Spring Is Precious

-- A valley in the Rockies --

Spring is precious, this I know

     – Bout flowers, leaf’s and fragrance in the wind that blow Baseball, BBQ’s, Track & Field – Give a sense of life’s rebirth,

                    no longer bound in our homes, we yield

 Neighbors, best friends, even first time folk

     – Join in conversation, play, laughter and joke

 Summertime plans and what you’ll do

     – Discussions of the simple, the difficult, these make us what & who

 But that was Spring of yesteryear

     – Now germs, science, and politics … things we fear

 Create stress, anger, division great

     – We’re a country of freedoms, not one, but fifty States

 To separate ourselves, put on the mask 

     – This is the science … say they, so tend to your task

But science is such that many do test

     – Allow me to decide, intelligent am I and so are the rest

The need of a friend, to work and provide 

     – Essential are these, but from them they must hide

The answer, not so easy to see

      – Your rights, my rights … Let’s honor them, be kind and be free

Spring is precious, this I know

     – Bout flowers, leaf’s and fragrance in the wind that blow

 Rick Williams 20th May, 2020

  

--- 'First Rose of Spring' is the title track of Willie's 70th solo album scheduled for release on July 3, 2020 ---

During this unprecedented time of --- COVID-19 --- our country is at such amazing opposition to each other. The “narrative” speaks to obedience of the "authority" … of the “science”. None-the-less, there IS another side. And yet the other side is looked upon as mere idiots. I’m sorry, but I’m intelligent as well. Please allow me the freedom to look at the evidence, for much there is contrary to the “establishment”.

There have been a few times that I’ve wanted to respond out of anger, but then I’m reminded of what I call the “Wilberforce Factor”. His fight, his perseverance with integrity intact. So, on the morning of May 19 I sat and penned the above in about an hour.

Let’s continue to fight … continue to persevere … with our integrity intact!

Is it not worth dialogue? You're telling me that each one is conspiracy? --- Or perhaps it is "science" as well ---
Dr. Jeff Barke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQwVDn2_YM&t=506s --- Dr. Yvette Lozano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3Q3SwGuR7o --- Dr. Zach Bush - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAtFBvKrVw&t=1604s --- Dr. Daniel Erickson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QGMEERgMk&t=112s --- Professor Dolores J. Cahill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czjAebDKsEw&t=2s --- Dr. Jay Bhattcharaya - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=289NWm85eas&t=4s

Stealing of Science

Cinco de Mayo --- What is it? I'm sure that most would say that it is the celebration of Mexico's Independence Day. In fact, that is what I believed growing up in Southern California, where it was an annual holiday. But in fact, the day represents the victory of the 'Battle of Puebla' over French forces. And oh, their Independence Day is September 16th. 

Up there with the BIG questions of life is, "What is Truth"? And in our busy...hectic life, often we don't even care. Does it really matter that 'Cinco de Mayo' is not Mexico's independence day?

Some aspects, such as 'religious' truth has reasonable debate. Math on the other hand --- 'two plus two', seems like it should always be four. Sadly 'truth' has been stolen on many fronts. History is one such example. A blog for another day. Yet for our present time, the truth of science and the 'Stealing of Science' thereof has taken perhaps the greatest turn in the history of man.

Below I've added just a couple recent articles regarding "conspiracy theories", vetting our sources and knowing whom we 'should' believe. But isn't that the question. Who should we believe? And just when we thought that we should be able to believe the "Science" community, we're given much to question their integrity of the facts. Are they just "Fake News" as well? Can we, should we not be able to trust the CDC or WHO? The answer, well yes of course! But...that question still remains, can we trust them? 

Watch the "science" that Doctor Zach Bush expounds on regarding this COVID-19 response.VERY intriguing! ~~ the video was removed by Google/YouTube. So, here's another by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

(If you watch nothing more, I would encourage you to watch from minute 1:12:30, where Dr. Bush begins his response by saying, "If there's crimes against humanity being exercised right now, I don't believe that it's in a military lab. I believe that it's in those ICU's of dying patients alone".

"Mainstream coronavirus conspiracy theories come in two varieties: those that doubt the virus’s severity and those that suggest it might be a bioweapon." The Atlantic

"And if the one in three Americans who believes that the effects of COVID-19 have been exaggerated choose to forgo crucial health practices, such as social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and wearing a mask, then the disease could spread faster and farther than otherwise, and could cost many thousands of lives." The Atlantic

Could it "spread faster and farther"? Or, is that just what they're telling us. 

 Katie Pine, an assistant professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, is currently interviewing people around the United States on how they’re navigating covid-19. She said people “feel like they’re inundated with information, but they don’t have the information they want,” and as a result, they might be more willing to believe outlandish claims. The Washington Post

Perhaps some of the "outlandish claims", are coming from the science community.

 “Misinformation spreads everywhere the same way information spreads everywhere,” said Leticia Bode, an associate professor in the communication, culture and technology master’s program at Georgetown University. And “repeating misinformation makes it seem more plausible over time.” The Washington Post

But who gets to be the 'bastion of truth'? Who says, "what is misinformation"? Surely not YouTube!

But it can be done. Bode emphasized the importance of correcting untruths in person or on social media, saying, “You need to be nice and provide some indication that you know what you’re talking about. We generally recommend you provide some kind of link to an authoritative source like the CDC or the WHO.” Having multiple people weigh in with the truth is even more effective. The Washington Post

The CDC and the WHO should be "an authoritative source". Yet, how quickly will they shut down some sources in which they claim as "misinformation"

Oh well --- for now the day continues. Go out, enjoy your 'Cinco de Mayo', if you so celebrate it. I'm thinking that it is 'Taco Tuesday'. Or, at least 'Tamale Tuesday' :)

And know that no matter how much they (whomever 'they' are) are 'stealing science', that the Creator of science, from the smallest of molecules, to the blue in the sky --- from the muscles that allow a baby to smile, and that little organ that can make transitions faster than Mario Andretti ... we call the eye --- He, our Creator cares for you.

And He says in the tiny book of Philippians, "Be anxious (or be distracted by) for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be know to God. And the God of peace who surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/joseph-e-uscinski/
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/travis-andrews/

Not Forsaking ... Together Time!

It's the same word that the writer of Hebrews uses when he says, "He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you." So, what word is that?

On this Easter morning the verse that comes to mind is that which in found in chapter ten and verse twenty-five of the New Testament book of Hebrews. There the writer says, "Not forsaking the" ... I love how the writer of one of most used Greek-English Lexicons, Joseph Henry Thayer, defines this word. He says that the word describes one who is abandoned ... or deserted ... or left helpless. Perhaps you've been there before. Have you cried out, feeling "helpless"? Have you experienced times in your life when someone of whom you depended upon left you? ... They deserted you! Or perhaps you're sensing abandonment during these crazy days upon us, when we're called to "social distance". 

Please know two things ... One, that our Father --- our God who is Creator --- and Redeemer --- shall NEVER leave you or forsake you! And two, that we as followers of Christ are NOT to forsake ... abandon our meeting together. --- Another very cool word is this 'meeting together'. You've likely heard it once or twice :) It is the word 'synagogue', with the little preposition 'upon' tagged onto the front. Synagogue itself means leading together. So we ... the body of Christ are not to abandon our synagogue time together.

Now ... if there is a 'not' ... as in the forsake or abandon part, might the writer as well include that which we are to accomplish? And the answer is a definite yes! For he concludes that we are to be ones that are encouraging. This participle is such that it expresses a 24/7 --- 365 days of the year (oh yeah ... 366 for this year :) ) kind of action.

So in these bizarre times that we find ourselves in here in the Spring of 2020, where we are mandated to abandon our meeting together ... might we continue to encourage each other. It is my hope that this video does some of that encouraging as well.

To Him be the glory for He is risen. He is risen indeed!!!

'Cast Your Cares' --- Upon Him!

Recently while sitting in our vacation home in Central Oregon and “sheltering in place”, I was once again struck by the power of words found in song. How words, simple words, can be so weaved as to stimulate emotions, and in turn bring such a confidence, such a hope. By themselves … well, they are simply … words.

Much is found in the words, “Cast your cares upon Him”. Timely words for this very moment that we find ourselves in. And the very words of which the apostle Peter was inspired to write in verse seven of chapter five. Words which in turned have become the source of countless songs over time, though it is two that capture my attention this day.

Perhaps we can reverse our reading of what Peter has written in order to discover how he arrived at this conclusion. In verse six he says that God will lift, or exalt us, at the proper time. Wait a minute! Is God going to ‘exalt’ us? Look, this is what Peter says. But first, we must place ourselves under the mighty hand of God. The very idea of Peter’s command in which he began verse six, that is, ‘Humble’ yourselves!

Casting cares ... from the sunrise

This idea of ‘humility’ is perhaps THE keystone of the Christian faith. For it was our Savior who humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. The same humility of which Paul, the prisoner of the Lord, says is the believers call in Ephesians four. And it is with humility that Peter exhorts shepherds to care for the sheep, to do so without ‘domineering’.

As we continue to reverse our reading, we discover that Peter uses three words to describe himself. He is a fellow-elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker of the glory to be revealed. It is the suffering that I want to emphasize. Yes, Peter was a witness of our Lord’s suffering at the cross, but as well how he must have suffered personally. For it was this same Peter, the one who denied the Christ for the third time, whom Luke says that the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Can you sense that glance? Can you sense the pain, the suffering? Peter did! For Luke says that he went out of the courtyard and wept ‘bitterly’.

Peter had been at the side of the Master as he healed many. Often Jesus would say, “Go, your faith has made you well”. Peter, like all of us, had his moments being weak in faith. I can not think of a more significant moment. Can you?

Later in chapter five Peter says to resist him … that is the devil, our adversary, our opponent. Be STEADFAST in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by the brotherhood throughout the world. Though that suffering was due to their Christian faith, we find ourselves in a unique moment of time, here in the Spring of 2020, when the brotherhood and the world is in a moment of suffering.

,,, to the sunset

And so, might we … the brotherhood … through suffering, learn humility. To place ourselves under the mighty hand of God. To be those who cast our anxieties … or literally I like the idea of ‘throwing off’ … its like having something that is heavy upon you, that you must lift up ... and throw with force. What do we throw? That which is ‘distracting’ us. And where do we throw these distractions? Peter says, “Upon Him”. Peter, had become weak in faith, distracted with fear ... Through the years he had come to learn to cast or throw off those anxieties, those distractions upon our Lord. 

Oh … my … goodness! Might you, might I, might we cast, or throw off all these anxieties, these distractions upon Him. Why? Because He … our Creator and Redeemer CARES … FOR … US!

The ultimate act of His care is shown at Peter’s conclusion. In verse ten and eleven Peter says, “The God of ALL grace, the One having called you onto His eternal glory, after a little suffering … He Himself will restore, establish and confirm you. To Him be the power forever and ever, amen!”

Can we all say with Peter, AMEN!!!

So on this ‘Good Friday’ of 2020 I conclude with two songs which go by the name ‘Cast My Cares’ and these words from the Scottish missionary to Canada, James Nisbet, who writes:

“Who has not some anxiety to cast away? For, remember, God has never told His children that they shall be without anxieties. They are inseparable from our condition in this world. It is in human nature to feel them, and God wishes us to feel them; they are essential in God’s spiritual government. But when rightly received, and rightly used, and rightly passed through, they will be found to be blessings, even though they appear in disguise.”