Author: Susan L. Prince
As a trumpet player in a brass ensemble, I am invited to play at church services now and then. I love to play and will often accept the invitation and join the worship service. Today was one such day.
I hesitate going to other worship services because when I am blessed to have a day off of work, I'd rather spend it worshipping with my family at Northbrook. I took the opportunity though and really observed what was going on around me at the church I visited today.
First thing I noticed is that the average age of the congregation was at least 60. There were maybe 70 attendees and the "choir" consisted of 4 elderly ladies who were making a "joyful noise unto the Lord". As you can imagine, the prayer list in an older congregation has a tendency to get quite long. Oh boy!
Well, it is NOT my style of worship service, but worship is a heart thing. While I may not be moved into worship here (mainly because I object to most music if it wasn't written after 1990, in this case, 1900...LOL), I'm sure that the church members were there to worship and hear a word from God, so I listened and watched. I know one women was surely enjoying the hymns! WHEW! I can use her to support my theory that God is tone deaf!
We played a piece after each hymn and then we heard a reading from the Word. During the reading of the gospel I took out my Bible and started reading John 3 along with the pastor who read aloud. I didn't realize it until I looked up at the congregation at one point, that I was the only one in the whole church who had a Bible with them. What's wrong with this picture?
Then came the sermon. GREAT MESSAGE from the pastor! I thoroughly enjoyed what he was saying! YES YES YES! Not a firey type style of delivery or anything, it was a simple message on how God calls us and the scripture was John 3. He really had some interesting insights about Nicodemus having a "midlife crisis" and wanting to do everything himself...but why did he need to come to Jesus. I was really getting a lot from the message because it was so right! It was the gospel...FLAT OUT! GOD calls US! He opens our eyes! We don't know when or where it will happen, that blessed moment that the Holy Spirit enters our hearts. We can prepare for it. We can pray for it. But, we can't make it happen! We don't know when that moment will be. That is ALL in GODs hands! OHHHHHH, it was such a great message.
Yet, as I looked out at the congregation I noticed something. Eyes were empty. Faces were expressionless. My heart hurt for these people. They were obviously missing something. Now, this was the majority of what I saw. This does not represent everyone there. A few very happy souls greeted us and welcomed us to their church. We were invited to stay for pot luck dinner after the service, and I am sure the Holy Spirit did stir in the hearts of a few there...I was hurting for those that missed the message. I was praying that God would open their eyes and open their hearts to hear Him.
On my way out to my car I passed a couple outside the church doors on a smoke break. Can they NOT smoke for an hour or two? I don't get that. It's a peeve. I don't think people EVER need to smoke on the grounds of any church.
So, my experience made me thankful for my church. It made me thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Most of all it made me thankful that God called me...ME! And He blessed me with ears to hear His call.
Sunday, March 30, 2003
Saturday, March 29, 2003
When I Got Saved Once
Author: Susan L. Prince
Today I put the new Plumb CD in the player at work. (BTW the new Plumb CD is excellent! I am really enjoying it!) I thought that one of my employees would enjoy it. I am always playing Christian music in my store trying to sell it and also just trying to play some edifying music so I don't have to listen to a lot of the degrading and bad secular music out there. I wonder sometimes why lightning doesn't strike my CD player, having all that evil stuff in there and throwing some Godly music in the mix...I'm always waiting for sparks to fly.
My employee is very liberal. She doesn't claim any religious foundation and she is always reading something. She has read much of the bible, and her background I believe is jewish. She reads many books on religions, I think because she is searching. I really don't know a lot about her, except that she is gay. Very outspoken about it too. She is a great person in need of a savior and she has stated that this is one place where she has been among Christians and hasn't been treated poorly because of her sexual orientation.
Anyhow, when the Plumb song came on, Danielle said "who's this?". I said Plumb. She stated "Oh yeah, they gave me this CD for when I got saved once."
Once? What does that mean? I wasn't sure how to respond to that so I asked "once?" and she affirmed "once."
HUH?
Today I put the new Plumb CD in the player at work. (BTW the new Plumb CD is excellent! I am really enjoying it!) I thought that one of my employees would enjoy it. I am always playing Christian music in my store trying to sell it and also just trying to play some edifying music so I don't have to listen to a lot of the degrading and bad secular music out there. I wonder sometimes why lightning doesn't strike my CD player, having all that evil stuff in there and throwing some Godly music in the mix...I'm always waiting for sparks to fly.
My employee is very liberal. She doesn't claim any religious foundation and she is always reading something. She has read much of the bible, and her background I believe is jewish. She reads many books on religions, I think because she is searching. I really don't know a lot about her, except that she is gay. Very outspoken about it too. She is a great person in need of a savior and she has stated that this is one place where she has been among Christians and hasn't been treated poorly because of her sexual orientation.
Anyhow, when the Plumb song came on, Danielle said "who's this?". I said Plumb. She stated "Oh yeah, they gave me this CD for when I got saved once."
Once? What does that mean? I wasn't sure how to respond to that so I asked "once?" and she affirmed "once."
HUH?
Friday, March 28, 2003
A God Thing?
Author: Susan L. Prince
Last year I had an employee that I really had to come down hard on and counsel. She started out as an excellent employee and was for a couple years, then suddenly her performance dropped off. I learned about some personal problems she was having at home and thought that her problems at work probably stemmed from whatever was going on in her personal life. I am the manager and I have a store to run, so I had to counsel her and eventually during one counselling session Melissa got up and walked out. She said "I'm leaving and I am not coming back." She didn't come back.
Until today. Melissa came into the store today and greeted me with a big hug. The first thing I noticed is that she was very pregnant. Hmmmmmmmm...?
Since that day she left I have occassionally lifted her up in prayer and wondered what she was doing and hoping she was getting her life together. We talked and talked today and I learned that indeed her trouble was from hormones and her boyfriend who struggles with alcoholism. I knew it was not a good situation and I told her that I heard she had moved back to Chattanooga. She told me she did, but she and Jeff needed time apart so they took it, and all the while she was dealing with her pregnancy. She said it's been crazy..."but fun!" She looks so happy. I asked about Jeff and she said they are both working on their relationship. I asked specifically if Jeff is getting help with his issues and was told that he was getting counselling from a Christian counsellor. HALLELUJA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said "answered prayer".
Melissa admitted that she was bringing her problems to work and that she knew I knew something was up. I told her I often thought of her and how she was doing. I had felt bad that things in the "end" were not good and I was so glad she stopped by today. It was really cool to know that she is working hard on her relationship with Jeff and that he is getting Christian counselling. They do plan to marry. So, no hard feelings and it really feels good. God is good.
She'll bring the baby by she said and hopefully I will start to work on her again about getting to church! Say a little prayer for Melissa and Jeff today...for their salvation and that they are able to work out all their relationship difficulties and bring their baby into a healthy and well-functioning home.
Last year I had an employee that I really had to come down hard on and counsel. She started out as an excellent employee and was for a couple years, then suddenly her performance dropped off. I learned about some personal problems she was having at home and thought that her problems at work probably stemmed from whatever was going on in her personal life. I am the manager and I have a store to run, so I had to counsel her and eventually during one counselling session Melissa got up and walked out. She said "I'm leaving and I am not coming back." She didn't come back.
Until today. Melissa came into the store today and greeted me with a big hug. The first thing I noticed is that she was very pregnant. Hmmmmmmmm...?
Since that day she left I have occassionally lifted her up in prayer and wondered what she was doing and hoping she was getting her life together. We talked and talked today and I learned that indeed her trouble was from hormones and her boyfriend who struggles with alcoholism. I knew it was not a good situation and I told her that I heard she had moved back to Chattanooga. She told me she did, but she and Jeff needed time apart so they took it, and all the while she was dealing with her pregnancy. She said it's been crazy..."but fun!" She looks so happy. I asked about Jeff and she said they are both working on their relationship. I asked specifically if Jeff is getting help with his issues and was told that he was getting counselling from a Christian counsellor. HALLELUJA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I said "answered prayer".
Melissa admitted that she was bringing her problems to work and that she knew I knew something was up. I told her I often thought of her and how she was doing. I had felt bad that things in the "end" were not good and I was so glad she stopped by today. It was really cool to know that she is working hard on her relationship with Jeff and that he is getting Christian counselling. They do plan to marry. So, no hard feelings and it really feels good. God is good.
She'll bring the baby by she said and hopefully I will start to work on her again about getting to church! Say a little prayer for Melissa and Jeff today...for their salvation and that they are able to work out all their relationship difficulties and bring their baby into a healthy and well-functioning home.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Family Talk Time
Author: Susan L. Prince
At church tonight we had "family talk time". We do this every now and then to talk about where our church is, where God is moving us, and other important issues. It is a night of communication, and fun, and information. It is a time for all members to voice concerns and work together for solutions and work together for what God's will is for Northbrook. Tonight we also did something unusual.
The hundred or so who came out for the talk witnessed step one of renovations to the kitchen area. We all were asked to get up from our chairs and move over to where the double doors lead into the hallway. Suddenly there was a loud sound in the room across the hall. It was a saw! One member cut out the "serving window". Now there is a big hole in the hallway that will eventually be our "serving window" from the kitchen. Paul, one of our full time pastor's, wanted to give us a "starting point" to launch from, some motivation. I LOVED IT! So, it has started. The renovation and growth of the Northbrook community. God's community at Northbrook Church.
God has been bringing so many talented and gifted people to Northbrook. It is awesome to watch. Everytime someone new comes in through the door I think to myself "I wonder what God will use him/her for here?". It is so awesome to know God is here, and working so big at our church. It is so exciting and I am anxious to see what all He is up to. I know it's something great!
At church tonight we had "family talk time". We do this every now and then to talk about where our church is, where God is moving us, and other important issues. It is a night of communication, and fun, and information. It is a time for all members to voice concerns and work together for solutions and work together for what God's will is for Northbrook. Tonight we also did something unusual.
The hundred or so who came out for the talk witnessed step one of renovations to the kitchen area. We all were asked to get up from our chairs and move over to where the double doors lead into the hallway. Suddenly there was a loud sound in the room across the hall. It was a saw! One member cut out the "serving window". Now there is a big hole in the hallway that will eventually be our "serving window" from the kitchen. Paul, one of our full time pastor's, wanted to give us a "starting point" to launch from, some motivation. I LOVED IT! So, it has started. The renovation and growth of the Northbrook community. God's community at Northbrook Church.
God has been bringing so many talented and gifted people to Northbrook. It is awesome to watch. Everytime someone new comes in through the door I think to myself "I wonder what God will use him/her for here?". It is so awesome to know God is here, and working so big at our church. It is so exciting and I am anxious to see what all He is up to. I know it's something great!
Friday, March 21, 2003
Eating and Stinking
Author: Katie
Why can't I go out to eat without coming home congested and smelly? It's not bad food or body odor. It's cigarette smoke! I have two favorite resturaunts that I frequent for breakfast. I love the food and service. That's why I continue to give them my business. However, I don't eat at one of the places as much as the other because it doesn't have a no smoking section (not that it helps much to have one, but it does make it easier to breathe). I get up, take a shower, fix my hair, put on make-up and I go out to eat. I sit in the hazy resturaunt wondering if I should stay. As I wait for my food, I begin to smell and taste it. It's not the food I smell and taste. It's cigarette smoke. Soon, I begin to develop a headache. I manage to get through my meal and make a quick exit. When I get home, I still smell it! My head still hurts from polluted sinuses and the coughing begins. If I don' t take another shower, I have to smell and feel this way all day. I go to church and smell like smoke. That's okay though. Chances are, some of the non -smokers at church have eaten out that day and they smell bad too! Should I take comfort in that?
Anyhow, I used to be a smoker. I used to make people suffer like this. I used to go around smelling like they do. I have a relative thatl smokes and one day I commented to her, "I wonder if my breath smelled like that when I smoked." She replied, "Yes, it did." I am so glad I quit! But, now I stull run a risk of getting lung cancer because of all the second hand smoke and I recently heard on the news that second hand smoke is suspected for causing tooth decay. Yep. Apparantly, some experiments and studies have been done and the results were that children raised in homes where smokers lived, had a higher number of cavities. Who knows?
I understand that quitting is so difficult that some people would rather die than quit....and some do. That is a choice they make. I chose to quit. Yet I risk getting the same diseases that smokers risk because of those who don't care about the people they smoke around. They only care about getting their 'fix'.
Whether or not tests and studies are accurate, I know one thing for sure. SECOND HAND SMOKE STINKS! IT MAKES ME STINK! IT MAKES ME FEEL SICK! NOBODY SHOULD BE FORCED TO SMOKE! SMOKING SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN CLOSED IN PUBLIC PLACES! I should not have to suffer the consequences of somebody else's bad habit. I do not dislike people who smoke. I have close friends and relatives (like my parents) who smoke. I love them! However, I don't appreciate people who smoke without consideration to others who desire to breathe fresh air. I think it is very selfish for inconsiderate smokers to cause other people to suffer the consequences of their nasty habit. Talk about rights! Should smokers have the right to smoke where ever they want around whoever they want? Should non smokers have to step outside in order for smokers to have a cigarette? Think of how that would affect the retail business, hospitals........airplanes! Many places have made it illegal for people to smoke in public buildings. I applaud you! Much of the state I live in, however is a bit behind the rest of the world (surprise surprise). I think the fact that it is a major tobacco producing region may have something to do with it, who knows?
Regardless, I have a right to choose not to smoke. I chose that 12 years ago. Yet, this right is taken from me when I am forced to breathe smoke against my will simply because I want to eat out on occasion. What's wrong with this picture????
There, I finally spoke my peace. I've been wanting to do this for a long time.
(I'm in trouble again aren't I?)
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Women of Faith 2003
Katie and I attended the Women of Faith Conference in Memphis last weekend. As expected it was awesome! Not only were the speakers and musicians so great, the fellowship with our sisters in Christ was an added bonus! A good number of women from our church attended and it was so fun to worship with all of them and to just hang out together! I can't wait until the next conference in August 2003 when the Women of Faith will come to Nashville! Woohooo!
This year we attended the "Hope for a Woman's Heart" pre-conference and it was presented by Patsy Clairmont and Kathy Troccoli. It was so wonderful to hear Kathy Troccoli share more of her testimony (I've heard Troccoli 4 times in the past year!) with everyone and it was so encouraging. Patsy was challenging us to think of others more than ourselves and the one main point that stuck out to me was that maybe that "difficult person" in your life is there for God to use as you grow in Him. Patsy reminded us to be sure to tell those we love how important they are to us. Sometimes we assume that our loved ones "just know" we love them, but it is of utmost important that we tell them. We sang together, laughed together and worshipped together. It was a very enjoyable day and I am thankful to Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church for providing their space to us for that day!
The Conference itself began Friday night and we heard from Shiela Walsh and Babby Mason provided some music for us. As usual the Women of Faith Integrity Singers were great and I really enjoyed their music. Nicole Johnson...WOW THAT WOMAN IS GIFTED...always gives us things to ponder about God's grace in her creative presentations.
Then came Saturday. The first speaker we heard from was Patsy Clairmont. She is only 5 feet tall, very petite, but VERY SPUNKY, PLAYFUL AND FUNNY! That woman had me roaring with her story about her friend having a gift of hospitality and sacrificing her own comfort for a relative that brought along their pet chicken. Yes, I said pet...chicken. Chicken...as in beak and feathers, as a pet. You had to be there...IT WAS HILARIOUS! LOLOLOLOL If you get the chance, GO! If only to see Patsy Clairmont!
We heard about God's faithfulness from Thelma Wells who had the 98% caucasion audience singing "Great is Thy Faithfullness" "black". Really! She said "sing it black!" We tried, but it just doesn't come out black! LOL Thelma shared that even when we doubt and aren't full of faith, that God is forever faithful to us.
We were treated to a guest speaker in Jennifer O'Neill, actress, I understand who is best known for her role in "The Summer of '42". I didn't know of her, but she has an AWESOME testimony about God's faithfullness in her life. She had so much to share and as I had heard at the pre-conference, confirmed that God will take you right where you are. One woman on Friday shared "God will take you right where you are, and I was stoned!" That cracked me up and stuck with me, but it just shows how faithful He really is!
Marilyn Meberg shared a story about mint tea and making the best of any bad situation. Her first opportunity she had to be a hostess in the house she and her husband bought years and years ago she decided to use the mint that was laced throughout the garden in her backyard. She made mint tea. Ignoring the directions she proceeded to add 22 leaves to the tea, when she should have added only 2. She was going for the pretty green color it was making in the tea. Never having tasted it, when the first "victim" did, he spewed it out of his mouth immediately. At first she was quite offended...I mean "how rude!", but then was able to laugh about it and as each new guest came to the party, they would see people standing around with glasses of mint tea as part of the "joke". Each and everyone who tried it spewed forth! LOL It was kind of an "initiation" thing after that I guess. Anyway, Marilyn shared about the heartaches in life and how we can grow through those messes in life. We can see humor and find healing.
Luci Swindoll told of her adventures. She likes to travel and has set foot on each continent. She also likes to take a lot of pictures, some of which she shared with us from her trip to Antartica. She was on board ship hoping to see a whale, in fact she said she prayed to God to send her a whale so she could get a good picture. As they came near to an iceberg, she saw a penguin. Feeling disappointed that she wasn't getting a whale, she thought to reach for her camera and as a consolation get a picture of the penguin who was standing there looking at her with this "hey! what's wrong with taking a picture of me?! Here I am!" and when she looked up there was a whole family of penguins to behold! Luci told us not to "miss the penguins looking for the whale", to enjoy the simple things that come our way and not miss them because we are waiting for something bigger and better. Luci had some great words of wisdom to share with us and I took it all to heart.
The highlight of the conference for me was Cece Winans. I am not too familiar with her music. I do own 3 CDs from her and I love that song "Alabaster Box". That song when I first heard it brought tears to my eyes and I rushed home to share it with Katie a few years ago. I haven't listened to it in a long time so I was anticipating her performing it live. I was speechless.
That woman brought that arena to a place of worship like none I have experienced. It was like she herself went to the throne of God and brought us in with her. She glorified God that day with song. God blessed me big through her voice and her song too! She, oh, I still have no words. It was an experience I can not describe.
Artist: CeCe Winans
Album: Alabaster Box
Title: Alabaster Box listen
Lyrics:
The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
CHORUS:
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
I can't forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I thought I found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch
So now I'm giving back to Him
All the praise He's worthy of
I've been forgiven and that's why
I love Him so much
CHORUS
This year we attended the "Hope for a Woman's Heart" pre-conference and it was presented by Patsy Clairmont and Kathy Troccoli. It was so wonderful to hear Kathy Troccoli share more of her testimony (I've heard Troccoli 4 times in the past year!) with everyone and it was so encouraging. Patsy was challenging us to think of others more than ourselves and the one main point that stuck out to me was that maybe that "difficult person" in your life is there for God to use as you grow in Him. Patsy reminded us to be sure to tell those we love how important they are to us. Sometimes we assume that our loved ones "just know" we love them, but it is of utmost important that we tell them. We sang together, laughed together and worshipped together. It was a very enjoyable day and I am thankful to Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church for providing their space to us for that day!
The Conference itself began Friday night and we heard from Shiela Walsh and Babby Mason provided some music for us. As usual the Women of Faith Integrity Singers were great and I really enjoyed their music. Nicole Johnson...WOW THAT WOMAN IS GIFTED...always gives us things to ponder about God's grace in her creative presentations.
Then came Saturday. The first speaker we heard from was Patsy Clairmont. She is only 5 feet tall, very petite, but VERY SPUNKY, PLAYFUL AND FUNNY! That woman had me roaring with her story about her friend having a gift of hospitality and sacrificing her own comfort for a relative that brought along their pet chicken. Yes, I said pet...chicken. Chicken...as in beak and feathers, as a pet. You had to be there...IT WAS HILARIOUS! LOLOLOLOL If you get the chance, GO! If only to see Patsy Clairmont!
We heard about God's faithfulness from Thelma Wells who had the 98% caucasion audience singing "Great is Thy Faithfullness" "black". Really! She said "sing it black!" We tried, but it just doesn't come out black! LOL Thelma shared that even when we doubt and aren't full of faith, that God is forever faithful to us.
We were treated to a guest speaker in Jennifer O'Neill, actress, I understand who is best known for her role in "The Summer of '42". I didn't know of her, but she has an AWESOME testimony about God's faithfullness in her life. She had so much to share and as I had heard at the pre-conference, confirmed that God will take you right where you are. One woman on Friday shared "God will take you right where you are, and I was stoned!" That cracked me up and stuck with me, but it just shows how faithful He really is!
Marilyn Meberg shared a story about mint tea and making the best of any bad situation. Her first opportunity she had to be a hostess in the house she and her husband bought years and years ago she decided to use the mint that was laced throughout the garden in her backyard. She made mint tea. Ignoring the directions she proceeded to add 22 leaves to the tea, when she should have added only 2. She was going for the pretty green color it was making in the tea. Never having tasted it, when the first "victim" did, he spewed it out of his mouth immediately. At first she was quite offended...I mean "how rude!", but then was able to laugh about it and as each new guest came to the party, they would see people standing around with glasses of mint tea as part of the "joke". Each and everyone who tried it spewed forth! LOL It was kind of an "initiation" thing after that I guess. Anyway, Marilyn shared about the heartaches in life and how we can grow through those messes in life. We can see humor and find healing.
Luci Swindoll told of her adventures. She likes to travel and has set foot on each continent. She also likes to take a lot of pictures, some of which she shared with us from her trip to Antartica. She was on board ship hoping to see a whale, in fact she said she prayed to God to send her a whale so she could get a good picture. As they came near to an iceberg, she saw a penguin. Feeling disappointed that she wasn't getting a whale, she thought to reach for her camera and as a consolation get a picture of the penguin who was standing there looking at her with this "hey! what's wrong with taking a picture of me?! Here I am!" and when she looked up there was a whole family of penguins to behold! Luci told us not to "miss the penguins looking for the whale", to enjoy the simple things that come our way and not miss them because we are waiting for something bigger and better. Luci had some great words of wisdom to share with us and I took it all to heart.
The highlight of the conference for me was Cece Winans. I am not too familiar with her music. I do own 3 CDs from her and I love that song "Alabaster Box". That song when I first heard it brought tears to my eyes and I rushed home to share it with Katie a few years ago. I haven't listened to it in a long time so I was anticipating her performing it live. I was speechless.
That woman brought that arena to a place of worship like none I have experienced. It was like she herself went to the throne of God and brought us in with her. She glorified God that day with song. God blessed me big through her voice and her song too! She, oh, I still have no words. It was an experience I can not describe.
Artist: CeCe Winans
Album: Alabaster Box
Title: Alabaster Box listen
Lyrics:
The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
CHORUS:
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
I can't forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I thought I found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch
So now I'm giving back to Him
All the praise He's worthy of
I've been forgiven and that's why
I love Him so much
CHORUS
Well Said!
The following came from the "Insight" page, or letter to the editor page, of my local newspaper. Ivy Scarborough is a well-respected citizen/lawyer/politcal expert/writer/commentator in this area. I have met him when he was a humble customer in my store and my roommate Katie met him when he was willing to offer her some free legal advice during her divorce a few years ago. He is a man of great integrity and his words come from much education and experience.
President's address shows decisive action in face of world's failure to perceive dangerous realities
Comments by Ivy Scarborough
Scarborough is an attorney from Jackson, TN, a former adjunct professor of international studies at Union University, and a writer and TV/radio commentator on a variety of current issues, including terrorism, foreign affairs, national defense policy and American government. He has done extensive reporting and observation in various countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Somalia, Sudan and Bosnia. He is used by the military as a lecturer on topics such as the Afghan war, international crises, and terrorism. Immediately after Sept. 11, 2001 he conducted briefings for the TN National Guard officer corps.
For several years prior to Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Scarborough had predicted in newspaper and television commentaries that there would be a major and potentially catastrophic terrorist attack against the United States. Mr. Scarborough has lectured for the military at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, California and Ft. Benjamin Harrison on the Soviet - Afghan war and international crises.
President's address shows decisive action in face of world's failure to perceive dangerous realities
Comments by Ivy Scarborough
International affairs and terrorism analyst Ivy Scarborough said Friday that the "President's address to the nation represented decisive action in the face of the world community's failure to fully perceive - much less address - the dangerous realities of our time."
Scarborough, who has traveled in eight war zones, including Afghanistan with the mujahadeen in 1985 during the war with the Soviet Union, had predicted in print and TV commentaries in the 1990's a "major and potentially catastrophic terrorist attack on the US in the foreseeable future".
He has viewed the response to the threat of Saddam Hussein's regime as another illustration of "a world largely out of touch with the reality of our times." "Though", Scarborough says, "there are historical precedents to nations and even whole civilizations losing touch with the grave realities of their time, we are faced with an unprecedented set of historical circumstances in view of the gravity of the threat in the 21st Century."
"Most of humanity and most political leaders of the world do not fully grasp the danger much less the great risks and hard choices that must now be assumed in order to face it."
"My concern has been that we may be faced with a phenomenon seen many times before in history: Major and perhaps repeated trauma inflicted on a nation or nations before there is full recognition of a dangerous reality. In view of the weapons now available that trauma will be beyond anything previously seen. Sept. 11 should have made this apparent, but there is an abiding reluctance to surrender the comforting assumptions of the past."
"The President has demonstrated courage. Regardless of one's views of his policies, there can be no doubt that he is sincere in his convictions and prepared to sacrifice his political future in upholding them."
"His resolve is formidable and was demonstrated in a less obvious way by his warning about war crime prosecutions. His caution that assertions by any Iraqi that he was 'only following orders' - known in international law as the Nuremberg defense - would not shield anyone from punishment, further illustrated how determined he is."
Scarborough is an attorney from Jackson, TN, a former adjunct professor of international studies at Union University, and a writer and TV/radio commentator on a variety of current issues, including terrorism, foreign affairs, national defense policy and American government. He has done extensive reporting and observation in various countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Israel, Russia, Georgia, Somalia, Sudan and Bosnia. He is used by the military as a lecturer on topics such as the Afghan war, international crises, and terrorism. Immediately after Sept. 11, 2001 he conducted briefings for the TN National Guard officer corps.
For several years prior to Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Scarborough had predicted in newspaper and television commentaries that there would be a major and potentially catastrophic terrorist attack against the United States. Mr. Scarborough has lectured for the military at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, California and Ft. Benjamin Harrison on the Soviet - Afghan war and international crises.
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