Pulp Fiction

Samuel L. Jackson is Jules Winnfield, a mobster in a tight spot. Jules and his partner Vincent Vega (John Travolta), have just pulled into the home of Jimmie (played by Tarantino himself) with a dead body in the car which they have to dispose of pronto. Under pressure from Jimmie to get out of there as fast as possible, Jules calls his mob boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) to appraise him of the situation and plea for backup. Wallace reassures him he'll be sending "the posse" in the form of "The Wolf" to help. Jules, obviously as relieved as he's ever been in his life, uttering a line similar o this one, “Brother, That's All You Had To Say.”

Roll with me here. What kind of faith pleases God? What constitutes a belief in God that receives His approval? These words of Jesus from Luke 7 rest in the middle of a story about a Roman centurion asking Jesus to heal his servant. A centurion going to this much trouble for a servant demonstrates a great love for this man. One can imagine the feelings of grief and anxiety as someone he cares about is on the brink of death. But in seeking and finding Jesus, the centurion probably also possessed some hope. The passage doesn’t indicate whether or not the centurion came to a saving faith in Christ, but it definitely shows us a faith that Jesus highly regarded. It was a faith that believed Jesus possessed the power to heal his servant with a simple word. 

On the other hand, contrast that kind of faith with a faith of which Jesus is critical. Throughout the Gospels, many Jews constantly asked Jesus to perform signs and wonders. Only after He had “performed” for them would they believe that He was the Christ. But, here we see a Gentile, not even ethnically a member of the Jewish people, who says to Jesus, “You don’t have to come to my house; you don’t have to physically touch my servant. You don’t have to perform any sign or wonder to get me to believe you can heal my servant. All you need to do is say the word, and I know he will be healed.” 

That is biblical, commendable faith. The Bible is full of countless stories depicting the same kind of faith. Abram believed God, and it was his faith that received God’s favor (Genesis 15:6). The thief on the cross believed Jesus alone had the power to forgive him, and he was promised eternal life (Luke 23). The people of Israel marched around the fortified city of Jericho doing nothing but blowing trumpets – no swords, spears, or javelins – because the Lord told them to, and the walls come down (Joshua 6). 

What kind of faith do we possess? Do we try to barter with God, “Lord, if you will only do this, then I will believe?” Or do we simply believe and wait for Him to act? Seek to possess faith like this centurion. Ask the Lord to give you a faith rooted in His character and Word rather than in what He can give you. This is the type of faith that pleases God. 

Let Us Pray – 

Heavenly Father, that’s all you had to say Lord. In Your Son’s most Holy Name we pray. Amen Jesus. Amen. Amen. 

SCRIPTURE 

 Luke 7:6-7,9 

 “So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed…’ When Jesus heard this, He was amazed at Him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, He said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’”

#WALKAWAY

I’m a born Democrat. My mother never voted Republican.

As a teen I never paid much attention to politics, I was more focused on reading comics, watching science fiction shows, and schooling. In my young adult life my faith became focal. Though I was the furthest from saintly, I was still a staunch Christian just trying to find my way.

Resulting from long working hours, non-stop partying, and binge runs with alcohol and drugs, I decided to join the military. This decision led me to recognize the effect politics and associated national leadership has on our nation and my life in the military.

I supported Bill Clinton. I recognized his economic brilliance and I took personal advantage of his leadership in during our economic recovery in the mid-1990s, purchasing a home and making a few sound investments.

During Bill Clinton’s eight years in office, terrorist enemies of the U.S. waged a virtually unimpeded offensive against the United States. On Clinton’s watch, terrorists launched a string of escalating attacks, each one bolder than the last: the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993; the attack on Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia three years later; the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole. This last attack hit close to home with me since I knew several Sailors aboard this great American ship.

Each of these attacks was carried out with no effective U.S. response. Clinton employed a combination of law enforcement and symbolic, pinprick cruise-missile strikes — firing, in the words of President George W. Bush, “a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent to hit a camel in the butt.”

I was done, and I was finished with this lack of spine, all talk no action approach to governance. I walked away.

G.W. got my vote. Twice.

In 2008, I voted for candidate Obama. In hindsight, it was a mistake. End of story.

I never paid much attention to the national vote, but I did during the second-term election of GW, and again during the election of Trump.

The counties encompassing big metropolises like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Atlanta, are less than 4 percent of the land mass, but 62 percent of the population and easily 99 percent of the popular culture. From these areas radiate our movies, shows, songs, and news. These cities are all blue states otherwise known as democrat elite states. Thank God for the Electoral College!!!

I do not know who penned the phrase first, but I will write it again and end my post on this note - The election of Trump is "a brick chucked through the window of the elites. Are you assholes listening now?" #WALKAWAY

BLACK FRIDAY

The stupid fairies have stung a few folks of late, allow me to explain. There are some in the media and a few folks I know personally that are mumbling "Black Friday" is a racist term. While the color black is generally seen by a certain some as an evil or negative color, the hue has a favorable meaning in accounting, specifically finance. In this field, black is a serious color that literally means business. When an accountant is showing clients that their accounts are "in the black," it means their business is making a profit. The role of an accountant is to assist clients in having as many black numbers on their monthly or yearly statements as possible. In retail, Black Friday is just that, an attempt to turn as many red (negative) numbers from the past year into black (positive) numbers on this awesome shopping day - Black Friday. #GETSOME
On a personal note, I really despise anyone who sees damn near everything as a racist issue. They come across as miserable, jealous, and passionately angry individuals that operate inside a box of despair while attempting to blame these feelings on others. I was born completely color-blind, my world is black, white and gray (literally!), and even I can see all the wonderful hues of life and happiness - even on a rainy day.