Christus Emptor

Happy Robert E. Lee’s Birthday,
Just wanted to remember one of the greatest leaders in US history on his birthday. My family tree is full of confederate soldiers, quite a few who made that long march from Appomattox back home. But one copy of a news article I’ve seen that wish to post about is one of a distant relative of mine. Second Cousin Four Times Removed Henry Harris Sasnett. The article tells how Henry acting as a scout for the south entered a confederate camp and was took prisoner. The solders thought he was a spy. After some time they called the person over the camp and he questioned him about the charge. After determining that he was innocent and a southern scout, the officer asked him to join him for a meal. Then they went their separate ways until the end of the war. Later in Jacksonville, Fla. the two meet again and Henry gave the officer a pair of new boots.
The officer later wrote Henry a thank you note for the boots. This I saw a copy of along with the news article. The note was sign Robert E. Lee.

This speaks of the character of the man. In the book “Christ In The Camp” by J. Williams Jones, Jones did a chapter on the General and wrote how he was an adv id writer. He wrote everyone he could think of with thank you notes. This is amazing knowing the time he did not have to waste.

I saw a History channel doc one day (DVD I got for Christmas) and how the general was not beat but gave up to save lives. I seems his army was out of food and every train shipment that came to them was full of weapons but no food. He was commanded to retreat into the mountains and wage “Guerrilla War”. This was something the Union was afraid would happen. This would prolong the war for years to come and cost many-many lives. He choose to surrender and help bring the war to and end. I believe He listened to the commander-in-chief of heaven and obeyed.

Another story on the doc was that after the war. In the Va. church were many leaders attended. The blacks still sat in the back, but one day as the Pastor called people forward to receive communion, an elderly black man came forward and stood at the alter. After a couple of minutes awkwardness a gray haired gentleman came forward and stood beside the black man and took communion. The gentleman was Robert E. Lee. Then others came. General Lee spent the rest of his life trying to heal the division of North and South.

To our beloved General, Happy Birthday. You lost all you had, but gained a place in history and hearts.

I saw the news article Tuesday (12/18/07) on Aruba putting Natalee Holloway’s case (an Alabamian Teenager) on “Cold File” status.
Without ranting on injustice and other issues about this case. I look at my 19 year old daughter and wonder why anyone would send their child off to an island were any person of any age can enter a bar and get drunk? I blame not the parents but the whole worldly view that kids graduating from school should be rewarded by letting them go off and sow their wild oats. This is a lie from Hell and soon more children (and that is what they are. Not young adults.) will end up being the ones planted.

But I do not want to go into all the issues involving this case. I just want us to remember her through the years and not forget that our responsibility to our children do not stop when they get their diplomas. And they board that ship for a Sr. trip to mark their passage to adulthood. Let’s use our common sense, OK?

Also, Let’s do something constructive , boycott Aruba. Don’t go, let your school system know not to allow senior trips there, and contact Game Shows, or the networks they appear on, when you see trips to Aruba offered.

I just saw the Movie “Recess Christmas: Miracle on 3rd Street” and was really tee’d off. I don’t know what the directors and writers were trying to do but they messed up. The carton had little to do with Christmas until the end and the only time Christ was mentioned was in the title. The part featuring a Christmas play was to be interfaith but all holiday beliefs were represented but the Christian faith. We got Santa Claus. And Mickey learned that he was only rel if he believed in him in his heart. They could have at least given Christ the same blow-off. The real miracle on 3rd Street would have been the Lord getting far time.

Here is a list of those responsible for the Movie/cartoon. And visit the people at Disney.

Directed By:
Chuck Sheetz
Howy Parkins
Susie Dietter

Written By:
Chuck Sheetz
Holly Huckins
Joe Ansolabehere
Mark Drop
Michael Kramer
Paul Germain
Phil Walsh
Steve Bannos

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalms 116:15

Last week my Dad died. Thursday morning Oct. 18, 2007. After being taken to the hospital he had another heart attack. After quite a few flat lines and being revived we decided not to postpone the inevitable.
He had been ready for this event for a long time. He was operating on only 20% of his heart with one artery in and one out. Before when he would have a heart attack, he told me that the doctor would tell him that he did not have much to work with and that next time they my not be able to revive him. He would reply with,”I know were I am going, how about you.” His life was full of good fruit, showing what was inside.
The preachers gave a good service but neglected to explain, why my dad was the way he was. Jesus! I believe if my Dad had been there he would have stood up and yelled, “Preach Jesus, Not me!” Instead it was left to the Holy Spirit to reveal to each one there the answer to the question. And maybe that was the best way.
The funeral and burial were the first I had attended of someone really close. It was marked with peace and assurance that He was doing fine. I could not touch his body or even speak to it. I could not see it as him. The old saying kept coming to mind, “Here lies the shell, the real nut is gone.”
The comfort that he was with the Lord and that one day we who believed would see him again was very real. I was given my Dad’s bible and this passage was marked, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Those who do not believe have no way of knowing this peace that passes their understanding. They know that there is something more. That’s why they invade christian web forums and post comments on Christian sites. That’s why they spend their energies raving about Christians instead of improving themselves to herald the next evolution of mankind. They know that there is more.
My Dad once was a believer, now he is a knower. We cry no more for him although we miss him. There is a void left in us because of his death. But have peace there is One who can fill the void. His name is Jesus.
After the funeral I realized that I had never said good-bye or that I loved him. The Lord revealed to me that he (my Dad) was plunged into the very Source of our spirituality and when we prayed in the Holy Spirit my Dad would receive the prayer also. What the Lord knew, my Dad knew.
God is so good. How can I ever accept a belief that reduces us to animals with out any real evidence and forsake a God that shows us the truth. In life and death.

In memory of Franklin Morris Brooks husband of Bettie Maxine Duke. Son of Oscar Morris Brooks and Ira Blankenship. Father of Franklin, Curtis, Wayne and Bucky Brooks.

Sharing lessons in living the “bought” life of a Christian. Learning to be subject to the will of the Lord. And the joys of such servitude to such a wonderful savior.

Also I will use this blog to share the Lord’s love to any that will accept it.