals, ironically,  to keep abortion legal...after all, how can you advertise abortion on a BILLBOARD if it's not even LEGAL to PRACTICE abortion??!!  And how do you keep electing pro-abortion candidates without having a Democrat majority that's currently endangered BECAUSE you love and practice abortion so much.)

Perhaps an HONEST campaign slogan for the next Democratic Presidential candidate should be "IF YOU SUPPORT TO ABORT, YOU MUST IMPORT." 

The Dems might like the Johnny Cochranesque / Jesse Jacksonish RHYME to my slogan, but they wouldn't like the HONESTY of it, I'm afraid.

"The Responsibility of (High) Visibility"

Our new house is on the corner of the first street entering our (Senior) Village.  As Spring is coming, our new neighbors have been telling us (as if we didn't know, Lol) what great care the PREVIOUS owners took of the LAWN.

You see, the exceptionally well-manicured lawn apparently put forth a good first impression of the entire section of our Village, and the new neighbors want to make sure we keep up the "tradition" started by the previous owners.  As the "new kids on the block" my wife and I are anxious to comply (especially as we are inter-racial and there may be some who are ALREADY biased against us for that "unreasonable reason." I am well aware that more is already expected of us, and as the neighbors learn we are CHRISTIANS eventually the "bar" will go even higher!!)

As I've been walking around the 'hood for exercise, however, I've noticed that many of those who want us to maintain OUR lawn impeccably don't always seem to be interested in doing the same for THEIRS (Lol).  What a shock, (Lol!!)

You see, it's imperative to them that WE have our lawn together because of our strategic, corner lot on the first right-hand turn off of the main road as you enter our Village. However, apparently they're not as concerned about THEIR lawns (judging from the mess some of them are as Spring is coming.)  As long as WE are out there giving that good first impression for everyone, that seems to be enough for many, you see.

I guess it's part of sinful human nature to hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves.

c'est la vie!!

Happily for them, I do embrace the concept of what I call "The Responsibility of High Visibility."  The Sprinkler guy came to turn our sprinklers on the other day, and found that we need a new pump for our well.  The options are either pay big bucks for a new pump, or water the lawn OURSELVES (not as effective as the sprinklers, and very time consuming.)  So tomorrow, I'll be shelling out what I consider to be lots of cash to REPLACE the sprinkler pump because I do "get it"....our corner lot represents the whole neighborhood, like it or not. And who knows, maybe instead of making our neighbors stay complacent about THEIR lawns, it might inspire some to follow our example and beautify the ENTIRE section?? Whether that happens or not, it's THE RIGHT THING TO DO, especially because I often complain about politicians, athletes, actors, musicians and even some religious figures who have high visibility but don't want the responsibility and scrutiny that comes with "the corner lot."  I want my "lawn" to be the best I can afford it to be even if GOD is the only one Who sees it!!








The photo above is from yesterday at our church, my first formal duties as a DEACON took place in the morning service.  Here I am with the head Deacon AFTER that service.  (Note: we have 7 more Deacons who are not pictured.)

"Finally!!"

Well, a local paper FINALLY!! printed my letter based on my 3-13 blog (the one about being asked if I now identify as a woman when I went to donate blood.)  You can view my letter HERE (on page 13)...

https://issuu.com/pinebarrenstribune/docs/e-paper_4-5


I'm happy they printed it!!


EDIT: Here's how the hard copy looks...

On another note, we are supposed to go see our local minor league baseball team, The Blue Claws, this afternoon (see photo above.) The way our YANKEES are playing these days, seeing a minor league team is an improvement (my LAST blog specifies WHY that statement is true.)  Ciao for now!!

"Bring Back Buck, Part 2 "

THEY'RE MY TEAM and I can criticize them if I want.  And I will!!  Here goes.

I'D SAY THAT THE YANKEES ARE WORSE THAN A MINOR LEAGUE TEAM RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT WOULD BE AN INSULT TO MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

Yes, I know that the season is only 6 games old, and I'm aware that the World Champion Boston Red Sox are off to an even WORSE start than the Yanks....but so what?? Am I the only one who sees how terrible the Yanks have been?? This is New York, we ARE expected to win it all...as Yogi Berra said "It gets late EARLY out here."  We should NOT be complacent while Tampa is off to a great start.  We are setting a BAD PRECEDENT for the rest of our season.

Consider these facts and stats...

   1.) They've started out 2-4 against two of the worst teams in all of baseball.

   2.)  If I'm not mistaken, the Yanks now have TEN (10) guys on the Disabled List (oh, I'm sorry, the P.C. Police now call it the INJURED List.)  This is not an EXCUSE for their problems, this IS a problem.  Why aren't these guys more DURABLE??

   3.) They struck out 18 times yesterday, a Franchise Record for 9 inning games.

   4.)  They've averaged about 11 K's per game in these first six games to start the season, ANOTHER Franchise Record.

   5.)  Aaron Judge is hitting great FOR AVERAGE, but he has yet to hit a homer...after predicting the team would break the team record for homers they set LAST year!!

Meanwhile, the announcers Michael Kay, David Cone and Paul O'Neill joke around as they "call" the game instead of "calling" it what IS..........pathetic.  Example: when that new guy who'd claimed he could strike out Babe Ruth every time was faltering, one of them should have said "Forget Babe Ruth.  Why can't he strike out just ONE of THESE very ordinary guys??"

Manager AARON BOONE should be worried about his job right now.  He would be worried  if old man STEINBRENNER was alive!! George's sons are TOO LAID BACK, they should be pressuring BOONE to get on the TEAM with some pressure.  I say again, as I've said before, BRING BACK BUCK (SHOWALTER) as manager (see my blog for Oct. 12th of last year.)  These guys need a DISCIPLINARIAN, not a "PAL," if they're ever going to reach their full potential (in my opinion.)

Bring Back Buck!!




YANKEES-ORIOLES IN BALTIMORE TODAY, STARTING AT 3.  The O's won't be honoring SHOWALTER, whom they FIRED last year, but before the game they SHOULD be honoring FRANK ROBINSON (their great player who died a few months back. See my blog for 2/7/'19).

"Michele Bachmann, the RIGHT Woman"

So no one misunderstands me because of what I blogged here yesterday, I would LOVE to have a woman President...if it was (Republican) MICHELE BACHMANN, that is!! I wholeheartedly supported Michele's Presidential run in 2012, which is when her terrific book (above) came out.  I even had her AUTOGRAPH my copy (below)...

Also, I was in the studio for Mike Huckabee's TV show on Fox (in NY) when Michele was a live guest one time.  This woman (unlike the Democrat women Presidential candidates) loves GOD, loves AMERICA, and is PRO-LIFE.  That's why the Liberal mainstream media hates her so much.  They unfairly sunk HER ship, when Hillary and others made / make FAR worse gaffes than SHE did!!

I am totally AGAINST women PREACHERS, mind you, because the Bible, God's Word, forbids that.  I am also for Scriptural roles in MARRIAGE.  However, I see no prohibition in God's Word for a woman to become President (again, as I said, as long as she's the RIGHT woman.)

 

I got an autographed BASEBALL by Michele and I have OTHER collectibles of hers, ALSO.

(I only wish they'd now be collectibles of PRESIDENT Michele Bachmann but she's apparently retired from politics.  What a shame.)

Michele Bachmann was THE right woman, in my opinion!!

Recent interview......https://www.christianpost.com/news/be-careful-little-eyes-what-you-see-a-conversation-with-michele-bachmann.html

"Why Were Democrats BIDEN Their Time With Joe?"

The allegations that JOE BIDEN inappropriately touched women are nothing new.  Republicans were SCREAMING about all of this when Joe was Vice President under Barack Obama a decade ago, but Democrats turned a deaf ear.  So why are the Dems (most of them, anyway) suddenly eager to delve into all of it NOW??  It's NOT, in my opinion, because the "MeToo" movement has gained popularity as they would have you to believe.  However, there are OTHER possible reasons which I will attempt to explain.  WARNING: PLAUSIBLE, THOUGH NOT PROVABLE, OPINIONS ABOUT TO BE STATED...

When Obama was Vice President, Biden was USEFUL to the Democrats....which is why they ignored his public pattern of sexual misconduct.  I'm going to refrain from using the well-known phrase "useful idiot" about ol' Joe because that's TOO harsh!! But let's be honest, anyone who has heard some of Biden's GAFFES knows that he's not exactly the brightest guy in the world.  And, the Dems NEEDED him then, they needed a white guy whose name was familiar to the public who was so....gaffe-prone that he'd make Obama look smarter than he is by contrast (kind of to "balance out the ticket.") Biden was PERFECT for them in 2008, so they overlooked his faults because they lusted to have "The First Black President" at any cost.  He helped "sell" Obama to racist white Democrats that were leery of Obama because they SINFULLY stereotype all blacks as lacking the intellect to lead.

In short, in my opinion, they KNEW about Joe's "touchy-feely" misconduct THEN but they were "Biden" their time with Joe (to try to interject a little humor into a very SAD situation.)

They NEEDED him then, you see.

In 2016, after Obama-Biden's 8 years were up, Democrats tried to have "The First Woman President" and failed, but they are going to try again in 2020.  Look at all the women who are running!! There's a problem, though....BIDEN was polling as the #1 selection among all of those who are possible 2020 candidates.  Therefore, the Dems NOW (finally) take the allegations against Biden seriously like Republicans did YEARS ago.  They want to nuke HIM and push the WOMEN, for 2020.  In other words, Joe is no longer "useful" to the Democrats, at least not as a front-runner.

Who knows, maybe when the Dems nominate their female candidate in 2020, they'll need ol' Joe to balance the ticket AGAIN, and he will get ANOTHER Veep slot.  If that happens, all of their current outrage over his past sins will be forgiven and forgotten. And, as for JOE?? That would be a job promotion for him, were he the Veep with a WOMAN in the top slot.

He would get to grope a PRESIDENT this time, you see.

"Jagger"

So The Rolling Stones have cancelled their American tour because Mick Jagger has a mystery affliction.  How the 75 year old Jagger was able to perform THIS long, is a mystery, in-and-of-itself!!

I never cared for the Stones, always found them to be too raunchy for my taste though I like a FEW of their songs ("Ruby Tuesday," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," etc......the SOFTER stuff.)  I'm amazed that it's JAGGER, not Keith Richards, who is laid up now....I hear Keith's drug of choice these days is Embalming Fluid.  (How is this guy still alive....or IS he?? We saw him on TV last year and he personified "The Walking Dead.")

I was reading up on the Stones after learning of Jagger's illness a few days ago, and I was surprised to learn that HE didn't "found" the group!! No, it was BRIAN JONES, who left the Stones on 6-9-'69 (easy date to remember) because of "drug problems" (in that case, if that was the real reason they ALL should have left the group!!)  Less than a month later, Jones drowned in his swimming pool and died, leaving Jagger and Richards in the predominant roles.  And 50  years later the "Stones," minus Jones, are STILL "Rolling."  Wow, where are the Conspiracy Theorists on THIS one?? Oliver Stone should do a movie...."STONE examines the STONES who always seem to be STONED," Lol!!  

MERRY CLAYTON, who famously sang with Jagger on "Gimme Shelter," recorded an AMAZING Christian album, "Miracles," in 1994.  When I bought it in '95 I remember thinking "Wow, I hope JAGGER hears this"!!  It was chock full of great Christian lyrics.  Sadly, Merry was in a car accident a few years back and lost both of her legs....I hope her FAITH hasn't been lost.

In any event,  all jokes aside, I wish Mick Jagger a speedy recovery and most of all, I hope he gets SAVED one day before he leaves this world and faces the Judgment. Despite all of his wealth and fame, I wouldn't want to be him WITHOUT salvation!!


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6873761/Mick-Jagger-undergo-heart-surgery-week-replace-damaged-valve.html