The Freethinker

Margaret Mary... Loving Memories

Margaret Mary Ostheimer LaMark

My maternal grandmother... 

December 20^th, 1921 – April 14^th, 2008 

Margaret Mary Ostheimer LaMark while peaceful in her home has gone to be with the Lord at 7:40 AM, Monday, April 14^th, 2008.  

Margaret was one of three daughters to Frank Xavier Ostheimer and Catheryn (Graber). She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 20^th, 1921. Her sisters Frances and Dorothy preceded her in death. 

Sears Roebuck Co. and Atlanta Southern Railroad employed her while she lived in Georgia during WW II, where she met her husband Charles Michael LaMark, while he was preparing for departure to the war in Europe. They were married September 29^th, 1943, at Ft. McPherson, GA, just before he left for Europe.  

She is survived by her children’s father, Charles Michael LaMark, her son Charles Joseph LaMark, her daughter Catherine Cecelia and her husband David Clair Nagle. Margaret has four grandchildren, Robert Francis LaMark, Dawn Renee Bettwy, Cassandra Cecelia Nagle and Annette Margaret Nagle; She also has four great grandchildren, Tristan, Nathan, Sierra and Mikayla. 

She was a member of Pleasant Valley Assembly of God. She was retired from the Altoona Hospital. 

She will be laid to rest at Prince of Peace Cemetery in Allport, near Barnesboro, PA.

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;

In the morning I will order my prayer to You

and eagerly watch.

Psalm 5:3

I'll Be Seeing You...

I'll be seeing you;
In all the old, familiar places;
That this heart of mine embraces;
All day through.

In that small cafe;
The park across the way;
The childrens carousel;
The chestnut tree;
The wishing well.

I'll be seeing you;
In every lovely, summers day;
And everything thats bright and gay;
I'll always think of you that way;
I'll find you in the morning sun;
And when the night is new;
I'll be looking at the moon;
But I'll be seeing you.

- - - - -

Dream A Little Dream of Me...

Stars shining bright above you;
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore tree.
Dream a little dream of me.

Say nighty-night and kiss me;
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me.
While I'm alone, blue as can be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading but I linger on, dear---
Still craving your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear,
Just saying this...

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you---
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.
But in your dreams, whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Stars fading but I linger on, dear---
Still craving your kiss.
I'm longing to linger till dawn, dear,
Just saying this...

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you---
Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you.
But in your dreams, whatever they be,
Dream a little dream of me.

Beautiful Ohio

Lyrics by Ballard McDonald...

I sailed away;
Wandered afar;
Crossed the mighty restless sea;
Looked for where I ought to be.
Cities so grand, mountains above,
Led to this land I love.

Beautiful Ohio, where the golden grain
Dwarf the lovely flowers in the summer rain.
Cities rising high, silhouette the sky.
Freedom is supreme in this majestic land;
Mighty factories seem to hum in tune, so grand.
Beautiful Ohio, thy wonders are in view,
Land where my dreams all come true!

A Real Freethinker

In honor of the late Charlton Heston, I've decided to repost something he said in a speech, which I identified with, and I think it fit my blog pretty well.

"Don't let America's universities continue to serve as incubators for this rampant epidemic of new McCarthyism. That's what it is: New McCarthyism. But, what can you do? How can anyone prevail against such pervasive social subjugation?

Well, the answer's been here all along. I learned it 36 years ago, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., standing with Dr. Martin Luther King and two hundred thousand people.

You simply disobey. Peaceably, yes. Respectfully, of course. Nonviolently, absolutely. But when told how to think or what to say or how to behave, we don't. We disobey the social protocol that stifles and stigmatizes personal freedom." - Charlton Heston, 1999

In memory of Charlton Heston... 1923-2008.

And special thanks to mom for directing me to the full speech where I found this... :)

Christian Vs. Secular Music Pt. V

Time for a reply. :) DeepBlueSkittle (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DeepBlueSkittle/ <-- Link codes aren't working for some reason. Sorry.) posted a comment on one of my Christian Vs. Secular Music entries.

Christian Vs. Secular Music Pt. IV

Christian Vs. Secular Music Pt. III

Here is the anticipated reply to the Christian Vs. Secular Music.

First of all, Bigdog, your entire post had nothing to do with what I posted. It was a red herring. The purpose of why God created adrenaline has nothing to do with music. I was brining up a possible point to consider that certain types of music can open doors to having the imagination captured, but it was not the basis of the entire argument. So I cannot reply to your entire post because it has nothing to do with the original subject matter, which is the spirit of popular music.

So I'm just going to hit the nail on the head. Aside from Christ-honoring music, there's no "perfectly good" music out there. The only things that are good or redeemed are those that are in Christ. Seperate from Christ, what are we? We are serving our flesh, we are serving to destroy ourselves. When you're not a Christian, what are you? Who do you serve? And please, don't avoid the question by saying, "They just don't know", because in the Bible it says just the opposite.

Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

Regardless of what you say about the "one good man of sodom", it doesn't matter, you are still supporting the agenda of Smashmouth and other various secular artists when you mention them and bop around to their music. They are not serving God, they are serving the demise of human souls, their very own demise! They are serving themselves, their flesh, Satan. Okay, I know, this seems radical, they aren't blatantly saying it, but it still leads to the same destruction when you serve your own flesh and don't dedicate your life to Christ. Now, I will discuss this issue further if you will return to the original subject matter, which is the spirit of Secular music.

"Hey, the song about stoners? Isn't that good? I mean there ARE stoners out there. You can ignore it and not listen to songs about them all you want...but they'll still be there." -Futurewriterandvet

Well you know what? Smashmouth has an agenda, and they're telling people they want to get stoned whether they like it or not. I do not hear one ounce of them telling people to repent of this lifestyle, that it is hurtful. This just seems like a song thats telling people, "Go ahead, get stoned, it doesn't matter, we do it too."

"Also, music itself is not bad. Have you ever listend to christian, rock, or rap or something? They're music is EXACTLY the same, it just has differn't words." -Futurewriterandvet

Half of Christian music that is labeled Christian really isn't, but that is getting off of the subject, lets get rid of the red herrings here and divulge ourselves in the true subject matter. Come on, guys, we aren't getting to the core of the matter here. What does God's Word say about all of this? I've got Scriptures to back up my point, now I would like to see yours.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 

Collosians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God."

Ephesians 5:18 - 19  "And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord..."

(Emphasis added on Scriptures.)

Christian Vs. Secular Music Pt. II

As a reply, BigDog posted lyrics to a few supposedly "perfectly fine" secular songs (That I did ask of). I will proceed to dissect and diffuse the argument that there are "perfectly good" secular songs. Let me also add there was no response as to my rebuttal to the argument about classical music and their composers.

I have examined the lyrics you posted to those songs. Now, a lot of those songs didn't exactly promote good thoughts in my mind. (Shake it like that, Feel the vibrations, I want to see the ladies moving, etc.)

Now, you're going to say it's "just music". I'm here to tell you it's not "just music". There have been numerous studies that deal with the subconscious and subliminal communication of music. It has been proven, certain sort of beats promote the multiplication of endorphins in the brain. So even if you say the lyrics aren't bad, the beat could be promoting something beyond the surface. Satan knows how to draw us into things and deceive us, even for a Christian. Satan can appear as an angel of light to anyone (I Corinthians 11:14).

And let me also interject an analogy. Say I have a box of rat poison. This poison is lethal to both rats, and humans. Say this poison represents heavy metal, satanists metal, screamo, emo, etc. If I were to leave a bowl of this poison in the middle of a child daycare's center room on a table, none of them would touch it (Although some are so depressed that they will turn to such heavy forms of metal to ease their mind).

Now, say, I put a little bit of rat poison into a sugar coated candy such as M&Ms. I put the bowl onto the table, and the kids will swarm to the candy for sure, but the same death will result, inevitably.

That's how it is with music. Even though the music just may sound "Okay", or "Harmless", but the main message in secular music is "I'll do it my way" (Rebellion) or "Trust your heart" or "Do what thou wilt", a key principle to satanic worship. And honestly, when you're not a Christian and you become "true to your heart", to whom are you serving? You're serving Satan, and yourself. This music is geared towards the crowd that says, "Forget you, God, I want to do what I want.", even though its not blatantly stated. Why not look at the other songs these artists such as Sheryl Crow and Smashmouth write, hm? Why not see what real agenda they are promoting?

...Nevermind, I'll do it for you.

I've looked up some of the songs on their album that sold the song that you posted the lyrics to. I would like you to see the agenda they are promoting.

"I'm gettin' stoned and what's wrong with that
The president seems to be just fine
Come on up and see me
Come on up just know that I'm gettin' stoned
I'm gettin' stoned I'm gettin' stoned I'm gettin' stoned"
Lyrics from the song, "Stoned", from the album "Astrolounge".

Boy, thats something nice to be promoting.

Here's some lyrics from Sheryl Crow's CD which contained the song "Soak Up The Sun";

"You'll never catch me tonite o I ain't takin' [expletive] off no one
Baby that was yesterday
I'm an all American rebel
Making my big getaway
Yeah you know it's time
I gotta fly"

Lyrics from the song, "Steve McQueen" from the album "C'Mon, C'Mon".

Yeah, thats nice too, huh? Everything else is pretty much filled with her heart getting broken and whining about it, a waste of time mostly, as such other artists. But what does it really give you in the end? God says to number our days diligently and to apply our hearts to wisdom, not waste our minds on things that have absolutely no meaning to a Christian (Psalm 90).

The Bible also says to think upon good and pure things, as it says in Philippians 4:8; "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

So, there is my "extensive" answer for you.

Christian Vs. Secular Music Pt. I

"Let me ask you this, back during the classical period there were Christian musicians like Johan Sebastian Bach and others. Then there were non-christian artists like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Both created beautiful classical music, but would you not listen to Motzart?" --Question quoted from Bigdog

This may seem like a legible question, but it's got alot of holes in the possible argument you're placing here. We need to first define the stylistic differences between classical music and how it communicated and modern music of today and how it communicates.

We can first examine the characteristics of classical music. The most popular form of classical music is instrumental, meaning it holds no lyrical value, and it is not communicating a message that one can perceive at face value. The instruments used in the peices are usually portraying an emotion, but no percieveable message. Most of the reason that classical music and their composers are popular is because of the ability and excellence they displayed while performing and composing. These men were creative geniuses, and it is unfortunate in some cases that God wasn't the focus of their affection, but that doesn't mean we can't allow their music to enter our minds for enjoyment, mostly from the fact that is not communicating a message to alter our thinking.

Modern music, on the other hand, is rarely just instrumental. The composers often portray the position of a role model in society, influencing the thought processes those who listen to their music. Their music portrays lyrics, good or bad, and they go into the mind of the listener and communicate a message pertaining to the agenda to the artist. These lyrics then enter our thoughts for the day and we then react to these lyrics based upon our past experiences, biases, religious beliefs and so on and so forth. We will either fall prey to their ill agendas and take our thoughts off of God (Secular music), or be uplifted by an encouraging message for a Christian, and be encouraged to think upon the things of God (Christian music).

Lets also define that instruments do not relay messages, people do. People who are singing, people who are saying, people who are doing, people who are worshipping. Either the world and the things in it, or they are worshipping God, there are no two ways about it.

Now what I had just said about classical music could have been taken as contradiction, but in modern society, classical music does not take on a religious theme, there are no two ways about it. The composer does not relay a message such as a poetic and rhetoric speech as one does in a song of today.

Don't get me wrong, if there is a member in a Christian band who isn't neccessarily the lead singer, but still isn't living a God-honoring lifestyle, then that will show me that the memebers' agenda isn't fixed on God and that his agenda could influence the other members and lead the band into the wrong direction and influence the thousands of fans who listen to their thought altering message in their music, be it good or bad.

If I were one living in the times of the great composers, I honestly would prefer to listen to Bach and support whatever endeavors he would pursue and I would be least apt to associate my mind with Mozart's music, but still, communication of that day isn't different from current communication. No matter which way you look at it, Bach wasn't promoting a vocal agenda in his popular music for God, and Mozart wasn't promoting a vocal agenda in his popular music for Satan either. This all pertains to their instrumental music. Whatever lyrical voice they had, I do not know, but I'm sure neither of them had an agenda pertaining to changing the culture or the society as 99.9 % of secular and christian artists of modern times do.

So there is your answer.

I'm also curious as to what those "perfectly good" secular songs are that you didn't refer to.

The Chosen Ones

(This was posted at a forum, so excuse the choppiness of it.)

This was posted during a discussion on "Chosen Christians" or "Predestination" or "God's Divine Will", whatever you want to call it.

This is probably a draft, so bear with me.

God chooses us, but I also believe we have to accept this gift. He doesn't push it onto us. Why would souls perish in Hell then, if He chooses certain people? God chooses everyone for the gift of salvation, and we have to act on it and accept His gift.

Its like if someones picking teams for kickball. Say I pick a few people, and one of those people says "I don't want to play on your team." I believe thats the same way God chooses souls, and He has chosen everyone! Why would there only be a select few of people going to heaven?

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.

And the answer why there is only a select few of people going to Heaven? (By theory of Predestination.) Simple. Because they rejected God's gift of salvation.

And in response to Ephesians 2:1;

And we can also choose to reject or accept God's gift of salvation when the Holy Spirit convicts us while we are dead. The Holy Spirit brings to light what we do not know. And then we can either reject what God is speaking to us, or we can accept his gift. There is even a verse in the Bible that speaks of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thesselonians 1:4-5 "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction..."

I also believe the whole chapter of Ephesians 2 has nothing to do with God picking a certain group of people to become his chosen few to be "saved". I have not seen any verses in the Bible which say that.

Here is also another verse.

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

If there are only a few select chosen, then, how do you know if you're chosen? Why are we supposed to spread the gospel if God has already chosen people?

Also, I read Chapter 15 and 14. I believe you may have taken John 15:16 out of context. If you read that chapter, you will see Jesus is talking to the disciples. And remember, the disciples were to go and make disciples in the world after Jesus ascended into Heaven. They were chosen for a very special job, to go and make disciples out of the world. And thats not to say God doesn't choose special people in the body to do certain works, but I do not believe he chooses people to go to Heaven.

And also if you read in Acts 16:18 it says, "I am sending you to them to open their eyes, so that they may turn away from darkness to the light, away from the power of of Satan and to God. Then their sins can be forgiven, and they can have a place with those people who have been made holy by believing in me."

We have to BELIEVE in Christ and that he is our redeemer and savior. Its a concious decision that we must make. If God chooses us and makes the decision for us, then what reason is there to turn away from sin if he already picked us to go to heaven?

I'll post more on this subject later.