Most likely, you weren’t alive as the 1960’s came to a close.  if you were, you may remember the emergence of black lights and posters.  Their emergence coincided with acid rock and psychedelic music.  Like most fads, lots of folks jumped on the bandwagon and tried to make a few bucks.  Eventually, non-black light posters were produced.  From a sweaty, screaming Janis Joplin clutching a microphone, to a tie dyed explosion of color, to a deep philosophical expression……………..posters where everywhere.   Pick up a couple, maybe some that would glow under the influence of a blacklight, hang on the wall, and BOOM………………instant self expression!

I wasn’t really a poster guy, but occasionally, one would capture my attention.  My favorite all time poster was extremely simple.  I was inspired by it’s message then, and I am inspired by it’s message now.  The poster was simple by design.  A basic, wooden, counter height, stool.  A round seat, four legs and two short sentences.  The sentences?  “Sometimes, I sits and thinks”.  “Sometimes,  I just sits.”

Interesting, isn’t it, with more leisure time than ever in the history of man how we have lost the ability to do just that.  Rather than take advantage of the free time, we use the time to vegetate in front of a screen hoping to be entertained.  Very few can or will think for themselves.

If you are a thinker, I commend you.  If you are not, it’s never too late to begin.

Several days ago my wife brought a Facebook post to my attention.  This was nothing new.  My wife frequently brings someone’s post to my attention if she knows the subject of the post would be of interest to me, if the poster is a real world acquaintance of mine, or as is frequently the case, both.  In this particular situation, both were true.  I note when my wife brought the Facebook post to my attention  because the subject of the post has stayed with me for more than a week.  The poster’s thoughts have not dominated my every waking moment, yet I can’t help thinking about the subject of the Facebook post.  It’s there in the back of my mind.  All of the time.

I’d like to share the thoughts of the poster.  I can not recall the poster’s exact words, so keep in mind that this is not a direct quote.  The general thought behind this post, was, “If your political choices are based solely upon the abortion issue, are you also willing to step up financially to support the unwanted children who are not aborted”.  I don’t know about you, but I felt this to be thought provoking.  In fact, for me, a thought(s) provoking statement.  Going on days of thoughts provoking statement.

Let me say that I have known the author of this particular Facebook post since 1965.  The author of the post is female.  She and I attended the same small rural high school.  We ran in the same circles (as we would say in the South). After high school, she and my wife worked together. Later in life her husband and I would work together at that same public secondary school from which the poster and I were alumni.  Additionally, her daughter and my eldest son were classmates in elementary school.  Although we lost contact years ago, I consider her to be a friend.  I like her.  Despite the fact I am Pro Life and she is Pro Choice,  I don’t disagree with her post.  She is not the first to wonder if those opposed to abortion would be willing to support those children that may now be entering the world without family, without love and without financial support.

I’m not heartless.  There’s not a cruel bone in my body.  I do feel for the helpless of this world.  At the same time, I am adamantly Pro Life.  I am not ashamed of that.  I don’t know where you stand on the issue, but if you disagree, I’m not mad at you.  I don’t hate you.  I don’t wish to scream obscenities at you.  No, not at all.  And you know what, I don’t care what your political views are, or how you arrived at those views.  I believe that we are all free to believe whatever it is that we believe about anything .  That’s what freedom is all about.  I would like to know, however, if you are Pro Choice………… why are you Pro Choice?   Or, if you are Pro Life……………….. why are you Pro Life?  How about it.  Have you ever really thought about it?  “Just because” is not acceptable to me on any important issue .  I have thought about why I am Pro Life, and I am willing to defend my position.

As I have stated often in earlier writings, I believe in total and absolute freedom of choice in all matters of conscience and practice.  Keep in mind however, that I also believe that my freedoms, my “rights” if you will, end where yours begin.  With that in mind, my rights are limited by your rights and vice versa.  So, I am not going to demand that you believe everything that I believe, or believe in.  You are free to believe, or believe in whatever your conscience allows.  By adulthood I do feel it shameful that a person would believe in or accept beliefs of significant importance without reason.  I am Pro Life for one reason and one reason only.  I am against abortion because I believe that abortion is murder.  I an Pro Life because I believe that abortion ends the life of a human being.

It has been my observation that most individuals have a value system based upon their
World View.  In other words, most often what most adults believe to be “right” or “wrong” is based upon their beliefs regarding “where we came from and why we’re here”.  My World View is based upon a few simple core beliefs.  I believe that all we know to exist was developed by a Creator, a Supreme Being.  In my case, I believe that this Supreme Being is the God described in the Bible.  I believe that the Bible contains Absolute Truth regarding God, His history with mankind, and His expectations for mankind.

For many years, I was a secondary school Health instructor. Any Health instructor worth their salt teaches the health triangle. If you’re not aware, the health triangle is a concept that a person is not only physical, but also a mental/emotional, and social being (three sides forming a triangle), and that to be healthy we need to understand and pay attention to all three sides of this health triangle.  I believe that, but I also believe that we have a fourth side to our “geometry”.  I believe that we are also spiritual.  If we are not also spiritual, we are merely an animal.  It is the spiritual piece that separates us from the animal world.  This spiritual component is what the Bible would refer to as the Soul.  I believe that God created men and women to be physical, mental/emotional, social, and most importantly spiritual beings.  Of course, if you don’t believe in creation, you probably don’t agree with this.  That’s not a problem with me.  That’s your choice.  I’ve made my choice.  We will all die a physical death at some point.  No matter what you believe about the existence of life, you can not deny that.  I happen to also believe that our spirit, our Soul, our personality, however you wish to describe that which is the essence of whom each of us is individually, that…….that aspect of me, and of you, that soul will live on forever.  Forever in Heaven with God the Creator, or forever in Hell separated from God the Creator.  So, if we have a spiritual component, a Soul, when does that Soul appear?

I do not claim to be overly intelligent, or supremely educated.  I do however have  knowledge of Biology and the Bible.  I have always been an a person who preferred to be outdoors as well as a keen observer of nature.  We all have common sense and a conscience if we would only allow them to work.  All of these factors provide all of the proof that I need to know that the God of the Bible is alive and well.  The Bible teaches that God knows each of us before conception.  God knows us as we are developing in our mother’s uterus.  For Biblical references, please see the Old Testament book of Psalms 139;13-16 (chapter 139 verses 13-16), as well as the Old Testament book of Jeremiah 1:5 (chapter 1 verse 5).  If  God knows us before birth, we must have a personality, or there would be nothing to know.  OK, so you don’t agree with me because you don’t believe in God.  That is your choice.  Freedom, remember  That is your choice.  I, for one, do believe in the Creator.  I do believe in the Almighty God of the Bible.  If you would like to know why I believe, please see earlier Absolute Truth and Freedom posts dated 4-10-15, 4-16-15, 5-4-16, and 6-9-15.  In fact if you haven’t read all of my posts, but would like to understand where I am coming from, may I please refer you all of my earlier posts.

For a number of years I’ve found it interesting that many who consider themselves to be educated feel science and the belief in a creator to be incompatible.  My feelings are that nothing could be more compatible.  I have a number of college hours in chemistry, biology, zoology, human anatomy, and kinesiology at both the under graduate and graduate levels.  One of my sons has a master’s degree in applied mathematics, and is close to a PhD in math.  His undergraduate degree is in math, with a minor is computer technology.  We embrace science, technology and mathematics in our family, yet we are all firm believers in the existence of the God of the Bible as Creator and Master of all.  Our beliefs have been strengthened by an increased knowledge of both the order and the complexity of this world in which we live.

You do realize, don’t you, that man has not invented the principles of math and science that so richly improve our daily lives.  Not at all.  Man has merely discovered these principles.  The very principles that control all of the Universe.  The Universe that God established.

If you feel science must be able to explain this God that I am referring to in order for you to accept the existence of a Creator, then I’m afraid that you are out of luck.  You see, science will never be able to explain God.  I promise you, however, God………….. God can explain science.

Please allow me to thank all visitors to Absolute Truth and Freedom.  I would have never believed a single person would locate this site, much less read any of the material, and then take the time to comment.  Over the passed year, the site has received many comments that weren’t spam.  Thank you to all who have taken the time to send real mail.  Several of you have recently expressed an interest in subscribing to this blog.  If you would like to subscribe to Absolute Truth and Freedom, you may now do so.  You will find what is necessary on the title page, Hello World.

Thanks again.

Hate.  Any use of the word hate catches my attention.  Individuals have used the word hate to express their not liking some thing, some person, or some event for as long as I can remember.  And now it seems, at least to me, that I hear and read the word hate much more than ever.  In casual conversation, in the media, with increasing frequency.  Recently, the word hate has become a legal term.  Apparently, Americans are no longer allowed to hate.  At least not other people.  A person can end up in jail for hating.  On second thought, that’s a little simplistic, and not completely true, at least not today.  Bear with me.  I’m trying to make a point.

In all probability the average person doesn’t mean they hate when using the word hate.  “I hate this”.  “I hate that”  You know, kind of like, “I love this”, or “I love that”.  The misuse of these words has been going on such a long time, that I think these words have lost their actual meanings and have become slang.  I’m probably as guilty as the next person, although I do try to be cautious when using the words love and hate.  We apply these words to people we have never meet, to pets, to celebrities, to songs, to books, to food, to television shows, to cars, clothing, and on and on and on.

Webster says that hate is a verb meaning to dislike intensely; abhor; detest, or a noun meaning hatred or intense aversion.  Love, on the other hand is a noun meaning a strong feeling of affection, especially to one of the opposite sex; courtship; devoted affection for or attachment to; parental care; a sweetheart.  Love may also be used as a verb meaning to regard with strong affection; feel devotion toward; delight in; to be in love; have strong affection.

While I agree that these definitions describe simple love and hate, I’m not certain either completely describes the terms in ways that I fully comprehend emotionally.  Neither covers the intensity of my own feelings of love or hatred, nor the vast range of emotions included in all of my life experiences.  When I consider what the terms hate and love mean to me, I’m almost at a loss.  First, I really don’t have feelings for inanimate objects, so why would I use the word hate when describing an object with no life?  Then, what about animals, or insects?  They are alive, but do I really hate a living creature that spends all or most of it’s life operating on instincts?  I really dislike ticks and mosquitos, but do I hate them?  I see no need for either species.  They are really a nuisance, but do I hate them?  They carry and spread a multitude of diseases, but do I really hate them?  If I use Webster’s definition, well, yes, yes I do hate them.  What about the animal who bites, or otherwise attacks because it’s scared, or defending it’s turf, or protecting it’s young?  Maybe?  But when I thoughtfully consider, as opposed to lazily consider what hate means to me, I don’t hate these creatures.  Would I ever consider killing a tick, or a mosquito?  Yes.  Every time that I have opportunity, but I don’t hate them.  In fact, I have no feelings what so ever for ticks or mosquitos.

So, the only living things remaining on this planet to love or to hate are people.  What about people?  Do I hate people?  Do I hate some people?  Do I hate any people?  To really understand hate, I need to really understand love.  Why?  because, I think, they are polar opposites.  And because love and hate are opposite extremes, to understand love, we must understand hate.  To understand hate, we must understand love.

I’m no language expert .  I struggle enough with English.  English, it seems to me, is a very complicated language.  One of the complexities of English is that the language has so many words that sound similar, but are spelled differently, and have different meanings.  English is further complicated because of words with multiple levels of depth and no way of explaining what level of depth is being expressed outside of connotation.  One would have to be a mind reader to understand the emotions of the speaker at that precise moment in time the speaker used love, or hate, or both.  When I’m completely honest with myself, I’m thinking that if I say that I hate another human being, I’m saying that person doesn’t deserve to continue living.  That they are so far below me, so unfit a human being, so despicable, such a sinner, that I could kill them and feel no remorse.  Now, I’m not referring to war, or self defense, or trying to protect another human being.  I believe that all, or at least most of us, could take the life of another in those situations.  That’s survival, that’s not hate.  How can I hate when I haven’t had time to think about it?  To explore my feelings.  No, I’m not thinking of a your life or mine situation, not at all.  I’m considering that nosey neighbor, a rival at work, the guy who took my starting spot on the football team, an inconsiderate family member, or someone who says they hate me.  Do I really dislike any of those so much, abhor them, detest them to the point that I could put a gun to their head, pull the trigger, and feel no remorse simply because I am a better example of humanity than them?  Do I actually hate anyone?  I hope I’m not that selfish.

That’s the definition of hate in the Butch Alexander personal dictionary.  If I truly hate someone, I think that I am being very selfish.  I feel that if I hate someone, I am elevating myself above that person.  In all honesty, I don’t feel that I am better, or more important than any other human being.  I think that we are all just human beings, made in the image of God.  In the third verse of the second chapter of the Biblical book Philippians, the Apostle Paul reminds me, “Do nothing out of vain conceit, but in humility consider other better than yourself”.  So how do I explain my very real negative feelings about others?  Well, I may dislike some folks.  I may know some folks who are difficult to deal with.  I may have a personality conflict with a co-worker, or a classmate.  There are people that I don’t enjoy being around.  There are those who may think that they hate me, and the world tells me to hate back.  But if  I really think about it, I don’t hate anyone.  Do you?

This piece was first published on March 27, 2016 in honor of Easter 2016.  I have chosen to run the article again as we approach Easter 2017.

Easter in the year two thousand sixteen is fast approaching.  Whether one is Christian or not, most recognize Easter as a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his execution three days prior for claiming to be the Son of God.  Have you ever considered the connection between rejection and Easter.  I can hear it now, “No!  “What are you thinking.  Easter is about Jesus dying on the cross to provide forgiveness for the sins of all humanity”.  True.  Very true.  But what is sin?  Sin………….sin is rebellion against God.  And rebellion my friend, rebellion is the rejection of God.  The rejection of God, plain and simple.

Those who have read all of my posts know that I taught and coached in Arkansas public schools for almost four decades.  Readers may or may not know that I have also taught a variety of classes to a variety of age groups in a variety of churches that I attended for just as long.  That is a lot of teaching.  Teaching forces the teacher to learn, and as is often the case, I have learned more than my students during these decades.  Of additional  importance, I have learned not to put words in the mouths of authors, researchers, scientists, my students, and most importantly of all, God.  I have also learned that as a teacher, I need to understand as well as stress the differences between what appears to be scientifically proven information, theory, the thoughts of others, the opinions of others, as well as my thoughts, and most importantly my opinions.  I don’t need to “think” for someone else.  Each of us needs to do our own thinking.  Each of us needs to forms our own opinions, our own beliefs, and our own value system.  During my sixty four years on this planet, I have read mountains of material, heard untold numbers of speakers, and viewed numerous documentaries.  To the point, sometimes I’m not certain which of my ideas are “original”.  Probably not many.  That being said, I’m not positive if my belief that Easter is based on rejection is original.  For some reason, recently, this idea has been strongly impressed, and I feel a need to  repeat it.

It was the Summer of 1976.  My high school coaching career was beginning it’s third year.  My young family and I had just moved to Clarendon, Arkansas.  My wife and I still love Clarendon, as well as it’s wonderful people.  We only lived there one year, however, we forged many strong friendships and share a lifetime of memories.  Soon after the move, I was approached to chaperone the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle to a summer conference at Oral Roberts University.  I’m glad that I did.  It was a very profitable experience.  I learned material that I continue to treasure.  At the time, it was apparent to campus visitors that Oral Roberts University stressed that human beings are multi-faceted creatures.  This wasn’t a unique concept, not even forty years ago.  Those dealing with the medical issues of human beings have long  stressed that people are physical, mental/emotional, and social creatures.  It has been accepted for some time that each of these individual facets of human existence are interdependent, and complicit to one’s total health.  So that concept was not unique.  What I found to be unusual, however, was the fact that in 1976, not only did Oral Roberts University recognize and stress the interdependence of these facets, but added a very important fourth facet.  Oral Roberts University stressed that not only were human beings physical, mental/emotional and social, but spiritual as well.  Oral Roberts University felt the complete liberal arts education must involve all four.  I’m not certain this concept continues to be stressed as I haven’t returned to that campus since 1976, but hopefully it is so.

Few would argue that humans are physical, mental/emotional, and social beings.  But some, I think, would question the spiritual aspect.  Let me ask you a question.  How do you feel about dogs?  Are you a fan of dogs?  Maybe cats? Or horses?  Horses are really fascinating creatures.  Here’s my point.  Are animals visible?  Do animals breath, eat, bleed?  Are animals created by the joining of sperm and egg, live for a time, and then die?  Of course, so then animals are as physical as human beings.  Similarly, animals can  think.  They can also learn. So, animals are mental beings.  Animals have feelings.  My dog is always excited when we are getting ready to go for a walk, to go for a ride in the car, or to see me when I get home.  My dog realizes when she has done something wrong and is in trouble.  Molly, my dog, also is very afraid of things she doesn’t understand.  So dogs are emotional.  Dogs are social above all else.  Molly recognizes our family as her pack, and we work and play as a unit.  You know, I love animals.  My mother recognized that, and thought I was going to be a veterinarian.  But no matter how cool I think they are, I must admit, animals are not spiritual.  We all like to point out the human qualities of our pets. They certainly have some.  Molly can do lots of things, but she is not spiritual.  All dogs, all animals, posses some very human qualities, but animals are not spiritual and that is the biggest difference between man and animal.  I know, I know. there are other differences between humans and animals.   Molly’s ability to reason is limited.  She does not have opposable  thumbs, and she’s never built a fire, or contructed a tool.  And she won’t.  However, the biggest difference between Molly and I is the fact that she is not spiritual.  Molly and her kind were not created in God’s image.

You, my friend, can accept my belief, or you may reject my belief.   Stressed throughout my writings is the belief that we should all do our own thinking.  We should each believe what we choose to believe.  We each are born with free will.  We are each free to choose what we believe.  We are each free to make our own choices.  I hope each of you accept and acknowledge this gift.  The great thing about living in America, is that although the Founding Fathers believed in a Creator, they also believed that free will was a gift from that same Creator, and developed a form of government that allowed for multiple freedoms.  I am completely free to believe and do as I wish, as long as my choices do not interfere with your beliefs and freedoms.  And so are you free to do so.

“We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

I believe in a Creator.  In fact, I believe in The Creator.   The creator that I believe in is the God of the Bible.  As stated in the Bible (Genesis 1:26-27), I believe God made us in His image.  I believe that some how, some way, we represent the image of our Heavenly Father physically, mentally/emotionally, socially, and spiritually.  God is not just some Spirit in the Sky that watches over us.  A Spirit that provides our wishes.  God is more.  Much more.  I don’t believe that any of us really have a grasp on how much more.  God is someone who made us on purpose.  God made the animals on purpose as well.  And when God created, He created humans in His image, but He did not create animals in His image.  I’m not certain if God has a physical body on a daily basis.  I have no way to know that.  I do know, however, that Jesus is God and that Jesus was born of a human mother just as I was, and that Jesus walked this Earth for some thirty three years, so God has been, if not is, physical.  I know that God is mental, because God is able to reason and design at a level that we mere mortals are incapable of.  I know that God has emotions or feelings, just as we do.  The Bible reminds us in it’s shortest verse,  John 11:35 of the New International translation, “Jesus wept”.  I know that God is social.  Humans were designed for fellowship with God.  I know that Jesus referred to His disciples as friends.  Above all, God is spiritual.  YOU, are made in God’s image.  All humans have been made, are made, and will be made in the image of the Almighty God.  Why do we reject God and his simple rules for living?  Free will.  Free will is the reason.  God loves us so much that He didn’t force to accept or to obey Him.  God gives choice, and often we reject.  Maybe not always, but the best believers among us reject at times.

It started with the angels.  God gave the angels free will.  Lucifer, the greatest, the most powerful angel, rejected God’s authority and sought to overthrow the Heavenly kingdom, seeking God’s throne for himself.  One third of the other angels sided with Lucifer.  God cast Lucifer from Heaven with the other rebellious angels.  Lucifer’s name was changed to Satan.  This rebellion, this rejection of God, began with Lucifer/Satan.  Adam and Eve had an extremely  personal relationship with God, yet rejected God by choosing to disobey God.  This rejection continued.  God chose the  Jews to lead the world back to Him.  Ultimately the Hebrew people rejected God to the point of physically killing God when they crucified Jesus.

Have you ever been rejected?  We all have at some point.  In some way, we have all suffered.  Maybe we have been rejected because of physical features.  Maybe we have been rejected because of our thoughts.  Perhaps, we are not quite as intelligent as some folks.  Or as creative.  Or talented.  Have you been rejected by someone you loved?  A close friend?  A member of the opposite sex?  Your own child perhaps?  Is it hard for you to meet new people?   Maybe you never quite fit in.  Consider God.  Think about the Creator.  Think about the Creator being rejected by the created.

Yes, we have all been rejected.  Rejected physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.  And why shouldn’t we be rejected?  Why shouldn’t  we be rejected by the created, when the created reject the Creator?  God has been rejected by the created as well.  The created rejected God physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.  God is physical.  God can think.  God has feelings.  God is social.  God is spiritual.  Lucifer and some angels rejected God.  Adam and Eve rejected God.  Others rejected God, and all of this rejection of God led to the physical rejection of God, who came to earth physically in the form of Jesus.  The rejection of God by man did not end.  Jesus had a few friends, but not many.  Jesus was mocked.  Jesus was spit upon.  Jesus was a social outcast.  God’s rejection by man culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the ultimate rejection.  What would you feel if you were God?  Put yourself in His shoes.  Rejected by Lucifer.  Rejected by Adam and Eve.  Rejected by Cain.  Rejected by all except Noah and his family.  Rejected by the majority of the Jews.  Think about the rejection.  Rejection of the Creator by the created.

The Good News, despite all of this rejection of God by man, is that while man has rejected God physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, God has not rejected man.  Although man rejects God, God reaches out to man physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and especially spiritually through Jesus Christ.  God accepts man in all four of these facets provided man, trusts in the Truth through Christ.  Do you seek acceptance by the Creator?  Do you wish to be spiritually acceptable to God?  Just believe.  Don’t accuse Jesus of blasphemy.  Jesus is who He claims to be.  Jesus is Absolute Truth.  You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.

“We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Easter, the ultimate rejection.  Have you accepted the spiritual acceptance of God provided by Jesus?  If you haven’t, you should.

HAPPY EASTER!

Truth.  Truth, as in Absolute Truth.  Capital T Truth.  Truth that is always True.  Truth that was True yesterday.  Truth that is True today.  Truth that will be True tomorrow. Can this kind of Truth exist?  Does this kind of Truth exist?

As has been stated previously in Absolute Truth and Freedom, my personal belief is that Absolute Truth does exist.  “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” (the Declaration of Independence). I also believe all human beings have free will.  Free will is just that.  Free will is individual freedom to accept the existence of Absolute Truth or not.

Within previous posts, I declared my personal Worldview included a belief in a Creator, and that the Creator was the God of the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible.  If you have not read all of my prior posts, I’d like to suggest that you do, for understanding.  Not necessarily agreement, but understanding.  You need to believe, and believe in, what you choose to believe, and believe in. I have chosen, of my own free will, to believe, and believe in the God of the Bible.  I accept the Bible as the Word of God.  In the Biblical Book of John 8:32 (the Gospel of John, eighth chapter, thirty second verse), Jesus said to his followers, “If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the Truth will set you free”.  My friend, would you really like to know the Truth?  The Truth about everything?  Do you want to be free?

Like many Believers, I own many copies of the Bible.  If I check the references in one of my favorite Bibles, I find some version of the word truth mentioned in the Bible some two hundred fifty times.  Most of those references would be to capital T Truth.  Absolute Truth.  Truth that was True yesterday.  Truth that is True today.  Truth that will be True tomorrow.

Absolute Truth and Freedom.  Truth the Founding Fathers of America believed in.  Please remember the  words of the drafters of America’s Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”.  Do you seek real Truth?  Truth that will set you free.  Truth that is always True.  I believe that this Truth exists.  As I type this, the date is Monday, March 21, 2016.  Friday, is March 25th.  This year, March 25th is Good Friday.  Sunday, is March 27th.  This year, March 27th is Easter Sunday.  Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  To a Christian, two of the three cornerstone holidays of the faith, the third being Christmas.  As most know, Christmas to the Christian represents the birthday of Jesus Christ, Good Friday represents the day Christ was executed, and Sunday represents the day Christ was resurrected.  What better point in history to seek for and find Absolute Truth.

I don’t know about you, but I like simple.  My favorite all time television show is  The Andy Griffith Show because everything about that show is simple. I love the small Arkansas town of Atkins, where I lived on two separate occasions because the town and my life there was simple.  My favorite categories of music are Bluegrass, early Country and Western, early Blues and early Rock and Roll because the melodies, as well as the lyrics are simple and share simple stories.

Readers of earlier editions of Absolute Truth and Freedom can attest to my affection for a 1959 edition of Webster’s Dictionary that belongs to my wife.  Those readers will also recall, I like this particular dictionary because it uses definitions that I recognize, of words that I recognize.  For instance, when referencing music a bit earlier I used the term category rather than genre’.  It’s not that I don’t know the definition of genre’.  It’s not that I never utter genre’.  It’s that my favorite dictionary indicates that genre’ is a not a word of English origin, but of French.  If we keep it simple, when simple is important, than everyone has a chance to understand.

My old pal Noah Webster defines Simple as an adjective meaning single; not complex; undivided; not blended or compounded; pure; plain, unadorned; sincere; natural; unaffected; intelligible; clear; weak in intellect; humble.  Simple may also be used as a noun meaning something unmixed or not compounded; or a medicinal herb.

I like simple.  I like simple because……………..well because……………..because it simplifies things.  How about elections.  How about simplifying elections?

As the process continues to name the 2016 presidential candidates rages on, I seek simplicity, but find none.  As the days pass, I continue to hear labels being thrown about that I once thought I knew the meaning of.  Terms that I thought were simple with simple definitions.  Now, I realize that I’m not so certain I understand the definitions of some words that we commonly use to categorize political leanings and beliefs.  Let’s consider the terms conservative and liberal.

Conservative may be used as an adjective meaning: having the tendency or power to preserve; or as a noun meaning: that which preserves; or one opposed to hasty changes in the political, religious or civil institutions of the country.  Liberal is an adjective meaning generous; munificent; plentiful; free from narrowness in ideas or doctrines; or a noun meaning an opponent of conservatism; one who advocates freedom in political institutions.  Simple enough.  Or is it?

Currently, the Democrat Party is considered liberal in it’s platform, while the Republican Party is considered conservative. Many also feel non Christians are liberal, while Christians are conservative.  So, are we to believe all Democrats are non Christians and all Republicans are Christians.  Remember, all means ALL.  If you group items together, and find just one tiny bit of difference in just one of the items,  the definition of all no longer applies to that grouping.  One is correct to use the term most much more often than all.

Additionally, if one is considered to be a conservative, what does that say bout that individual?  A person may be conservative in a variety of ways.  Just off the top of my head, one may be considered conservative environmentally, financially, constitutionally, religiously, Biblically (not the same as religiously), and artistically, just to name a few.  I’m certain conservative may be applied to other categories apply.  So, if I’m considered to be a conservative, in what way(s) am I conservative?  Keep in mind that to be liberal is the polar opposite of being conservative.  So if I’m considered to be a liberal, in what way(s) am I liberal?

Those who know me would consider me a conservative.  I recently took an online survey that compared my beliefs on ten keys issues to the beliefs of the remaining Democrat and Republican candidates for President.  The results indicated that I am more conservative than any of the candidates left representing both parties.  But……..I am not a Republican.  I repeat, I am not a Republican.  Nor am I a Democrat.  I refuse to be tied to any political party.  The Republican’s don’t even know who they are.  The GOP is split into Mainline ,  Tea Party, Libertarian, and who knows how many other branches.  How is any of this simple?

Now, I realize it would be impossible to find someone to run for any office at any level whom I felt exactly represented all of my beliefs regarding anything that I could possibly have an opinion on.  I would like to find candidates to support, however, that I could have complete trust in to do the right thing at all times because the making the decision was the right thing to do, and not because the decision was what the party platform called for.

I have recently heard the argument made that we are not electing a “Pastor in Chief”, but rather a “Commander in Chief”, and I don’t disagree.  But I can’t help but wonder, If He were in the voting booth, who would my God vote for?

If this is your first visit to this site, I would suggest that you didn’t begin reading at this point.  I feel you need to read the posts in chronological order for the material to make any sense at all.  If this is not your first visit, thank you for returning.

It’s been a long time between posts……………………………………. I’ve done much reading and thinking during this time.  I’ve done some writing as well, just not on this blog.  The reasons for the long lapse between posts are many, and there is no need to go into them.  The most important reason, however, is that I wasn’t ready to say anything.  Now I am

Time.  It passes so quickly.  The first post of Absolute Truth and Freedom was on February 26, 2015.  Now it’s early March, 2016.  Where has the year gone?  The most recent post of Absolute Truth was more than six months ago.  My year has been eventful.  All of my personal events have been good.  I pray life has been as good for you.  The World’s year has been eventful, as well.  Unfortunately, not all of the World’s events have been good.  The number of people on this planet that want to blind other human beings to Absolute Truth seem to surface every day, with every newscast.  When we lose Absolute Truth, we lose the Author of the Truth, and we lose Freedom.  Real Freedom.

When I made the decision to begin this site, I wasn’t certain what to expect from the experience.  I guess my biggest question was, “Will even one person bother to read any of it”.  Well, I now know that the answer is yes.  One person has bothered to read Absolute Truth and Freedom.  Actually, more than one.  I’m not certain how many have visited this site, but I know for a fact that it has actually been more than two.  Here’s what I’m basing my head count on.  I have two sons and I know that they have read at least some of the material because each of them has commented on content that would have unknown to them unless they had at least skimmed at least some of the material.  Additionally, I have at least two friends from the church that I attend who profess to have visited my blog.  That makes four!  Now, dear readers, some of you are now officially offended.  Some readers are offended because they are thinking, “I’ve visited this site and I’m not his son, nor do I attend church with this man.  What about me”!  Relax, please, I’m not finished.  Sixteen individuals have sent e-mails to Absolute Truth and Freedom with compliments.  So………..I can truthfully say, Absolute Truth and Freedom has had at least twenty visitors in the past 12 months.  With no advertising.  Whether the visits occurred due to guilt, DNA, friendship, word of mouth, or chance, I thank you for your visits.  If you have enjoyed this site, please share it with others.

With some of the comments have come a few questions.  One of the questions is, “Is your site WordPress based”?  Yes it is.  Another question, “Do you have to be able to write code to have a blog”?  Absolutely not.

No one asked this question, but in anticipation I might add that sites such as this will generate lots of spam.  Many of these appear to be computer generated visits to the site that are efforts to get the owner of the site to allow another to promote the site in order to increase hits in an effort to gain followers.  There are hundreds of these comments that will have to be sorted through unless one makes an effort to prevent them.  For those of that are not robots, I again thank you for your visits.

So, I have admitted my belief that all that we know to exist, and possibly more, is the work of a creator.  A superior being.  A supreme being.  As always, I believe that freedom allows us opinion to our own beliefs, so believe whatever it is that you choose to believe and I will believe whatever it is that I choose to believe.  That being said, my belief is that a creator would choose to communicate with the created, or at least with some of the created.   I feel all people would agree that human beings sit atop the earthly biological pyramid of living things.  Since I believe in a creator, and I believe that a creator would choose to communicate with the higher level of beings created, I believe that the creator is The Creator.  The God of the ancient Hebrews.  The great “I AM”.  The God of the Hebrew Bible as well as the God of the Christian Bible.

At this point I have made it clear that I believe in one God as well as the Bible.  Allow me to establish as well, the fact that I believe the Bible to be the recorded Word of the Creator.  Additionally, please allow me to state that I don’t for one second believe that the Bible is a complete work of the total history of God,  Earth, mankind, or of live itself.  Rather, I believe that the Bible is a complete work of all that God has chosen to record for the benefit of the created.  The Bible exists to help the created believe in the Creator.  The Bible exists to allow the created to realize that the Creator wishes to establish individual relationships with all human beings.  The Bible exists to help mankind understand that the Creator could choose, and has chosen to have a level of expectations for the created.  The Bible exists in order for the created to realize that try as they might, the created are not capable of living up to the expectations of the Creator.  And finally, the Bible exists to ensure the created that all is not lost, and that the Creator has provided a means for the failures of the created to be forgiven by the Creator.  I am so glad the Creator loves me, and loves You enough to provide this knowledge, and through this knowledge forgiveness for us All!

“….endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty (freedom, of all kinds, including free will), and the pursuit of Happiness”.

Absolute Truth provides each of us with Absolute Freedom.