There is a Beginning and a End – Ecclesiastes 3

Saturday night is MrsMac and my date night. We usually go to a couple of nice places in the area, which is minimal living in the middle of nowhere. This evening I asked her where she wanted to go and she said, “XYZ diner in Binghamton, NY. I want a chicken salad sandwich with bacon”. Huh? Okay I thought…What ever.

Well I hate driving into Indian country but to keep peace in the teepee, I grabbed my Glock 27 as it is totally concealable and drove her and I to the XYZ Diner. New York Troopers get all a twitter when you do not have a NY CCW.

After MrsMac and I ordered dinner, her a chicken salad sandwich with bacon and an iced tea. I the fisherman’s platter and a glass of house chardonnay, we started a spousal chat.

“We need more green beans”, Mr Mac stated.

I replied with, “I am two weeks behind cutting firewood”.

And the conversation went on along those lines till our entree arrived. We held hands and said grace.

I ordered another chardonnay when the waitress brought my French fries for the fisherman’s platter and we started to eat with no conversation just being happy to be near each other. When suddenly MrsMac said, “our preparation for the winter and this political drama is like Ecclesiastes 3 from the Old Testament.” I shook my head and said, “huh? Okay, where did that come from?” I received the usual, “oh, JohnyMac scowl” from her that at times I receive when obviously we were not on the same wavelength. I promptly brought up the price of corn in China to change the conversation.

Anyway, after MrsMac’s dessert of diner rice pudding with raisins and my last glass of mediocre chardonnay, on the way home we were listening to Sirius Radio Classic Vinyl – Sorry Jesse, we are  boomers after all – and on the radio came the Byrds singing, Turn! Turn! Turn! Which we all know is a loose interpretation of Ecclesiastes 3, written originally by Pete Segar…I think.

Anyway, once we got home, I thought that I would post Ecclesiastes 3 to better explain what is happening around us and more important, what to expect. I also posted the Byrds song for your listening pleasure. Man O’ man I am getting long in the tooth.

Here ya’ go….

Ecclesiastes 3

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9  What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10  I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12  I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15  That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

16  And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17  I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19  For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20  All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21  Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22  Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

The Byrds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPbR3uovtf8

Remember Patriots, we are all in this together…Through thick and thin.

73 & God Bless Brothers and Sisters

Freedom Through Self- Reliance 

P.S, Groovy Go Go Boots!

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19 Comments

  1. Michael August 16, 2020 at 10:10

    Indeed to everything there is a season. There will always be situations with no good path except through it. Thus spiritual preps is as important if not more than the Beans, Bullets and Band-Aids preps.

    Pray for our leadership, 1) I Timothy 2:1-2 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

    6) Psalms 2:10-11 – Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

    7) Proverbs 11:14 – For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. (some translations imply God Fearing Advisers)

    Pray for a returning to God 5) II Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

    Pray for Wisdom 10) Proverbs 2:1-8 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding- 3) indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5) then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7) He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8) for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

    This battle is not just the sock puppet vs. Trump, it’s the Deep State and their disposable face people the Socialist-Democrats vs. our Republic.

    There is a season and right now I see Winter coming.

    Proverbs 21 speaks of a wise mans house: …19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.… (many translations replace treasures with plenty of food)

    It also speaks of foolish unprepared people rather poorly in

    Matthew 25:3,4,8
    They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: …

    No oil for their lamps to await the wedding and wanted the prepared to “Give their fair share” to them. Reply of the prepared is worth remembering.

    Luke 15:14
    And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

    Bad times follow good times, Josephs explaining the dream of the Pharaoh 7 fat cows and the 7 lean cow that devoured the fat cows, led to him being placed in a place of honor and preparing the Kingdom of Egypt for the lean years.

    I bring this up as I’ve felt great concern about the lack of Media Coverage over the 2009 USDA’s selling off the strategic grain-soybean reserves, the 2019 flooding that destroyed so much of our food stocks, and now the 2020 COVID shortage of farm workers and the Derecho that crushed so much of our standing Midwest corn and soybean crops last week. Food is a weapon. Anybody notice that WA state and others have been buying up tons of food stock for their expected food bank needs? Just our tax dollars at work citizen, nothing to see here, move along.

    I remember it’s Beans FIRST, then Bullets do you have enough beans for you and yours?

    Will food be exchanged for our freedoms and the 2nd amendment? Historically the Communists have indeed used it so.

    Praying for wisdom and our Republic

    • johnyMac August 16, 2020 at 12:49

      Amen Michael. Well written. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

      73 & God Bless

  2. Green Mountain Shooter August 16, 2020 at 10:37

    Another great commentary for a Sunday. Thank you JohnyMac.

    • johnyMac August 16, 2020 at 12:47

      No, thank you Green Mountain Shooter!

      73 7 God Bless

  3. Curious Passerby August 16, 2020 at 13:12

    I can’t help linking above post to the 4th Turning’s concept of the Saeculum, in which a 4 generation time line is seen as the seasons of the year. According to Strauss and Howe, the authors of the concept, we are entering Winter and will be there for a long time before we see Spring and hope.

    • johnyMac August 16, 2020 at 13:45

      Absolutely Curious Passerby. In essence, we have 10-years of this winter till spring comes. And, we are only into the first year. I mean just think of the last winter. The lead up to and then the actual Second World War. The boomers of today are the fruit of the spring post the war.

      Good stuff Brother.

  4. Johnny Paratrooper August 16, 2020 at 14:27

    Great Story. Last night I reconnected with some old friends I haven’t seen in 15 years. They are Merchant Marines, and they are very, very well prepared.

    God Bless JMac to you and yourself. And best of luck to all the family and friends of Freeforce Partisans around the world. J-Com is gonna get hurt.

  5. Butter Bar August 16, 2020 at 15:33

    Poignant piece for certain, and wasn’t music from the mid to late 60’s wonderful?

    I’ve been a subscriber for a while, and I read AP posts with much enthusiasm. Thank you for cutting through the BS and providing both thought provoking informational pieces as well as excellent sitreps.

    There is something with which I have been struggling. I, like many other Patriots, have passed my prime. While I am not that old, I have significant back problems which prevent me from exercising and training like someone should. I’ve packed on a few pounds, few being used loosely at this time. Additionally, my wife has other longterm health issues. As such, we are more of a liability than a benefit to others.

    On to my point. There is a lot of discussion here on preps and intel and communications. So I propose this question: what can persons who might be more of a liability on the front lines do to support other Patriots who will be called upon to carry the load to support and defend the Constitution and our ability to live freely? Also consider persons who aren’t fully up to speed for these type of endeavors as well. I see this as a two part question.

    To do now and before the shot heard around the world
    1. Continue to gather the 3 B’s which can be provided to support front line workers
    2. Pray
    3. Learn our enemy
    4. Teach friends, family, and youth about freedom, the Constitution, and the flawed thinking of Marxists

    Support after the physical fighting has commenced
    1. Provided medical and logistical support
    2. Act as a sentry/guard for the rear d
    3. Infiltrate enemy encampments and provide intel, initiate psyops, and sabotage equipment
    4. Provide moral and spiritual support for our Patriot warriors
    5. Drive vehicles for infil, exfil, resupply
    6. Operate LP/OP
    7. Cook, clean, and tend to other types of activities at the base of operations
    8. Perform maintenance on vehicles, weapons, and accessories
    9. Act as a diversionary force

    I am sure there are many others that I am overlooking. Perhaps this would be an article for the more seasoned and reasoned of this group to expound upon. Thank you for your time.

    Cold Steel

  6. Anonymous August 16, 2020 at 21:36

    4.5

  7. Rucksack Rob August 17, 2020 at 09:18

    Great article and of course too, great stuff from the commenters (Michael especially), musically speaking, FYI: Pete Seeger was a registered and active member of the american communist party. (intentionally, no capitol letters). Not to say he wasn’t a great folk singer, but a commie no less.

    • johnyMac August 17, 2020 at 09:30

      Thank you Rucksack Rob.

      Yes, he was a card carrying commie.

      73 & God Bless

  8. Jackalope in TN August 17, 2020 at 09:23

    Hiya Johny… Timing is everything! Classic music and classic bible verses, thank you for posting that. I can just imagine you and Mrs. Mac at dinner, that must have been classic too :-)

    • johnyMac August 17, 2020 at 09:32

      LOL Jackalope.

      Always a classic. After, soon to be 45-years of marriage, we are an interesting couple.

      Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

      73 & God Bless Brother

  9. Bud Green August 17, 2020 at 13:30

    Thank you JohnnyMac for this post. Preach it brother !

    And thanks to N.C. Scout and all the other patriots that make this website what it is…. far out and Groovy.

    Never give in

    • johnyMac August 17, 2020 at 15:36

      Bud Green, “far out and Groovy.”…To funny.

      Thanks for reading Brother. God Bless

  10. Cavguy August 17, 2020 at 15:29

    JMac,
    Ever try Mastories Diner, Bordentown NJ, exit 7 NJTP? It’s the exit for Ft Dix. if not when you do, ask to be seated in the bar area. You’ll not regret stopping!
    Cavguy

    • johnyMac August 17, 2020 at 15:43

      Thanks for the recommendation Cavguy. I have not been to the Mastories Diner however, NJ has some of the best diners in the country. I grew up on the western side of the Delaware River. Use to go cross the river and head to a bar in Jersey when they had their 18-year old drinking age. Once the bar closed we would head for a NJ diner.

      Good stuff.

      73 & God Bless Brother

  11. Cavguy August 17, 2020 at 17:28

    JMac,
    Me too. Last address was in Sussex country Delaware. I got divorced three years ago, bought a big toy hauler, put four motorcycles in the back, headed west. Been bouncing around out West ever since in search of world class single track. I think I’ve found it in Idaho!

    Keep the spiritual material coming you just might help some people get off the fence! They don’t know what they are missing and taking that step of giving your life to Jesus is scary!

    73’s to yah,
    Cavguy

    • johnyMac August 17, 2020 at 18:14

      Congrats on finding a piece of land serviced by a one track road Cavguy.

      Please take care of ya’ Brother.

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