Whats up in Galati

What a beautiful picture looking out over our little balconony into the sun rise.....it reminds me of the passage: "The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don't live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light." What a wonderful truth for us to live out this JESUS season....

This is Mani, trying to resist temptation......good thing the birds have a protection outside of themselves ..... well in the natural state they could fly.....and get a way from the dog only to be eaten by some other creature but now they are safe under the protective umbrella of their master....(how is that for a tricky recovery traci P.)

Robert with his new skates....Katie blessed him with these on his 18th birtday. We had a great day with our great son. Anybody who knows Robert knows that he takes after his mother! May be Robert can join the Flames Hockey Team at Liberty when he gets there.

Karla blessed us with this plate of HOME MADE CHOCOLATE cookies. We are three blessed men treated like "Kings, over here in near the orient!" Andrew is also blessed to have turned 14 this week. He has really passed the curse of 13 without much trouble. Now, he his way past all those teen problems and on his way to manhood! DrewmanGeddes has always been his nickname....and he is fast becoming a man of God. I praise the Lord for my two wonderful birthday boys. Roberts on the 27th and Andrews on the 28th of November.

She is till stunned that she was voted most godly woman in the SBC but hey humility is humility and we give thanks to all who took the time to sent a heartfelt congrats. Now this was not an official contest for those that didn't read all the way to the bottom of the page (Steve P.)! I must say thought it did score many points in the "husbands love your wife" category. Karla is looking forward to getting the entire family together this Christmas as Matthew is flying in on the 16th. We are going to have a great Christmas!

This was my gift to my sons, two knights in shining armor for my two up and coming knights! I pray this will help them remember to be a man of chivarly in these days of evil. They are great sons and we are growing closer and closer each day. I love my sons and pray that God will bless them by keeping them pure and forthright and make them noble servants of our King.

Now this girl is absolutely on the right track....she is intellegent, beautiful, out going and loves Jesus but hates to do dishes.....we are working on this! I can't imagine having a better daughter then this one! Katie is the only one I could really count on if I wanted to climb a big snow covered montian and risk my very existance. She would be right there at her daddy's side. You ask what about those big strong knights pictured above....? Well, what can I say....we are a little "soft" in this arena!

Remember this Christmas season to love your neighbors....and be kind to one another....and why not kick that into the new year, in the "summer and fall" collection of Christian attributes..Sometimes Christians are sort of like snow tires....good for one season!

Remember to get Santa all your presents in time for him to distribute them around the globe. Time is ticking I need them all by the middle of December so my elfs can start sorting them! I wonder if it makes Santa upset that I only pretend to love him and that I really follow JESUS and believe that He is the greatest gift we could have ever received. Well, sorry Santa, but you and your ways will soon end, we are eternal people that know this season is the greatest of all because it is about our wonderful saviour and His becoming flesh and dwelling among us. We are no longer bound by materialism and gluttony because we are children of the King. To us Christmas is about Christ!

What a Prevaricator

What is a Prevaricator?

I pray that all had a good week end and that you were able to reflect the honor that a modern day knight possesses. I heard several disturbing stories over the week-end on Fox News. One that caught my interest and also one that really demonstrates the way that our country is headed was the "marketing decision" to replace the "Bible" with Well, lets just say a very popular form of "birth control". This is what you are doing when you surf the Internet and look set your Bible aside...! Every time you are tempted while on the net think off those "pay for a view" movies you can rent at these same hotels. ....Oh! I know you would "never pay for a view" but you do my dear friend you pay dearly....you are going to pay dearly ....you just don't know when! Every time you "pay for a view" on the Internet..just a mouse click away... it is almost the exact same thing as removing your Bible and replacing it with some alternate form of entertainment. You are replacing the Words of our King with your own lustful desires....and we all know what I our King said about your eyes..."better to get rid of them"....if you know what I mean! Either pluck your eyes out of your head or stop watching that stuff on the net....!

On the Church front.....I heard a very interesting story about Willow Creek also. It seems that entertaining would be Christians or seekers has not worked all that well. It seems that the old Schuller style of reaching the lost has not been "making disciples". I think that if someone was to understand the "foolish message of the Cross" then they "couldn't understand" this style of evangelism. But is has worked for so many.....or has it? We need to get our faces back into the Bible and our eyes back on Jesus! We need to put our knees on the ground and admit to "Our Great King" that we have been more like Ganelon...and we have been listening to Marsil far too long. Let us get it right...lets us turn from our sins and follow teachings and life of the man who died on that OLD RUGGED CROSS! The same cross that was meant for us men...lest we forget about the penalty for treason.....what a great King we have! Let us take up our Cross and follow this Great Knight...this Infinite King...Let us not commit treason by "copying the behaviors and customs of this world."

FIRST-PERSON: A shocking confession from Willow Creek Community Church leaders

http://www.baptistpress.com/BPnews.asp?ID=26768

I really admire these men for saying that they were wrong...but how many loyal followers will not betray their emotional marriage to this "Starbucks driven chruch". Oh! by the way even Starbucks says that their traffic it down.....a fad is a fad is a fad....is a fad....well you get it!

May we try the "Bible Driven Church" and see how it might work?

While the church sleeps .....the battle rages on ....!

Ganelon shook his head. "Nay," he said, "such is not Charlemagne. All those who have seen him know that our Emperor is a true warrior. I know not how to praise him enough before you, for there is nowhere a man so full of valour and of goodness. I would rather die than leave his service."

"In truth," said Marsil, "I marvel greatly. I had thought that Charlemagne had been old and worn. Then if it is not so, when will he cease his wars?"

"Ah," said Ganelon, "that he will never do so long as his nephew Roland lives. Under the arch of heaven there bides no baron so splendid or so proud. Oliver, his friend, [28] also is full of prowess and of valour. With them and his peers beside him, Charlemagne feareth no man."
"Fair Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil boldly, knowing his hatred, "tell me, how shall I slay Roland?"

"That I can tell thee," said Ganelon.

"Promise thou the Emperor all that he asketh of thee. Send hostages and presents to him. He will then return to France. His army will pass through the valley of Roncesvalles. I will see to it that Roland and his friend Oliver lead the rear-guard. They will lag behind the rest of the army, then there shalt thou fall upon them with all thy mighty men. I say not but that thou shalt lose many a knight, for Roland and his Peers will fight right manfully. But in the end, being so many more than they, thou shalt conquer. Roland shall lie dead, and slaying him thou wilt cut off the right arm of Charlemagne. Then farewell to the wondrous army of France. Never again shall Charlemagne gather such a company, and within the [29] borders of Spain there shall be peace for evermore."

This is high treason of the worst kind...let us think about this when we want to attack our brothers in private....issues are issues....but the treason of our King ...is quite another. Did not our King say in the ancient archives....Hatred in thy heart is the same as murder!

When Ganelon had finished speaking, the king threw his arms about his neck and kissed him. Then turning to his slaves, he commanded them to bring great treasure of gold, and silver and precious stones, and lay it at the feet of the knight.

"But swear to me," said Marsil, "that Roland shall be in the rear-guard, and swear to me his death."

(Sort of like the one who betrayed our King)

And Ganelon, laying his hand upon his sword Murglies, swore by the holy relics therein, that he would bring Roland to death.

Then came a heathen knight who gave to Ganelon a sword, the hilt of which glittered with gems so that the eyes were dazzled in looking upon it. "Let but Roland be in the rear-guard," he said, "and it is thine." Then he kissed Ganelon on both cheeks.

(The kiss ! every time you follow that little mouse around on cyber space)

Soon another heathen knight followed him, laughing joyfully. "Here is my helmet," he cried. "It is the richest and best ever [30] beaten out of steel. It is thine so that thou truly bring Roland to death and shame." And he, too, kissed Ganelon.

(Hey Ganelon probably hates this but not as much as he hates Roland)

Next came Bramimonde, Marsil's queen. She was very beautiful. Her dark hair was strung with pearls, and her robes of silk and gold swept the ground. Her hands were full of glittering gems. Bracelets and necklaces of gold, rubies and sapphires fell from her white fingers. "Take these," she said, "to thy fair lady. Tell her that Queen Bramimonde sends them to her because of the great service thou hast done." And bowing low, she poured the sparkling jewels into Ganelon's hands. Thus did the heathen reward Ganelon for his treachery.

(Ok! Now if he wasn't doomed before he is NOW! He is seduced by this beautiful Queen...first he hates his brother, then he sells out and betrays his King and now he is listening to another man's wife tell him how great he is...your my night in shining armor....Roland...your my hero I wish my husband was a wise and brave as you are....)

"Ho there!" called King Marsil to his treasurer, "are my gifts for the Emperor ready?"
"Yea, Sire," answered the treasurer, "seven hundred camels' load of silver and gold and twenty hostages, the noblest of the land; all are ready."

(Here all the riches you need just don't tell your king....he doesn't really need to know how much you make and how much you earn by doing me this little favor)

Then King Marsil leant his hand on [31] Ganelon's shoulder. "Wise art thou and brave," he said, "but in the name of all thou holdest sacred, forget not thy promise unto me. See, I give thee ten mules laden with richest treasure, and every year I will send to thee as much again. Now take the keys of my city gates, take the treasure and the hostages made ready for thine Emperor. Give them all to him, tell him that I yield to him all that he asks, but forget not thy promise that Roland shall ride in the rearguard."

(I starting to feel a little conviction here I need to be going)

Impatient to be gone, Ganelon shook the King's hand from his shoulder. "Let me tarry no longer," he cried. Then springing to horse he rode swiftly away.

(Ok Lord be with me as I go and tell this big fat LIE to my .................Oh by the way a Prevaricator is some one who repeatedly lies or does not tell the truth)

Meanwhile Charlemagne lay encamped, awaiting Marsil's answer. And as one morning he sat beside his tent, with his lords and mighty men around him, a great cavalcade appeared in the distance. And presently Ganelon, the traitor, drew rein before him. Softly and smoothly he began his treacherous tale. "God keep you," he cried; "here I bring the keys of Saragossa, with treasure rich and rare, seven hundred camels' load of silver and gold and twenty hostages of the noblest of the heathen host. And King Marsil bids me say, thou shalt not blame him that his uncle the Calif comes not too, for he is dead. I myself saw him as he set forth with three hundred thousand armed men upon the sea. Their vessels sank ere they had gone far from the land, and he and they were swallowed in the waves." Thus Ganelon told his lying tale.

From the Ancient Archives:

She has become the hideout of demons and evil spirits, a nest for filthy buzzards, and a den for dreadful beasts. For the nations have drunk the wine of her passionate immortality: The rulers of the world have committed adultry with her, and merchants throughout the world have grown rich as a result of her luxurious living." Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God is ready to judge her for her evil deeds........She has lived in luxury and pleasure, so match it now with torments and sorrows!

Some time others pay the price....

taken from and interview of a lawyer who fights porn....

Q: Is the increase in pornography related to the abortion or homosexual movements?

Sears: The short answer is yes. The longer answer would take a lot of detail, but both answers are based upon the fact that pornography is a result of a disordered view of the human person, sexual behavior and purpose.

The sexual union within marriage, between one man and one woman, is meant by the Creator to be an act of supreme love, giving and unity. It's a picture, if you will, of the supreme selflessness.

Amen!

Can you be loyal to the King

Going to see King Marsil -

Ganelon carries the Kings message but with his hateful heart

Can it be that someone who has so much hatred in his heart would really be able to serve the King faithfully. Could it be that we have motives that are not pure when hatred (for only one person) governs all that we do? We know that Ganelon hates his fellow Knight...serving and loyal to the same King, the Great King of the Franks, but could it be that he is more interested in vengeance (on his own brother) then he is in defeating the Kings enemy. You can not serve two masters...you will love one and hate the other...let us see what incredible damage a bitter heart can do to the message that the messenger brings....you will not even believe what happens today....! It is impossible to imagine...or is it? It is something we see every day amongst our our brethern in the midst of the King. Would we really go to this extent to get even....I am afraid so!

BEFORE he had travelled far, Ganelon overtook the Saracen ambassadors, and, indeed, Blancandrin had delayed his journey that this might be so. Said the Saracen, "What a wonderful man is your King Charles! He has conquered Italy, and New Rome and Germany, and is ready to lay his hands on England. But why is he bent on persecuting us?" "Such is his will," answered Ganelon, "and there is no man of such stature as to be able to contend with him." "You are brave men, you lords of France," said Blancandrin, "but you serve your master ill when you give him such counsel. You will bring him to destruction, and many others with him."

(You should have never told him that he could conquer us)

"Nay," said Ganelon. "I am not one that deserves such blame, nor indeed does any man deserve it, except Roland only. Of a truth this will bring him to shame at the last. Now listen to me. The other day the King was sitting under a tree when Roland came to him clad in his cuirass. He had taken great spoil at the town of Carcassonne. In his hand he had an apple. "Take this," said he to his uncle the King. "As I cast this apple at your feet so will I cast at your feet the crowns of all the Kings of the earth." Such pride must surely have a fall. Every day he exposes himself to death. I would that some one would slay him. We shall never have peace but at the price of his life."

(Don't blame me for doing this horrible deed it is ALL Rolands fault)

Blancandrin answered, "This Roland must be hard of heart if he would subdue every nation and lay his hands upon every country. But on whom does he count to help him in so vast an enterprise?" "He relies on the French," said Ganelon. "There is nothing that he refuses them, neither gold, nor silver, nor chargers, nor mules, nor silk, nor armour. To the King himself he gives as much as he desires. I doubt not that he will conquer the world even as far as the sun rising."

(Yes you are right..because of course I hate him too as you do but I hate him more then you do..even though you are the enemy and I am his step father!)

The Saracen cast his eyes on Ganelon, and saw that he was of a fair countenance, but had an evil look. And Ganelon, when the Saracen's eyes were upon him, felt his whole body tremble from head to foot. Blancandrin said, "Are you minded to revenge yourself on this Roland? If you be, deliver him up to us. King Marsilas is a right generous giver, and will willingly share his treasures with you." Thus the two talked together, and by the time that they came to Saragossa they had agreed together to seek the means by which Roland might come by his death.
The King of Spain was sitting under a pine-tree on a throne that was covered with silk of Alexandria. There were thousands of his people around him, but not a word was said, so greatly did they all desire to hear the tidings that Ganelon and Blancandrin might be bringing with them.

(Yes that is a good idea, after I deliever the message from the King then lets figure out how I can even with this pridefull arrogant servant of my King that I am so loyal too)

Blancandrin came forward and stood before King Marsilas holding Ganelon by the right hand, and said, "In the name of the Prophet, health, O King. We delivered your message to King Charles. He lifted his hands to the sky and gave thanks to God, but he made no other answer. Nevertheless he has sent to you one of his chief nobles, who is a great man in France. 'Tis from him you will hear whether you will have peace or no." "Let him speak," said the King, "and we will listen."

(OK it is now time to go to church and put on that I love Jesus TOO face and give the message to the heathen that they will parish if they don't repent)

Ganelon stood a while, thinking within himself. Then he began to speak, nor could any one have spoken better.

"Health, O King, in the name of God, the God of Glory, to whom all honour is due. Hear now what King Charles commands. You must receive the Christian Faith. Then will he grant unto you half of the land of Spain to be held of him. The other half he grants to the Count Roland. Verily you will have a proud companion! If this please you not, then he will lay siege to Saragossa, will take you captive and carry you to Aachen, where he has his Imperial Throne. There shall sentence be pronounced upon you, and you will end your days in shame."

(What a great sermon, delievered by a true man of the King)

The King's face was changed with anger when he heard these words. He had a gilded staff in his hand, and would have struck Ganelon therewith, but that by good fortune his people held him back. When Ganelon saw it, he drew his sword two fingers' breadth out of the scabbard. "Sword," he said, "thou art fair and bright. So long as I have thee in my hands the King of France shall not say that I perished alone in the land of strangers; no verily, but their best warriors shall have paid for my death with their blood."

(Now Ganelon knows that he can count on his brothers but can they count on HIM!)

(Hey the truth hit the heathen Kings heart, it really bothered him....Ganelon really got in a good sermon today now this King has no choice but to surrender to the great Christian King)

And now King Marsilas had been persuaded to sit down again on his throne. "You had put yourself in evil case," said his Vizier to him, "had you struck this Frenchman. Rather you must listen to his words."

(we need to listen to this man..he has a message that we must listen to and then find away to ignor it)

"Sire," said Ganelon, "I will put up with this affront, but never will I consent, for all the treasures that there are in this land, nay, not for all the gold that God has made, not to speak the words that King Charles has commanded me to speak." And he threw to the ground his mantle of sable, covered with silk of Alexandria; but his sword he kept, holding its hilt in his right hand. "This is a noble baron," said the heathen chiefs.

(Listen to me you heathen king...I will speak the truth to you..you can not offer me anything that would keep me from speaking the truth to you..I am one of the most loyal men and wise for that matter....men in my Kings army)

(I just have a little anger issue with one man...that is not going to keep me from serving my King and being loyal to HIM you slimy heathen king nothing you could offer me could persuade me NOT to serve my king...now if you want to talk about Roland...that is a different issue all together I HATE him more then you do)

Then Ganelon spoke the same words as before, and when he had ended them, he gave King Charles's letter into the King's hand. Now King Marsilas was a scholar, having learnt in the schools of the heathen. So when he had broken the seal of the letter, he read it from end to end; and having read it, the tears came into his eyes with rage, and he pulled his beard, and cried with a loud voice, "Listen, my lords, to this foolishness. Charles, who is King of France, bids me remember the two ambassadors whom I beheaded, and commands me, if I would redeem my life, to send him my Vizier. If I fail in this, he will be my enemy for ever."

(This Christian King demands that I answer for MY past sins)

All held their peace save the King's son, who cried, "Ganelon has spoken as a fool speaks; verily he deserves to die. Deliver him to me, and I will deal with him."
But Ganelon drew his sword, and stood with his back to a pine. King Marsilas stood up from his throne, and went into the orchard hard by, bidding the chief of his counsellors follow him. When they were assembled there, Blancandrin said to the King, "You do ill to deal harshly with Ganelon. He has pledged his faith to serve us."

(Hey slow down .....King Marsils we have this brother he wants the same thing we want! Don't get angry with him...he is on our side...!)

"Bring him hither," said the King. So Blancandrin brought him before the King, holding him by the right hand.
"My lord Ganelon," said Marsilas, "I was ill-advised when in my anger I sought to strike you. I would make amends for the wrong with these skins of martens which I have purchased this very day. They are worth more than five hundred pieces of gold." Then the King hung them about Ganelon's neck. "I accept them," said he; "may God Himself make it up to you for your bounty!"

(Please take these gifts..I had no idea that your hatred for your fellow Knight would allow us your assitance...here my friend..your anger has led you straight into my hands to do my will..come here closer....and tell me more...about your hatred for your brother...May GOD HIMSELF reward you for this..)

Said the King, "Believe me, Ganelon, that I greatly desire to be your friend. Come, now, tell me about Charlemagne. He is an old man, is he not? One who has lived his life? He must be two hundred years old. Over how many countries he has passed! and how many blows has he taken on his shield, and what mighty kings has he brought to beg their bread! When, think you, will he be tired of waging war? Surely 'tis time that he should be taking rest at Aachen."

(Yes! Tell me all you know...please we also want to hear about this great King of yours I dearly want to be your King now...do what I ask...of you...let me see if you will bow your knee to me....but keep talking about YOUR KING...please...I know now that your words are my friends BUT please don't remind me of his warning to repent anymore that doesn't serve OUR purpose now does it)

Ganelon answered, "You do not know King Charles the Great. No man is a better knight than he, so say all that know him. As for myself, I cannot praise him enough; I had rather die than cease to be one of his barons. But for his ceasing to make war, that cannot be so long as Roland lives. There is no such knight in all the East. A right valiant warrior, too, is Roland's companion, Oliver; right valiant are the Twelve Peers also. Of a truth King Charles need fear no man alive."

(My King is the only King, I will only serve Him but I still hate Roland and his friend Oliver, well and those other Twelve are valiant men also..but my problem is with ROLAND)

"But," answered the King, "there is no people that can be compared with mine. Four hundred thousand horsemen I have with whom to fight against King Charles and his Frenchmen." "Yet," said Ganelon, "it is not thus that you will answer him. Rather will you lose thousands and thousands of your soldiers. Listen now to my counsel.

(I know that you have a way to win this fight....just listen to me as I tell you exactly how this Roland can be taken down....and my King will still be King)

From the ancient chronicles we read:

If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truely wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For where ever there is jealousy and selfish ambition there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.

In another part we read;

besides they are likely to become lazy and spend their time gossiping from house to house, getting into other people business and saying things they shouldn't...for I am afraid that some of them have already gond astray and now follow Satan.

God help us!

Read Psalm 15 and see how this story is explained better...!

Blessings If You Obey

Lord Send Me...I Will Go...But With a Bad Attitude...
And with Hate In My Heart

In this account once again Roland and Ganelon square off. They are not doing king Charlemagne much good. It is curious how the king calls one of them too tender, and full of self pity. You may also find it interesting that Ganelon was all for the ending of the war and also he was all for telling the King to do what was best for him..in yesterday's account he told the King to do "what was best for him and not to listen to the voice of fools" Now the King has taken his advice and he still isn't happy. You just can't make everybody happy all the time...some time you have to do what is right and honorable instead!

"Oh, I will go," cried Ganelon mad with anger, "I will go, and I will die as the two knights before me died. For if I go to Saragossa, I know well that I shall never return." Then seeing that his anger moved not the Emperor one whit, he began to speak in a pleading, gentle voice. "Forget not thou thy sister who is my wife," he said. "Forget not my son, too. Oh, my pretty boy! If he lives he will be a noble knight, and to him I leave all my lands and riches. Be thou good to him and love him, for I shall never see him more."


"Ganelon," said Charlemagne scornfully, "thy heart is too tender methinks. If I command thee to go, go thou must."

now Count Ganelon's anger knew no bounds. Shaking with wrath, he flung his cloak backward from his shoulders, showing the silken vest which he wore beneath. He was very tall and splendid, and his dark proud face glowed with passion, and his [16] grey eyes glittered as he turned to Roland. "Fool," he cried, "dastard, why this hatred against me? Ah! every one knows. I am thy step-father, and therefore hast thou condemned me to go to Marsil and to death. But wait," he went on, his voice trembling and choking with passion, "wait, and if it please Heaven that I return, I will bring upon thee such sorrow and mourning as shall last all thy life long."

(First he tried anger, then pity, now he is blaming and finally the threatens)

"Pride and folly," laughed Roland scornfully, "thou knowest that I care not for thy threats. But such a message as that upon which the Emperor now sends thee requires a man of wisdom, and if so the Emperor will, I will take thy place."


But neither did this please Ganelon. "Thou art not my vassal," he cried, "nor am I thy lord. The Emperor hath commanded me to go to Saragossa, and go I shall. But I shall do thee and thy companions an evil to avenge me of this day."


At that Count Roland laughed aloud in scorn.


[17] When Ganelon heard Roland laugh he became as one beside himself. His face grew purple with anger, he gasped and choked. "I hate thee," he hissed at last, "I hate thee!" Then struggling to be calm he turned once more to the Emperor. "Great Karl," he said, "I am ready to do thy will."


'I hate thee,' hissed Ganelon


"Fair Sir Ganelon," said the Emperor, "this is my message to the heathen King Marsil. Say to him that he shall bend the knee to gentle Christ and be baptized in His name. Then will I give him full half of Spain to hold in fief. Over the other half Count Roland, my nephew well-beloved, shall reign. If Marsil doth not choose to accept these terms then will I march to Saragossa. I will besiege and take his city. I will bind him hand and foot, and will lead him prisoner to Aix, my royal seat. There he shall be tried, and judged and slain, dying a death of torture and disgrace. Here is the letter which I have sealed with my seal. Give thou it into the hands of the heathen lord."

(A little like the message of God the Father's if you think about it)

Thus speaking, the Emperor held out the [18] letter and his right hand glove to Ganelon. But he, in his anger scarce knowing what he did, as he knelt to take them, let the glove slip from his fingers, and it fell to the ground between them.


"Alas!" cried the Franks, "that is an evil omen. Ill-luck will come to us of this quest."
"Ye shall have news of it anon," said Ganelon darkly, turning from them. Then to the Emperor he said, "Sire, let me go. Since go I must, why delay?"


The Emperor raised his hand, and signed him with the sign of the cross. "Go," he said, "in Christ's name and mine." And giving his mace into Ganelon's hand, he bade him God-speed.
Without a look at the gathered peers, without a word of farewell, Ganelon turned on his heel, and went to his own house. There he clad himself in his finest armour. Golden spurs were bound upon his feet, a cloak of rich fur and silk was flung about his shoulders. Murglies, his famous sword, he girt to his side, and as he sprang upon [19] his horse Taschebrun, many a knight pressed round him to say farewell, many begged to be allowed to go with him. For they were gallant knights and bold, and to go upon a quest of danger was their greatest joy.

But Ganelon would have none of them. "God forbid!" he cried; "I had rather go upon my death alone. But, gentle sirs, ye return to fair France, whither I too would fain go. Greet there for me my dear lady and my boy. Defend him and guard his rights as ye would your own." Then with bent head Ganelon turned slowly from their sight, and rode to join the heathen Blancandrin.
As he journeyed, his heart was heavy. Sadly he thought of that fair France which he might never see again, more sadly still of his wife and child whom never again perhaps would he hold in his arms. Then his heart grew hot with jealous anger at the thought that these knights and nobles whom he hated would now soon return to France, and that he alone of all that gallant host would be left to die in heathen Spain.

From Dr. Steve T. Hunters book

Make Believers pg 42 concering the way we raise our children:

It makes you wonder what kind of upbringing Ganelon had maybe he heard things like:

• You never will amount to anything
• I wish you never had been born
• You never to anything right
• Can't you do anything right?
• Shut up that crying before I give you something to cry about
• I'm going to beat you until you bleed
• You are so stupid
• You don't deserve to live
• You never will amount to anything
• I wish you were never born...

Things like this and more...from a jealous, callous, insensitive father or mother....aren't you glad that times have changed? Or have they.....Father's love you sons....before they are called of their Lord to do something and then do it with a bitter ,unforgiving, hateful spirit.

Believe not this Marsil he is a traitor

THE GREAT CHRISTIAN KING LISTENS TO THE ENEMY

AND HIS GODLY COUNCIL

We have seen that the great enemy is in the process of deceiving the great Christian King Charlemangne. Marsil is a liar, a deceiver, a self centered beguiler. He is the same today Men. He is walking right into your camp and promising you sooo much. In this evil trickery the enemy is in the process of destroying your mind, and your heart and your family. Behind all these lies he tells you, in all his wisdom that he seduces you, his smooth words of flattery that charm you he is on his way of taking you down. Let's see how the Kings's council handles this new information..that the enemy is defeated...wants to surrender....will bow his knee to this gentle king called Christ.

How do we handle this new information? What will the King do? Who will He listen to? This great King knows that the enemy has slain his knights before with the same tactics....but he is a Christian and must show mercy RIGHT? Right....Correct....we are Christians we must turn the other cheek.....we must stop the war that has gone on to long....lets go back to home....this war has gone on long enough! Peace, peace peace ...yes this is the answer.....PEACE! Justice is really not needed when dealing with these infidels....no we must just LOVE them....let us watch as this great king listens to the council of the Godly men around him....and is slowly taken down by those who use human wisdom....to solve real issues of evil....it is just a matter of time! Is any body an historian...does any body really believe that the enemy has changed.....is he at work in your life? Yes I thought so.....don't listen to him! Men don't do this church thing...don't just listen to all the other Godly men....KNOW THY ENEMY or go down with him!

Then, as silence once more fell upon them, Roland rose. His cheek was flushed, his [10] eye flashed in anger. "Believe not thou this Marsil!" he cried.

"He was ever a traitor. Once before, dost thou not remember it, there came from him false messengers, with olive branches in their hands and lies upon their lips. And when thou sentest two of thy knights to him, he smote off their heads. Listen not unto him, but end as thou hast begun. Carry the war to Saragossa, and if the siege should last all thy life long, it were still worth it, to avenge the death of our noble knights upon this felon Marsil. War! I say war!"

The Emperor bent his head. With his fingers he twisted his long white beard as he sat in thought, and to his nephew he answered no word good or bad. Around him stood his knights and nobles, silent too.

Then in the stillness, a knight whose name was Ganelon sprang up. His face was dark and haughty, and with proud gestures he strode to the foot of the throne. "Listen not to the counsel of fools!" he cried. "Think rather of thine own best good. King Marsil's gifts and promises, I say, thou oughtest to accept. He who counselleth thee to refuse is a fool, and thinketh not of the death we all may die. Listen not to the counsel of pride. Let fools be, and hearken to the wise." And casting a look of dark hatred at Roland, Ganelon was silent.

Then from his seat an old man rose. He was the Duke Naimes. His face was brown and wrinkled, his beard was white and long, and in all the Emperor's court there was none more wise than he.
Turning to the Emperor, "Thou hast heard," he said, "the words of Count Ganelon. It is wise counsel that he giveth. Let it be followed. King Marsil is vanquished in war. Thou hast taken all his castles, the walls of his towns are laid low by thy war engines, his villages are burned, his men are beaten. To-day he prays thee to have mercy upon him, and thou wrongest thyself if thou refuse. Send, I counsel thee, one of thy knights to Saragossa to speak with King Marsil, for it is time that this great war [12] should end, and that we return to our own land."
Then all the Franks cried out, "The Duke hath spoken well."

"My lords and barons," said the Emperor, "since ye think it well, whom shall we send to do our bidding at Saragossa?"

"I will go right gladly," said Duke Naimes. "Give me here and now thy glove and mace as tokens that I am thy messenger, and let me go."

"Nay," replied the Emperor, "wisest art thou in counsel. By my beard, thou shalt not go so far from me! Sit thee down, I command thee!"

Duke Naimes was silent, and again the Emperor spoke. "My lords and barons, whom will ye that we send?"

"Send me!" cried Roland, "right joyfully will I go."

"Nay," said Oliver, springing forward, "nay, not so. Too fiery of temper art thou. Thou wouldst bring but evil out of this. Let me go rather, if the Emperor will."

[13] "Be silent, both!" thundered Charlemagne. "Not a step shall ye go, either one or other of you. Nay, by my white beard, I swear none of my twelve chosen peers shall go." For Roland and Oliver were two of the twelve noblest and best of Charlemagne's knights, known as the Peers of France.

Before the anger of the Emperor the Franks stood silent and abashed. Then from the ranks of knights, Turpin, the old Archbishop of Rheims, stepped out. Raising his clear, strong voice, he spoke. "Sire," he cried, "thy knights and barons have suffered much in war these seven long years. Let them now rest. But give to me thy glove and mace. I will find this Saracen lord, and will speak unto him my mind."

"Nay," said the Emperor, and his brow grew yet more dark, "nay, by my troth thou shalt not go. Sit thee down, and speak not again until I command thee." Then, as Turpin was silent and went back to his place, once again the Emperor turned to his [14] knights. "My lords of France," he cried, "now choose ye, choose ye whom we shall send to do our bidding at Saragossa!"

"Ah!" said Roland, "if I may not go, then send Ganelon my step-father. Nowhere canst thou find a better knight or wiser man."

"Well said! well said!" shouted the Franks. "If so the Emperor will, there were no man better."

"Good," replied Charlemagne, "Ganelon it shall be. Approach, Count, and receive the mace and glove. The Franks have chosen thee. Thou hast heard."

But Ganelon stood in his place white and trembling with passion. "This is Roland's work," he said in a voice low, yet sharp with anger. "For this, I vow, I will love him no more. No more will I love Oliver, for he is Roland's friend. No more will I love the Peers, for they are his companions. There, Sire, before thy face I fling defiance at them."

CMB

Can you see the Charlemagne Mission Board has decided to send someone into the enemies camp. They seem to understand that someone must go..what if the King tells you to go?...What a great priviledge to obey the King and go into the enemies camp.....but what about that attitude?...the King has sent him and now he is mad at his brothers! If the King says Go....GO! Don't listen to the council of your brothers.....GO!

Someone must go.....into harms way! Someone must warn the heathen, they will die, they will be defeated, they must be held in account to their evil deeds.....or they must bow their knee to the "Gentle King"

King Marsil Promises To Be Your Vassal

They come riding with Promises on their Lips....but not in their hearts!

So what has happened up to this point. We can really feel the unseen wisdom that is behind this plan because we are more like this king then our King. He has a plan....it is all about deceit, riches and submission. He has received the council of Blancandrin his wise council which included giving up their own children if they themselves could be saved. The Saracens from Saragossa are now fearful of this Great King's power so they begin to worry...about their own city. Now these liars are going to start telling the truth, we will build it all on a "promise"....a promise to give the King something and in return they don't really have to surrender...they give up only a little of their wealth but keep their autonomy. What a great plan!

Knowing that so many men are under the influence of riches, power and authority ...MEN do you see any parallels here....with the Internet and porn....does not the king of darkness lie to us...does not he deceive us.....men beware..the enemy is in our camp, cyperspace is in your house! You are only only a "mouse click" away from inviting the king and his Blancandrin in your mind and heart....OH! I know all to well ... He will promise you so much if you just pretend to worship our King....don't really serve Him, Don't really obey Him...just listen to all the promises....you will have girls, wealth, power....you will be just like him... the father of lies. You... a deceitful man who just bent your knee to our King....you were baptised into the faith...but who are you following men? Who is your real allegiance to? No man can serve Marsil and Charlemangne.....you will love one and despise the other. That is the question that you should be asking yourself...others may not know....they may think ....wow!...what a great Christian Man.....all the while in the dark, cold, moldy rooms of your own castle you know the difference....you know.....that you are only a "mouse" not a "Lion." Your mouse controls you with your little "pointer" finger " as you are pulled around in Cyberspace ....Are you under the control of the mouse....or do you serve the King with a Lions heart? Let's see how this first meeting goes between the great liar Marsil and the great emperor ...Charlemangne.

THE EMPEROR CHARLEMAGNE'S COUNCIL
[6] The Emperor Charlemagne was well pleased, for at last, after much fighting, he had taken the city of Cordres. The walls lay in ruins, and with his great war engines he had shattered the towers and turrets. Within the town his knights had found rich plunder of gold and silver and precious stones, of wrought armour and princely weapons. So they were well rewarded for days of fighting and of toil.
But most of all Charlemagne was glad that not a heathen man remained within the walls. For those who would not be baptized, and become good Christian men, had been slain. Such was the great Emperor's way. To every prisoner was given the choice to live as Christian or to die as heathen.
[7] And now, resting after his labours and his battles, great Karl sat in a sunny orchard. Around him were gathered his mighty men. Wise and old, bearded and grave, they sat upon gay carpets spread upon the ground, talking together or playing chess. Of the younger knights, some wrestled or ran or tried their strength in friendly wise in the cool shadow of the trees. Among them was the Emperor's nephew Roland, the bravest knight of France, and his fast friend Oliver.
And into the cool shade of the orchard, where these knights rested and played, rode Blancandrin and his train, on their white mules. Bending low before Charlemagne,

"In the name of God we greet thee," said the messengers.

Then kneeling humbly, Blancandrin spoke. "The valiant King Marsil sends me to thee," he said, "with presents rich and rare. He promises to become thy vassal; he will place his hands within thy hands, and swear to serve thee. But already thou hast been too long time distant from thy fair realm of [8] France. Go back, and there will King Marsil come to do thee homage."

When Blancandrin had finished speaking, the Emperor bowed his head in thought. He was never quick to speak, and now he pondered long before he answered the kneeling stranger. In silence around him, his own knights and the messengers of Spain awaited his reply.
At last Charlemagne raised his head. "Thou hast spoken well," he said to Blancandrin, "but King Marsil is my great enemy. Thy words are fair, but how may I know if there be any truth in them?"

This was even as Blancandrin had foreseen. "We will give thee hostages," he said,

"ten—twenty—whatever number thou wilt ask. I will send mine own son to thee. And if we keep not faith with thee, if King Marsil come not, as he swears he will, to bow the knee to thee and receive the baptism of Holy Christ, then mayest thou slay them all."
"So be it"; said Charlemagne, "it seemeth me King Marsil may yet find grace."

[9] Then as the day was far gone, and the evening sun sent long shadows through the trees, the Emperor gave orders that the Saracens should be lodged with honour, that every respect should be paid to them and that they should be waited upon as noble guests.
So the night passed and very early in the morning, Charlemagne rose. And after hearing morning prayer, he called his wise men round him that they might give him counsel.

"My lords and barons," he said, "King Marsil hath sent messengers to me with fair words and rich presents. He promises to be my vassal and to be baptized in the name of Holy Christ. And to this end he will follow me to France, if I now return thither. But how may I know whether he lie to me, or whether he speak truth?"

"Beware of him, beware!" cried the Franks.

John Owen:

However strong a castle may be, if a treacherous party resides inside (ready to betray at the first opportunity possible), the castle cannot be kept safe from the enemy. Traitors occupy our own hearts, ready to side with every temptation and to surrender to them all. "Sin and Temptation"

Psalm 12

was our morning devotion after we put this post on the net.....what an incredible truth to convey the message of this particular page!

The Battle of Roland

One of the great Knights of the Past was Roland.....lets see what we can learn from this man...

King Charlemagne and Roland

CHAPTER I
KING MARSIL'S COUNCIL

[1] For seven long years the great King Charlemagne had been fighting in Spain against the Saracens. From shore to shore he had conquered the land. Everywhere the heathen people had bowed before him, owning him as their master and Christ as their God. Only the fair city of Saragossa, sitting safe among its hills, was yet unconquered. But Charlemagne had taken the not far distant Cordres, and he now was making ready to march against Saragossa.
King Marsil knew not how to save his city from the conqueror. So one day he seated himself upon his marble throne, and called his wise men together. The throne was set under the shade of his great orchard trees, for there, when the summer sun was hot, he held his court.
[2] "My lords," he said, "great Karl of France besets our town. No host have I strong enough to meet him in the field, none that may guard our walls against him. I pray you, my lords, give me counsel. How shall we guard us, that shame and death come not upon us?"
Then all the wise men were silent, for well they knew the power and might of Charlemagne, and they wist not what to counsel.
At last Blancandrin spoke. A knight of great valour was he, and of all the heathen lords he was the wisest and most prudent. And when he spoke, all men listened.
"Send a message to this proud and haughty Karl," he said.

"Promise him great friendship, give him rich presents of lions, bears and dogs; seven hundred camels ye shall send unto him, a thousand falcons. Give him four hundred mules laden with gold and silver; give him as much as fifty waggons may hold, so that he may have gold and to spare with which to pay his soldiers. But say to him, 'Too long hast [3] thou been far from France. Return, return to thy fair city of Aix, and there at the feast of Holy Michael will I come to thee and be thy man, and be baptized, and learn of thy gentle Christ.' Charlemagne will ask hostages of thee. Well, give them—ten—twenty—whatever he may ask of thee. We will give our sons. See! I will be the first, I will give my son. And if he perish it is better so than that we should all be driven from our land to die in beggary and shame."

Then Blancandrin was silent, and all the heathen lords cried aloud, "It is well spoken."
"Yea," Blancandrin went on,

"by my long beard I swear, then shalt thou see the Franks quickly return to their own land, each man to his home. St. Michael's Day will dawn. Charlemagne will hold a great feast awaiting thee. But the days will pass and thou wilt not come. Then, for the Emperor is terrible and his wrath fierce, he will slay our sons whom he holds as hostages for thee. Better so, I say, than that we [4] should lose fair Spain and live in slavery and woe."

"Yea, so say we all!" cried the heathen lords.
"So be it," said King Marsil; "let it be done as Blancandrin hath said."

Then one by one the King called ten of his greatest lords about him. "Go ye with Blancandrin," he said.

"Take olive branches in your hands in token of peace and lowliness. Say to the great Karl that for the sake of his gentle Christ he shall show pity upon me, and give me peace. Say that ere a month has gone I will follow after you. Then will I kneel to him, and put my hands in his, and swear to be his true and faithful vassal. Then shall he sprinkle me with the water of Holy Christ, and I shall be his for evermore."

All this King Marsil said with treachery in his heart, for well he knew that he would do none of these things.

"It is well," said Blancandrin, "the peace is sure."

Then mounted upon white mules, with [5] saddles of silver and harness of gold, with olive branches in their hands and followed by a great train of slaves carrying rich presents, Blancandrin and the ten messengers set out to seek the court of the great Christian King, Charlemagne.