Vignettes 27

WEIGHT OF PRAYER

Scientists has estimated the mass of a soul by comparing the weight of humans just before and after death, but until recently no one had been able to apply any empirical values to the weight of a prayer.

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family needs, she said, "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The merchant said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir." "Okay" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your list weighs, I will equal the amount in groceries." Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something it. She laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of John Longhouse and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can’t believe it." The customer smiled and Longhouse started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands." Longhouse gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the proprietor as he said, "It was worth every penny of it." It was sometime later that John Longhouse discovered the scales had somehow broken. In this one case the weight of a prayer was a little less than 25-pounds.

LOVE & ROSES

Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose. And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows. The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door. The card said, "Be my Valentine," like all the years before. Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say, "I love you even more this year, than last year on this day. My love for you will always grow, with every passing year." She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day. Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away. He always liked to do things early, way before the time. Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine. She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase. Then placed them beside the portrait of his smiling face. She sat for hours, in her husband’s favorite chair. While staring at his picture and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate. With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate. Then, the very hour, as on Valentines before, the door bell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door. She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock. Then went to the telephone, to call the florist shop. The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would please explain. Why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain? "I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago." The owner said, "I knew you’d call, and you would want to know. The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance. Your husband always

planned ahead, he left nothing to chance. There is a standing order, that I have on the file down here. It’s all taken care of, you’ll get them every year. There also is another thing, that I think you should know. He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago. Then, should ever I find out that he’s no longer here, that’s the card that should be sent, to you the following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone. Her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to retrieve the card. Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote… "Hello my love, It’s been a year now, since I’ve been gone. I hope it hasn’t been too hard for you to carry on. I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real. Or if it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife. You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need. I know it’s only been a year, but please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears. That is why the roses will be sent to you for years."

"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness. How we came together and both of us were blessed. I have always loved you, and I know I always will. But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still. Please...try to find happiness, while living out your days. I know its not easy, but I hope you find some ways. The roses will come every year, and they will only stop. When your door’s not answered, when the florist stops to knock. He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out. But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt. To take the roses to the place where I’ve instructed him. And place the roses where we are, together once again." I hope all of you have someone to love - this much.

VALENTINE A SAINT

Yes, Valentine was a bishop in the year 270 A.D., who secretly married couples against the edict of Roman Emperor Claudius II. Valentine was caught and beheaded. To honor his martyrdom, the Christian church authorities, appointed by Constantine the Great - and worshiper of the Sun, desiring to Christianize the Pagan February festival of love, gave February 14th the name: "Saint Valentine’s Day."

In the 4th Century (312-337 A.D.), Constantine established his new capital at the site of Byzantium (Turkey), appointing two Popes (Rome and Constantinople), and in 313 made "Christianity" the official religion of his world in the Edict of Milan. Constantine saw a vision before the decisive battle in A.D. 312. I printed the Divine words on last page in my book, Called To Serve: "Nin Hoc Signo Vinces" (In This Symbol is Victory) - a sign of the CROSS! His army emblazoned the emblem on their shields - and Constantine won! He saw that Christian zeal could be used as a glue to reunite the eastern and western Roman Empires, and keep his new conquest together. Constantine, unwilling to take a chance, was baptized on his death bed, literally accepting Christ as his Savior with his last breath in the Christian Era 337.

The new religious theocracy reviled the customs of the "Jews, who killed both the Lord Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:15) and their own prophets." In 325 A.D., at the Council of Nicaea, they defined orthodox Christian doctrine and voted to change the traditional Sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday) from the last day of the week, to Sunday, the first day - pleasing Constantine. It was decided to do away with the Israel’s Holy days and adopt the popular pagan holidays - with a Christian twist. Christmas (Winter Solstice) and Easter (Fertility Goddess) have been covered in past Newsletters. Any comprehensive encyclopedia will dispel any doubt that both Christmas and Easter have their roots buried deep in paganism. This article on Valentine’s Day is not meant to take away or diminish legitimate love for family and friends, but simply reveal the origins so you won’t misrepresent the day or its original purpose.

Church leadership sought to exploit the revelry and gaieties of the established gentile celebrations. Using their "official" status, they thought by simply labeling the old holidays with Christian names, e.g., "Christmas," or keeping the name, i.e., "Easter," the people would accept the one true God with Christian worship. February 14 was a day when men and women drew lots for a feast of free illicit sex. In lieu of recognizing the love goddess Lupercalia, aka, Venus, the Church substituted the Virgin Mary. Lots drawn were for Saints, in lieu of sex partners. Under the old celebration, the priests (Luperci) would run through the streets dressed only in strips of skin from sacrificed goats. They bore whips made of goatskin, called "februa.". Women struck with the whips would be made barren. The names of young women were put in a box and well shaken. Men would draw their mate. Goddess Venus had bastard children called "Cupids" (Eros to the Greeks). In the year 496, Gelasius I "Christianized" the festival and renamed it St. Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t long before the gentiles tired of drawing trading cards of Catholic friars and went back to swapping females. Cupid and his hearts remained unchanged.

I’ve noticed not many "Christians" care about what God commands reference His festivals and recognition of heathen holidays and ways. Even today, people who claim they love God and accept Christ as their Savior, make every excuse to celebrate pagan days in basically the same way they existed before the birth of Jesus Christ. I find it interesting that many Muslims have more respect for God’s guidance than His so-called "Covenant" people - Go figure!

As you think about loved ones, remember: To the world you might be one person, but to one person, you might be the world!

VETERANS’ GIFT

Almost 10-years ago, Arizona Highway Patrolman, David Man, recorded an audio-tape entitled: Visitor From The Past. I believe it is appropriate to ponder his words. They are more true today than they were then. What is your response to this founder?

I had a dream the other night, I didn’t understand. A figure walking through the mist, with a flintlock in his hand. His clothes were torn and dirty, as he stood there by my bed. He took off his three-cornered hat, and speaking low he said:

We fought a revolution, to secure our liberty. We wrote the Constitution, as a shield from tyranny. For future generations, this legacy we gave. In this, the land of the free and home of the brave.

The freedom we secured for you, we hoped you’d always keep. But tyrants labored endlessly while your parents were asleep. Your freedom gone, your courage lost, you’re no more than a slave. In this, the land of the free and home of the brave.

You buy permits to travel, and permits to own a gun, permits to start a business, or to build a place for one. On land that you believe you own, you pay a yearly rent. Although you have no voice in choosing, how the money’s spent.

Your children must attend a school that doesn’t educate. Your Christian values can’t be taught, according to the state. You read about the current news, in a regulated press. You pay a tax you do not owe, to please the IRS.

Your money is no longer made of Silver or of Gold. You trade your wealth for paper, so your life can be controlled. You pay for crimes that make our nation, turn from God in shame. You’ve taken Satan’s number, as you’ve traded in your name.

You’ve given government control, to those who do you harm, so they can padlock churches, and steal the family farm, and keep our country deep in debt, put men of God in jail, and harass your fellow countrymen, while corrupt courts prevail.

Your public servants don’t uphold the solemn oath they’ve sworn. Your daughters visit doctors, so their children won’t be born. Your leaders ship artillery and guns to foreign shores. And send your sons to slaughter, fighting other people’s wars.

Can you regain the freedom for which we fought and died? Or don’t you have the courage, or the faith to stand with pride? Are there no more values for which you’ll fight to save? Or do you wish your children, live in fear and be a slave?

Sons of the Republic, arise and take a stand! Defend the Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land! Preserve our Great Republic, and each God-given Right! And pray to God, to keep the torch of Freedom burning bright!

As I awoke he vanished, in the midst from whence he came. His words were true, we are not free, we have ourselves to blame. For even now as tyrants trample each God-given Right. We only watch and tremble, too afraid to stand and fight.

If he stood by your bedside, in a dream, while you’re asleep, and wonders what remains of our Rights he fought to keep, what would be your answer, if he called out from the grave: IS THIS STILL THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE?

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, on the eve of Britain’s entry into World War II, admonished his countrymen thusly: "If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may be even a worse fate. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves." Can you see William Wallace, as played by Mel Gibson in the movie Braveheart, riding the line of Scottish warriors igniting their spirit as they stood before their oppressors. Are there more appropriate words for America today?

I believe the American War for Independence trouble-maker, Sam Adams, said it best: "If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget you were our countrymen." Sam Adams also told us: "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds."

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