Courage
In this world you will always have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
Jesus Christ
By Dr. Jim Ferguson
As I begin this essay it’s raining and there’s a fall-like chill in the air. Perhaps this is the reason I’m weary. Actually, we needed the rain, and ordinarily I like rainy days which often force me to slow down.
My garden harvest is complete, farm chores are done and wood for the winter is stacked and covered. I have so many blessings: faith, family, friends, resources, health, security, and even purpose. So why am I down? The Doctor’s diagnosis is I’m weary of the war; the war to save the soul of America.
I suspect others feel the same, so I share my feelings to assure you that you are not alone. I recently quoted Thomas Paine as he lamented the tough times at Valley Forge in the winter of 1776. Others have sacrificed so much for my freedom. This is what drives me to speak out against the great evil that has swept over our land and is threatening to destroy our country. Theologian and Lutheran minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” Bonhoeffer’s courageous resistance to the Nazis cost him his life, but not his soul.
My dad was a naval aviator during the Second World War. Sometimes I wish that I had served my country in the military, but when I graduated from high school in 1969, America was disengaging from the war in Vietnam, although Americans were still dying to prevent the spread of communism – the so-called Domino theory.
I registered for the draft which was a lottery system at the time, drew a high number and was able to stay in school while others served. One might conclude I was lucky or it was my destiny that brought me to this moment and gave me a voice of resistance to anti-American forces. Specifically, I reject what the Democrat party has become. I reject its progressive policies which have become neo-Marxist socialism and antisemitism. I will not be shamed (gaslighted) into tolerating or accepting that which is wrong.
In 1521 the Catholic priest Martin Luther was on trial for his life in an ecumenical court in Worms, Germany. The church and pope demanded Luther recant his beliefs and accept the elitist group-think under threat of excommunication and execution. Every reasoned person of faith should read at least the last paragraph of Luther’s defense oration, but I’ll quote his final statement, “It cannot be either safe or honest for a Christian to speak against his conscience.” I left the Methodist Church as a similar matter of conscience.
I admire C. S. Lewis, an Oxford don (professor) who wrote the Narnia series and was also a science fiction writer. He was an atheist until he investigated Jesus, trying to debunk Christianity. He failed and became the most notable Christian apologist of the 20th century. Everyone should know about Lewis who died on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on 11/22/1963. I highly recommend the movie “Shadowlands,” starring Anthony Hopkins as Lewis. It is a beautiful biopic of Lewis’ life.
People come to the faith in different ways. Like Lewis, my path was more logical than emotional. Lewis later explained his faith in Jesus Christ with his simple trilemma, stating Christ was either a “liar, lunatic or Lord.” Since there is no scriptural or historical evidence that Jesus told lies or was insane, Lewis deduced Jesus was Lord. We can thank Martin Luther, a man of conscience, whose stance enabled individuals to use reason and freedom of thought to pursue a personal relationship with God.
In some ways, I admire Taylor Swift and I give her credit for saying she carefully considered the presidential candidates. I disagree with her decision to support Harris, but I won’t be swayed by her choice. I don’t follow the orders of popes, nor can I take the recommendation of someone whose largely biographical songs describe her poor choices. I pray she finds happiness, love and, of course, God because youth, fame and money are not enough and will not last a lifetime, let alone eternity.
Admittedly, I am afraid as November approaches. My fear is less for me than for my children and grandchildren because my time is about over. Recently, I wrote about the cardinal virtue of courage. I believe courage is the decision to act virtuously despite the emotion of fear. Soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy, as depicted in the first few minutes of the movie “Saving Private Ryan,” is real courage. And so is President Trump standing with a defiant raised fist and blood on his face after being shot for his beliefs.
As a science fiction aficionado and writer, I believe that “Dune” is the best sci-fi novel of the 20th century. In a critical scene, the protagonist passionately says, “Fear is the mind killer.” And it is because fear may override reason and courage. We must overcome our fear and logically, courageously, vote against Comrade Kamala, the dishonest media, elitists and the broken Washington bureaucracy. We must vote for President Trump and a chance to Make America Great Again. The alternative to Trump is an acceleration of the economic and social disaster we are in and from which we will not recover.
I read recently that President Trump is the most consequential political figure of our times. I believe that is true. He is unlike any other in my lifetime. And the very fact that Democrats and their propagandist media, the Washington establishment and agencies like the corrupt FBI and Secret Service leadership, RINOs and Never Trumpers and most celebrities fear and are against him, is why I’m for him. If that makes me a “populist” or part of the MAGA crowd, so be it. I’d rather stand with Trump, a man who stands with Providence, than Putin, Hamas, the Cheneys, Taylor Swift, etc. who support Comrade Kamala.
It’s time to stand up and be courageous. It’s time to vote for policy and not be distracted by feelings or personality. Disliking “mean Tweets” or a brusk New Yorker style or personality are not reasons to vote against what is best for you financially, your safety, your children’s future and for Making America Great Again.
