May 29

Coolidge Examiner > Religion

Remembering America and those who served this Memorial Day

By William Perry
Chaplain, HoHoKam Village

Published: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:13 AM MST
In his best selling book, “Slouching Toward Gomorrah” attorney Robert Bork speaks like a modern-day prophet as he speaks of the liberal elites, whose “attitude toward religion, ranges from indifference to active hostility, and have succeeded in removing religion from public recognition and debate.”

He continues, “Only religion can accomplish for a modern society what tradition, reason, and insight observation cannot.

Christianity and Judaism provide the major premises of moral reasoning revelation by the accounts recorded in the Bible.”
Even so, we are now asked to consider the latest flavor-or-the-month, new age gibberish presented to us in Eckhart Tolle’s latest book, “A New Earth”; following an endorsement by the current diva of pop TV, Mr. Tolle’s “Spiritual Self-Help Guide” has sold massive numbers, and has topped the bestseller list of Mr. Tolle’s book sends traditional, Biblical Christianity straight into the trash bucket in favor of an amalgamation of eastern mysticism and self adoring, new age “Phycobabble” that delivers nothing but more of the ego-centric fumbling that the purveyors promise us deliverance from.

What Tolle and his fans propose is a return to what we humans, thanks to Biblical Christianity and Judaism, escaped from; pagan adoration of and servitude to false gods. Only this time, the god under construction is centered in self.  This is a contemporary miniversion of the pagan “many gods” lore that stamps out tolerance for the one true God who is as equally despised by the neopagans as He was by their ancient forbearers.
Along in this mix are the radical, secular-left revolutionaries who have a deep-seated hatred for America and its traditions, its people, whose lifestyles and values differ from theirs. While they are fond of shouting “bigot” to any who dare disagree with them (especially evangelical Christians), they, in fact, rabidly suppress the rights of their opponents.

Now, we all know that America is not perfect. There are many flaws that need to be analyzed objectively and addressed. But though this is true, there is still a vast difference between self-analysis and self-loathing.
Objective self-analysis leads to correction; self-loathing, on the other hand, can lead to despair, violence, and even suicide.

The principle of objective self-evaluation is made plain in the Bible’s instructions for communion. The apostle Paul admonished believers to examine and judge themselves for the purpose of correction before taking communion (1 Cor. 11:28-31). However, if you fancy every terrorist or tyrannical, religious political element to be a victim of western imperialism and aggression, you have no time or inclination to think through the issues.  The method becomes strictly pogoian; “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

We who love freedom, know, freedom and democracy are worth standing firm on and fighting to preserve. Should we just give up, and hope our adversaries will be reasonable humanitarians—Duh! Sorry! It doesn’t work that way. Freedom is very hard to come by and even more difficult to keep. Wars are always unfortunate and often unpopular. But when the issue is survival, there is really no other option; it’s liberty or perpetual servitude and death.

Despite derision from America-loathers, the “four freedoms” articulated by President Franklin Roosevelt are no laughing matter. President Roosevelt spelled them out on January 6, 1941: They are; Freedom of Speech and Expression, Freedom of Every Person to Worship God in His Own Way, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear.

A fellow of Italian descent once shared the jubilation of his family as their steamship entered New York Harbor and caught sight of the Statue of Liberty. “They yelled so loud,” he said, “they couldn’t hear the noise of the cattle on the boat!” They all came here looking for a hand up, not a hand out. Now, today, we might ask, what held together such a diverse aggregation without common heritage; language; or, worship forms? Well, basically, it was a passion to become citizens of their newly adopted country! The history of this great republic has borne out, their passion was well founded. The Words Land of Opportunity was more than a slogan. From their determination arose something profound, beyond comprehension; it’s called America! When families can walk to their chosen houses of worship on Sunday morning without fear of bombs, clubs, or political-religious enforcers; now, that’s progress worth defending with every fiber of our collective being. The question is, how long will this progress last? Well, I guess that is up to you and me, as to the legacy we leave behind. It will not be much of a legacy unless we remember where the foundation rests; look at Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”.
Copyright © 2011 - Tri Valley Central

Our son Eric’s visit to Arizona was a true pleasure, as we gave him a tour of our wonderful state.


Starting with our Coolidge location, and a visit with our friends at the HO HO KAM RV Community. Next it was up through Salt River Canyon area, and on up to the 7,000 ft. elevation around Show Low. I’m sure Arizona has not seen the last of Eric, nor  has Eric seen the last of Arizona.


Due to administrative decisions that were being made regarding the Clubhouse, it was necessary to move our church service to a smaller building near the Ho Ho Kam office.  Praise the Lord we had nearly a full house.  The Lord is blessing.

Our residents in the park are now primarily our full time summer people.   Some are in need of prayer because of age and health problems. They need our prayers!  We ask that you keep them in your prayers as you read our newsletter. Lord Bless you!

To hear this week's message click here.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
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