Friday, September 10, 2021

The Destruction of Monuments


Lee and Stuart are two of my old neighbors from college. They used to just stand there. Now one, or maybe both, have been covered in paint and pulled down.






I was never a fan of Confederate history. To me it seemed creepy, even in the peaceful 90's, to have these guys line the most beautiful avenue in town. How I felt watching their destruction, however, is something I find difficult to put into words. 


I am not worried about Lee, take him out if you will, I am worried about us. Why? I wasn't interested in American Civil War history. I was more interested in the history of the Russian Revolution. Something bad is happening here. We are losing eachother.





Behind the Stuart monument you can see the red doors of a Lutheran church. I remember standing there one quiet, do-nothing day and my heart was suddenly filled with deep joy. Someone long ago had built that church and hung those doors in honor of the God of my heart. Someone loved Him like I do. That moment is as impressed in my memory as the bright, bold red color you see here. That's the answer to our current problems, the God of our hearts. He's still there. Call on His name. If you don't understand how that will make a difference, try it and see.


Yuri Bezmenov said all this decades ago, but no one was paying attention. Faith is what will save us. 




Yuri Bezmenov on How to Prevent Ideological Subversion


"...that takes one step, one very important thing to do. You don't have to expel all the KGB agents from Washington DC. The most difficult and at the same time the simplest answer to the subversion is to start it here and even before, by bringing back the society to religion, something that you cannot touch and eat and put on yourself. But something that rules society and makes it move and preserve it. A Soviet scientist, Shafarevich, who has nothing to do with religion, he is a computer scientist, did a very intensive research the on the history of Socialist countries. He calls Socialist or Communist any country with the centralized economy and the pyramidal style of power structure and he discovered, actually he didn't discover, he just brought to attention of his readers.


That civilizations like Mohenjo-daro in the River Indus area, like Egypt, like Maya, Incas, like Babylonian culture, collapsed and disappeared from the surface of Earth the moment they lost religion. As simple as that. They disintegrated. Nobody remembers about them anymore. Well, just a few. 


So, the ideas are moving society and keeping mankind as society of human beings, intelligent, moral agents of God. The facts, the truth, the exact knowledge may not. All the sophisticated technology and computers will not prevent society from disintegrating and eventually dying out. Have you ever met a person who would sacrifice his life, freedom for the truth like that? (writes 2x2=4 on board) This is truth. I never met the person who said, "This is truth and I am ready to... shoot me!" to defend the truth. Right?


But millions sacrifice their life, freedom, comfort, everything for things like God, like Jesus Christ. It's an honor!


Some martyrs in the Soviet concentration camp died and they died in peace unlike those who shouted, "Long live Stalin!" knowing perfectly well that he may not live long. 


Something which is not material moves society and helps it to survive, and the other way around, the moment we turn into 2 by 2 is 4 and make it the guiding principle of our life, our existence, we die. Even though this is true (points to 2x2=4) and this we cannot prove (points to God and J.C.) We can only feel and have faith in it.


So the answer to ideological subversion, strangely enough, is very simple. You don't have to shoot people. You don't have to aim missiles and Pershings and cruise missiles at Andropov's headquarters. You simply have to have faith and prevent subversion. In other words, not to be a victim of subversion.


Don't try to be a person who in Judo is trying to smash your enemy and being caught by your hand. Don't strike like that. Strike with power of your spirit and moral superiority. If you don't have that power, it's high time to develop it, and that's the only answer."



55 comments:

  1. Agree. I add that the people who demand removal of Confederate statues often are ticked off at Presidents Lincoln and Washington and pretty much all other American heroes too. I think it is shameful to remove historic statues.

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  2. Hi Sandi, there are many scriptural truths that come to mind regarding all that is going on in this world, these are two of them:-
    'Unless God intervened, all flesh would be destroyed', and you can see that happening at the moment.
    'God does not live in a house built with hands'
    Regardless of a building, believers are the 'body' of Christ on earth. We are in the end times, and we know not what tomorrow brings.
    Scriptures are the Word of God that speaks to each individual according to where they are spiritually and we are in turbulent times, as you have reflected in your post. God bless you as you share what the Lord has given you to share.

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  3. Everywhere in the world there is a war of statues, generated by opposing ideologies.

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  4. Erasing our history, be it about good times or bad times, is a slippery slope that leads to the entrance of Marxism in society. We are seeing evidence of that everywhere. May we stand firm in the faith and shine the light of truth to combat this.
    Blessings, Sandi!

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    1. I agree. Why not look at those monuments and celebrate how far we've come? What does destroying them accomplish?

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  5. Hopefully, those people removing statues are punished and put to shame. A monument is first of all a work of art; someone has invested in it time, energy, skill. Nobody, not even the state, has the right to demolish it without consent of the artist or its family.

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  6. God is moved by our faith and He knows those who are taking refuge in Him and love Him. Psalms 37.

    We can also vote by our pocket books, 2ndVote.com is a good place to start.

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    1. A wonderful reminder that He knows who are His.

      Thank you, Amelia.

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  7. Thank you for sharing this, Sandi! Such a though-provoking post. Our country is still working through the horrors of slavery and its impacts through the centuries. As a Canadian and Nova Scotian, I grew up knowing that Nova Scotia was one of the places slaves from the US escaped to. It took growing up to realize all the bad things that happened in history and to black people and Indigenous people, not just in the US, but in Canada as well. I'm happy to see statues removed if they are a source of anguish to the descendants of slaves and other people who have suffered from oppression and persecution. I do think that these statues are an important part of our history and should not be destroyed. An appropriate place for them is in museums that display them in an historical context. I am truly concerned about our country right now and wonder if we can pull ourselves together as Americans. I pray most nights for exactly that.
    I've never seen Yuri Bezmenov's piece before. It was a fascinating read. I don't agree with him on why the Inca and Mayan civilizations fell. I can't speak to the Indus River, Egyptian, and Babylonian civilizations, because I haven't studied them as much. Faith is a powerful force and motivates millions. I hope it helps us now. Take care!

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    1. I don't think any of this is really about slavery or racism.

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    2. It's not. It's about destroying everything in the present to start a "new world utopia". It's become a religion for those who have rejected the true God.

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  8. Good post. Thanks for your insight and for sharing with us.

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  9. It was good to read this perspective. The world always has and always will need to hear the Gospel.

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  10. These statues need to be placed into context.

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  11. Hi Sandi,
    Stopping by to answer your question in what my neighbor shared with me on September 11. He said that late in the afternoon. The eagle was a sign of America is strong, we will get through this.
    I am praying that to be the truth for today's America too. We have changed so much in the past 20 years.
    Carla

    P.S. Thank you for this post, well said!

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  12. A very interesting post. I don't like historical monuments being destroyed.
    I wish you good health and send my best regards.

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  13. Thank you for this thought provoking post. America is on a slippery slope. We, the people of faith, must stand firm in our faith and not waver because of new ideologies or because of those who would seek to terrorize us from believing in the God Who loves and cares for us all, regardless of race, religion, background or status. Christ died to save us all from our sins, and we have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God. I do not like to see our statues removed because that is a removing our history, the good, bad, and the ugly. We need to be reminded of where we came from so that we will never allow ourselves to go there again. A country divided against itself can never stand. And a people without faith have no hope for anything better. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, because He definitely is returning soon, and many will be caught sleeping.

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  14. I don't like either that historical monuments are being destroyed. Warm greetings, stay healthy.

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  15. Hi Sandi,

    I think the histoical statues monuments can stay. The monuments are historical.
    💚

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  16. The history can't be changed. Monuments must stay.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog, Sandy.

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  17. shaking my head every day at the madness and division being encouraged every where

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  18. Excellent. Jesus is the Answer to all the evil our world is facing. If Christianity had not been established, the educated and moral people would not have survived.

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  19. We in the church really need to hear this and apply this lesson. The fight is on and we win only by the Holy Spirit.

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  20. powerful post dear Sandi
    you write less but when you do it is always poignant and inspirational my friend!

    i agree that monuments must not be destroyed though new thought system have taken over the world yet these statues are part of history .like we don't erase words from history book ,statues also must remain standing there.

    i share your love for two and two make four which means in my simple opinion following the basic natural rules who run this universe and life within it .
    i agree that by following these rules only we can live humanity standards precisely otherwise things will get messier i believe .people with privilege find it amusing to be experimental with life and introducing laws and regulations to control people instead to keep hold on roots by following simple rules created and applied by God or Divine Force whatever we call it .
    God bless you and loved ones!

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    1. Thank you, Baili, for your kind, thoughtful comment. God bless you and your family too.
      I think it is important to remember our roots. We are each here for a purpose, a reason we were designed.

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  21. I don't understand why people want to remove or rewrite history. It is sad to see nations rejecting the God that watches over them and protects them.

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  22. Destruir monumentos é ignorância. Por mais que se queira a História não consegue ser apagada. Gostei de a ler.
    Uma boa semana com muita saúde.
    Um beijo.

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    1. É difícil de ver. Obrigado pelo seu comentário.

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  23. Well said. Rewriting history is not the answer. Understanding our history is far wiser.

    Have a fabulous day and week, Sandi. ♥

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  24. The problem: People generelly no longer believe in God.

    Time was that in every classroom there was a Crucifix on the wall. It was the same in every hospital ward. Schools started with morning prayers. People made the sign of the Cross when they passed a church. And men took their hats off when a funeral passed by. We had two Christian shops in our small town.

    But now ...

    God bless, Sandi.

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  25. I don't like historical monuments being destroyed. They are part of our history.
    Step by step someone will propose to destroy the Coliseum in Rome.

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    1. I hope that never happens, but it is not too hard to imagine.

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  26. How I wish that killing (people/ideas) wasn't seen as the answer...

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  27. This destroying the monuments thing is getting ridiculous! You can't erase history only learn from it. I don't understand what they thing they will accomplish other than to divide us even further!

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  28. Trying to erase history, only causes us to repeat it! The principals upon which this country was founded are being erased, if we are to survive we must repent and turn around, isn't that what revival is about!
    Thank you for sharing these poignant thoughts, I am touched to my soul!
    Blessings
    Sue

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  29. Thank you, Sandi, for this post, food for thought. There are monuments people dislike or even abhor to see but I have mixed emotion about subversion of them, because it depends on how you take it, as a reminder of honor or folly of human beings. We learn from history. Thank you for the excerpt from Yuri Bezmenov. “Strike with power of your spirit and moral superiority. If you don't have that power, it's high time to develop it, and that's the only answer." is so true.

    Yoko

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    1. "We learn from history."

      This is so true. Thank you, Yoko.

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  30. I think of monuments to Lee and others as I would a monument to Adolf Hitler. Yes, it is history but it is honoring a grim, tragic and malevolent part of history. If we can remove things that divide us, perhaps we can unite. Only sometimes, the removal deepens the divide. It's a dilemma for which I have no answers.

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  31. At this present time it seems that everywhere in the world has 'problems' with statues and monuments.

    All the best Jan

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