Real Change Is Within You.

This past week or so many Americans, myself included, have been watching with rapt attention the two major political conventions going on in Tampa and Charlotte.  Every four years we go through the same process of endorsing the incumbent on one end and formally nominating their challenger on the other.  The platforms are ratified, the delegates assembled, the speakers arranged and filed out with seemingly endless wisdom and solutions for our ailing country.   It's flawlessly choreographed into one spectacular extravaganza that culminates with the sitting president or his challenger laying out their plans to unify, rectify, and satisfy we the people but ultimately only end up glorifying themselves.  Hollywood it seems has nothing on Washington DC for pure unabashed fantasy and entertainment.  I, for one am not amused anymore.
   You see people I don't care what political affiliation you are or what your personal ideology is.  But I do care what you think and feel and experience everyday in your lives.   Because contrary to the illusions and delusions painted by many of our failed political leaders living in their ivory towers, it's we the people who stand unprotected against today's endless storms.  How many of them have watched a family crying as the sheriff's sale notice is posted on the front porch of their soon to be foreclosed home.  Or a father or mothers entire career is wiped out and they can't find work.  Your savings and retirement accounts are decimated and you don't have anymore lifelines.  Families and households are crumbling under the stress and enormous debt
of ruined lives.  College aged adults have nearly one trillion dollars of student debt and can't find decent jobs.  The elderly feel that nobody cares about them and the unborn don't have even have the basic precious protection for the sanctity of human life.  Our once great industrialized nation has outsourced entire industries overseas which will never come back.  I could go on and on but why wallow in the misery.  Now what I am going to say next may shock you but just think about it for a minute.  Your vote on November 6th will not make a difference at all!  There I said it.  I didn't say not to vote, no.  We as citizens of our nation should all vote in every election so we can make a difference.  What?  Has Rick lost it?  No, on the contrary I have never in my adult life had a more clear outlook and perspective on what I believe is needed to turn our nation around.
  All the problems I mentioned up above have affected almost everyone of you or someone you know to a degree.  You can relate to the pain and hopelessness on a somewhat personal level.  I for one, have experienced most of them.  I don't overtly blame President Obama, Congress or the Supreme Court although they certainly are accountable to a great degree for the continued degradation and lack of integrity in dealing with our crisis.  I blame WE THE PEOPLE.  That's right folks us.  This government so Divinely inspired and created was formed for we to be the guardians of government, business, schools, churches, financial institutions, courts families and human lives.  It is we that have failed.  Just look around you and see what watering down and secularizing every major aspect of our society has done for us.  In the absence of restraint and Moral Absolution we have become a backstabbing, wheeler dealing, take one step forward and two steps back flimflam man of a country.  We have no credibility because instead of being good stewards of our bountiful blessings, we have become self serving, apathetic and wasteful.   Too concerned about me and not about we.  Too harsh for you?  I know.  I thought so myself until God said to write it anyway.  You see Jesus knew that in order for us to establish His kingdom here on earth we had to be like minded.  Honesty, charity, compassion, unconditional love, hope and forgiveness all describe Him perfectly.  They should describe us but they don't by a long shot anymore.  No matter what you may think, His life. what he stood for and ministry is indisputable even by the most skeptical of historians.  Because He cared about us first His decisions were always just and fair.  They served the common good and benefited all mankind.  He preached that we should love our neighbors and help the poor and downtrodden but to not give pearls to swine either.  We are quite simply to live our lives in faith with moral restraint.  Not our own, ours is too depraved and compromised, but in His.  Let Him be our guide and helper.  America can see quite clearly now where this unfortunate separation from our Lord has gotten us.  So, if we want to defeat the enemy and rise again as a nation we must change.  Each one of us, from the inside out.   The communists used to say to win a war you don't need guns you need to change the minds and hearts of your enemy.  How did Godless tyrants have more wisdom then We The People?  I urge you please, to reflect on where we are at and renew your faith in Christ.  If you don't know Him introduce yourself.  If you've rejected Him really examine the tenets of your life and how they benefit anybody but yourself overall.  Politicians can't help you there is but one way out of this mess and you can begin to fix it today one very personal heart at a time!

Psalm 119

 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Only God can fix a broken heart.

I apologize to you my friends as I've been a way the past few weeks partly because of my work and school schedule.   But also because my family and I had to travel back to Chicago unexpectedly.   Just over a week ago our beloved mom passed away.   It was quite sudden and very emotionally wrenching for me, my brothers and sisters and all of our families. You see it was just a short fifteen months ago that Dad had gone to be with the Lord also quite suddenly and very unexpectedly.  It was his passing that enabled God to lay on my heart the urgency to create this blog as a vessel of ministry and encouragement to others in times of great need and sadness.  I sincerely hope it has been that to all of you who so generously allow me to share with you His great words of encouragement and hope.  My mom, like my dad was one of my heroes.  Let me enlighten you a bit about her so you'll better understand.   She was married at nineteen to dad and almost immediately as was the custom in those days of the 50's set about being the quintessential Donna Reed.  For my younger readers check TV history trivia for this reference.  Anyways, she wore many hats including mother ( to 5 kids in 9 years), housewife, full time cook, launderer, shopper, counselor, nurturer and cheerleader.  She was also equally adept at giving out hugs as she was at making sure we towed the line.   She ran a tight ship so to speak and always had dinner ready for dad when he got home from work. She was primarily a stay at home mom until she was almost forty and she accomplished somehow getting us to and from from all of our various activities with school, sports and other events without ever driving.  You see my mom didn't even drive until she was in her thirties. To this day it's still a mystery how she got so many things done and an amazing accomplishment considering kids today need a ride to the bathroom.  After effectively raising us until we were old enough to know better and were mostly self sufficient, she then took a job as a waitress and went back to school.  She graduated from Harper College with a degree in paralegal studies.  Long story short she went on to a very successful career later in her life first with Pettibone Company, then Sprint.
   You see my mother was the quintessential work hard, don't ever quit and you can make something of yourself person no matter what other obstacles or obligations you had to work around or overcome.  She was driven, organized, smart and quick to adapt to any situation.  She had to be after raising the five of us!  It seemed there was nothing mom didn't try to tackle and succeed at.  She was fearless or so it seemed.   On the outside mother was always in charge and showed little nervousness or trepidation.  But when dad passed, it turned out there were a few chinks in her armor.  Dad was her everything.  I mean the sun rose and set on my dad every day of their marriage for 54 years.  They were quite unique and wonderful individuals but were a well oiled machine together.   When dad went, part of mom went too.   This past fifteen months were quite difficult for her.  Her life partner was taken home before she wanted him to go and that was very difficult for her to adjust to.  It took it's toll physically, mentally and spiritually.  Our entire family was helpless to ease her grieving and coping became a daily chore almost to big a storm to weather.  There were times she was her old self but many days she was palpably withdrawn and heartsick.   So when she stepped out the elevator to walk towards her condo Sunday August 12th, God mercifully called her name.  She went home to be with dad, her family and the Lord.  Praise God for that!   Our hearts are crushed at losing both mom and dad so quickly and so close to each other.   We have had more than most families can bear this past year.  But by God's grace we are still here and more unified and stronger than ever.  God's plan is perfect even when we can't see it that way at first.  He knew mom's heart was irretrievably broken and He knew that there was but one way to fix it.   Knowing my mom, she beat the angels back to heaven to see everybody too and our world is a sadder and certainly less entertaining place without Frank and Barb, but heaven just got more exciting and fun!  I await the glorious reunion with them someday where there will be no more tears and loss just joy and fellowship forever.  That's why I love Jesus so much.  He has our most precious desires and hopes perfectly placed in His heart and hands for us.  It is His plan and will work for His glory.  This life is short and we are guaranteed no tomorrows.   So love your mom and dad fully like we did.  Say the important words, spend time with them, mend any broken fences for time waits for no man.   Don't have any unfinished business including ministering to them if needed.   Assure them of their place in the great reunion.  It will ease your pain in times of loss such as this and will enable you to have your heart at ease.  May God keep you and bless you mightily!

John 11:23-26

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

A Dangerous Game of Chicken Fil-A!

You would think that the upcoming presidential election, the Olympics or the massive drought and extreme heat this summer would be the main compelling and continuing story of the day, but not quite.  It seems that the latest over the top political correctness run amok train wreck is the current controversy about Chick Fil-A and it's stand on traditional marriage.  All I can say is a big fat WOW!!!  Do you believe, and I am talking to all of us either right, left, Christian or not that we have come to literally civil war over the loss of mutual respect for private citizens and companies  who are running their own business's and setting up a standard or code of conduct based upon their moral and spiritual beliefs.  Chick Fil-A is an upright, honest, exceedingly well run and profitable business who pays their taxes, takes care of their employees, closes on Sundays (Praise the Lord!) and puts out quality food in a wholesome atmosphere.   Not to mention employing thousands of people in a time when we badly need jobs!  How absolutely ludicrous is this latest attack in a country that used to pride itself on being the great melting pot.  Give us your tired, your poor, your sick and downtrodden....
   Pathetic!   Just because the owner of this company and I love to tell you this folks, they are not the only one's who do, outwardly profess their faith doesn't mean that they hate LGBT people.  On the contrary they go our of their way to respect all their employees and customers regardless of gender, sex, race or religious creed.   With Chick Fil-A I don't read about corruption or corporate wheeling and dealing to inflate stocks or swindle shareholders, or brawls inside of their restaurants, or posting signage for all gay people to go to Burger King.  I only hear about a great American success story that embodies all the good our economic system provides.  This lecherous stunt has served to I think further awaken a sleeping giant and add fuel to the fire for us Americans who are tired of having their faith stepped on and our Christianity put up for trial in every aspect of our lives.  Something like 600,000 people have shown up and literally set a world record and run many places out of food to stand behind the Cathy Family and their beliefs.  We are Americans too.  We love our country, pay our taxes, respect our neighbors and fill our churches and homes and businesses with God fearing people who have frankly sit on their hands too long and are now evidently starting to raise up.  I for one am very glad.  We desperately need to get back to the bedrock principals and Godly laws that made us great.  It is because we chosen to forsake the foundational precepts of America that were used to build our home safely on The Rock and have not put it on sand, we find ourselves morally, spiritually, financially and certainly leadership wise virtually bankrupt.  We have now resorted to turning on one another to remove the final beam that holds the building up, unity as Americans.  You would think that the political hacks and self serving politicians would hold their tongues from criticizing thriving businesses who contribute so much to their ailing cities in employment, sales tax and revenue sharing, but no.  We are so focused on polarization and the flavor of the month that we can't see the forest through the trees anymore.  Because we are spiritually blind we have become humanly deplorable.    By the way, and I am just asking here how many LGBT people and left leaning citizens ate at Chick Fil-A on a regular basis before they felt empowered to join the calls for crucifixion of this company?  Hurry, destroy the evidence and throw your wrappers in the fireplace.   
   I'll say this again for those of you who who know me and sorry for the redundancy, but I have homosexual friends and acquaintances and so do my children.   We respect them, welcome them to our home and care deeply about them.  We love them.  But we do not love their lifestyle or the sin that they live in.  That is the teaching of Christ and one of the basic tenets of the bible.  So we pray for them like anybody else who has a need.  Sin takes many forms and we as Christians are certainly guilty and not immune to our fallacies.  It is in the most personal, humble and sincere way that I say that.  I was a sinner and thankfully am saved by grace.   But I am a fervent believer in the life changing power of the cross.  I suggest you take a walk to Calvary and examine the Man yourself.   Ladies and gentleman, our hyprocisy is drowning us all.   This latest incident shows further evidence of the need for revival in our nation.   I stress this most sincerely, you need to make a choice and very soon.   Christ is not coming back as Savior but Judge and King this time.  No new hearings will be given to plead your case.  Before you take up a sword remember that the person or persons you are trying to destroy are God's children and your eternal family too.


Matthew 7:5
You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the speck out of your brother's eye.

Seeing God Through A Veil Of Tears

   The horrible and senseless shooting that took place at a movie theatre early this past morning in Aurora Colorado is nothing short of breathtakingly tragic.  Innocent people went out to be entertained and thrilled for a few hours just getting away from the daily grind of our world and twelve people never came home and dozens more are either fighting for their lives or in various stages of trauma at hospitals all over the area.  The shocking violence and callous disregard for human life by this surely disturbed young man shakes us all to our very soul.  We are left wondering where is there a safe place for people to go anymore?  Surely the deja vu for Colorado is unwelcome respite as they are still dealing with the psychological and emotional damage of Columbine in 1999.  Emotions are raw to say the least and the grief for the families of all the victims is seemingly unquenchable at this point.  Not to mention the anger that is and will be directed at the alleged shooter and his family for the rest of their lives.  But this unfortunate sad story will be played out thousands of times in the days and weeks to come.  Our often perverse sense of the macabre and tragic will have many glued to the news to stay abreast of this story and the upcoming judicial proceedings against this young man.  That will take care of itself and you don't need me to fill you in on any details.  I, instead am here to talk about the other side of this tragedy.  One who's implication does more damage to people in the long run and unlike this event can alter both theirs and your lives long after this story fades from national relevance.   Where was God?
   I know.  I've asked that question myself when tragedy strikes and my heart has been torn in two. When the finality of a loved one's death comes and they are instantly and unbelievably taken from us.  When you can't see God through your veil of tears.   I can only empathize with the families of these victims and their loss but I do understand their emotional state completely.  You see you can't be a real believer without having your faith shaken and tested.   You simply can't understand the pain until you've experienced it yourself.   We all will at some point and I am here to tell you, God knows your pain and weeps with you too.   Believe it or not He was there in that movie theatre too.   Now, I know what some of  you are thinking.   If He was there Rick how come He didn't prevent the loss of those innocent people?  Why didn't He strike that gunmen down?  Both are very good questions and deserve serious answers to them.  I don't know myself why God chooses to or not to intervene in our physical world.  He is as mysterious as He is loving but His omnipotence is not for me to debate.  This is what often separates the belief in a Holy Sovereign God and skepticism that shatters the hope of faith in others.   I will do my best to give you what I believe is an answer that will help you to enhance His existence and Lordship.  It rests on the concept of free will.  Many secular people refer to this trait of ours as our conscious.  Christians call it the Holy Spirit.  Both refer to the same albeit by different names.   Our conscious is that little voice and the Holy Spirit is the Lord in the spirit form guiding us.  They either acknowledge our right choices or rebuke us in our wrong one's.  Call it what you may, but it very rarely will interfere with your decision to go ahead and defy it's urgings.  You see, God made us in His image to love Him first and each other too.  Our free will and ability to reason separates us from all other life forms on this planet and that is not an evolutionary trait.  It is ingrained in us by His divine hand so that our defined choice of accepting and loving Jesus Christ assures Him of our loyal servitude, faith and moral behavior.  We are not robots and our own actions are both tragic and costly by our fallen rebellious nature at times like this shooting.   But can be heroic, unselfish and complete in their love and sacrifice too.  It is in the latter that we emulate Christ and His intention for us.   God wants us to love Him as He loved us.   He has very rarely spared us fromtimes of sorrow but that is for our eternal preparation as well.  Remember, it was He who gave His only begotten Son for us watched Him die on that cross and must have wept an ocean's worth of tears.
      But there was joy in heaven at the resurrection and there will be joy in heaven for the faithfully departed here too.   Life is fragile at best and often too short and violently unfair.    God gives us all a choice and doesn't promise us anymore tomorrows.   Won't you choose today to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  I urge you to protect and sanctify yourselves so that you are assured of an eternal reunion and joy unspeakable that will shatter the tombstones in today's cemeteries and bring peace to a broken heart.  By the way, you will hear stories of heroism and bravery and miracles out of this tragedy in the upcoming days and weeks.  You will see, God was there after all.

REV 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

The United Nations: stealing the USA's sovereignty

I don't often get vociferously mad about circumstances or events in the world today as I accept their happenings as under God's sovereign control.  Therefore, I resolve my emotional reaction to stay somewhat restrained because of my comfort level with His omniscience over all humanity.  However, there every so often comes along a story which gets my good old fashioned Italian dander up a bit!  It just so happens that just about anything that the UN does nowadays just frosts my pumpkin.  This mornings headline was no different.   This story is about Iran and Syria being given, get this and I'm serious folks, a seat at the table on committees which would oversee global arms sales to terrorist organizations and countries that sponsor them.  They, if allowed would help craft global legislation or treaties and currently are doing so that would undermine the fundamental protection of our own constitutional amendment protections.  Our own Secretary of State is doing the old end around and about to sign a treaty which would begin the process of undermining one of our most sacred liberties in the second amendment. And get this, they would have the right to call us on the carpet about our own gun control and personal protection and possession laws. We would subvert our own rights from our US court and legal system to a world court and system.  Thereby, basically removing our authority to enforce our own laws.  Unfortunately, our current president is spearheading this abhorrent behavior through his policy of globalization. This organization which started out with such compassion in 1945 to monitor with unified global accord and to chastise the rogue and unbridled nations and their dictatorial leaders that would violate both human and individual countries sovereign borders and rights, has devolved into a cartoon of hypocrisy and political corruption.   What's even more shameful is that we the USA are right in the mix.   We should leave this body and remove the headquarters from our soil or start acting like the America after WWII and demand moral and legislative treaties that this international council was designed for.  Quite simply, we have become like the people and values we used to condemn and bring before the security council for their atrocious behavior.  Not so much by our human rights violations (although 50+ million sanctioned abortions would qualify us for indictment) or a repressive regime but by the most dangerous of compromises.  We are giving up our once sterling standard standing in the world as a fierce protector of democracy, freedom and liberty.  Instead, we have become a backroom dealing, smarmy, sleazy ambulance chasing attorney looking for a deal to polish up our floundering administration and it's policy to merge with the global community at the expense of America's principles and values.  In doing so we are precipitously dealing with the devil and causing our own constitution to be under the scrutiny and authority of a body of secular minded or anti Judeo-Christian countries that have nothing but the destruction and weakening of America at the head of their agendas. 
   Don't even get me started on the numerous other compromises we are making internationally to help kill off the American economy and it's equal opportunity giving greatness.  Or for it's unparalleled ability of enriching people's self esteem and lives through hard work and personal gain.  Yeah, that's only why immigrants have been flocking here and nowhere else for over 100 years!  Pay attention here friends to what's going on.  You can say, Rick this is more political rhetoric from your Christian conservatism just blowing things out of proportion or you can take the time to investigate these events yourself.  The choice is yours.  I will always point out to the you the convictions and issues that God puts on my heart.  I believe that we are in perilous times and we need an intervention of Divine Measure quickly.  What God put in brave men's hearts 230+ years ago to fight and die for is now under dangerous assault from the enemy.  He is one enemy with many faces and personalities.   The bible calls him Lucifer and he is very busy!   So you get busy too.  Get involved, fight for your  community, church and family.   Fight for your children and their children before it's too late.   If the flame of America goes out it won't be because God abandoned us but that we abandoned Him!

Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

One Nation Under God!!!

Happy 4th of July to everybody!  As most of you know the Paulette Family Chronicles are now settled in out west in beautiful Graeagle California.  Birthplace to our five children and up in the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains.  Tall pines, sunshine, sparkling lakes and no humidity!  Sorry about that last dig folks.  We have closed our chapter in Wisconsin after 18 years and now await God's move for us to begin His work once again.  It is all at once a relief, refreshing and somewhat daunting as few people ever think they would have to start over again in their 50's but God is faithful.  Anyways, as you get ready to celebrate today with your friends and family take a few moments outside of bbq's, fireworks, picnics and other activities to recommit yourselves to some prayer time for our great nation.  As you watch your family and friends laugh and smile today, remember that this is not just another holiday.  It's the Holiday for this country. 
   On this day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed by extraordinary and brave men who pledged their lives to the birth of this country.  In doing so they laid the framework for the greatest, most free, and democratic nation the world has ever seen.  God's divine hand rested on this country as He alone saw the vision for this nation to be the landing point for all people's of all races to come together under Him and live free, abundant and honorable lives.  We have had unparalleled dignity and human rights protection.  Unequaled opportunity for success.  Freedom to worship without public criticism and government intrusion.  Freedom of speech without censorship, although the lengths of this liberty have been abused to vilest of proportions.  All these God blessed and gifted freedoms and privileges are now more so than ever at perilous risk of disappearing.   We have mismanaged, misgoverned, abused and stepped on the supreme efforts of our Founding Fathers and God's divine blessings for our nation.  We quite frankly are too divided, too angry, too polarized and teetering on financial disaster.  All of which we, yes we, allowed and brought upon ourselves.  Our own misbegotten apathy and complacency have brought us to this point.  Now, that's all the coarse reminding I'm going to do, because I can't even read my own words without bristling myself at my lack of cognitive effort to do more.
   So instead of of putting an damper on your day and I profusely apologize for my somewhat morose rant, pick up your flag and wave it.   We still have time!  God wants to bless us again!   Take sometime today in your hectic schedule to slip away and thank Him for preserving us this far.  Ask God to renew your commitment to faith, family, and country once again.  He and He alone can reverse the damage but it starts with our own individual hearts.  Seek Him today for sweeping change in you, your family, communities and our country.   After all a raging wildfire starts only as a spark!  We can restore and reinvigorate this great country but only by His hand.  So remember to pray, repent and seek His power to turn us around, one red, white and blue heart at a time!  God Bless America and all of you too!


Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.

A Father's Love Is His Duty

Ahhh, Father's Day.  The annual celebration to give thanks and praise to the man that sacrifices everything for his family.  Provider, protector, teacher, high priest, chastiser and order keeper, all apt surnames for what our dad did for us and we are or should be doing for our own families.  There is no more noble task that God gives us as dads then to give our all for our families.  I know for myself, that it is in the simple day to day things in my family life, words of encouragement, advice, a hug, an uninterrupted ear or just a simple yes I will that give my wife and children the most comfort and security.  Being there in every capacity is not only important to them but to God also.  You see, we as dads have quite a High Standard to live up to.
  Too often today we hear more about bad fathers instead of good ones.  You know, the ones who quit on their marriage or cheat on their taxes.   Who father children and don't stick around to take care of them and their girlfriend or wife.  Who lay around and don't work.  Who are physically or verbally abusive.  Yep, those are the ones unfortunately that make the news every day.  But I'm here to tell you that there are many dedicated fathers out there who you never hear about.  We good dads are alive and well!
   Now, I am not saying this to get an extra gift tomorrow or because I am a compensated actor for the Great Father's Society.  I am saying this because I am privileged and I mean highly privileged to be given the opportunity to be a father.  No matter what I have achieved or done personally in my life i.e., money, accolades, possessions or any other meaningless pontifications, I would rather be known as a great dad and husband then anything else.  There is no greater reward then to receive pure requited love back from your family for being the father HE created you to be.  I am, as my good friend Bob Simenson always says, BBM, Blessed Beyond Measure.  Ironically, if you take an objective look at most of the problems in our society today, they stem from the crumbling of the family unit.  And who is the head of that unit?  Bingo!  It is a cold hard and dismal fact that without a loving father figure in a household that nearly every aspect of our children's lives are and will be somewhat adversely affected all their lives.   Essentially garbage in garbage out.  Morals, disposition, work ethic, respect, self discipline, ambition and our faith are equally taught by both parent's but installed by dads.  I am not trying to be condescending to the mothers out there at all.  We look to both of our parent's equally but for different needs also.  Mom's, you get your day in May anyways! ;)
   So fire up the grill, raise a cold one, give dad the new driver or outfit to help replace his "That 70's Show" wardrobe and honor him.  When you do, you give honor to the Heavenly Father who set the standard for all of us to live by!


Ephesians 6:4
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord"