The De-Construction of Marriage

Marriage, as we know it is all but gone. And it’s our fault.  People will still get “married,” of course.  Couples will hold a ceremonies in front of friends and family pledging to build a life together. For a little while longer, at least.

Husband Wife Home

Reflecting on the day past or perhaps the day to come, a husband and wife share a moment.

Marriage has devolved into a mere cultural habit, effectively ceasing as a cultural institution. Regrettable, given my strong advocacy or Western Civilization.

Considering our recent social upheaval,  the de-valuing of marriage was  inevitable.  No surprise, given the Church’s unconditional surrender to the State.

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Two Minutes Out Of Your Life – Belief In God.

While God’s existence is not in question, man’s interpretation of Him remains infinitely variable.  Our attempts to understand him continue to vex us.

 


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Science and Nature: The Colonel’s Reading List

The Colonel's Reading List from Manning the Wall

The reading list feature on this blog really has me thinking about what I’ve collected over the last 30+ years.  Journaling about our efforts and progress with respect to the library renovation has been something of a focusing tool.

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What I Didn’t Hear

manningthewall.comNeither of you said you would leave me alone.  Why is that so hard?

We’re already handing over 60% of our labor to support the leviathan of government on the Federal, State, and Local level.  Apparently that’s not enough. Continue reading

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Leaving A Legacy

Hymn Book Spoelstra Funeral from Manning the Wall

Christian Reformed Church, Midland Park, NJ. I miss opening up a hymnal. But then, I’m a church elder who carries his bible inside his phone now, so…

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:7

Yesterday I had a front row seat at the Peace that passes understanding.

On September 20th, after a long struggle with infirmities that will befall all of us, Bernhard Spoelstra passed away.  He was my sister’s father-in-law. The patriarch of an extended family, Mr. Spoelstra left behind a devoted wife and four loyal children. This is his legacy. And it is priceless.

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Military Fiction: The Colonel’s Reading List

The Colonel's Reading List from Manning the WallI’m looking around my library with some despondency. Oh, the new coat of paint on the sheet rock – a light silver-ish blue – looks great. And the placeholders are doing the job. One folding table serves as Lois’ return. The other is the spare workstation and holds a computer and television turned to the news. Lois and I sit across from each other, a 3/4” piece of plywood serving as our partners desk. On her side I was able to install a keyboard tray using scrap lumber and a pair of inexpensive drawer slides. A pair of unfinished pinewood file cabinets on one side supports the desk on one side, and a set of braced 2x3s holds up the other end. We expect the maple wood tops in about two weeks. It’s a shared vision between spouses. It’s pleasant. Yet, I look around the room and sigh. No books. A library should have books. But a library needs shelves to have books, and the oak shelves are coming after the desktops.

Here are three selections from the shelves the bins in the basement:

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The Myth Of Corporate Taxes

This is a companion piece to this week’s episode of “Two Minutes Out Of Your Life.”

The Myth Of Corporate Taxes

Wait a sec…

There is no such thing as corporate taxes. Oh, there are fees assessed to a corporation’s earnings. There is an “official” tax bracket
assigned to the net income of all business, and corporations in particular are assigned a top rate of 39.1%. How our government came up with that is anyone’s guess.

You pay all ‘corporate taxes’… as well as your own.

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Forgiveness and Spiritual Maturity – Part Two

forgiveness-2

The Spirit hungers…

Why is it so difficult to forgive, particularly those who think and act as though they’ve done nothing wrong? Why are we triggered to offense, in some cases quite easily? In a word – Pride.

We all want respect.  It is in our nature to crave validation.  We want recognition for our efforts and for our achievements.   We need for our existence to have some value beyond ourselves, and when we perceive the desired validation lacking, it can cause a draining disharmony of the spirit.

Pride cripples…

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9-11

developers-south-korea-under-fire-over-building-resembing-9-11-twin-towers-collapse

For the briefest of times we were unified.  We knew who the enemy was.  We had clear vision and purpose.  We understood that evil had a face, an ideology, and the means to harm us.

Remember the victims.  Remember the heroes.

 

 

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Forgiveness and Spiritual Maturity – Part One

maturity

I’m taking a step away from my traditional political observations and for the next week or two and I will share express what is on my heart write about something a little more oriented towards the Spirit. 

We’ve all seen it played out in literature, on television, and in the movies.  Two former antagonists come to terms with each other and it all ends in a big, tearful hug.  Spouses, friends, relatives – a healing occurs and we vicariously share their joy.

Real life often provides less of a sense of closure. 

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