SUNDAY'S MESSAGE
Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D.
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Chaplain, Central Texas Brigade
Member, Chaplain's Corps Committee
Sons of Confederate Veterans

Sunday November 20, 2011
Thanks...Giving

In a few days we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving. I've often said it's my favorite holiday, and refer to it as three "F" day: Food, Family, and Football. Of course the real purpose of Thanksgiving Day is to set aside a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. And to all I do wish a very happy Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, there are many who have more to be thankful for than others. This is not only true generally, but within our own Confederation.

Perhaps it's because I'm a chaplain and minister and in touch with so many of our SCV members that I am made aware of the needs of some of our Brothers-in-Arms.

During the great war which our brave forefathers fought for Southern independence, the ladies of the South took blankets and pillows from their own beds to comfort our wounded heroes. They gave food from their pantries when they barely had enough to survive, and darned socks for our Confederate boys sore and bleeding feet. They met troop trains with baked bread and drink, and offered words of comfort and encouragement to courageous young men who would soon face death on the battlefield, or in many cases, already had and would do so again. Should we be willing to do less?

Wasn't the United Confederate Veterans organized to, among other things, help their fellow veterans in need, and assist their widows and orphans? Aren't we, The Sons of Confederate Veterans, to follow in their cause? Didn't General S. D. Lee admonish us with the " emulation of his virtues? Shouldn't we be as concerned with the needs of our Compatriot Brothers as our forefathers were?

In Deuteronomy 15: 11, the Word of God tells us, "Therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in the land." Shouldn't we, as Godly men, be quick to open our hearts and our hands to those among us who are in need of help. This is a theme found throughout the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments. Jesus said, in Luke 14: 13,14a, "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed."

If we expect to be blessed of God, then our giving of thanks should include, Thanks...Giving.

Sunday October 30, 2011
The Majority Rules

 It has been said and often repeated that, "One man and God is a majority." This is true, since God alone is a majority. God has never needed great numbers to accomplish His purpose. Consider the story of Gideon as told in the book of Judges, chapters six through eight.

The land of Israel was being oppressed by great hordes of Midianites and Amalekites. Under God's direction, Gideon sent out a call to arms throughout Israel, but only 32,000 responded. God told Gideon that it was too many, and the number was reduced to 10,000. Again, God said it was too many and ultimately reduced Gideon's force to a mere 300 men. Gideon and his small band were victorious, and the vast army of the oppressors were totally destroyed.

The point is, that without God 32,000 Israelite soldiers would not have been nearly enough. But with God, 300 was a majority, and the majority rules.

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul writes, "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." (1 Cor. 1: 27b) Then in verse 29, he explains why: "That no flesh should glory in His presence." Again, God alone is a majority.

Today, the Sons of Confederate Veterans face many challenges. We are challenged to recruit and retain members. Something that should be a priority to each of us. We are challenged to carry out the Charge delivered to us by General S.D. Lee over a hundred years ago, which should be our defining characteristic. And this we will do. But like Gideon, we are confronted by great hordes of oppressors.

There are many who would tarnish the memory of our brave and noble Confederate fathers and deny them their honor, and who would reduce our proud Southern heritage to a legacy of shame. And perhaps as Gideon, we may wonder how we can be successful against the determined forces that beset us. But, we can succeed if we put our faith and trust in God, and seek His guidance and direction, because God is a majority, and the majority rules.

However, as God gives us strength, direction, and success, we must remember why we succeed. We must remember that with God, we the Sons of Confederate Veterans are the majority, and in so doing we will prevail against all those who oppose our just and most worthy Cause.

Sunday October 16, 2011
Stonewall's Last Command

Brothers and fellow Compatriots, we are all aware of the sad event at Chancellorsville during the spring of 1863. One of the greatest heroes of the Confederacy, General T. J. "Stonewall" Jackson was severely wounded, and after having his left arm amputated, would later die. As he was being carried from the field, General Pender saw Jackson, and after expressing concern for his wounds, said his men were in such confusion that he feared he would not be able to stop the enemy. General Jackson, in a weak but determained voice instantly replied, "General Pender, you must keep your men together, and hold your ground." This was Stonewall's last command. (Ref. The Great Revival in the Southern Armies pg. 291)

Today, we are also at war. But, it is not a war we started or wanted any more than our Confederate forefathers did. They fought because they were being attacked, just as we must fight because we are being attacked. And, just like the Yankees 150 years ago, those who attack us will not be satisfied until our Southern heritage and the memory and honor of our fine Confederate history is totally destroyed. We cannot afford complacency. Our just and worthy Cause is under attack by unrighteous foes. We are being oppressed and ridiculed by those who fear us and resent our proud Southern heritage. We are being opposed by forces of darkness who will stop at nothing to stamp out the memory and honor due our brave Confederate ancestors.

There are those who would deliberately and maliciously take from us what is rightfully ours. They would steal away our fine Southern heritage. They would loot and pillage the pride we have in our Confederate ancestors. They would empty us of our history and leave us with a legacy of shame and in a condition of disgrace. They are in fact assaulting our land and all we hold dear.

Being Southerners and more particularly descendants of the Confederacy is our birthright, and something to be militantly proud of. We must draw a line in the sand and stand defiantly in defense of our proud Confederate history and those who lived it, and passed it on to us. But, unfortunately, many Southerners, Like Esau in Genesis 25: 27-34, are willing to trade their birthright for a bowl of pottage. They seem more concerned with the comforts, pleasures, and tasks of today. They seem to say, as Esau did in verse 32, "What profit shall this birthright do to me?" They are being robbed of their past and don't seem to care.

Ours is a history of respect, dignity, and concern for our fellow human beings, and I believe the Lord is on our side. The Scripture says, in Isaiah 41: 11, "Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish." Then in the next two verses, "They that war against thee shall be as nothing, and a thing of nought. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

As members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, we need to unite as Confederate Brothers and resolve to place our faith and trust in Almighty God and seek His guidance. We must also follow our elected SCV leaders, as our forefathers followed Generals Lee and Jackson. In so doing, we will defeat those who seek our destruction, accomplish the task set before us, and fulfill the mission with which we are charged.

I'm sure General Pender heeded Jackson's words and Chancellorsville was a Confederate victory. Let us do the same today. Let us be mindful of Stonewall's last command. Let us, as the historic Sons of Confederate Veterans, pull together and hold our ground.

Sunday September 11, 2011
The Right Direction!

Have you noticed that we have more and more conveniences, but have less time? We are acquiring more and more education, but have less reason. We are building more and more churches, but have less true Christianity. We have more activities, but accomplish less. We have more comfort, but less joy. We have more of the things people want, and seem to think they need, but less happiness. Have you noticed that as a people, we are moving in the wrong direction?

Have you noticed that our government is gaining more and more control over the people, and being less controlled by the people? Have you noticed that people are becoming more and more upset and angry over being told what to believe, instead of being asked what the majority of us believe? We have more taxes, but less money. We have more laws, but less safety. We are being promised more, but getting less. We are told by anyone running for office that they will make things better, but things keep getting worse. Have you noticed that as a country, we are moving in the wrong direction?

Have you noticed the apathy and self indulgence that exists in this country? Have you noticed that many people are so preoccupied with their on interests they can't see the direction they or this country is going, or the danger that lies ahead? In First Corinthians 6:13, the Apostle Paul wrote, "Meats for the belly, and belly for the meats: but God shall destroy both it and them." As a people and as a country we are traveling on the road to ruin, and picking up speed every day. Have you noticed we are moving further and further from God and closer to destruction, Again, the Apostle Paul warns, "Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil. 3:19)

And what have we noticed about the Sons of Confederate Veterans and our just and worthy Cause? Allow me to answer by quoting the words of Winston Churchill, "You ask what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war with all our might and all the strength that God can give us. You ask what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory.... at all costs." I believe this is not only what we have noticed about our Confederation, but hopefully what those who oppose us have noticed.

But, Victory at all costs means devoting ourselves, in unity and one accord, to our responsibilities as the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Victory at all costs means committing ourselves, as a confederation, to our Lord, Jesus Christ, seeking his will, guidance, and strength to enable us to defend the cause for which our brave Confederate forefathers fought, and preserve our proud Southern heritage. Victory at all costs means being faithful in our service to God, as well as our duty to our brave and noble ancestors. That's the right direction.

Sunday September 4, 2011
Wisdom!

The Scripture tells us in Psalm 111:10, "The fear (fearful reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

At some time in the past something snapped in America. It may not have happened all at once, more likely it was a gradual movement, but we lost something and it has never come back. Perhaps that "something" is wisdom. Progress had not yet run us crazy. We still had time to live. The old virtues were still preached and practiced. We still believed the Bible. Then the world went crazy and we have been in a madhouse ever since. Higher criticism denied the Scriptures, minimized sin, reasoned away atonement, and air-conditioned hell. Man was deified and God was humanized. Liberalism dismissed the devil, and now we have more devil than ever, and fewer people who believe there even is a devil.

It might offend some egos, but the outstanding characteristic of today's generation is ignorance. We have never had so much smartness and stupidity at the same time. We know a lot about a lot of things, but of God's Word and will this generation seems to be of all men most ignorant. There has never been a time when people prided themselves more on their cleverness, intelligence, sophistication, and education than we see today. But, they have no wisdom. Jesus tells them, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." (Matt. 22: 29)

Several times in the New Testament (Rom. 11 :25; 1 Cor. 10:1, 12: 1;2 Cor. 1: 8;1 Thess. 4: 13; 2 Pet. 3: 8) we read, with slight variations, "I would not have you ignorant." But today's generation is ignorant, willfully ignorant as the Bibles says, and they continue to live in error. It has been said, "As scarce as truth is, there is still a greater supply than there is demand." Most people are ignorant because they want to be. But we need not be ignorant. We can know Him and the power of His resurrection. We can know in whom we have believed. We can know He abides in us by His Spirit. We can know His Word and His will for us. We can know God.

The answer to ignorance is Christ Himself, who is the Truth and Wisdom of God. Mark Twain once said, "You can't argue with a pig. It's a futile effort, and all you do is aggravate the pig." Just as futile is the plan of any man to build against God's program for the ages or God's will for his life. The only man who can understand the times is the man who views them in light of the Living and Written Word of God.

I believe God in His wisdom has a plan for my life, and I am certain God has a plan for your life. I am also quite convinced that God has a plan for the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Of course, I don't know the details of God's plan, but I do know He has one. And, no man can interfere with God's plan and win. So, let us stand on God's sure Word. Then our hearts will be fixed, trusting in the Lord, not disturbed by evil tidings. For, "great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

Sunday August 21, 2011
They Prayed

 They were men of Prayer. President Jeff Davis, Generals Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. Jackson, Nathan B. Forest, Jeb Stuart and many others. From the greatest generals to the newest recruits, the men in Gray believed in the presence and providence of Almighty God. In Confederate camps there was Bible study and worship services led by Godly chaplains, and sweeping revivals where the lost were saved and the saved grew closer and stronger in their relationship with God. And, they prayed.

They prayed for their homes and families. They prayed for their brothers in arms. They prayed for their leaders. They prayed for the preservation of their country: The Confederate States of America. They prayed faithfully and fervently for God to help them defend the just Cause for which they fought, and preserve the ideals of our founding fathers. And, following the war they prayed. The question is, do we really believe that God answers the prayers of righteous men?

Do you believe that when Davis, Lee, Jackson, Stuart and other Godly men of the Confederacy prayed, God said, I have a better idea? Perhaps He did. The Scripture tells us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." (Is. 55:8) Perhaps the great revivals that swept through our Southern armies and continued to influence Southern Christianity during the twelve years of Union occupation and thereafter, was God's better idea. But today, this country is becoming more and more ungodly and moving further and further from the Christian precepts of our founding fathers and Confederate forefathers.

So now we must also be men of prayer. The leadership of our honorable Confederation, like Davis, Lee, Jackson and Stuart, must be men of prayer. We must trust and rely on Him. We must seek and follow His guidance and direction and put our Cause in His hands. Then when victory is ours and others ask, How? Let it be said, "They prayed."

Sunday July 10, 2011
In One Accord!

There is an old preacher joke that goes, "The first Christians must have owned a Honda, because the Bible says they were all in 'one accord'." (Acts 1: 14 & 2: 46) I know it's not it's not a very humorous joke, but it does give us insight into why the early church grew, prospered, and was so effective and successful in their mission. They were all in one accord.

It is doubtful that any two people will agree on everything. Someone once said that if two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary. But, if two people, or a group of people are going to work together, they must have the same reason, a common purpose, and all be in one accord.

This truth can be applied to the Lord's Church today. As long as the members are working as one to carry out the Lord's Great Commission, as found in the last two verses of Matthew, they will work together with a common purpose. However, when the members forget or ignore the Lord's command to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach, they will begin to concentrate on their differences and disagreements. When you see a church fighting over what color the new carpet should be, or on which side of the pulpit to put the piano, you know they have lost sight of their reason for being a church. They have become, as Jesus said in Matthew 23: 24, "Blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." They are no longer all in one accord.

It can also be said of any group or organization, including the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The Sons of Confederate Veterans is working together in agreement. We call it "The Charge." The Charge is our common purpose. It is our defining characteristic. It is our very reason for being. We are agreed. The South was right. The Confederate Cause was just, and still is. We are proud of our Southern heritage and want to defend it. We are proud of our brave and noble Confederate forefathers and want to honor them. We want the truth about the War for Southern Independence to be told. We are all in one accord. Since 1896, many members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans have come and gone, faithfully following in the footsteps of those who fought the Union invasion. They can say, as the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: 7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Now it is we who must join ranks with our Confederate ancestors, and with those Sons of Confederate Veterans who served before us, and fight a good fight. We've heard it said, "Let's agree to disagree." May I suggest a better way: Let's agree to agree. Then we'll be all in one accord.

Since 1896, many members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans have come and gone, faithfully following in the footsteps of those who fought the Union invasion. They can say, as the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: 7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Now it is we who must join ranks with our Confederate ancestors, and with those Sons of Confederate Veterans who served before us, and fight a good fight. We've heard it said, "Let's agree to disagree." May I suggest a better way: Let's agree to agree. Then we'll be all in one accord.
 
Sunday June 26, 2011
Life

The Bible has a lot to say about life. The Gospel according to John alone mentions the words "Life" and "Live" over 50 times. In John 5: 2, Jesus says, "And they that hear shall live." In John 11: 26, Jesus tells us, "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." And in John 6: 47, Jesus says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." Again in John 14:6, we are told by Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." And the Scriptures go on. The Bible, Old Testament and New, is all about God's promise of life. But, Jesus also warns all those who attempt to live without Him, "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."

The Prophet Amos writes, "For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me and ye shall live." (Amos 5: 4) Amos is not giving Israel a good idea or suggestion. It is a warning and a requirement from God Himself. He goes on to say in verse 6, "Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel."

In the days of Amos and his prophecy, about 750 BC, Israel was wicked and rebellious. As a result of their sinful and Godless conduct, they were bringing death and destruction on themselves and their nation. The same is true of our country today. The further it moves from God and the Christian values of our founding fathers and Confederate forefathers, the faster it accelerates toward disaster and ruin. This also applies to any and all who are living without hope and without God in this world.

In Amos' day time was running out for Israel. Today, time is running out for the U.S. In fact, time is running out for the human race. But, all is not hopeless. God still calls upon us to seek Him and live. Jesus said, "Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life." (John 3:16) This is our Lord's promise, to me, to you, and to all who will hear.

In John 6:67, Jesus asked His disciples, "Will ye go away also?" In the next verse, Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."

Our life and the lives of those we love and care about is the one thing we most value. It therefore seems strange that so many will ignore the One who gives and preserves life, and step off into eternity with no hope.

Sunday June 19, 2011
Honour Thy Father

We hear a lot about "Dead-Beat Dads" and "Absentee Fathers," and I'm sure there is a lot of that, which may well be one of the main reasons for all the ills that plague our modern society. However, I am also quite certain there are many more fathers that love and care for their children and do all they can to raise them to be physically, mentally, and spiritually upright. These dads deserved to be honored and respected every day, but since 1910, one day has been set aside to honor our fathers and remember our forefathers, and today is that day. It's Father's Day.

The Bible, written by our Godly Fathers under the inspiration of God, does not need to be changed to reflect the politically correct ideas of some, nor should it be ignored or set aside because a few may be offended by it's presence. But it has been. The Bible has been removed from our schools, courts, public assemblies, and even our homes, and the result has lead to chaos, destruction, and even death. Prayer has also been removed along with the Cross, Nativity scenes and anything else that represents the "Faith of our fathers." What can we, as a people, expect when we ignore or remove the standards set by our fathers?

Not only has the faith of our fathers been removed, but so has their morality and sense of decency. In Ephesians 6: 4, the Scriptures tell us, "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." I won't belabor this point, but how can America expect God's blessing when our father's faith in God, morality and sense of decency has been tossed aside and ignored?

Our Confederate fathers set an example of courage and determination which we are bound to preserve, uphold and emulate. It is their name, their flag, their monuments, and their honor which is under attack today. So, as the Sons of Confederate Veterans, we also have standards set by our fathers. This is the legacy, this is the responsibility, this is the Cause they passed on to us, and it's up to us to insure that these standards are preserved and never removed. It is up to us to see that our Confederate Fathers are remembered with the honor and respect due brave and noble men.

Today is Father's day. A day set aside to remember and honor our fathers, grandfathers, Confederate fathers, and even our founding fathers. So, may God grant to the Sons of Confederate Veterans the strength, unity of purpose, spiritual guidance, and faith, to protect and preserve the memory and honor due our fathers. And to all to whom it applies . . . Happy Father's Day!

Sunday June 12, 2011
God Has a Purpose!

We can be sure that God is not just sitting around watching what's going on. In my life and yours; in our historic Confederation and it's worthy Cause; He has a plan and a purpose and is actively at work. In John 5:17, Jesus tells us, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

Remember the story of Joseph? Joseph was sold by his brothers to Midianite merchants who then sold him to Potiphar in Egypt as a slave. (Gen 37:28 & 39:1) Later, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. Joseph went from a favorite son in his father's house, to slavery, then "into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound." (Gen. 39:20)

Although the Scripture doesn't indicate it, we might understand how Joseph may have despaired. He had lived upright and faithful before God and man, he was innocent of any wrong doing, but now he was in prison. He may have wondered why this had happened to him when he was on the side of truth. He may have felt that God had abandoned him, as we might. But, God had a purpose.

Most of us know what happened next. Under God's guidance, Joseph went from the king's prison to being the second most powerful man in Egypt. As such, Joseph was able to save his father, brothers, and their families from a great famine and bring them to Egypt where they multiplied and flourished. Of course, after the death of Joseph there would be generations of Egyptian bondage, and the Hebrews did despair. Many thought that God had forgotten them in their plight. But again, God had a purpose.

We can go on to speak of Moses, who went from living in the luxury of a king's palace to a desert shepherd. We can think of David, the Babylonian captivity, and all the trials of the Hebrew Nation. In the New Testament, we are told of the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist, the Lord's Apostles and other Christian Saints. And most importantly, the crucifixion of Christ. But in all of this, God had a purpose.

We know the South was right and on the side of truth. The Southern Armies were more Christian, moral, and honorable. But, the South lost it's bid for independence. Then followed the suffering and humiliation of Union occupation. Since then, the Union has constantly and with determination mocked and vilified everything Southern. So now, many Southerners agree and believe what they've been taught and brought up to believe, that the South was wrong, their Confederate forefathers were criminals, Robert E. Lee was a traitor, Abe Lincoln was a great man, and our Southern heritage is a legacy of shame. It may seem that the bad guys are winning. But we should not despair, because I believe God has a purpose.

We may not always know what God is doing or why, but we do know there is a purpose in everything He does. God always has a plan and a purpose. The Bible tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28) God has a plan and purpose for you and me, and God has a plan and purpose for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

What we must do is trust Him, follow His guidance, understand that He is still at work and in control of every situation, and accept His authority and Lordship in our lives. As a Confederation, our Cause is just, honorable, and true. We will succeed against those who oppose our most worthy mission. Why? Because, God has a purpose.

May God bless you as you serve Him in faith, and our just and most worthy Southern Cause with honor.

Sunday June 05, 2011
If They Only Knew

It has been said that, "Ignorance is bliss." Some have even proposed that, "What you don't know won't hurt you." There may cases where these statements are true, but most people will disagree. Given a choice we would prefer not to be ignorant or kept in the dark. Yet, the level of ignorance and misconception in a society that claims to be so enlightened, is monumental.

In 2 Peter 3: 5, the Scripture refers to those that are willingly ignorant. To be willingly ignorant is to ignore what is true because it is inconvenient, politically incorrect, or doesn't fit some mold that we have been led to believe. They choose to be ignorant, although the truth is readily available, because it suits them to be ignorant. In other words, their mind is made up, don't confuse them with facts.

Speaking to the woman at the well, Jesus said, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He wouldest have given thee living water." (John 4: 10) This woman of Samaria was ignorant, and it was not bliss. She did not know who she was speaking to, and it was hurting. It was standing between her and the "Gift of God." And, the gift of God of which Jesus spoke, was everlasting life. (Vs. 14)

But fortunately, she was not willingly ignorant. In spite of what she had been taught all her life (Vs. 20), she was prepared to accept the truth when she heard it. Additionally, many others also changed their thinking, and received the "living water" when they heard Jesus speak. (Vs. 39-42)

Many, and probably most, people today accept as truth whatever they were brought up to believe, and in a lot of cases, whatever they see as being in their best interest to believe. We can't help what we were taught as we were growing up. But as adults, we should not be willingly ignorant. We must question and test what we were fed as children. We must ask, "Is what I believe supported by the facts and truth?"

As members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, we have tested and questioned. We have studied the facts and know the truth. Robert E. Lee was not a traitor, but a patriotic citizen. Our Confederate forefathers were not criminals, but brave and honorable men fighting to defend their homeland against an illegal invasion. We know the war for Southern independence was not about slavery, but states rights and the preservation of the Constitution as presented by our founding fathers.

We also know that Abraham Lincoln was not a great man worthy of honor, but a self serving war criminal of the first degree who trampled the constitution he swore to defend, and orchestrated a course of destruction for the new nation that "our forefathers set forth upon this continent." This, and much more we all know, but do we know and believe the truth about Jesus Christ?

Most, if not all, people have some knowledge, and believe (or disbelieve) something about spiritual matters. And, like the War for Southern Independence, many believe what they have been taught, or brought up to believe, and never question whether or not it's true.

It is my continuing prayer that every member of the SCV, their families, friends, and all others, would "come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3: 7), commit their lives to Jesus Christ, and come to know Him as Savior, Lord, and coming King. He is the answer to every question and the power behind every endeavor.
Amen.

Sunday May 15, 2011
It Works

I have on occasion heard people refer to their "Christian walk." I'm not sure what that means to many people. I suppose it means, whatever it means, to the person who said it. However, the Bible does tell us what the Christian's "walk" should be. In 2 Corinthians 5: 7, we read, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." And again in Romans 1: 17, "The just shall live by faith." So, we are to walk by faith, and we are to live by faith. But, what does that mean?

Even the most casual Bible student could tell us that Hebrews Chapter eleven, verse one gives the definition of faith as, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." But, we still might ask, what does that mean, exactly?

Consider this illustration. I've used it many times in the past, and I think it explains what walking and living by faith really means. You are walking an unfamiliar path through a dense jungle, when you come upon a very deep canyon blocking your way. There is a rope bridge across the canyon, but the rope is frayed, the wood is rotten, and it appears ready to collapse. The Lord says, "Go ahead, it'll hold you." Then you might say, "Lord, why don't you build something a bit sturdier, like something made of steel and concrete?" Or you may ask, "Lord send something heavy across it first, so I can see that it will hold me. But, the Scripture tells us, we are to "walk by faith, not by sight." The Lord says, "Trust me!"

The first thing we learn about walking by faith is, it can be very scary: at least at first. But, you believe God, walk by faith, and very carefully ease across the frail bridge. When you reach the other side, you breath a sigh of relief, and thank Him for seeing you safely across. Then you come to another canyon and another rotten rope bridge. Then another and another. And, each time you come upon obstacles and difficulties in your travel through life, God says, "Trust me and walk by faith!" And each time it becomes easier, as your faith grows, and becomes stronger and stronger. Then you can bounce across those rotten, scary bridges of life without hesitation or doubt, until one day you reach the final canyon.

This is the scariest canyon of all. There is no other side. There is no bottom. There isn't even a rotten rope bridge. But, you have lived by faith. You have walked by faith. Faith has become your substance and your evidence. Now, as you lay your head down for the last time and take that final step, you know that your Lord will be there to see you safely to the other side, just as He always has. That is walking by faith!

It's an undeniable fact that the further this country moves from the abiding faith of our founding fathers, the closer it comes to destruction. And, it's obviously well on it's way. Likewise, the further we, the Sons of Confederate Veterans move from the faith of our Confederate forefathers, the closer we come to our own demise. If we are to be successful in fulfilling our responsibility; if we are to grow in strength and numbers; if we are to carry out the Charge to which we are committed; we must walk by faith.

That may sound like "preacher-talk," but it's not. It's Bible-talk . . . It's God-talk, and we need to listen and pay heed to what God is saying. In Hebrews 11: 6, we read, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." This lesson applies to you. It applies to me. It applies to our country. And, it applies to our Confederation. If we want to move forward and be victorious over that which would hinder us, as individuals or as a Confederation, then there's one thing we must have and exercise. It's faith. And, it works!

Sunday May 08, 2011
Mother's Day

There are no mothers among the ranks of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but most of us realize how great an influence our mother had on our life, especially as we were growing up. From a selected source we read, "Who ran to help me when I fell, and would some pretty story tell; or kiss the place to make it well? My mother!" Today is a special day for very special people. Today is Mother's Day.

No one has more impact or influence on shaping people's lives than their mother. I am fortunate to have a mother who read to me when I was a child. She loved and cared about me, and my brother, and did all she could to keep us well, happy, and going in the right direction. I am further fortunate that my mother is still with us and doing well, although she is ninety years old. To my brother and I, today is her day to be honored.

Just before his martyrdom, the Apostle Paul wrote his final words to Timothy who was leader of the Christians at Ephesus. Timothy had most likely been saved during Paul's visit to Lystra on his first missionary journey. Then as Paul and Silas passed back through Lystra on his second journey, Timothy joined their missionary travels and remained a faithful servant of the Lord for the rest of his life. (Acts 16: 1-3)

Writing the last letter of his life from the Mamertine Prison in Rome, Paul tells Timothy, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." (2 Tim. 1: 5) Obviously, Paul understood the influence on Timothy's life by his mother and grandmother.

The great preacher Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had four sons who also became preachers. Someone once came into the drawing-room where all the family was gathered, and asked one of the sons, "Who is the greatest preacher in your family." The son had great admiration for his father, as well as his brothers, but he answered without hesitation, "My mother!" It has been said, and rightly so, "An ounce of mother is worth a pound of clergy."

As members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans we speak often of our honorable Confederate forefathers who so bravely stood against a ruthless invasion by an unscrupulous enemy from the North. But today I think about their mothers. The mothers who kissed them goodbye, and sent them off to war with a sack lunch of biscuits and dried meat. Mothers are like that.

Then they would worry about their well-being and pray constantly for their safe return. And, as the years passed, they would shed tears of sorrow for sons who, all too often, would never return. So, this Mother's day, as we honor our own mothers, let us also remember to honor those courageous mothers of the Confederacy.

The War Cry states, "For God has hidden a love like His own in the depths of the Mother's heart." May God bless our mothers as we honor them on this, their special day.

Sunday May 01, 2011
Know Your Enemy!

For over a hundred and forty years, there has been a concerted effort by the "Unionists" to destroy our Southern heritage and the deny the honor due our noble Confederate forefathers. Today, the Sons of Confederate Veterans are engaged in a battle to stave off the lies, misconceptions, and the pure ignorance of those who seek to discredit those brave Confederates who fought with such determination to defend our homeland against an illegal invasion. Of course, there are those who oppose us and the truth of our Cause. We have many enemies, and we are well aware of those about us who work against our efforts. But, we also have an enemy who has infiltrated our ranks. We must recognize this worst of all enemies and remove him from amongst us, or surely our Cause will be lost.

We are admonished to, "Never underestimate the power of our enemy." But, to do this we must first recognize our enemy. The enemy within our ranks that is causing the most harm to our just and worthy Cause, is the Devil. The Bible says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Pet. 5:8) The devil is the enemy of all truth, and he is an enemy within our Confederation.

The devil's primary method of operation, whether it's a church, a country, or our Cause, is to create strife, dissension, and division. Whenever you hear of members finding fault with, or criticizing other members, or nit-picking, and complaining about what other members do, don't do, think, or say, you can be sure the devil is at work to create discord among us, and disable our efforts to serve the Charge. There's another old admonishment, "The devil's going to get you if you don't watch out."

The fact that the devil is attacking the SCV is not a cause for sadness, but joy and excitement. A pastor friend went to a Pastor's Conference, and as a speaker was reminding the visiting ministers about the wiles of the devil, another pastor leaned over to my friend and said, "The Devil don't bother me." To this my friend replied, "I'd hate to think I was so useless that the devil wasn't worried about what I was doing." The devil is worried about the Sons of Confederate Veterans and he's on the attack. So, we must be doing something right. But, we must not let the devil have his way among the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The Scripture tells us how to deal with the devil. In James 4:7, we are told to, "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." My prayer this morning is for every member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to submit themselves to God, that He may bless our work, and resist the efforts of the enemy within. May we be in one accord, and united in one Cause. Because, our Confederate forefathers are counting on us. For Jesus' sake, Amen.

Sunday April 17, 2011
Was It Possible?

Today is Palm Sunday. It is the day in which Jesus was cheered by the crowds as He entered Jerusalem. (John 12: 12-15) But, the end was near. Many of these same people, in less than a week, would be screaming, "Crucify Him!" The darkest day in human history was at hand, and God's unspotted sacrificial Lamb must be slain.

In the days ahead, Jesus would cleanse the temple, curse a fig tree, spend time at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, "whom He raised from the Dead" (Jn. 12: 1), predict the destruction of Jerusalem (Matt. 24: 2), which occurred about one generation later in A.D. 70, and share the Last Supper with His disciples.

This great drama began in the Garden of Eden where man defied God and sinned. Since then man has followed the imaginations of his own heart, did what was right in his own eyes, and is still doing his own thing. The consequences of man's sin has been, and continues to be, devastating. However, it has always been God's will that man be restored to His fellowship.

In an effort to turn men from their sin and to Himself, He sent Noah and the flood and death. He sent Moses and the Law and the idea of a blood sacrifice. He sent David and his songs and the assurance of forgiven sins. He sent Jeremiah and his tears. He sent Isaiah and his invitations. He sent the kings of the earth and captivity and chastisement. But, every plan failed. It wasn't God's fault, it was man's fault. The scripture says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jer. 17: 9) Then God did the greatest thing of all.

God sent His son to become a blood sacrifice. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9: 22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." On the day we call Good Friday, the Lamb of God shed His blood as a sacrifice for the atonement of man's sin. The blessed Apostle John writes, "And the blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 Jn. 1:7b)

Following the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples when to the Garden of Gethsemane. With the hour of His sacrifice approaching, Jesus fell on His face and prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." (Matt. 26: 39) So, was it possible?

No! If God's plan to save you and me from sin, death, and eternal destruction were to be accomplished, it was not possible. Jesus knew this. He went on to pray, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Then in verse 42, He again prayed, "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done."

In the hours that followed, Jesus was arrested, falsely accused, beaten, humiliated, and crucified. Just before He died and committed His Spirit to the Father, Jesus cried, "It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the Ghost." (Jn. 19: 30)

Compatriots and friends, I know many of you have accepted Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and been restored to fellowship with God. You are now His son and He is your Father. But, to those who have not, I can only say, it is not my plan, but God's. It is His final plan, and His only plan. For you and I to be saved, it wasn't possible for Jesus to avoid the cross, and it isn't possible for us to avoid the blood shed on that cross.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ bless each of you in your faith.

Sunday April 10,2011
Alone

Few would debate that Elijah was the greatest of Old Testament prophets. His was a ministry filled with miracles and amazing power, and it was Elijah that appeared with Moses at the transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 17: 1-8. But, we read in 1st Kings 19, when Jezebel, the queen of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, decided she had endured enough of his interference with the worship of Baal, she sent him a message stating he would be dead within twenty-four hours, Elijah ran.

He fled South from Israel to Beersheba, the southernmost city of the Southern kingdom of Judah. There he left his servant and continued south another day's journey into the wilderness. After an encounter with the Angel of the Lord, Elijah traveled another forty days south until he reached Mount Horeb, the Mountain of God where Moses had received the Ten Commandments, and hid in a cave. Elijah was alone.

Then the Word of the Lord came to him and asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah answered the Lord telling Him that everyone else had forsaken the ways of the Lord God of hosts. He said, "I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (vss. 10 & 14) So, God gave Elijah some instructions, sent him back to work, and informed him that there were still seven thousand faithful who had not turned to serving Baal. Elijah was not alone.

As members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, we may feel as Elijah did. We may feel as though we are the only ones left that still love the South and all it represents. We're the only ones left that love to see a Confederate Battle Flag waving in a Southern breeze. We're the only ones left who wish to honor Lee, Jackson, Forest, and our Brave Confederate forefathers. But, I've seen the polls, as many of you have. In every case, the polls show that seventy-five to as much as ninety-seven percent of people responding are not bowing to the Unionist lies and the agenda of the politically correct.

The results of these polls tell us three things. It tells us why the results are never published, and it tells us why the decisions concerning Confederate issues are never given to the voters. But mostly it tells us, that like Elijah, we are not alone.

We may also feel alone at times as true Christians. But Jesus promised, "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." John 14: 18 Then in verse 23, He says, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." As Christians we can sing, "No, never alone. No, never alone. He will never leave us, never leave us alone."

Sunday March 06, 2011
Men of Like Passions.

I don't remember why I did it, but I'm sure it was God's idea. Forty years ago I decided to read the Bible. There was one in the house somewhere. I was twenty-nine years old and I suppose I thought there might be a God or something out there somewhere, but it certainly wasn't interfering with what my life was all about. So, I began by reading the Gospel according to John.

Certainly I had heard of Jesus. As a boy, my mother took us to Sunday School and church and there were the stories of Christmas and Easter. I knew He was born of a virgin, went about doing good works and performing miracles, died on a cross and was resurrected, but beyond that I knew very little and cared even less. However, reading the Gospel according to John gave me a much better and more complete picture of who Jesus was, His mission, and why He died. I could have stopped there, put the Bible back where I found it, and gone on with my self-centered life. But, I didn't.

I continued by reading the book of Acts. I read about Stephen who was stoned to death after preaching the longest sermon in the New Testament, other than Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. (Acts 7) I read of Philip who went to Samaria and "preached Christ unto them," (Acts 8: 5ff) as well as his testimony to the eunuch of Ethiopia. (Acts 8: 26ff) I read Peter's sermons to the multitudes and the Jewish leaders, the same group that had Jesus crucified. And of course the conversion of Paul and his messages. I was absolutely amazed.

In Acts 14: 15, The Apostle Paul states, "We also are men of like passions." Really! They weren't like anyone I ever knew. They were stoned, beaten, persecuted, threatened, imprisoned, mocked, rejected, and beheaded, but the Bible says, "They ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5: 42) They were not flower and rosewater sermonizers. They were not smiley faced preachers, teachers, and witnesses (so-called) who were more likely to bore me to death than lead me to any Christian conviction. They were men (and there were women also) who fearlessly faced all obstacles, hardships, and opposition to serve the high calling of the Cause of Christ.

They were Believers . . . and I believed them. They were convinced, and convincing. Within a month or so, God used their testimony, their sermons, their example of true Christianity, to bring to me a life saving and life changing experience. I was saved!

Our Confederate forefathers also faced hardship and death. Death from the elements, death from disease, and death from ruthless invaders. But, they persevered. They fought on. Perhaps that is why so many Confederates were devout Christians. They were what these early Christian servants of Christ were: Committed to a Cause regardless of the consequences. They were men of like passions.

But these early Christians have gone on to their eternal reward, as have all our brave Confederate fathers. Now it is we who must carry the banner. It is we, as Christians, who must serve the Cause of Christ. It is we, as the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who must forward the Colors of the Cause of the Confederate soldier. It is we, as proud Southern men and women, who must stand fast against those who would destroy our proud heritage. It is we who must be men of like passions.

Sunday February 27,2011
The Corrupters

We've all heard the old saying, "Let the buyer beware!" This piece of sage advice applies not only to products and services, but to words as well. People should not only exercise caution about what they buy, but what they buy into. The Apostle Paul, in writing his second letter to the Church at Corinth, said, "For we are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." (2 Cor. 2: 17)

In Paul's day, as well as before and certainly ever since, there were itinerant philosophers, teachers, and so-called holy men traveling the Roman Empire proclaiming all sorts of disciplines and ideologies. Many of these, as Paul said, were corrupters. Their only real interest was to attract followers, and of course, as much financial gain as possible. What Paul is saying to the Corinthian Church, in simple terms, is, "We're not like those guys. We're sincere about what we do, and we're telling you the truth."

The word "corrupt" is translated from the Greek, Kapeleuo (from Kapelos). It refers to a deceitful peddler and was often used to signify a wine seller who added water to his product to make it more profitable. Today, it might refer to a huckster who sells a watch claiming it's a real Rolex, when in fact, it's only an imitation. Of course, the Apostle Paul is referring to those who, "corrupt the Word of God."

From the beginning, there have been those who use the Word of God in a deceitful manner. Consider Simon the Magician in Acts chapter 8, as an example. Later, as Paul neared the end of his third missionary journey, he stopped at Miletus and sent for the elders of the Church at Ephesus. He warned them about corrupters, and said, "For this I know, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20: 29 & 30)

As Christians, we must hear and heed Paul's warning and be ever on guard against the corrupters of the Word of God. The Bible corrupters can be, and usually are very convincing and entertaining. So, let us all remember another old adage: Not everything that glitters is gold. As the Sons of Confederate Veterans, we are also continually assaulted by the corrupters of the word of history. And, we must also be very vigil in our defense of the truth.

We are wise to the devices of the history corrupters. They will hunt and peck through the historic records overlooking the great truths, as they seek any tidbit of information they can use to support their deceitful agenda. Then in an effort of self promotion, they will attack our noble Confederation, attempt to dishonor our Confederate heroes, trash their flags, monuments, and final resting places, and reduce our proud Southern heritage to a legacy of shame. They are indeed, the corrupters.

But, the corrupters did not destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, and they will not destroy, or even deter our just Cause. Because we proclaim truth, and God is Truth, we will also make gains, and our gains will be stronger and last longer. Why? "Because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4: 4)