If a fox's favorite food is rabbit, it would benefit the fox to not indulge himself to the extent of eating all the rabbits in his neck of the woods.

The first political moderate ...

It would be wise to eat in moderation, to at least allow some rabbits to survive, so they can continue to reproduce.

Rabbits do reproduce very well ...and that is very well for a fox.

When I was growing up, there were those who liked to hunt without restraint ...but there were also Conservation Officers who roamed about, trying to encourage others to obey the rules, to conserve.  Most were friendly, and could just as accurately be called Conversation Officers, but whether they were called that or Rangers, ...they were appreciated by some, and disliked by others.

Within the hilly and much forested area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was a quite real threat of forest fires. There was a big tower on the top of one of the large hills overlooking my hometown.   From this tower, a fire could be spotted from miles around.

A story within a story ...

The first part of this part of the story, is about a report of rabid wild dogs roaming about the forest.  The Ranger warned the residents of the area not to allow their own dogs to be off a leash, to roam about.  Some of the residents did not believe there was a visible threat, and they resented being told what to do (even though it was only a recommendation).

That winter there was an unusually large snowfall.   The Ranger warned the residents along the river that their homes were in danger.  But it was also an unusually cold and long springtime ...allowing much of the snow to stay longer, and melt gradually.   Therefore, the riverbank was able to sustain the slow, steady thaw.

Many of the people began to discount the Ranger, stating they could not believe anything he said.   So when he spotted a forest fire from his tower on a hot, dry summer day ...the residents simply did not believe him when he drove down their road to warn them and ask them to evacuate.

It wasn't the Ranger's doing that the animals were rabid, it wasn't his doing that there was an unusually large snowfall, and it wasn't his doing that the forest fire was rapidly growing in intensity ...nearly out of control.

Likewise, it is not my doing that our country is becoming less moral, but it's okay if you resent me for mentioning what I see happening.   I am not sitting in an ivory tower, but I look to the One on High, who tells of the dangers.

God tells us what is wrong, and warns us of dangers ...and I'm thankful for that!   I also feel a bit of obligation to tell others.   I do this out of love, because I don't wish anyone to slip into an area of their life where the truths of God are minimized; or where God warns us, or encourages us not to be.

Is it like a 'dog fight' between ideologies ...or simply one of pride and prestige?

I've been watching the political debates ...of the Republican candidates.   They don't choose the topics to talk about, but much conversation comes about in reference to the 'gay' lifestyle. And the moderators often try to draw out feelings that aren't accurate. or that aren't present at all.

My wife was researching 'pit bulls' on the internet.   We know that everything on the internet is not entirely accurate, and some not very accurate ...but it can be interesting, and believe it or not, often accurate at times.  She found a description of how the dogs have had a controversial history, and how the dog's breed was often redefined to dismiss the validity of protests against the breed and to give rationale to protect the dog's image.  The article said that owners will deny the possibility of anything you may say against their dog ...and will even deny that their dog is a pit bull; stating that their dog is so docile and friendly that it could only possibly lick you to death.

I'm not going to argue that point ....

The point is back to the 'gay' lifestyle argument, which has led to policy changes to the extent that Christian adoption agencies have been forced out of their charitable work of finding homes for homeless children, simply because they are unwilling to support a 'gay' lifestyle home.  Now, I ask, is this in the best interest of children, to close down an organization that is doing much for the welfare of children, simply because of their hesitation and discretion on vitally important decisions?

I worked in the field of Mental Health ...from juvenile facilities to adult prisons.   I've dealt with homosexual populations, and have many stories, which could arguably question the acceptance of subjecting children to a prevalent 'gay' lifestyle within the home.

But my main point is, God defines how it should be ...not me.

Though ...I do agree with God.   After all, how beneficial is it to not?   I state what I state because I believe it, and I believe it is not beneficial for anyone to think of themselves wiser than our Creator, who cares so much for us ...and sent His own Son, to create a chance and a way for us in life.

I agree with those who say intolerance bears itself out more within the confines of those who often attempt to accuse others as being intolerant.   Dealing professionally for years with homosexuals, transsexuals, bisexuals, and asexuals to 'z'sexuals ...hardly qualifies me as being homophobic.   I have strong views in reference to divorce and abortion also, but for some reason the moderators mainly chose the 'gay' issue.  I say, try not to be Veritaphobic ..."fearing the truth".   Not to be cruel, or judgmental ...it's just good to have it checked out, your sight and insight ...and try to look through the glass clearly.

The enemy is subtle, like a serpent ...like a fox.

 (http://shouldntwethinkthisthrough.blogspot.com)   Back to the fox, it's like a fox in sheep's clothing.  Many of you think the fox is Fox News; so you listen to all the other networks who are trying to outfox the Fox.

It's like the Gingerbread Man story.   Who would blame the Gingerbread Man for running away from the old woman and old man, for self-preservation purposes?  Not me, I certainly wouldn't!!  Run, run, Gingerbread Man, as fast as you can!!

And I wouldn't blame any of you for fleeing abusive environments or situations, ready to consume you ...you may have no other option.

But as the Gingerbread Man flees, he continues to escape others too ...and a boldness comes over him.   Eventually, who does he come across?   You guessed it, or perhaps you remember it ....a fox!

The Gingerbread Man tells the fox, "Run, run, as fast as you can; you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man! I ran away from an old woman, an old man, a cow, a pig, a dog, and a horse ...and I can run away from you too!"

Now depending upon the version you read, the fox either appeared disinterested, or pretended to be a friend interested in helping him in ...in his mouth.

The Gingerbread Man had become a free spirit ...but was not truly free, as he had replaced a real fear with a false confidence, not founded in truth.  I'm not suggesting you stay in fear ...that would be an entirely different story.  That would be like 'Chicken Little'.

In the Bible, First Kings, Chapter 19, tells of how Elijah feared Jezebel.  But he also allowed that fear to help paint a very gloomy picture of how everything was; which brought him to the point of feeling he was isolated from everyone.   He said his entire country had turned away from what they were founded upon; had torn down their beliefs and practices; and had labeled all those as dedicated as himself as enemies, and pursued them.  Feeling totally isolated, he said, "And I, even I only, am left ..."

Sometimes God does things in our lives that we think are so great, we want to write home about them.   But it is during other difficult, less visionary times that we barely stand.

We know what God has done ...at least, there's hope that it can be remembered.   But it may not always be 'as' we remember.

Elijah saw great works of God.  He saw God reveal His power in front of all those believing in a false god ...and it was revealed in a mighty way.  But as Elijah stood now, he was fearing the words of Jezebel ...and he felt he could no longer stand at all.   At this very moment God caused a great wind to come, breaking the mountainous rock to pieces ...but God was not in the wind.   Then God caused a tremendous earthquake to shake the foundations of the earth ...but God was not in the earthquake.  After that, God caused a fire to consume everything in sight ...but God was not in that either.   As the smoke, dust, and wind settled ...Elijah stood in the stillness, and heard a small voice.

When Jesus came, He mostly spoke softly ...and He spoke kindly.  But some of His words were to redirect us, to point us back to the correct path ...which many do not take kindly to.

But if we don't choose to follow as He has asked us to, we are choosing a different way.   That other way leads us to things we may not be prepared to accept ...but we can't argue; the option was ours.

Perhaps it's not as clear to us as when a forest ranger warns of a fire.  It may not be as clear as when a person attempts to stay afloat in shark infested waters.

There are dangers ...and there are also benefits to things we cannot see.   I guess it just seems easier to talk about the dangers, though it shouldn't be.   But that seems to be how most of us are ...and when discussing something that is invisible, it's difficult to convince someone of the validity of it.   Many years ago, it was believed that the sun revolved around the earth, because that is how people saw it.   Now, I agree that learning the untruth about that was not nearly as painful as it would be to learn that carbon dioxide is invisible, yet can kill you.

You say to me, "I know what you're driving at!  But, what you are talking about is more like pride.   With pride, you only have to fear what it does if you have it ...and if you don't have it, you don't have to fear it."

That will never happen to me, you say?   That doesn't concern me ...that doesn't involve me ...that is not real to me!?!

How about something that may prove to cause harm ...but perhaps only to just over 50% of the people?

How about something that cannot be proven by us on an everyday basis, or by our finite thinking?  Personally, I cannot prove anything.  I believe the Bible is true, but I can only show you what it says ...and I can personally tell you that I believe what it says.