Author: Merlin Erb

from his Lyceum Address on Jan 27, 1838, 184 years ago.

Against the backdrop of a controversial killing of a black man in St. Louis and seething rage across the United States, a young lawyer stood before a small group of men and delivered a speech that would make him famous.

“If destruction be our lot,” he proclaimed, “we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”

The young man was Abraham Lincoln in the year 1838. The black man was Francis McIntosh, a freedman who had been chained to a tree and burned to death by a white mob. The Civil War wouldn’t officially begin for over two decades, but the twenty-eight-year-old Lincoln already recognized one of the warning signs of an unraveling society: disregard for the rule of law.

Lincoln continued,

I hope I am over wary; but if I’m not, there is, even now something of ill-omen amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgements of Courts, and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice. This disposition is awfully fearful in any community; and that it exists now in ours , though grating to our feelings to admit, it would be a violation of truth, and an insult to our intelligence, to deny. Accounts of outrages, committed by mobs, form the every-day news of the times.

Lincoln was not “over-wary.” His concerns would be played out repeatedly until the entire nation exploded into bloody war. Unfortunately, we are again witnessing “something of an ill-omen amongst us” as mobs periodically assemble in various communities across the country, emerging in acts of violence, theft, and swelling unrest.

We are experiencing the attempted destruction of life and liberty in our own heartland from coast to coast. It is all-out rebellion against the rule of law. For years we have seen blatant disregard of laws, from our borders to our very halls of governance. The root of it all is setting aside God’s Word, His Law, and disregarding His counsel. At this moment there are evil men who intend to set our nation on fire, burning up forever the greatest national expression of freedom’s beauty ever witnessed by mortal man. America, with all of its ills, failures, and need for correction from time to time, is still the greatest example of a nation established on the rule of law as revealed in sacred Scriptures.

Right now in our country, some foolishly zealous people are encouraging a revolt against the rule of law and accusing those who risk their lives seeking to protect our citizens as though they were targets to be attacked, discredited, and destroyed. Many are simply ignorant of the facts, but others are intentional provocateurs, manipulating the media and the crowd for their own selfish gain. Still others are agents of evil, stirring up passions to provoke violence, as exemplified by death chants against police officers. This is worse than nonsense. It is terrorism at home!

Again, Lincoln recognized this destructive spirit:

When men take it in their heads today, to hang gamblers, or burn murderers, they should recollect, that, in the confusion usually attending such transactions, they will be as likely to hang or burn someone who is neither a gambler nor a murderer as one who is; and that, acting upon the example they set, the mob of tomorrow, may, and probably will, hang or burn some of them by the very same mistake. And not only so; the innocent, those who have ever set their faces against violations of law in every shape, alike with the guilty, fall victims to the ravages of mob law; and thus it goes on, step by step, till all the walls erected for the defense of the persons and property of individuals, are trodden down, and disregarded. But all this even, is not the full extent of the evil. By such examples, by instances of the perpetrators of such acts going unpunished, the lawless in spirit, are encouraged to become lawless in practice; and having been used to no restraint, but dread of punishment, they thus become, absolutely unrestrained. Having ever regarded Government as their deadliest bane, they make a jubilee of the suspension of its operations, and pray for nothing so much, as its total annihilation.

 After the tragedy in Ferguson, Missouri, President Obama seemed as if he were seeking to undermine the Supreme Court, Congress, and even our justice system. His remarks condemning police officers who were proven to have acted justly and his quick association with supposed victims who, when the facts came forth, were proven to be in the wrong, play a significant part in the lawless spirit pervading our land today. The president may have been playing to the populace, but he was undermining the very constitution he was entrusted to protect. Politicians toeing this line will win friends among the mobs but alienate an even greater number of honest citizens, as Lincoln noted:

Good men, men who love tranquility, who desire to abide by the laws, and enjoy their benefits, who would gladly spill their blood in the defense of their country; seeing their property destroyed; their families insulted, and their lives endangered; their persons injured; and seeing nothing in prospect that forebodes a change for the better; become tired of, and disgusted with, a Government that offers them no protection; and are not much averse to a change in which they imagine they have nothing to lose. Thus, then, by the operation of this mobocractic spirit, which all must admit, is now abroad in the land, the strongest bulwark of any Government, and particularly of those constituted like ours, may effectually be broken down and destroyed.

 Lincoln took on, as we must, the enemy within. By our own disregard of the Word, wisdom, and counsel of God, we have allowed the enemy of life and freedom to set in motion a tsunami of moral and economic collapse destroying personal responsibility and true freedom. Good people – godly people – must stand up and speak the truth. Pure passion can be misguided and dangerous. We need, as Lincoln pointed out, “general intelligence, sound morality, and in particular, a reverence for the constitution and the laws.”

This practice of playing to the mobs must end. That means voters must repudiate any politician, regardless of party, who demonstrates this tendency. Instead, we must learn to come together in peace, calm, and unwavering strength to face the enemy for all who long for and love freedom, or we will watch it vanish from this once great nation and the entire world.

Our nation was founded on biblical principles. To these we must hold. These truths are our only hope, for as Lincoln concluded, “Upon these let the proud fabric of freedom rest, as the rock of its basis; and as truly as has been said of the only greater institution, ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”

Taken from James Robison’s 2016 book “The Stream: Refreshing Hearts & Minds Renewing Freedom’s Blessings.” All of Lincoln’s quotes come from his Lyceum Address Jan 27, 1938. Available at www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm. See Lynching of Francis McIntosh Wikipedia for more details.

In the event, you are not yet familiar with this first class monthly publication, Plain Values out of Winesburg OH, consider this your opportunity to add value to your living room’s coffee table and far, far beyond by opening the link below. Blessings today as you go forth disseminating Christ’s truth, hope, and justice in this yet, desperately dark world.>>>>> merlin

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First came the Achy Connective Tissue Flu….

Warning! This blog is not like any prior! Read at your own risk.

lost the last week of 2021. Seriously, I was totally mentally incapacitated. Perhaps the theory that the white hats instigated Omicron to once for all end this covid crud crap by providing all of planet earth’s yet living residents their needed natural immunity regardless of their injection history to date, any current or projected trauma, etc. It was bad! In fact it was so bad that Jan 1^st  just before midnight, I realized our men’s prayer group was to meet Sun 8 AM. I awoke in time but not to dress so I went in my PJ’s . Told Loretta I’m not going to church, I’ll be back after prayer meeting. It was an amazing turnout too! Standing room only. I told everyone I wasn’t staying for church since I’d come in my PJ’s. But you know what? If you sleep in classy PJ’s, who is ever going to even notice? Especially with today’s fashions. So I decided to stay for church. PJ’s and all. Of course, I sat in my usual and customary pew in the east balcony, affording me a complete view of everyone in attendance.

And after the inspiring message spoken just right at me on my Damascus Rd encounter that prior week of crud, detailing so well  

1.) my sucky conditions of late;

2.) my confrontations & His ability to transform them;

3.) my big time confusion… Who are you Lord?;

4.) my current calling, get up, get dressed, No PJ’s, go into the city, stay for Church and SS!  Then I’ll tell what’s next..;

5.) followed by Commitment… not sure Carl, was it my C to Him, OR, His C to me?. Perhaps both!

 I even then met with my SS class of 4 die hard males!  Ages 85, 83, 73, and a youngster in his 40’s yet! I was at church over 4 hours in my PJ’s. Seldom am I ever at church that long!

Then Regaining Momentum….

So Monday  and Tuesday did not go well. Likely no big surprise. But I accomplished some major reading that will forever change my spiritual lookout as a coaching faith facilitator in the remaining time I have. I read in Moody Highlights (Paul’s name is on the label though) that Dr Gary Chapman at his retirement celebration recently told of visiting Lottie Moons gravesite years ago and was expecting to see a great gravestone; instead all he saw was a small stone engraved with her name, birth and death dates, and words that made Dr Gary weep at the time: Faithful until death. Lottie spent nearly 40 years (1873-1912) living and working in China. Born to affluent parents on her ancestral 1500 acre tobacco plantation near Charlottesville VA, she early on was a scoffer of faith until she was in college attending a revival service. She was one of the first women in the South to receive a Masters degree from UVA.

Finally, It was Time to put on the coveralls and get some work done…

On Wed in preparation for the colder weather I saw forecasted, I put on my coveralls and decided it was high time to get ready for the Artic blast. Actually temps were in the 40’s when I tackled getting my tool barn ready for winter. I pulled the Zero turn out, hooked up to the trailer and backed it in toward my 15 bags of potatoes ( only half-ful so I can handle them) that were put away last summer for friends and family. At harvest, I went thru them diligently separating those with blemishes and giving them away early on. Since, I’ve only been over to diminish the pile twice. I was really interested to see how well they were “wintering” thus far. I went thru each bag dumping them slowly into 5 gal buckets looking for culls that should be used earlier. And I was happy to have only sorted out maybe 8 lbs for such priority use. And I only found five spuds that had blackened, hardened and shrunk down since harvest. Last year I found too many more that had turned to “soft mush” frequently affecting a few more about them as well… but not one like that this year. So thankful, but in all honesty, I have no idea why or why not! Divine Providence!

I shall presume what I am witnessing amongst these “storing well” spuds on Wednesday, was natural immunity un-provoked by any such forced injections wherein they simply self-isolated restricting  any further spoilage. So in time, these 13 bags were re-situated into our garage on boards so they are off the concrete, wrapped up in old blankets, and then darkened by several black mats that inhibited weed growth during the summer. And in case, garage temps dip dangerously close to freezing before spring, we do have a natural gas heater available to lessen the chill…

So with the spud transaction transition complete, I turned my attention to moving the summer implements, such as the push mower, both tillers, and the 60 in. zero turn further forward into the space where the spuds had earlier resided. But now two other implements were in the on deck circle, that being my ’61 Cub Cadet with its unique rear carrier that Sterling McFarren had built years earlier for transporting himself and “making firewood” tools to and from any such endeavors of falling timber that were suddenly to present themselves. This carrier was large enough for both Stihl chainsaws, a jug of chain oil, a 2 gal jug of mixed fuel for the saws, plus a small plastic pail with 2 wedges, a rubber hammer, a vise grips, a channel Lock, screwdrivers, extra chains, etc.

FYI, one of the last times I used the Cub Cadet, I decided to make it a family outing. Since my dog was never taught to heel, (and just why not, could well be fodder for a classic short story, if not a novel on child rearing!)  I thought I’d attach a short rope to the Cub’s hitch with a link so as to attach it to my dog’s leash, Sir O Riley, so that he could accompany me on these adventuresome jaunts into our property’s 10 acre world of derelict decaying decomposing at one time magnificent stalwart Ash trees.

Historically, such trees were highly sought after by two very unique industries. For years prior to “synthetics” being introduced into the world of baseball, the baseball bat of choice was made from Ash wood. Also, since the beginning of time, horse drawn implements requiring a singletree attachment  between the team, frequently if readily available, also preferred Ash lumber.

First consider baseball. For decades, baseball bats had been exclusively of ash. But in the mid 1990s, Sam Holman, a sort of Johnny Mapleseed of baseball bats, started experimenting with maple, giving samples to several players, for the nearby Toronto Blue Jays. Eventually one found its way into Bonds hands. He liked the way it felt, and the results seemed self-evident. Correlation might not imply causation, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Since Bonds started using a maple bat to crush balls into McCovey Cove, maple has supplanted ash as Major League baseball’s wood of choice, a fortuitous change since America’s supply of ash has been imperiled by an invasive beetle species. It’s estimated now that around three-quarters of major leaguers swing a maple bat, and even though that’s brought its own problems, maple dominance is only expected to increase. It seems ballplayers are a superstitious lot, and ballplayers believe maple makes for better hitting, – even if the science might not exactly back it up. Oh, dear! And just where have we heard the likes of that before? Taken from Deadspin and Vince Guerrieri “How Maple Bats Kicked Ash and Conquered Baseball (8/28/18 2:45PM))

So, since our increasingly globalist driven world isn’t yet in a race for securing horse drawn implements, the availability of sufficient ash lumber here in OH shall not be of any great consequence to anyone. And I also suspect that Amish manufacturers, such as Pioneer Manufacturing, now Pioneer Corp, are well prepared for their future even though ash was the stronger lumber while also being among the lightest, and that the ash choice for singletrees was strictly one of many waiting in the wings given the Amish ingenuity, especially in this Wayne/Holmes community.

 By far the bigger peril to be exacted yet though in the former prolific woodlands of the ash trees across  OH and PA, will simply be the effects of gravity on the remaining trees. Within the past decade, I personally had two acquaintances killed by falling ash limbs while cutting firewood. Soon many woodlots with dead ash trees will be too dangerous even for children to play in or near unless the trees are closely scrutinized. The same is true for many of our roads, whether township or even St Rts. However, unlike the globalists continually needling their afflictions into all aspects of productive society, the statute of limitations will run out eventually on these dead ash trees. I predict within ten years the bulk of the towering danger will be safely at rest on the ground decomposing, although long past its usefulness as firewood.     

One final note though, that I do need to clarify. The only time Riley was ever so engaged with the Cub Cadet for his adventure to helping make firewood was the very first time I set it up, Monday June 29^th, 2020. That date was remembered well because I logged nearly 21 miles that day on my Oura tracker working up 4 larger dead ash trees never once suspecting the next day (30^th) the cardiac testing would reveal heart problems that then on the July 1^st at 10 AM brought everyone running placing me in an ambulance headed to Aultman in Canton to fix a Widow Maker on July 7^th.

And no, Riley and I have not done the caper again. We may soon go out on a bright sunny day to cut up several of at least a dozen ash trees on the ground that continually bug my 32 window peripheral vision perspective. I do live in my mother’s house. We designed it for her. She definitely instilled in me a love for trees, for cornfields, raspberries, anything green, and even more importantly, from the Genesis account:  And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over ….

You realize from my perspective as a MN woodsman since age nine, God created trees first for their intrinsic and holy beauty, and when mature, then for lumber, perhaps even shavings, etc. and if all else went a-muck in their lifecycle , they were always good for firewood but only if processed in a timely manner, so as not to bug my peripheral vision of being “wasted” wood. “Waste not, want not.”

 Neither the historical Marxists nor their elite globalists yet understand either waste or want; and certainly not “God is love,” or John 3:16, or ….. Sad indeed! Do remember how simple life really is: Faithful until death.

Go forth living in your fleeting moments of visible vapor leading to the commitment ….

Faithful until death!!>>>>>  merlin

Utmost For His Highest Dec 20

“And if I’m Lifted Up . . .I will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

 Again, I’m compelled to continue this vital Utmost narrative. . mle

Very few of us have any understanding of the reason why Jesus died. If sympathy is all that human beings need, then the Cross of Christ is an absurdity and there is absolutely no need for it. What the world needs is not “a little bit of love,” but major surgery.

When you find yourself face to face with a person who is spiritually lost, remind yourself of Jesus Christ on the Cross. If that person can get to God in any other way, then the Cross of Christ is unnecessary. If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right – standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way – not in a human way that ignores God. The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant non-confrontational manner.

But our only priority must be to present Jesus Christ crucified – to lift Him up all the time (see I Cor. 2:2). Every belief that is not firmly rooted in the Cross of Christ will lead people astray. If the worker himself believes in Jesus Christ and is trusting in the reality of redemption, his words will be compelling to others. What is extremely important is for the workers simple relationship with Jesus Christ to be to be strong and growing. His usefulness to God depends on that, and that alone.

The calling of a New Testament worker is to expose sin and to reveal Jesus Christ as Savior. Consequently, he cannot always be charming and friendly, but must be willing to be stern to accomplish major surgery. We are sent by God to lift up Jesus Christ, not to give wonderfully beautiful speeches. We must be willing to examine others as deeply as God has examined us. We must also be sharply intent on sensing those Scripture passages that will drive the truth home, and then not be afraid to apply then.

Accomplish Your Mission. Fulfill Your Destiny. . . mle

Utmost For His Highest     December 19 reading

As I read this first thing today as usual, I was compelled to blog this reading verbatim for someone today.

Confronted Once Again! Author Oswald Chambers is relentless.

Perspective at the Crossroads.…… His or Mine?

Reading based on “I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matt.10:34).

“Never be sympathetic with a person whose situation causes you to conclude that God is dealing harshly with him. God can be more tender than we can conceive, and every once in a while He gives us the opportunity to deal firmly with someone so that he may be viewed as the tender One. If a person cannot go to God, it is because he has something secret which he does not intend to give up – he may admit his sin or wrongdoing, but he would no more give up that thing than he could fly under his own power. It is impossible to deal sympathetically with people like that. We must reach down deep in their lives to the root of the problem, which will cause hostility and resentment toward the message. People want the blessing of God, but they can’t stand something that pierces right through to the heart of the matter.

If you are sensitive, to God’s way, your message as His servant will be merciless and insistent, cutting to the very root. Otherwise, there will be no healing. We must drive the message home so forcefully that a person cannot possibly hide, but must apply its truth. Deal with people where they are, until they begin to realize their true need. Then hold high the standard of Jesus for their lives.

Their response may be, “We can never be that.”

Then drive it home with, “Jesus Christ says you must.”

“But how can we?”  

“You can’t unless you have a new Spirit.” (see Luke 11:13).

There must be a sense of need created before your message will be of any use. Thousands of people in this world profess to be happy without God. But if we could be happy and moral without Jesus, then why did He come? He came because that kind of happiness and peace is only superficial. Jesus Christ came to “bring a sword” through every kind of peace that is not based on a relationship with Himself.”

In addition to giving us His Spirit, he has provided us the scriptures.

Consider, this introduction in each Gideon Bible.

“The Bible contains the mind of God,

the state of man,

the way of salvation,

the doom of sinners,

and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy,

Its precepts are binding,

Its histories are true,

and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise,

Believe it to be safe,

And practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you,

Food to support you,

And comfort to cheer you.

It’s the traveler’s map,

the pilgrim’s staff,

the pilot’s compass,

the soldier’s sword,

and the Christian’s charter.

Here Paradise is restored,

Heaven opened,

And the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject,

Our good the design,

And the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory,

rule the heart,

and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

It is a mine of wealth,

A paradise of glory,

And a river of pleasure.

It is given you in life,

Will be opened at judgement,

and be remembered forever.

It involves the highest responsibility,

Will reward the greatest labor,

And will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.”

May rich blessings penetrate your heart, mind, and spirit as you

prepare for the celebration of His birth>>>>> mle

Utmost For His Highest…  December 13 Intercessory Prayer

The prior blog briefly mentioned  intercessory prayer. I’m thinking perhaps some clarifications are now in order for all of us.

Utmost today, December 13, titled “Intercessory prayer” cites Luke 18:1 “men always ought to pray and not loose heart”, or quit, or faint, etc. Not surprising, Chambers states “you cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not truly believe in the reality of redemption. If so, you are only turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which only increases their contentment for remaining out of fellowship and spiritually floundering.

Interesting how Chambers says true intercession involves bringing either the person or the circumstance, that seems to be crashing in on you in Real Time, before God until you are changed by His attitude toward that very person or circumstance. People describe intercession by saying “It is putting yourself in someone else’s place. That is not true. Intercession is better described as putting yourself in God’s place; and ultimately, having or identifying with His mind and His perspective toward the individual or situation in question.

Chambers warns us as an intercessors, we are not to seek too much information from God about the situations we are praying about, simply because we may become overwhelmed, hindering our prayers because the circumstances of those we’re praying for become so overpowering, that we can no longer see God’s vision to be accomplished because we are unable to get to the underlying truth. God wants our work to be in such close contact with Him that we have His mind about everything we do. If we operate without His mind, we then tend to substitute “doing” for “interceding.” Or could it be said we become merely “human doings” aligning ourselves perhaps with the social justice agenda rather than seeking God’s mind as fulfilled “human beings.” Trust me, those thoughts were not the original Utmost wording.

However, I think Chambers foreseen the emerging social justice shortcut when he said such substituted “doings”  does lead to praying for someone to be merely “patched up” rather than praying the person completely through into contact with very life of God. Pause for a few minutes and reflect on the number of people God has brought across our paths and even in our doors, only to see us drop them! We’re back again to Craig’s message Sunday encouraging us to “pull” others in, rather than to “push” them out. And that’s exactly what happens when we pray on the basis of redemption, for God will create something He can create in no other way than through effectual intercessory prayer.

I am reminded of a story used by Dutch Sheets on the last page (285) of his 25 year old book simply titled “Intercessory Prayer,” now virtually a classic during these last days as we enjoy his “spiritual preppie kingdom.”

Are We Ready?

We need to be like Sam and Jed. Hearing that a $5000 bounty had been offered for the capture or killing of wolves, they became bounty hunters. (Sorry, in typical Dutch fashion, he sometimes omits pressing details that allow our minds closure) Waking up one night, Sam saw that were surrounded by at least 50 pairs of gleaming eyes – ravenous wolves licking hungry chops. “Jed, wake up,” he whispered to his sleeping partner. “We’re rich.” (See, Jed & Sam had all the details (we don’t yet) and KNEW they were going to be rich. Much like God only knows all the details of our heavenly riches!)

Premier Point Here! WE need to see the present multitude of unbelievers (ravenous wolves) around us not as threats, but as limitless opportunities. Our task would be overwhelming were it not for the fact that we are relying on God’s strength and ability, not ours. Though a host should encamp against us, we can still be confident (see Ps. 27:23). Gideon’s 300 were more than enough to defeat 135,000 with God on their side. If He is for us, who can successfully be against us? (see my favorite verses, Rom. 8:31-39)

Let’s demonstrate the awesomeness of our God.

He is ready. Are we?

Are we ready to walk in our calling as an intercessor?

To re – present Jesus as the reconciler and the warrior?

To distribute His benefits and victory?

Are we ready to birth, liberate, to strike the mark?

To fill some bowls, to make some declarations, to watch and pray?

Are we all ready?

I challenge you to also add this book to next year’s reading list. Stop procrastinating! Sometimes available used on thrift books for only $4.69! Exercise your spiritual leadership training. Skip your fancy indulgence just once and really nourish your soul. GO FORTH TODAY GREATLY ENCOURAGED>>>>> mle