CROSSES and SKANDALONS

And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:11‭-‬13 ESV

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Romans 14:21‭-‬22 ESV

What do you see when you look at something?  We see what we choose to see?  What we're taught to see?  What we're predestined to see?!

1. 4th grade Maltese cross necklace for a Rat Fink toy??  WW2 generation people see the Maltese Cross and think Nazi Iron Cross.  Baby-boomer kid sees a cool biker  accessory!  They made me get rid of the cool necklace Maltese Cross. 🥴
2. Ford vs. Chevrolet?  Moreso, Ford vs. Toyota?! Frank Speed and the Japanese?! WW2 Pacific?
3. First car. 1969 Ford.  Cool tag?! Stars and Bars. Southern pride, individualism, strength. Roll Tide vs. ND "I'd take it off"?!  Maltese Cross, again?!
4. Knight's shield. Crusader's shield with his initials, K.E.C., in blackletter, and a crimson Maltese Cross dominating the front.  My Mama saw an Iron Cross, still?!
5. Crucifix necklace from cousin James. "kinda RC for ..."?!  I wear it anyway.  But, the chain pulls chest hair!
6. Ancient Celtic crosses? Catholic grandeur vs. Protestant simplicity. But, I am attracted to them.
7. Currently, the choice I am struggling over is a Southern Gentleman vs. Gentle Savior?!  I see a Mark Twain. Others see Adolf Hitler, or, at least Himmler.   I suspect that most of the protesters think the "E." is for "Evil" not really knowing any more about the icon than that.    Much of my family immigrated post Civil War.  They left Europe, like many others, forced off their land.  But, I still feel a kinship to Scotland, Ireland, Austria, Skandinavia, ...  I'm a mixed breed mutt!  I'm proud to be an American!  And, much of Southern manners would help, IMHO.   I see two extremes -- 1) "Hell no! I ain't forgetting"?! Really?! and, 2)
"Let's take what is ours..." Be careful.  Just don't want Jesus to be missed!!
8. My goal is for the Cross of Calvary to remain on mountain, glowing for all the world to see.  Not a "burning cross"!



Beneath the cross of Jesus


1

Beneath the cross of Jesus
  I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
  Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
  A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat,
  And the burden of the day.

2

Oh, safe and happy shelter!
  Oh, refuge tried and sweet!
Oh, trysting place where heaven’s love
  And heaven’s justice meet.
As to the holy patriarch
  That wondrous dream was given,
So is my Savior by the cross
  A ladder up to heaven.

3

There lies beneath its shadow,
  But on the farther side,
The darkness of an awful grave
  That gapes both deep and wide;
And there between us stands the cross,
  Two arms outstretched to save,
Like a watchman set to guard the way
  From that eternal grave.

4

Upon that cross of Jesus
  Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One,
  Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart, with tears,
  Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of His glorious love,
  And my own worthlessness.

5

I take, O cross, thy shadow
  For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
  The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
  To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
  My glory all the cross.

Somehow, I suspect that Robert Edward Lee, in Christian charity, shaking his head, would say take it down, and put up a Crucifix!