America Waits
As in a Hollywood thriller, the tension ebbs and flows. Each major holiday, as well as the infamous September 11th date, brings with it the haunting fear of a new eruption. The problem is, this is not fantasy. The question now is not if we will be attacked again, but when. To deal with this threat, the federal government has created the Department of Homeland Security. The department has defined a Homeland Security Advisory System. Similar to a stop sign (with blue and orange thrown in), this mechanism seeks to quantify the level of risk we currently face. Now that level is yellow or elevated. You can learn more about this new barometer of woe and keep up to the minute with the “current threat level” by visiting http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/.

Of course, there’s always been a certain amount of anxiety associated with flying. Maybe it’s the speed, the height, or perhaps the certainty of death if things really go wrong. Fear of flying is pretty normal. But now that fear has escalated to a whole new level. Flying has become increasingly perilous as passengers wonder not so much about the mechanical condition of the plane and skill of the pilot, but whether or not there’s a bomb/terrorist onboard, or whether the aircraft will be shot out of the sky by a heat-seeking missile. The enemy is faceless and nameless. We’re told that anyone is a potential terrorist. There’s no politically correct profile. Everyone is suspect. It is only right that everyone submit to even more invasive search and seizure (the Fourth Amendment notwithstanding)—now at the hand of Federal agents.

But it’s not just from airplanes that the attack could come. Now we face threats from random anthrax attacks or even full-scale biological warfare. A dreaded nuclear attack can come from either suitcase bombs, dirty bombs, or even a conventional assault against our undefended nuclear power plants. Major bridges and dams as well as large buildings have been acknowledged as easy prey.

Then there’s the fear of financial loss. Personal bankruptcies and repossessions have increased to the point of becoming commonplace. Unemployment pushes toward six percent as layoffs continue monthly in the tens of thousands. While the viability of the Social Security scam erodes beyond reason, health insurance costs spiral out of control. Then there’s the ongoing collapse of Wall Street—both of value and of values. The stock market is down another twenty percent just this year. Just mentioning Enron, Tyco, Global Crossing, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen speaks volumes. And now we’re witnessing what could be the pending collapse of the dollar.

A Political Imperative
And have you stopped to think what’s really going on in Washington? Has our government gone mad, or are we just trying to do what’s right in the world? After all, we were attacked on our own soil by terrorists whose sole purpose it is to destroy our beloved “homeland.” Ah homeland—where is it that we heard a term like that before?

You may recall, about a decade ago we had a very popular president. His name was George H. Bush. He and his generals were making the world safe for the oil companies. His armies, united with UN troops, were participating in a resounding victory over the evil Saddam Hussein. You see, it is very useful to have an enemy and essential to demonstrate your military might. What old George failed to do is stay at war long enough. Alas, his popularity plummeted, and the rest is history.

Have you ever wondered if George W. learned from Daddy Bush’s blunder? Maybe learned is a little weak. With what we are witnessing, the term obsession comes to mind. Indeed, our president was very clear in setting the agenda:

Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them. (Applause.) Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html)

That pretty well sums things up. We’re at war with the unseen. (From a spiritual sense that is actually true [Ephesians 6:12].) Our enemy is worldwide. And no end is in sight. Can World War III be far behind? We’ve taken out some renegades in Afghanistan (but didn’t get the leader—just like Daddy), and now we need a new enemy. What about Saudi Arabia? They funded 911. I can hear it now, “No, can’t do that, son—wouldn’t be prudent. Our family ties are too close to big oil. I regretted never taking out Saddam. Get him instead.” And after Saddam, who will be next? The drums are already beating. What about Korea, Pakistan, or perhaps Vietnam?

To be sure, there will be somebody. Here’s a telling except from the classic primer for those who seek political power and control:

A PRINCE ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules, and it is of such force that it not only upholds those who are born princes, but it often enables men to rise from a private station to that rank. The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli, Translated by W. K. Marriott - The Gutenberg Project, Chapter 14, opening sentence. (http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince14.htm)

``(5) the term `domestic terrorism' means activities that—
                    ``(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are
                a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or
                of any State;
                    ``(B) appear to be intended—
                          ``(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian
                      population;
                          ``(ii) to influence the policy of a government
                      by intimidation or coercion; or
                          ``(iii) to affect the conduct of a government
                      by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping;
                      and
                    ``(C) occur primarily within the territorial
                jurisdiction of the United States.''.

Fear—Where Did It Come From?
For as long as man has existed (almost) there has been fear. The first mention of fear in the Bible was when Adam was confronted by God for his sin.

And he [Adam] said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (Genesis 3:10)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. (Genesis 9:2)

Can God Fear?
But what about God? Can He fear? After all, man fears, and he was made in God’s image. While man indeed was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), man acquired fear at the fall. There’s no Scripture reference to God fearing. And of course, what could the Almighty fear anyway (Genesis 17:1, Revelation 11:17)? Then there’s Jesus. He took on a body of man, certainly He must have shared in man’s emotions. Although He had a body of flesh, He was without sin (Hebrews 1:15), and it is not at all surprising to find that no mention exists in the Bible of His fearing either. Here’s how He faced His ultimate challenge:

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:42-44)

In fact, Christ spent a lot time saying “fear not” to those around Him. Abram (Genesis 15:1), Hagar (Genesis 21:17), Isaac (Genesis 26:4), Jacob (Genesis 46:3) as well as John (Revelation 1:17) all feared when they met Him. Even when He was in His earthly body, men feared Him for a variety of reasons. When His disciples saw Him walking on the water they thought He was a ghost (Matthew 14:26). When He calmed the wind and sea, they “feared exceedingly” (Mark 4:41). Those who witnessed other miracles feared (Luke 5:10; 7:16). Even the religious leaders feared Him because of his influence on the people (Mark 11:19). So while others feared Him, He cannot fear.

Fearing God
Okay, but aren’t we supposed to reverence God? Certainly many passages of scripture speak of a fear of God. There are those verses directed to those who would reject Him:

The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. (Psalm 36:1)
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28; also Luke 12:4-5)

Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. (Psalm 112:1)
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:13)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27)

A More Excellent Way
Still, Christ had no fear. We’re supposed to be like Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). If things are right, should we have any fear? Let’s take a look:

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (I John 4:18)

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (I Peter 5:6-7)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

The Prince of Peace
Christmas is not about fear, but about the Author of love, joy, and peace who has conquered fear and death.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20)
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (Luke 1:30)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:10-14)

News from Home
This May, we celebrated my thirtieth year with IBM where I continue to learn new aspects of programming. The solar backup system powered us through the ice storm, but the generator secondary backup would not start. That meant we had to rough it a little, but we were still able to manage. The drought this summer was severe. Our well continued to supply water in spite of heavy use by the water-source heat pump. That unit is ready to be replaced and would have been by now had it not been for this water thing. Currently I’m leaning toward going to a closed-loop geothermal system to spare the well further stress.

The website http://www.ronharrod.com is still cooking, and the email address remains ron@ronharrod.com. I’m sorry I didn’t get around to posting the older Christmas letters yet, but at least this one will make the second. Website traffic and search engine coverage is slowly but steadily increasing.