He is Risen! He is Alive!

So many have expressed the AMAZING GRACE better than I can! For example, my vintage hymnbook. There is a tender story that goes with my hymnbook, which was a “giveaway”, when a church we attended in Northern Wisconsin purchased new hymnals.

For years my husband, Joe, enjoyed listening when I played the old Gospel hymns on my piano. One day Joe said, “I wish I had a matching hymnbook so I could sing along!”

Well, I went immediately online to Amazon, and found the exact same hymnbook. As I recall, it was all of something like $3.84–and within a few days INSPIRING HYMNS, published by Singspiration, was in Joe’s hands.

Joe put markers on all of his favorites–and we always finished a song session with the classic AMAZING GRACE. Just the name of the hymn gives me goosebumps, and so does the account of its composer, John Newton.

John Newton, 1725-1807, was an Englishman raised by a devout, Bible-believing mother who died of tuberculosis when John was 7 years old. After many rebellious years and harsh circumstances at sea, Newton began a new life as a Christian believer. For a time, he served as a mate and then captain of a slave ship–hoping that as a Christian he could bring something positive to that egregious trade.

Finally John Newton fully realized the abject evil of the slave trade, quit that career, became an abolitionist—and finally an Anglican cleric. He will be remembered forever, as the composer of what is undoubtedly the most beloved Christian hymn of all time.

My husband always insisted on singing all 4 verses of AMAZING GRACE. He especially loved the 4th verse, and Joe was often disgruntled because it is seldom sung. Even in the second-to-none rendition performed by THE IRISH TENORS, whom we loved to stream through our speakers, verse number 4 is missing.

Now my husband Joe is almost 9 months into his 10,000 years—which is not even a dent in our endless ETERNITY with the Lord.

Although many of us do not have the dramatic history of a John Newton, It is absolutely true that “. . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who knew no sin, God in the flesh, willingly gave up His life on a cruel Roman cross to completely absolve us from the sin-debt we could never ourselves pay–thus freeing us from the tyranny of sin and, as we trust and obey, restoring us to endless fellowship with our Holy God.

HE IS RISEN! HE IS ALIVE! HE IS COMING BACK TO REIGN AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

Whomever looks to the Risen Messiah Jesus Christ, and trusts in Christ’s finished work at Calvary, is a beneficiary of that AMAZING GRACE. For 10,000 years and forever!

Margaret L. Been — April 3rd, 2021

Please, will somebody come and laugh with me?

These days there are times when I feel like screaming, ‘LIGHTEN UP!!!” Where are the laughs? Where are the funny people? Now you may be saying, “What is wrong with this woman? Was she born yesterday, under a rock? Doesn’t she understand that there is simply nothing to laugh about? Nothing funny?“

Yes, I get it. There is nothing funny. Our southern border is more than a crisis; it is a full blown, tragic disaster! The closed pipeline is an economic disaster. The renewed relationship with Iran is a global disaster. The legislation of immorality is egregious. The murder of unborn children deserves the utter wrath of God.

Today’s gender confusion is so off the wall and over the top, that I now fully understand what is meant in the book of Romans about God giving sinners up to “a reprobate mind”. We have a culture replete with national leadership consisting of reprobate minds. And the rise of anti-Semitism—discrimination against God’s CHOSEN PEOPLE—is the proverbial “last straw”. There is nothing to laugh about. And that, dear reader, is precisely why we have to find some reason to laugh.

No, I was not born yesterday. I was born in the Milwaukee Hospital, not under a rock. I was probably born before most, if not all, of my readers. And like today, there was “nothing to laugh about” during the first 12 years of my life. THE GREAT DEPRESSION was not funny. Nor was WORLD WAR II.

Those are a couple of reasons why then, like today, we had to find something to laugh about. But unlike today, in the 1930s and 40s we had help with our laughing. We had brilliant philanthropists who endowed us with God’s gift of laughter, which can actually be a survival tool—benefactors such as THE MARX BROTHERS, THE THREE STOOGES, LAUREL AND HARDY, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO, BOB HOPE, JACK BENNY, LUCILLE BALL, RED SKELTON. With that cast of characters, we couldn’t NOT LAUGH!

Where have all the comics gone, the true comedians whose wit encompassed an entire nation—not just a biased few? Several decades later, we had one more classic: CAROL BURNETT. And then there were none, at least none compared to “back then”.

In the 1970s, Stephen Sondheim composed a poignantly lovely ballad with an unforgettable title: SEND IN THE CLOWNS. Yes, SEND IN THE CLOWNS. We need them!

Now, here is a confession: I am so starved for laughter, that the report of one of President Biden’s German Shepherds doing a number on the WHITE HOUSE floor sent me into hysterics. Even funnier (to my odd sense of humor) were 2 comments after the report: 1) Whichever dog did it, was just asserting his 1st Amendment Right, and 2) They probably blamed Trump.

Please, will somebody come and laugh with me?

Margaret L. Been — April 1st, 2021, NO FOOLING!

Sola Scripture

“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.” Jude, verses 17-18 NKJV

In my last entry, I listed some names of brilliant Christian apologists in my lifetime. Cluelessly, I added a name to that list which I have now removed—that of the late Ravi Zacharias. Clueless, because I do not do social media, or read periodicals where this gifted man’s tragically egregious demise has been documented.

Along with my shock and a sense of feeling ill, it breaks my heart to think of the victims involved and the countless individuals who were deceived—those who mistakenly trusted the man rather than the message: something Scripture tells us to never do.

Yet this tragic betrayal in no way detracts from Biblical truths proclaimed by this man; rather, Ravi’s demise underscores the truth of our abject NEED for our Savior by highlighting the total depravity of man and the fact that we are unable to save ourselves from God’s wrath.

Only in our Lord and His Word can we trust! Sola Scripture! Nothing on earth, no circumstance—no individual, nation, or Satanic agenda can defeat or in any way derail God’s truth and His eternal plan which will be fulfilled in His timing!

And God did not leave us powerless, lost in our depravity. He sent His Son to redeem us, to give us abundant eternal life. An all-powerful, all loving and forgiving Savior.

Meanwhile, we may never know any more details pertaining to the fallen life of Ravi Zacharias. He very possibly died an excruciating death given the severity of his illness. Did he, in his heart, repent his gross sin and acknowledge the gravity of its consequences?

There was an Old Testament King of Israel who sinned grievously—adding murder as an attempt to cover his sin of adultery. That king was broken by his sin, and he fervently repented.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, and You only have I sinned—and done this evil in your sight . . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me . . . .“ Psalm 51:3-4a, 10-11a NKJV

Margaret L. Been — February 26, 2021

HOW COULD IT HAVE HAPPENED?

My mother was a classical pianist. Symphonies, concertos, and operas were her musical language, and they are mine as well. But another musical genre was as loved by Mom as the classics: the Black Spirituals.

Most every night throughout my growing up years, and even when I came home during my first year of college, Mom and I had a bedtime tradition. We said a prayer, recited Psalm 1, and sang spirituals.

The favorites which we sang the most often, and the ones I clearly recall, were SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT, and another which I have never heard sung anywhere since: WHERE OH WHERE ARE THE HEBREW CHILDREN? (The next line contains the answer, which I love: “Way down yonder in the Promised Land.”)

This early introduction to God’s Chosen People, the Jews, blossomed consistently over the years into a profound love fueled by relationships and circumstances too numerous to mention outside of an actual book!*

Which leads me directly to a day in 1945, when—at age 12—I suddenly grew up: the day I opened an issue of LIFE MAGAZINE, and saw photos that General Eisenhower’s troops had taken of the Nazi death camps.

My precious Mother—unwilling to give up on a nation that had produced Bach, Beethoven, and others of their musical genius—often commented over the years how there were countless numbers of German people who hated and were sickened by what happened. I believed her! I knew she had to be right! (Indeed, Mom was almost ALWAYS right!) Yet, I always wondered, “Then how could it have happened? If countless German people hated it, how could it happen?”

Over the years, I have had friends from Germany. Hardworking people (anyone from around Milwaukee knows THAT!). Creative individuals, with a verve for life! Because I have loved these friends dearly, and have not wanted to cause them pain—knowing that they had to be among the “countless who hated what had happened”—I have never voiced that age-old question, “How could it have happened?”

Now I know I will NEVER question my German friends, because IT IS HAPPENING TO MY BELOVED UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! A diabolical regime is taking over our nation, despite the fact that countless numbers of us do not want it to happen. We are losing our Freedom of Speech; we are being censored, black–balled, and cancelled. Someday, God forbid, those of us who treasure FREEDOM OF SPEECH may even be subjected to a fate similar to that of God’s Chosen People under Nazi rule,

I know people who will find the above paragraph to be outlandish and ridiculously offbeat! They will say, “Come ON! This is the USA! It’s just politics as usual!”

Well, since our last election, “politics as usual” have veered so far to the left as to be unfathomably horrific. International dealings are back in place which favor nations who want to destroy us. Policies have been re-enacted which are costing thousands of Americans their jobs, while promising to cause even more job loss—potentially creating a culture which will be more dependent on the Federal Government.

Moral values have been mocked and desecrated with a stroke of a pen. Human rights, particularly the rights of the unborn, are blatantly transgressed. We Christians are erroneously pictured by current lock-step mass-media to be uneducated and border-line, if not outright, stupid.

Never mind Malcolm Muggeridge, C.S. Lewis, and Francis Schaeffer—to mention only a very FEW recent names from the hundreds and thousands of brilliant Christian minds down through the centuries. Never mind the fact that we are supposed to be a government of the people, for the people, and by the people! Never mind that tyrannical government has never been of, for, or by THE PEOPLE!

What we now have is tyrannical government! What we will have tomorrow, is beyond my imagination—barring intervention by Almighty God Himself!

However, I know He is Sovereign, and ever in control. His plan will not be thwarted, however confusing and uncertain our current world scene appears. I truly believe our confusing and uncertain world scene reveals that we are experiencing the “Last Days”!

I constantly pray for a movement of God’s Spirit in our land. “His will be done . . . .” Meanwhile, Our Lord will return! After the reign of the Anti-Christ, who may certainly be alive and somewhere on the scene today, The Lord Jesus Christ will return to reign in justice and righteousness—in Jerusalem.

If in doubt, prayerfully read the Gospels, the New Testament letters, and the Old Testament prophets. God’s promises cannot fail! God’s promises stand for all of us who trust in the finished work of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And God’s promises remain intact for His Chosen People, the Jews.

(*I recently did the DNA spit test, and the results came back with 1% Ashkenashi Jew. Not a lot, but “better than none”!)

Margaret L. Been — February 13th, 2021

Our PERFECT HIGH PRIEST

“Though He were a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey Him.” Hebrews 5:8-9

Have you ever awakened in the night with a memory of something you have done or said, and begun to agonize—thinking, “How could I ever have done or said that?”

Perhaps you continue to mull over the incident, mentally and mercilessly punishing yourself over every detail of the occasion or conversation!

Now I am not referring to something that happened yesterday, or last week. I am thinking of memories from past decades, even FIFTY YEARS AGO—incidents long ago confessed as sin, forgiven and actually forgotten by our great and perfect High Priest, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thus, as I pray through the painful “attack”* and focus on God’s Word I am blessed and washed anew by God’s eternal perspective. Sins Forgiven! Sins Forgotten! Freedom!

“But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified . . . . And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:12-14, 17

There is nothing more reassuring than returning again and again to the book of Hebrews for a detailed description of what we believers possess in Christ, compared to the Old Testament Annual Day of Atonement Ritual—when a human high priest (with a sin nature like ours) entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple, to offer a blood sacrifice of a bull in “restitution” for his own sin and that of his people.

That “sacrifice” had to be repeated year after year, and was only effectual inasmuch as it foreshadowed the blood of the Messiah to come, and His victory over sin: only effectual as faithful believers trusted in God’s plan for the future realty of His Kingdom of righteousness and justice on earth.

Again and again, I remind myself that Jesus paid it all. No “foreshadowing” with an annual ritual. Jesus lives. He redeemed us with the sacrifice of His own blood which is effectual forever. His last words on the cross were, “It is finished.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ rose victorious, and He is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. His sovereign plan prevails for eternity! Indeed, IT IS FINISHED!

*I use the word “attack”, because that is exactly what those sessions of remorse are: attacks of the enemy! The Ephesians 6:10-18 armor is the most essential part of our wardrobe!

Margaret L. Been — February 12, 2021

Doing Our Own Business

“And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing.”  I Thessalonians 4:11-12

Truly we live in “perilous times”.  History affirms that perilous times have existed since Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.  But never before have there been the communication options and incredible number of events impacting the entire world simultaneously.

We are not to name a date for the Lord’s return.  But according to Scriptures (Matthew 24 & 25, among many other passages) we are to be wise, live circumspectly, and observe any well-defined indications of the end of the Church Age.  We realize that life as we know it today may suddenly change—literally in “the twinkling of an eye”.

So, to quote the late and wonderful brother in Christ, Francis Schaeffer, “How do we then live?”  The Apostle Paul has comprehensively answered that question for us in his letters—including those to the Thessalonian Christians who were also living in perilous times.  While anticipating our Lord’s return, continuing in love for one another, and sharing the Gospel of salvation whenever possible, we are to “study* to be quiet and to work with our own hands”.  By so doing our physical needs may be adequately met, and we may be able to share material blessings with others who are less fortunate.

But a lot more beyond the obvious material considerations is implied in the 1st Thessalonians passage.  By studying to be quiet and doing our own business, we can witness to “them that are without” by displaying a lifestyle characterized by stability, serenity, creative living, and our blessed (rock-solid!) Hope—even in the most perilous of times. We never give up; we keep on working with our own hands.

Through our lifestyle, we Christians can reflect a tranquil “joie de vivre”—while countless others are experiencing panic, chaos, and the inevitable moral and spiritual unraveling which accompanies .a worldview minus any meaning beyond the tumultuous moment at hand.  We believers are to be radically different:  beacons of light and anchors of reliability, when masses of people around us are metaphorically lost at sea. 

Standing out in the above passage is the word, “own“. Each human on earth is unique. God has blessed us with individual personalities and gifts. He has given each of us an unique calling and potential for ministry. Therefore, any believer who meddles by pressuring others to major in his or her business and ministry is more likely studying to be noisy, rather than quiet. Lost to those sincerely dedicated but unfortunately misled individuals is the fact that when Christ is our life, then ALL OF LIFE IS “ACTIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY”!  

Margaret L. Been — February 4th, 2021 (Edited and reprinted from a former entry on my blog, GOD’S WORD IS TRUE)

*The word “study” implies that I am not alone in needing disciplined effort to keep my mouth shut, and live quietly. But as we age, it gets easier. Sometimes we lack the energy to be anything but quiet! 🙂

As the Clouds Grow Thicker

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

Have you ever witnessed a more potentially threatening time in our nation and world?  Has the world ever before seemed to be crowding in so quickly, closer and closer, as it is at this moment?

Have communications ever been more constant and all-encompassing—inescapable unless one stuffs his or her electronic devices in the back of a remote drawer and goes for a long, solitary walk?  Or even better—the very best of all—-unless one plunges head first into the depths of God’s ever-faithful, ever beneficial Word!

God’s Word is the only place to go for rest, for comprehension, perspective, and power.  God’s Word not only mined daily—but stored as priceless treasure for instant, ongoing accessibility and application.

While the clouds grow thicker so does our call as Christians, not only to share the Gospel of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—but to mirror His indwelling Life, so that the fruit of His Holy Spirit can be seen by all, everywhere we go!  We are called today just God’s people were instructed centuries ago:  to live the Christian life, as mandated in Galatians 5:22-23.

Not to rant and rave* over all the things that are amiss (although, when watching the news I sometimes forget!)  Not to tear our clothes, Old Testament style.  Not to scream at those who are “out of line”.  The fruit of the Spirit is the genuine outworking of Christ’s life in us.  Whatever we are doing and wherever we may be as God’s fruit is displayed, differs with each individual whom God calls. 

As we focus on our Lord, He directs our “whatever/wherever“.  Our “Full Time Christian Service” may be public (as in church work, missions, or workplace) or private (as in home and/or friendship circles).  Both are equally valid and vital.  But fruit there must be, if our witness is to be effective.

I have blogged near-volumes on this topic, and God-willing I may continue to write more.  The issue is ever-green because (probably like every other believer, and definitely as Paul recorded in his letter to the Romans) I struggle with reflecting God’s fruit—even given prayer and immersion in His Word.  Patience (longsuffering) is a challenge for me. However, we cannot select some fruit to model while discarding others.  We need to present the whole basketful, delicious and nourishing.

God knows His own.  If I bungle my witness, His own people will still be saved for Eternity; they haven’t lost a thing.  And when I refuse to relax and let Jesus display His fruit through me, I am nonetheless still saved for Eternity.  But I will have missed the eternal blessing that would have come, had I been in sync with our Lord in that instance.

As the clouds grow thicker, I don’t want to miss any opportunity to reflect the life of our Lord.

Margaret L. Been — February 2, 2021

*The most famous sermon in U.S. history is without a doubt, Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”  God used this masterpiece (not only of Scripture truth but of literary construction) to pave the way for the movement of His Holy Spirit in an unprecedented revival on our continent. 

Did Jonathan Edwards shout and rave?  No way.  His delivery was unremarkable, and it has been recorded that he actually read his sermons. 

It was God’s truth in this sermon, not the human vehicle, which set the course of American Christianity from the 1700s on.  In fact, had Edwards ranted and raved, his words may never have taken such a profound course.  The man might have attracted more attention than the message.  God chose a quiet-mannered man for the most spectacular movement of the Holy Spirit in our nation.

Although “Sinners” is the most famous of Edwards’ individual messages, it has also been his sermons of joy-filled wonder at the magnificence and beauty of God that theologians, and everyday readers like me have cherished, found edifying, and re-read again and again for rich spiritual encouragement.

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NOTE: I first published this entry on my blog GOD’S WORD IS TRUE, several years ago. Then awhile back, realizing that I could not go on forever juggling several blogs, I re-directed GOD’S WORD IS TRUE readers to this blog. Meanwhile, years of Scriptural input remain on the “GOD’S WORD” site.

The truths therein are perennial. In the event that some NORTHERN REFLECTIONS readers are unaware of my former blogging, I will be reprinting selected entries on this site. MLB

“WHAT IS TRUTH?”

Many of us immediately think of one person when we hear the poignant question, “What is truth?”: Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea who “washed his hands” of the MAN, our Lord Jesus Christ, whom Pilate had declared as innocent. Politics!

In recent months I did a self-study of immersion into the Roman Empire from before Julius Caesar through the Emperor Constantine who changed the political environment of Rome regarding Christianity. In all of my reading, one thought kept surfacing in my mind: technology changes over the centuries but—apart the transformation which accompanies faith in Jesus Christ—human nature does not!

Politics are politics, whether the setting is Ancient Rome or 21st Century U.S.A. A Roman Emperor requested the assassination of individuals who threatened him or his agenda; our newly-elected President, Joe Biden, simply sits in the Oval Office—signing orders with a pen.

Obviously, at this point our government is not so brutal as the Roman Empire was—although outright persecution may come. From my reading I surmised that literal “heads” were significant in the Roman Empire. An Emperor would order an assassination somewhere in the realm, and whomever carried out the dastardly deed would return to Rome with the severed head of the victim: proof of mission accomplished.

Today the “assassinations” are carried out with words by news media which do not deserved the title of JOURNALISM—egregiously biased publications such as THE NEW YORK TIMES and THE WASHINGTON POST, and TV News Networks such as CNN. These news sources only report what the FAR LEFT EMPERORS and their minions decree.

So, WHAT IS TRUTH? God’s WORD, the Bible is TRUTH! The Lord Jesus Christ, God Incarnate is TRUTH. The Holy Trinity, God in Three Persons, is TRUTH.

Without going into the details of all the various policies which our new president is signing into law, two issues of supreme importance cannot be ignored. Joe Biden IS NOT PRO-LIFE. He is authorizing policies which promote abortions here and elsewhere around the world.*

The agenda of Joe Biden IS NOT MORAL. He is authorizing deleterious policies which promote legality, tolerance, and acceptance of immoral sexual and gender issues.

God’s Word irrevocably proclaims the sanctity of human life. Killing unborn children is MURDER. PERIOD! Marriage is a sanctified union between ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN. God created man and woman. He did NOT give permission, or ever intend, for a person to change his or her gender.

In no uncertain terms, I denounce what happened in D.C. on January 6th. President Trump should never have held a rally in Washington on that day. Indeed January 6th, 2021 was a “day of infamy”. Meanwhile, I truly believe that President Trump did not intend for those events to occur; and those events do not in any way obscure the good he did for our nation. Trump is PR0-LIFE, and his policies protected our freedom to worship and obey our Lord—the Author of our Bible.

I have been horrified by what I have read of Qanon’s disgusting conspiracy theories and their projected “military coup”. And I have been especially horrified over the lootings, murders, and massive destruction of property by Antifa and Black Lives Matter in some of our nation’s cities for months—while grossly ignored by THE NEW YORK TIMES and other media of their ilk.

As an Evangelical Protestant Christian Believer, I have been blown away with admiration for the American Roman Catholic Bishops who have spoken out boldly against the policies of President Joe Biden. Without mincing words, these clerics have warned America that our new leaders do not regard the sanctity of the unborn babies’ lives—and our new leaders will promote (already are promoting) immorality and sins against Almighty God!

WHAT IS TRUTH? Those of us in the USA and around the world who know the answer to that question—the TRUTH of Holy Scripture—MUST speak out at every possible opportunity. And those of us with any possible avenue of peaceful public action MUST act! If our present national scene continues unchecked, the day may come when severed heads will replace biased and agenda-driven words! The Ancient Roman Empire revisited.

And above all, PRAY! Only God can heal our nation and set us back on a righteous path. Only God can heal our land through a return to His Word—preached, believed, and applied with our hearts, minds, and deeds. God is TRUTH!

Margaret L. Been — January 30th, 2021 — updated 2/1/21

NOTE: *Abortion IS NOT Health Care!

The artist inside . . .

Until I turned 73, my “artist’s life” consisted of writing, fiber arts, and music. But for many of those years, I had a not-so-secret desire to paint. Then one day a VERY GOOD FRIEND said, “Why don’t you stop talking about it, and JUST DO IT?”

So I “just did it”—and have never looked back. Actually my drawing skills are pathetic. Color/color/color is my strength, and this is obvious to anyone acquainted with my art, my home, and my wardrobe.

For any who have not wandered there accidently or intentionally, I have an art blog which is a lot of fun. Just GOOGLE “Margaret L. Been Messy Palette”. You may be encouraged to join me in making a mess.

I’m convinced there is an artist in everyone. All that is needed to discover that artist is an unflagging desire– along with the self-discipline to work hard nearly every day, plus a willingness to buy good quality art materials in place of something else (outside of the area of pure survival).

If you are so led, I’ll see you at THE MESSY PALETTE. 🙂

Margaret L. Been — January 18, 2021

NOTE: The above painting is very Wisconsin–ish.

SOS AMERICA!

I grew up in the GREAT DEPRESSION AND WWII–during which all Americans sacrificed something. Our sacrifices were relatively small compared to the sufferings in the rest of the world. Yet for some, the sacrifices were tragic!

I have seen good and not so good leadership, but have been thankful ever since I can remember for living in a true representative democracy.

But that has changed. We, the people, have been fed a huge and potentially lethal dose of KOOL-AID. At this moment our freedoms are being removed–specifically the Freedom of Speech. Soon, unless we act quickly, we will lose the Freedom to Worship.

During this time I know that–as Americans did in the 1930s and 40s–I must also “sacrifice” although mine will be by comparison miniscule!

What can I as an 87 year old citizen do? One thing. I have cancelled my pending Amazon orders, and will not order again from AMAZON until its recent ban on Free Speech has been rescinded.

AMAZON has cancelled the only remaining huge online platform for sharing pro-representative democracy and freedom of speech, PARLER. So my online shopping will be from sources other than THE BIG SMILE.

What will this mean for AMAZON, the largest “general store” in the history of the human race? Not even a dent, if I am the only one. But if several thousand, or much better a few million, were likewise motivated a statement would be made.

Every month for the last 7 years, Amazon has been my main shopping venue aside from the local supermarket. That covers gift shopping–massive in a family with 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and currently 20 great-grandchildren. Plus clothing (I am the proverbial “Clothes Horse), household essentials and decorating extras, some of my office supplies, all household cleaning products, laundering/dish washing and paper goods, electronic items, small appliances, carpets, lamps and ceiling lights, printer ink, cat food and litter, many food items, etc. Multiplied by a few more zeros, Jeff Bezos would take notice!

Actually, I have never used any social media. I am protesting the canceling of the one large conservative expression venue after thousands were thrown off Twitter and Facebook because I am a loyal American, and this Totalitarian Takeover is beyond horrible. It must be stopped!

I am not a political activist. I am not an extremist. I am a born again Christian. Decades ago, I WAS an activist, spending considerable time and energy in peaceful promotion of Civil Rights. When Martin Luther King was assassinated, I joined a massive Memorial March through the heart of Milwaukee.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to participate in those activities, and I would do likewise today, if I could. But I would NOT be involved in the egregious demonstrations that rocked several American cities in the summer of 2020–the killing, burning, looting, and destruction of lives and livelihoods that took place affecting mainly my black fellow citizens.

Black Lives matter to ME! BUT quite categorically, BLACK LIVES DO NOT MATTER TO THE ORGANIZATION CALLED BLACK LIVES MATTER!

And I would NOT be involved in the horrendous scenario recently enacted at our nation’s capitol. Nor would the huge majority–the many millions of voters who supported our President Donald Trump because for four years he did an excellent job of making the USA a safer, more prosperous, and more equitable place to live!

The peaceful protest of “Goodbye Amazon” times 1 sounds almost ridiculous. But times a few million? It is certainly worth a try! SOS AMERICA!

Margaret L. Been — January 13, 2021