How Far Down We’ve Come
November 13th, 2007 by Northern Farmer Last evening I had the privilege of watching the movie “Amazing Grace” at home here and I tell you, I sure was touched by that film. It struck me pretty deep how a man could take on impossible odds and basically change his society for the better in a big way. Plus being a true story doesn’t hurt either. One thing that stuck with me today, well, in fact several things were on that movie that stuck to me. And it’s a film the whole family can enjoy and be educated to boot.
One thing that got to me is man’s greed and willingness, even the willingness of a whole society, to treat human beings worse than animals for the sake of the economy. For the sake of personal pleasure, for the sake of self. How some justified slavery as ordained from God! The excuses for slavery and the slave trade in the late 1700s and early 1800s were pathetic to say the least. How religion was twisted into a demonic form and called good for the few. Bet they thought they were pre ordained folks too and the others weren’t. But that’s another matter. I tell you, sometimes what’s called the Christian religion make me want to vomit!
The one thing about the movie and I give them allot of credit for this, is that they said slavery is alive and well on the earth today. In fact, (this is not from the movie), there’s more slavery today than any other time in history. What does this have to do with what is usually talked about here? Because every one of us is living off the backs of slaves in this present society. Every one, and it’s ok because it supposedly keeps the economy going. It keeps our prices down as we head to WalMart to worship, I mean find cheaper product so we can have more and more. And it’s not only them, it’s all over, in every store now practically.
So here we are with blood on our hands, sitting at our computers figuring we’re pretty good and all that, not giving a hoot about the millions suffering and dying so we can live like this. Oh, we might feel bad about it for ten minutes but then get back to more important things, like ourselves. The majority that read this blog believe in God, go to church and all that, but do we really care? I keep saying “we” because this is directed at me just as much as any reader out there. Believe me, no self righteousness on this. Just a feeling of sickness from deep down.
I can’t control the world, I can’t do much of anything at all. I don’t know, slavery and terrible misdeeds have always been around and always will be until “all” whom are involved in it’s continuing existence are brought to judgment and thrown in the eternal lake of fire. That goes for folks that aren’t involved in it personally but condone it anyhow, or worse, try to justify it biblically. In fact that would probably be the worst, those that should know the truth but twist it with religion and try and justify their own perversions. I’ll be taking a closer look at this in the near future, no more Mr Nice Guy on these subjects. Just gonna hammer the truth out and whatever happens, happens.
In agriculture, world trade agriculture, the normal shopping experience in all the major grocery stores, free trade has opened the doors for slave labor food. This is not some rant that is just getting carried away, this is absolute truth. In America we act so goody, goody and figure we’re the leaders of the world in promoting freedom and democracy. That’s a lie! We’re the number one consumer of slave labor products, period. And we have an appetite for more and more. Because, “we deserve it”! Free trade is nothing more than corporations paying off the government to open the door for slave labor food product from around the world. Free trade proponents say that it will help emerging nations get on their feet and will spread democracy, that’s a big, big lie! Nothing but a lie, period! Ask the folks from Mexico what NAFTA has done for them. Forced them off their lands, lands that they’ve had for centuries so that a very few can prosper and the remnant left are left with nothing. Their government trains them how to come across the Mex/American border, just get rid of them and have them send American dollars back to take care of the folks left behind. Free trade….
South American, slavery, real slavery is on the rise fast, because of impending free trade agreements that benefit the very few and the rest are just a commodity to sweat and die for the rich.
I see a society in America, both pagan and Christian, that could care less. It’s sad to say the least. Especially the silence from the Christians. There’s very little difference anyhow lately. There are answers, there are ways to start stepping out from being an accomplice to start taking action with ourselves, our families and making a difference in our own involvement.
I wasn’t planning on writing this tonight, it just came out like it always does. Those who know me, know that is how I operate here. Never plan anything. I might expand on this. Because this is important, important to get into the very marrow of our bones. This is good for a few dozen posts here and there. This is what it’s all about, to pull away from the world’s system, to minimize our dependence on such a filthy system. And this was just one subject! I believe the Bible, I know many Christians don’t, but my belief is that in these times the majority will be pulled into the world’s system. And it’s shocking to look around and see we’re almost totally pulled in, and don’t even know it! Thank God for His Amazing Grace, cause we’re gonna need it.
November 14th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I was, at first, amazed at the scope and the depth of the potential firestone you are unleashing with just this one post. That is, until I sensed the Lord’s fingerprints all over your keyboard.
Through this one post you have poured fresh fuel on some real hot buttons for me ,that I try to keep burning with an eternal flame. You also wet and kindled some dry wicks of conviction and involvement that needed to be lit.
Being a farmer, you know all to well, that a man must go out to his work, to his labor until evening (Psalm 104:23). However, the meaty of topics you surgically laid-out, (the agrarian term ‘butcher’ doesn’t fit here), makes me want to sit at the city gate, with you and others for a long time, and really discuss the crucial issues you raise (Proverbs 31:23).
Presently, I don’t have the luxury of much time, and my Proverb’s 31 wife knows that I don’t like to sit anywhere for very long (except at the feet of Jesus), so I will have to be disciplined and limit my comments for now.
My wife, Lynne, and I saw the “Amazing Grace†movie and found it family enjoyable and inspiring. We were mildly disappointed, but not surprised, that Wilberforce’s genuine and practical Christian faith that fueled his anti-slavery efforts and political service, where not more central to the film.
There are several good books that have been published in conjunction with the release of the “Amazing Grace†movie that focus more on the faith motivations of Wilberforce’s life and work. Unfortunately, the movie and the books I have read or reviewed focus entirely on the man Wilberforce and totally miss the starring role of the Lord in this anti-slavery, freedom movement of God, epoch story. If people would study the early English and European history of this anti-slavery, freedom movement of God, and trace its movement throughout Europe, Africa, the Indies to colonial and modern day America, they would find a God story of biblical proportions that continues to this moment. Enough! I must stop before they lock me in at the city gates.
Northern Farmer, besides Wilberforce, as I said previously, you put forth many other issues that impacted me. I want address them at this time but, after reading your post I printed it out and immediately started to red highlight a large number of your comments. I will list some of them below:
“It struck me pretty deep how a man could take on impossible odds and basically change his society for the better in a big way.â€
“One thing that got to me is man’s greed and willingness, even the willingness of a whole society, to treat human beings worse than animals for the sake of the economy. For the sake of personal pleasure, for the sake of self.â€
“Because every one of us is living off the backs of slaves in this present society.â€
“So here we are with blood on our hands, sitting at our computers figuring we’re pretty good and all that, not giving a hoot about the millions suffering and dying so we can live like this.â€
“The majority that read this blog believe in God, go to church and all that, but do we really care?â€
“Believe me, no self righteousness on this. Just a feeling of sickness from deep down.â€
“In agriculture, world trade agriculture, the normal shopping experience in all the major grocery stores, free trade has opened the doors for slave labor food.â€
“In America we act so goody, goody and figure we’re the leaders of the world in promoting freedom and democracy. That’s a lie! We’re the number one consumer of slave labor products, period.â€
“Free trade proponents say that it will help emerging nations get on their feet and will spread democracy, that’s a big, big lie! Nothing but a lie, period!â€
“I see a society in America, both pagan and Christian, that could care less. It’s sad to say the least. Especially the silence from the Christians.â€
“There are answers, there are ways to start stepping out from being an accomplice to start taking action with ourselves, our families and making a difference in our own involvement.â€
Northern Farmer, with this post you are stepping out. You are re-firing the flames for me and I believe other Christians out here, who do care. You are one man re-sounding the battle-call to “take on impossible odds and basically change society for the better in a big way.†Thank You.
God Bless
November 14th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Tom, I gotta tell you, I love it when you let loose on this blog. Too many folks tiptoe around the truth and try oh-so-hard not to bruise anyone’s feelings. Then you hit on a subject and just tear loose and let the chips fall where they may. You are so right in doing so, the truth doesn’t need to be sweetened or varnished because then it becomes too easy to ignore it! Keep the truth coming, WE ALL NEED IT!
November 15th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Barry,
First I’d like to thank you for your kind words. When I write a post like that it drains me allot. And the silence as far as comments can sometimes be deafening.
I wouldn’t mind sitting with you and quite a few other folks at the city gate and discuss many of these topics. The one point of the movie that struck me deep was how Wilberforce had decided to follow a life of God, to basically step out of the system and be content, but was shown that it was his Christian responsibility to go back and do what he had to do year after year. How many of us are willing to fight your entire life for justice? That part shook me, it shook me so much it spurred me to write what I wrote the other evening. I know that for some it is meant to live a life of retreat, but for some there’s a calling to jump into the fire. You Barry are one of those people that jumps into the fire and I pray that through the Grace of God I have enough fortitude to do so also. I’d rather take the easy route and write “nice” little agrarian articles, talk about nice little things and enjoy God’s creation. I’ve known for a long time that when ever I do I’m disobeying what God wants me to do. Thus the inconsistency in many of my writings this past year.
I have to just give into the fact that I and others must stop taking the easy route and stand our ground from now on. Plus start to take back new ground. It won’t be easy and there’ll even be opposition from within, but it needs to be started anyhow.
I was at church last evening, a dark November evening, wind howling outside, the building shaking somewhat from the wind blasting, and I thought this is where big things begin, out in the middle of nowhere, a place the world doesn’t even notice, the call of God coming on people to start marching.
Needless to say, what I wrote on this blog was also the topic of conversation at church last evening. And Glory to God, this Saturday evening the church is opening up to the community to show our DVD, Amazing Grace! So I’ll be on the phone inviting folks for Saturday night. A little thing, but a step!
God Bless You and Yours!
Brent,
You can’t imagine how much your comments means to me! As in my comment to Barry, I’ve been shying away from any involvement on many issues and now see that it was meant for me to step into it, not shy away. There’ll be more posts about unlimited issues because I know they do come from my heart. I kid you not, when I write these I sometimes barely remember writing them, they just come. To bad you didn’t live closer cause you could come over to church Saturday night and watch the movie!
God Bless!
November 16th, 2007 at 2:29 am
My mom passes many of your blog entries on to me & i enjoy them very much. i just want to pass on the word about Ron Paul, in case you or any of your readers aren’t aware of him. i’m not a spammer & won’t clog your blog (haha) with such spam, but i feel obligated to inform good, honest, hard-working Christians in America about the hope that Dr. Paul represents for a return to Constitutional values that made this country great–and can again.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com
–Jake–