The Enemy List - Political Commentary

"I want to make sure he is a ruthless son of a bitch, do what he's told, that every income tax I want to see I see, that he will go after our enemies and not our friends. Now it's as simple as that. If he doesn't he doesn't get the job." —President Richard Nixon, on appointing an IRS commissioner

Confession:

My father was a card carrying proud Wisconsin Progressive. He even ran, in the 1930’s, for the Wisconsin state legislature  as a Progressive.  “The Candidate of the Farmer - Laborer and Small Businessman.”  Of course this was in the middle of the Great Depression, he might of still been in college (living on peanut butter and crackers) when he ran. He lost the election, he dropped out of college, and in one of those ironic twists of fate (brains, and hard work) became an executive and eventually a Vice President in various steel and aluminum companies.  One of the driving engines of Capitalism in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s.  However, despite being a capitalist, he never lost his liberal point of view.

Bragging Rights:

Yes, he was liberal and in many ways, William Scott Harms was a visionary.  In the 1950’s, while vice president at Caine Steel, he bought a rundown farm in Illinois to begin experimental agriculture.  He introduced  crop rotation and contour plowing, which even though commonplace today, was considered strange at that time.  He built a passive solar heated house - a term that only started to become known in the late 70’s - which let the sun heat the house in winter through large southern windows, while the precisely measured overhanging eaves provided shade in the summer.  

Besides his ahead-of-his time lifestyle, he was passionately opposed to racism and anti-semitism -  before it was cool.  In 1950’s America, many hotels would not only not allow persons of color, but also Jews to stay overnight on their premises. My father hated this kind of bigotry. He gave generously to Golda Meir to help the state of Israel and to organizations like The United Negro College fund at their inceptions. He practiced what he preached.  For honesty’s sake (and I cringe to admit this), he was also a big supporter of the ACLU - but this was before their anti-christianity spoken or practiced in public places crusade.  My father also continued with his lifelong passion for politics.  

The 50’s are notorious for the McCarthy hearings and the hunt for communists. Undoubtedly there were communists in the United States; however, McCarthy shredded the constitutional rights of hundreds of influential American by dragging them to congressional hearing for thought  and guilt by association “crimes” (or in his words: subversion, disloyalty, and treason).  He began in 1950 with a supposed “list” of 205 members of the state department who were communists.  He never did make this list public.  Richard Nixon, McCarthy’s fellow senator and right hand man, assisted in what later became called a witch hunt.

My father despised both of these men, and despite the very real possibility of being called a traitor and communist, wrote editorials and spoke against McCarthy’s “witch hunt” while commander at his local American Legion chapter.  Eventually, McCarthy was condemned by the senate for his abuse of power, but my father never forgot Nixon’s participation.  It wasn’t until after Nixon became president and was eventually impeached, however, that our family realized, that Nixon too never forgot his enemies.

My father only had one personal contact with Richard Nixon that I know. I include this story because it’s amusing and demonstrates my father’s personality.  My parents were staying at the posh Key Biscayne Resort in Florida which just happened to be a favorite vacation spot for the Nixons.  My parents were leaving the hotel when Vice President Nixon was entering with his CIA security detail. The Vice President stepped to the side to let my (very attractive) mother go through the door first. My mother stepped aside at the same time, because, after all, this was the Vice President of The United States.  My father, in utter disgust, stormed through the opened doors before both of them. Nixon gave my mother a wink and a smile as she, embarrassed, quickly followed after my father.

My father swore that if Nixon ever became president, he would ruin the United States  and that my father would move us all to another country.  Unfortunately when Nixon became president in 1969, my father had advanced lung cancer and died that year.  However, before my father’s departure, but while quite sick, he went through an income tax audit.  My father was an honest man and paid his taxes, yet mysteriously the year Nixon got into power, William Scott Harms had his taxes audited for the first time.  It was only after Nixon was removed from office and my father was gone that our family learned that Nixon, like Joseph McCarthy, had an enemy list, and that tax audits were one of his methods for “screwing” his political opponents.

Conclusion:

Recently we have seen under Democrat Barack Obama’s administration, the IRS going after political opponents of the president.  The IRS overwhelmingly denied conservative and Tea Party groups tax exempt status.  Obama may or may not of have been aware of this, but his followers seemed to think that using the IRS to “screw” with political opponents was ok. The IRS officials have never been penalized for this terrible abuse of power.  The “main-stream” media who got Obama elected are strangely silent about this scandal. One has to wonder if it had been a Republican president if they would have been so reticent.  The IRS yields the power to turn people’s lives upside down; it should never be politicized.  

A president with an enemy list is a scary thing.  Citizens of the United States should be able to speak their heart held convictions loudly and proudly without fear of retribution.  We should be careful not to elect people into the office of the presidency, Republican or Democrat, Constitution or Green Party, who have temperaments inclined for personal revenge.  Men and women with a vision for America and a desire to serve are above vendetta politics. They can take the refining fire of criticism and disagreement.  For me, like my father, it’s probably too late. I am already on an enemy list for my outspoken beliefs.  However as a Christian, I am taught to fear God not man, and that is what I will continue to do.

Give Us Hearts Strong for this War - Poem

Give Us Hearts Strong for this War

Blessed among women,

Chosen that The Most High could breathe into her a new Adam,  

Uncorrupted DNA, untainted by sin, God infused flesh,

Nourished in Mary’s womb.

This babe is, a light born in darkness, heralded by angels,

The heavenly host singing at his birth,

His blood to become the sacrament of eternal redemption, Life without end,

The entrance into heaven, Our only salvation.

Yeshua saves his people.

A lamb whose shed blood redeems for him sheep

Who will follow in this new way of love.

I am naked but for the leaves on the tree, but for the bark on the wood,

But for the branches on the limbs.

Meaning,

We all fit together in this Holy Kingdom.  All called to follow him.

All called to royal diadems that we will lay at his feet.

We are honored to be chosen for this battle,

To carry forth the gospel,

To live this life as His people,

To be refined in this crucible,

To share in His spoil,

Because of the victory that he wrought for us, Church.

So I am no longer alone but your partner in this fight,

Your brother in this warfare, fellow shield bearer and your succor,

Your servant and your foot washer,

The binder of your wounds,

The singer of your songs,

As we bless our enemies, heaping coals upon their heads.

We kneel before the Sacred Light and vow our lives a living sacrifice:

Marrying and bearing babies,

Working and fighting,

Praying and forgiving,

Planting and watering,

Growing and reaping,

Baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Three in One.

Our God and King.

Our Father who art in Heaven, give us hearts strong for this war.

Psalm 73:24-26 (ESV)

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The Tenant/Landlord Relationship & Courtship - Essay

I have noticed that courtship and marriage are much like the tenant/landlord relationship, and I learned this from a young woman in my church many years ago. She was quite attractive in that dreamy blonde sort of way, but her temperament was all business.  When she told me about her engagement, she also informed me that she had only agreed to marry “John” if he would promise her that she wouldn’t have to work outside of the home after they were married.  I found this strange for a number of reasons. First of all, I had never heard of a woman making a condition before accepting a marriage proposal before. (I have since found out that this is not so unusual.) Second of all, the young woman’s mother was a very well known and successful business woman. Third, even though many married Christian mothers stay at home, many others enjoy working outside of the home for extra income, because they love their profession, or they just want a break from housecleaning and childcare.

“Mary’s” fiance was a passionate and earnest young man in a successful line of work. He quickly agreed; I suspect he would have agreed to any condition she had requested including jumping over the moon.  Now, many years later, they are still happily married and quite a force in the community.

I do not have much experience in marriage; however, I am an experienced tenant, and her conditions reminded me of what I have learned in the tenant/landlord relationship.  When looking for a home to rent, both the tenant and the landlord do some checking about each other. The landlord checks references and makes sure the potential tenant has adequate resources to pay the rent.  The  renter decides if she would like to live in the property and if the owner takes adequate care of the property.

There is one trick I have learned about landlords. If you, as a tenant, want something fixed on the property- make sure it is done before you sign the lease.  Once the lease is signed, very few landlords, in my experience, are quick to make repairs or changes to the property.  If you want the carpet cleaned or a new carpet, get it done before you sign. If you want new locks installed, a new refrigerator, a better washer and dryer, you need to make sure the landlord agrees to everything before you sign the lease.

This is the time when the tenant possesses the most power. The landlord thinks she will be a good tenant; he’s ready to be getting some rental income.  The tenant must be wise.  So it is with the young woman who is contemplating a marriage proposal. A much more serious and lifelong contract to be sure. Perhaps the young man in question spends much of his weekends watching sports on tv. Now would be the time to get an agreement of how much time he plans to spend on her or on mutual projects during the weekends post marriage.  Perhaps he is a slackard in the going to church department.  I would suggest then maybe she just needs to find another apartment, or er, man.  Women need to value themselves as much as my young friend did.  We are one of the most valuable gifts a man will ever receive in his life: we should make sure he knows how to take care of his gifts.  Just a thought before you sign that lease.

Samson & Failure - Essay

“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.  And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak,Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight,” (Hebrews 11:31-34).

Samson seems an unlikely hero to be mentioned in Hebrews’ acclaim of the faithful.  Of all the Old Testament prophets, Samson is probably most recognized for his spectacular failures. An angel announced his coming birth to his parents; his awesome strength was clearly a supernatural gift from God, yet at almost every point of the story of his life found in The Book of Judges,  Samson was consistently disobedient.  His infamous weakness for Philistine women proved to be his ultimate downfall.  He also broke his Nazarite vows in numerous other ways besides sleeping with prostitutes and marrying outside the faith. He touched the dead body of a lion he killed, and he consumed wine - both against Nazarite vows.  My bible commentary attributes Samson’s escape of God’s judgement until the end of his life as a testimony to the patience and grace of God.  However, scripture itself tells us the reason for Samson’s continuing failures.

When Samson asked his parents for his first Philistine woman (from Timnah), his parents rightly protested for she was from the “uncircumcised.” The writer of Judges then goes on to say, “His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he [God] was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines,” (Judges 14:4).  After each disobedience or failure on Samson’s part, disaster happens, and Samson has an opportunity to strike down 1000’s of Philistine men. Samson’s last act, after he has been blinded and enslaved, is to topple the Philistines God’s temple and eliminate the ruling Philistine class. Despite his repeated failures, Samson’s life was an amazing success.  The Angel of the Lord (whose name is Wonderful) told Samson’s parents of the soon to be born baby’s mission.  “He [Samson] shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines,” (13:5). If Samson had been an obedient Jewish boy, married the nice Jewish girl, and followed the law all of his life, it seems unlikely that he could have destroyed as many Philistines as he did or have had a more wonderful story to share throughout the generations.

Samson doesn’t seem like the best example of Godliness or faithfulness that the author of Hebrews could have used.  We only hear him communicate with God once in his story, and it is to ask for personal vengeance against the Philistines for poking out his two eyes. An event which happened because of Samson’s blatant disobedience and stupidity.  

Despite his many shortcomings and inability to learn, God honors Samson as a man of faith because  Samson was an instrument in the hands of the Lord. A grievously faulty instrument that the Lord was able to use anyways.  I find it strangely liberating that God’s plans to use my life are not dependent on my perfect obedience (especially since that doesn’t exist!) May all the Lord’s followers have the faith to believe that we are being used by God despite the sins and failures that beset us.

Amen.

Book Review: Amen, Amen: Religion and Southern Self-Taught Artists in The Mullis Collection Organized by Paul Manoguerra

I have to begin this review by saying that I’m a little upset. This collection of outsider art was at the Jundt Art Museum of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where I live - and I missed it.  The funny thing is, my biggest complaint about this book is that some of the art pictured in the book is just to small to see well and to appreciate.  Obviously if I had gone to the exhibit, I could of studied each piece in leisure and in depth. However, the photos that are large enough to view adequately are a window into that strange world of religious art whose traditions go back millenniums.

Carl Mullis is an avid collector of 20th Century art. He ventured into the folk art field because it is more affordable than art done by better known regionalists, yet Mullis was also drawn by the color, drama, and emotion of these self taught artists.  Many of the works in this book drew a strong emotional response from me.  The childlike simplicity of Hugo Spear’s work, Creation, 1977 has a delightful joyous quality. The animals seem to line up and watch in fascination as a muscular God shows the crying Adam and Eve the way out of Paradise.  Howard Finister’s From Earth to Hell is appropriately scarey. Although the book does not do his painting justice, I discovered that I could go on-line and find much bigger pictures of his work. (Apparently he has a number of paintings of hell - I think his work is brilliant.)  The saddest piece is without doubt Annie Wellborn’s Annies Angles {her spelling}. It shows a young girl in an open coffin with two joyous angels above. It looks like it was painted on wallpaper or wrapping paper of upside down flowers.  Despite the sadness of a young person’s funeral, the painting manages to convey a new possibilities after death.  

Many of the art pieces contain writing and some of the artist/writers are of obviously limited education.  The written word is, however, an essential part the pictures. The Devil’s Vice, also by Finster, is a “sermon in paint.”  The man who is caught in this literal shop tool has his many sins revealed in writing on the vice itself. The popularity of “self taught” artists can be fully appreciated when compared alongside someone like Jean Michel Basquiat whose fame and reputation in the art world only continues to rise. (His paintings regularly sell for over 10 million dollars.) Like these Southern self taught artists, Basquiat’s neo expressionist painting also combine iconographic symbols, words, and images that suggest layers of meaning.  If a Basquiat had been included in this exhibit, it would certainly not have seemed out of place.

In an effort of full disclosure, I too am a self taught artist that paints and does collages of religiously themed art, filled with angels and words. So I feel like I am writing about my compadres here. Mullis attributes the Southern background of these artists as their commonality. I, however, find a different interconnectedness.  When I look at most of these works, I have not only an instantaneous recognition of what they are trying to express, but I also recognize  their slightly screwed mindset.  There's something strange about the worlds these artists are portraying: faces in clouds and eyes on angels’ robes, demon dogs and superhero artists,  crucifixion scenes with polar bears or in cotton fields.  These are bizarre images, and I suspect that it is this lack of normalcy, that makes up quite a bit of their charm.  The world of these artists for me is not about regionalism in the sense of North or South, but more about regions seen with eyes of the flesh or eyes of the spirit.  This is a fun art book, which in itself is a rarity, and makes it worth the purchase.

Valley of Achor's encouraging Christians songs

Morning Walk on The South Hill - Essay

Walking in Manito Park is always a pleasure but especially on a gentle July morning.  The formal gardens of Duncan are just beginning to enter their summer glory. This summer has been especially hot, and the begonia are huge and red.  The black eyed Susans are in full flower already, and the petunias shine.  I took a path along the few dirt trails in the park, winding through the new and lovely shade garden with hostas, ferns, and some unplanted beds of what I hope will be native shade lovers.  As I wind up the Perennial garden, I spy a ligularia planted beneath a Ponderosa.  Its yellow flower spikes are faded but iridescent in the shade.

I walk quickly up the hill and decide to continue into the surrounding neighborhood.  I’ve walked in Manito Park hundreds of times, but less often in the neighboring streets.  As I cross Bernard, I enter a heavily shaded area. The first half dozen houses are lovely matching white colonials with large windows and well proportioned dimensions. I stop and gaze at the silver maples planted in front of one of these houses. It is a different species than the weedy Norwegian maple that have self-seeded everywhere, and unlike most trees on the South Hull, it has been carefully pruned, probably 20 or 30 years ago; the branches are marvelously decorative and spread out, giving light through the leaves.  Further down the block are some adorable cape cod houses with their steeply pitched roofs.  Like the homes, the trees there are also older: beautiful sycamores, with their mottled bark of grey, beige, and copper line the street. As I turn the corner there are more cape cods, then, on the next block, the craftsman homes begin. Each one unique with the colors and materials used: brick, stone, and wood, with tapered pillared porches, paned doors, and low pitched roofs. One front yard is planted with a gay display of bright pink, violet, and blue annuals and perennials which I have to stop and admire.  Then comes a monstrosity.  A 70’s or 80’s house built among these craftsman beauties. It is boxy, plain, painted bright blue, and has a flat roof, and no decorative elements anywhere. What were the builders thinking?

As I head back to my car, I take a longer route to a yard sale, but it’s a baby sale: strollers, cribs, clothes: it would be a perfect sale if I was 35 years younger and pregnant.  Spokane is a beautiful city.  This South Hill neighborhood in particular reminds me of the lovely midwest neighborhoods of my youth.  As I walk, I muse on my weekly bible contemplation.  I am contemplating Grace.  I am dieting (again) and had eaten very low calorie for a couple of days and was not feeling deprived.  This is grace, I realized.  God giving me the power to do what I ought.  It was like the Holy Spirit was showing me his name, his character: Grace.  I felt and feel incredibly grateful for this gift of grace, in not just dieting, but in everyday life.  Anytime I choose to do what is good over what is bad, is Grace.  Grace has been called the undeserved and lavish favor of God.  Amazingly there are only two requirements to receiving it: believing in Jesus Christ and in being humble (Ephesians 2:8-9 & James 4:6).  

Paul often prays that this grace be multiplied to followers of Christ. In Romans 5:2, he refers to it “as the grace by which we stand.”  I have been a Christian for over 30 years. I am just now contemplating and trying to understand Grace.  Perhaps that is why my Christian walk has been full of troubles.  I was not fully walking in Grace.

Yesterday I saw a photos on the internet of 2 street signs crossed. One said Mercy and the other, Grace. In scripture, Grace often partners with mercy and often with peace or power. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and grace to help us when we need it most,” (Hebrews 4:16).  In Romans 1:7, and many other verses, the Apostle Paul says,“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” Grace and power are mentioned together in two places: Ephesians 3:7  “By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.”  And in Acts 6:8,“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.”

All these qualities in the above passages are ones that I need, that the church needs.  And the connection I will make is that the more I believe in the Lord Jesus (which requires humility, for he is Lord and I am his servant), the more grace, mercy, peace, and power I will receive to further glorify him.

Grace is also convicting.  I was starting to approach God for my singleness - thinking of a friend who, like me, was a never married single woman with 2 children born out of wedlock.  God brought her a husband who provided and protected her and her children, so she did not have to raise those children by herself.  Why did God not provide that for me? How much better would have been the life of my children if I had had that. And haven't I proved to be more faithful? In grace, he rebukes me. He taught me things that I could only have learned in my singleness, certainly my faith has grown because of my utter dependence on him. I also made some grave mistakes with my children; I often fed on despair and food, rather than His grace and mercy.  At times, I was self-indulgent. Grace reminds me that I cannot boast even of my faithfulness. I only stand in him at all because of his gift of grace and mercy, not by my own merit or works, (Ephesians 2:8).

As I reach my car, I think about what I will eat for breakfast and how many calories it will be.  I am tired from my walk and refreshed at the same time.  Jesus once said he didn’t come to save the righteous people but the sinful ones. The sick ones who knew that they were in need of a physician.  Grace is the ointment that heals the sick. Grace is the salve that touches our soul to make us whole and holy.  Grace forgives us our trespasses, and grace gives us the power to forgive those who trespass against us.  This is why the songwriter said,

“Grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin!”