Search Me O God

OKLAHOMA JUSTICE FAILURE

2011-05-27T11:53:00.002-05:00

Oklahoma ought to be ashamed and the governor of Oklahoma ought not be wasting any time in commuting the sentence of this guy. In an Associated Press article, the events that have led up to this travesty are detailed. This is another symptom in how messed up our Country has become. Since when do the perps have MORE rights than the victims? Oh yeah, I forgot. It began when liberal, left-wing, activist judges and lawyers began to invade our justice system. This reeks too much of Islam's method of justice. Only in Islam can a woman be a victim(raped) and then be put to death because she was raped. Sickening. The worst part of this fiasco is that it was a jury of his peers, supposedly, that convicted him of such.

Governor Mary Fallin, do the right thing and totally dismiss this guys sentence and record. Stand up for the victim instead of the criminals. Governor Fallin, send a message to all would be law breakers that they will bear the brunt of the law, not their victims!

WARMING OCEAN AND EFFECTS ON GLOBE

2011-05-10T15:28:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I'm sitting and thinking earlier today and I came up with an interesting idea(if I may say so myself) about the warming waters of the Pacific that contribute to El Nino and La Nina. The Ring of Fire located in the Pacific Ocean is where a large number of volcanic eruptions take place along and within the Ocean itself. Doesn't it stand to reason that "volcanic heat" would contribute to the warming or cooling of the waters in relation to the volcanic activity in that area? I'm thinking, wondering, out loud here and may stumble upon some information that would link the two together but it does not appear readily available or my search operations are misguided for I've not found any information that links the two. Well, at least they did not appear in the top 20 results of a YAHOO search. Anyway, it is something to think about. The Pacific Ocean could be warming due to increased volcanic activity thus causing a melting of ice in the polar region thus leading to cooling of the water along the Pacific Coast. As I said, just thinking out loud.

Preaching Eggs

2011-05-08T14:42:00.001-05:00

Don't ya just hate it when you preach an egg!!! It may have been more like a belly flop into the swimming pool. :/

JESUS WAS DEAD: No Longer A Threat

2011-04-25T12:21:00.002-05:00

He is risen from the dead...the very phrase that Christian's celebrate struck anxiety into the hearts of the religious leaders the day after the crucifixion of Jesus. They became concerned at that phrase because they had reasoned the disciples were going to try and steal the body of Jesus to make it appear as if Jesus' words had been true. Matthew 27:62-66 records the anxiety of these religious leaders. The very actions and thoughts of these religious leaders give the greatest evidence to the veracity of the claim that Jesus was dead and we all know that we cannot have a resurrection if we do not have a dead body(Savior in this case). It was important that Jesus was dead not only from the thoughts of the religious leaders but also in the case of biblical truth. It was necessary that Jesus be dead, totally dead and not just in some sort of coma. The evidence provided in this passage of Matthew attests to the truth that Jesus was dead.

Specifically, the religious leaders were concerned to keep the Disciples OUT of the tomb and not to keep Jesus IN the tomb. Why is that? The reason is simple. Jesus was dead and a dead body posed no threat to the leaders at all. Having assured themselves of the death of Jesus at the crucifixion, they were no longer concerned with Jesus, they were concerned about the actions of the Disciples. In order to prevent a "fake" resurrection of a dead Jesus, it was necessary then to seal the tomb and place a guard to keep the Disciples OUT with no thought whatsoever of trying to keep a live Jesus IN the tomb. This is where the leaders made their gravest(pun intended) mistake. If they were truly going to prevent the words, He Is Rise From The Dead, they should have concerned themselves with who was IN the tomb rather than who was withOUT the tomb. Their actions do underscore my point though and once again, my point is that Jesus was dead, totally, completely, certifiably dead. This conclusion on their part is why a Roman Guard would be sufficient to keep the Disciples away.

The fact that the tomb was sealed to keep people OUT and not keep the living IN may deflate the rhetoric of preachers who wax eloquently over the idea that all was done to keep Jesus in the tomb to prevent His resurrection but that just does not bear under the weight of Scripture. The tomb was sealed to keep the Disciples out. And why am I pressing this point so strongly? If Jesus was not dead then He did not RISE from the dead. It was important that Jesus died(fulfilling Scripture), so that when we die, we too have hope. Because Jesus was dead and is now Risen From The Dead, we too look forward to a Resurrection from the dead. If Jesus was not dead, there is no resurrection, we are still lost in our trespasses and sin and doomed for an eternity of Hell. In fact, if Jesus was not raised from the dead, there may not even be an eternity.

Praise God that what Jesus spoke is Truth, not simply because it happened, but rather because the True One spoke it. We trust the God of Truth. We trust the God who can and did, still does and will do! His Word is worthy of believing.

2012, Obama, & Chicago School Lunches

2011-04-11T15:50:00.005-05:00

Let's call this Stupid News of the Day. At a PUBLIC school in Chicago, the children are NOT allowed to bring lunches from home. According to the article found HERE, at "Little Village Academy on Chicago's West Side, students are not allowed to pack lunches from home...". And I thought Michelle Obama's food fight was her own invention.(rolls eyes) Seems like the arrogance of the White House is actually rooted in Chicago. It is one thing to recommend that students eat healthy and to actually offer a healthy alternative. It is another thing altogether to mandate that the public MUST eat according to that plan. After seeing the food on the plate in the file picture accompanying the article, I too would be hiding my face if not running to the trash can to throw up. What is it with America that THE GOVERNMENT from the White House to the local school principal think that they know better than parents how to raise children? Our Government does not even understand the concept of spending less than you bring in! On top of this all, the school lunches cost $2.25. I, an adult, can eat on less than that for lunch but even THAT is not the issue.

Is it any wonder that BIG government is being touted from the White House? No it is not when you understand that it is simply a continuation of what was learned in Chicago. Wake up America! A vote for Obama means you do not get to choose what you eat for lunch!(Wink!)

Eat More Chicken...AT CHICK-fil-A

2011-03-22T11:05:00.003-06:00

I was sent an email concerning Chick-fil-A. It seems that Chick-fil-A has become the target of the homosexual agenda. You can read an article about it HERE.

I am sharing this for a couple of reasons. One, just in case you were not aware that Chick-fil-A had become a target, I think you should know. Two, in case you were not aware of Chick-fil-A's operating principles, now you can be aware. Three, we as Christians ought to be supportive of such businesses that stand for, promote and support Biblical ideals. Four, to demonstrate that those who call for "so much tolerance" are indeed themselves an intolerable intolerant bunch.

Although this issue is a little over a month old, I encourage you to share this with others AND to contact Chick-fil-A and let them know of your support.

You can contact Chick-fil-A HERE.

What I Find Funny

2011-02-02T09:34:00.002-06:00

So I'm walking out of the store yesterday evening and I see a guy getting out of a truck who is obviously a duck hunter or at least a fan of ducks. I believe it was the shadow decals on his windows that serve me notice of his passion for ducks. Our weather has gotten cold and the wind is blowing and all of that stuff and so I thought I'd make small talk with the fellow. He was putting on his jacket after exiting his vehicle and so I simply stated, "I wonder if the ducks will be flying in the morning?" to which he replied, "Duck season is closed." As he walked away, I mused to myself. I did not know that ducks quit flying just because the season was closed and if they do, how do they migrate back north? Walk?! I guess the man just wasn't in to small talk. He walked away probably thinking I was a bumble head and I walked away from him thinking, what a buffoon.

Slow down. Enjoy your day. You only have one opportunity with it.

OUTRAGEOUS HYPOCRISY:Senator Gillibrand

2010-12-15T11:43:00.003-06:00

Talk about rolling my eyes and slapping my forward with a big "DOH!"

New York DEMOCRATIC Senator Kirsten Gillibrand pushed legislation to get drop-side baby cribs off the market. Sadly, it seems that since the year 2000, 30 infants have died in cribs like these. And make sure that you understand when I say that losing an infant for ANY reason is sad. But the hypocrisy of the Senator is astounding. HERE, on her website, she proudly proclaims that she is "Pro Choice" which we understand means PRO ABORTION! She is for the murder of unborn babies! Almost 6,000,000, YES million, babies have been aborted since 2000 and she is concerned about the 30. Senator Gillibrand cannot see the forest for the trees. No wonder our country is in the hamper.

WE MUST NOT FORGET!

2010-12-07T11:51:00.002-06:00

Pearl Harbor Day. On this day in 1941, the Japanese provoked the United States into entering WWII. God granted us victory over our enemies and as such, not only should this day be a day we remember the lives lost in that harbor, but we must also remember that God was gracious to our country. I thank God for His grace and for the service men and women who so valiantly fought that I should be able to worship God freely and speak English. We must not forget! We cannot afford to forget.

UPDATE: Body Scanning, Groping...TSA MADNESS

2010-12-01T08:03:00.002-06:00

I stumbled upon this article in my news reading this morning. Is THIS what we have come to? Does the TSA know something the average American does not? Have terrorists begun using babies' mother's milk to blow up aircraft. Have the terrorists so infiltrated our country that the average American is now seeking out plethora of ways to bring down the skies?

With all of the technology we have to day, why is it that we have to resort to having perverts grope men, women and children? And on top of that, a woman flying home has to pour her breast milk into little containers so that it can be tested for EXPLOSIVES? Surely the Emperor has no clothes!

It's time to wake up America! The enemy is among us. The enemy is our own "security" force. One way or another, either the Terrorists will rule over us or the TSA will rule over us. Both of these as options are objectionable to me! It's time our Government puts on boxers after removing its panties and begins profiling and if it so happens that the terrorists are Arabs, then we profile Arabs. If the terrorists are French, we profile French. Learn from Israel and keep your hands out of my pants and my garden(H.R.1332 Safe FEAST Act 2009), lower taxes, get the lazy off of welfare, get the United Nations out of the USA and protect our borders, specifically our SOUTHERN border.

RANT>

WATERBOARDING & BODY SCANNING/PAT DOWNS

2010-11-22T08:17:00.002-06:00

So let me get this straight. I'm supposed to be convinced that the average American flier needs to have his or her body parts groped, fondled and ogled in order to have safe airline flights, but a known terrorist, an enemy combatant, cannot be waterboarded to save thousands of lives of troops and Americans both on foreign soil AND the homeland? Don't spit in my face and tell me it's raining!

Well You THOUGHT Wrong!

2010-10-06T07:39:00.002-05:00

I've read THIS article with great interest. A man in Tennessee "neglects"(thought wrong) to pay for fire protection, man's house is on fire, man calls the fire department, they refuse to put out the fire, man's house burns down, man is mad because they did not put out the fire. And here is the kicker spoken by the man himself. "'I thought they'd come out and put it out, even if you hadn't paid your $75, but I was wrong,' said Gene Cranick"(article). Well, you THOUGHT wrong!

This idea that someone else will carry the load is invading our society at rapid speed. Someone else is supposed to pay for my car, my appliances, my insurance, my medical and the list goes on and on. And even when I "should" have paid and did not, oh well, they'll take care of me anyway.

I am not going to point to any great reference to substantiate what I am about to say but rather rely upon my own point of reference and experiences that I have been partaker of and have observed. Theological Liberalism's fruit is beginning to ripen. This concept invaded the Church and is now fully fruited in society. This concept, that you owe me whether I have met the standard or not, was bred in the philosophies of man as a push against God. Justification without Sanctification was and is pandered. Rights without responsibilities was and is pandered. Actions without consequences was and is pandered. We have negated and neglected God's Word which so clearly and importantly tells us that a man reaps what he sows. Where one does not sow, one does not reap. But make no mistake, everyone is sowing something and will reap from that sowing.

Fast forward to the Judgement. How many millions will use this man's response before God but to no avail. How many people standing at the precipice of hell will respond with, "I thought Jesus would come out and put out the fires of hell for me, even if I hadn't accepted salvation on His terms, but I was wrong." Just like for this man, there will be no salvation after the fact. No insurance company would sell this man a policy while his house is on fire. No insurance company would sell a man a policy while a storm is in the Gulf of Mexico. No insurance company will sell a burial policy after the individual is dead. And no, Jesus will not save anyone after death who did not trust Him before death.

Socialism-legal theft according to man. Liberalism-spiritual truth according to man. There is a way which seems right to man but the end thereof is death or as I titled this post, you THOUGHT wrong.

2010-07-02T11:11:00.000-05:00

We cannot afford to forget!

Audio Sermon: II Peter 1:8-9

2010-06-24T09:14:00.001-05:00

Sermon from June 13, 2010. May it bless you.

SBC in Orlando 2010: Kadesh or Kibosh?

2010-06-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

I’m daring to venture into an arena that I do not approach lightly. For various reasons do I approach this arena at times and I do so with great respect not only for the venue but for those who I bring with me into this setting. Never-the-less, I remain undaunted at the task that is before me and endeavor to be fair and forthright.

SBC President Johnny Hunt addressed the Convention on Tuesday with a message from Numbers 13-14 and Joshua 14. He entitled his message, “The Southern Baptist Convention at its Kadesh Barnea”. His great appeal was to persuade the Convention to approve the GCTFR that was to be presented and he used the aforementioned texts to drive home his point. However, though his use of the Numbers passage has a ring of authenticity, is his use of the text authentic to the Text?

Hunt painted the picture that those who would vote against the GCTFR were like the 10 spies who brought back the negative report in contrast to those who would vote for the GCTFR being like Joshua and Caleb. Is his picture, is his analogy true to the text of the Scripture that he based it upon? Let’s look at the text.

In Numbers 13-14, 12 spies were sent into the land and were to bring back a report with authenticating evidence, fruit, from the land. If there is any correlation between this passage and the GCTFR report, it would look something more like what I will propose thus insisting that our use of a text demands that we be true to the text and not use it for a proof text to bolster our opinions. The 12 spies would be likened to the GCTF and to them only. The 12 spies were sent to search out and the GCTF was commissioned to research and report of their excursion into “the promised land” (Great Commission Resurgence). THUS, if all the members of the GCTF approved of the report to the Convention, Hunt’s use of this analogy in the way that he does comes not from the Text but from Hunt’s desire to persuade the Convention to approve the report. The Convention would be likened to the crowd who would receive the report of the committee, NOT the 10 unbelieving spies. But allow me to press the analogy further. Was some of the Convention really UNBELIEVING or were they as of yet UNCONVINCED because of the lack of fruit to demonstrate that the spies “committee” had been where they say they had been. Truthfully, the fruit was not produced but rather sealed away in a freezer for 15 years time after which the fruit will no longer be fresh and the moment will have passed away. Instead, the Convention was asked to believe the report of the GCTF without the substantiating documentation, fruit. The GCTF sought to keep those records private and the majority of the convention voted to do so but what this did for many was eliminate the verifying fruit that the Committee had gone where it was supposed to have gone.

The way the sermon was presented turns the Text into a piece of clay that is molded to fit the hands of the potter. Rather, I was taught in Seminary that the Text is the potter and it is supposed to mold my hands, the clay.
I do not believe this Text was used properly either within its context or the use by which it was designed to persuade the Convention. This does not mean that I believe the GCTFR lacked validity but rather that the chief speech, Hunt’s presidential address, that was used to bully, as the lady said, some into voting for it was just that, a big stick meant to provoke. Well it has provoked me enough into saying that even if I thought the Committee was going in the right direction, the method used to accomplish that direction would make me want to vote against it altogether.
I conclude that his use of the Text was not authentic to the Text. The GCTFR may indeed end up being the SBC’s Kadesh. Why? Because the MAJORITY in the Text ruled the day just as the majority ruled in Orlando.

LESSON FROM A FLOWER

2010-06-08T08:41:00.003-05:00

There it grew, far from the observation of those who seldom stray from the beaten path. Like a burst of fireworks piercing through the darkness, this blossom of flowers reached up through the undergrowth and showed forth its beauty. Had the little trail that was used to access this area not existed, scarcely could one conceive that a human might have stumbled upon it during its brief display of devotion to God's calling upon it. Far from other blooming flowers, distant from the busy path of life, this little flower was doing what God placed it to do. The flower was displaying the Glory of God and giving glory to God and, it was in a place that would be seldom seen by the passing masses should any of them even but for a moment veer from their busy schedule. No banners, billboards or advertisements drew attention to itself. It simply did what it was designed to do. No parades, no pomp and circumstance, no confetti and noisemakers inhabited the realm of this flower, just quiet solitude and devotion before and to God Almighty.

Christian, pastor's especially, the limelight is not where ability or calling will be displayed for the majority of us. Instead, can we just be like this little flower with no regard to who on earth is looking but instead, with all regard to God above? Can we learn to be content where God has placed us and live to His glory despite our not being surrounded by accolades, sycophants and cameras? Life is really not all that long and maybe, just maybe, instead of striving for the stage of men, we should really be striving upon the stage where God has placed us, even if seldom ever seen by the eyes of men.

Whether I had stopped by or not was irrelevant to this little flower. It was going to bloom where it was whether I saw it or not. God help me to be like this little flower, content in doing WHAT you've called me to do WHERE you've called me to do it.

HOBO STEW ON THE NEWS

2010-05-05T08:29:00.003-05:00

The immigration law of Arizona continues to make the news. Apparently, this professional basketball team thinks that their ability to dribble a ball makes them experts on what is good for our country. Taking their thoughts to a logical conclusion would lead to a basketball game where anything goes. I mean if we are not going to enforce laws ALREADY law but weakly enforced, then why should rules on the court be enforced? (Sarcasm Alert)The fact that you are supposed to dribble the ball while running across court discriminates against those who cannot! Think of the world we could open up if you could just run with the ball and knock others out of your way.

So a guy gets tasered at a baseball game. BIG DEAL!!! Better than rubber bullets right?! Well anyway, everyone who is second guessing the actions of the security need to take a brain check. The information known about the kid is known AFTER the fact, not during the sprint across the field. Had he pulled a knife or attacked one of the players, those same critics would have been complaining that the security had not done enough to protect the players. Once again, this is a case of someone doing something ILLEGAL and facing the consequences of it. Why can't people understand that CONSEQUENCES are a result of actions. If you don't want the consequences, don't do the action.

President Obama once again suffers from Joe Biden's loose lips disease. Apparently, Obama is growing more arrogant(or at least, undignified) towards those of us who oppose high taxes, big government and liberal social policy. Can you imagine the outcry if Bush had referred to the Taliban as raghe@ds? But really, it has less to do with "well if he can...I should be able to..." and rather points to the eroding of the dignity of the office which he holds. He cries foul when political groups are called unflattering names and yet he with the log in his own eye is trying to be an expert and point out the problems of others?

And one more item for the day and that concerns the oil spill. I think that the fact that we have not had a drilling rig/production platform spill in how many years in the Gulf demands our appreciation for those who have done their jobs so well. Granted, when an accident occurs in this field it is usually costly in terms of lives, livelihood and environment however, accidents of this nature are the anomaly for the Gulf of Mexico oil expeditions. I do hope that we could achieve a 100% perfect record but even as in space exploration, sooner or later, a usually insignificant(to the untrained eye) part fails and leads to a major catastrophe. Hopefully, we'll learn from this accident and have an even greater record of safety and production.

A REAL MOTHER PROTECTS, NOT ABORTS!

2010-04-30T10:43:00.002-05:00

Even as accustomed to hearing about abortion as we are in this day and age, it still should stir us deep within our souls. The fact that hundreds of babies are killed daily as a "choice" is disturbing when one considers the kind of heart that it takes to submit to such a procedure. Without natural affection is the way Paul describes such in Romans 1.

On the other hand, a story arises that demonstrates the complete opposite of such darkened hearts. Nikki Bradshaw Carpenter(LINK) died while trying to protect her three children during a recent tornado in Mississippi. How stark a contrast she provides to the hearts of baby killers today.

Why They Could Not See Jesus

2010-04-12T15:00:00.003-05:00

Luke 24:13-35

So they're walking from Jerusalem when Jesus joins them in their excursion. They did not "notice" who He was and Luke records that they were kept from recognizing Him. The interesting part about the verb is that it is in the passive tense which means something was acting upon them to keep them from recognizing Him. Some insert here that this was a "Divine" blindness put upon them by God. I'd like to propose an alternative.

In verse 25, when Jesus begins the greatest unrecorded Old Testament class of history, He labels these two as slow of heart to believe. In other words, they were experiencing a drought of faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God is what Paul teaches us in Romans and so it should be no shock then that Jesus begins to teach, from the word of God, these two men. In order to build their faith, He taught them His word. He taught them the revelation of Himself in what we know as the Old Testament Scriptures.(I really would have loved to have been there.)

The real reason why these two were not able to see Jesus is that they were not believing the witness of the Scripture. They knew Jesus was crucified. They HAD BELIEVED(emphasis mine) that Jesus was the redeemer of Israel. They had heard of the incredible story told by the women but they had also heard of Peter and John's report of an empty tomb but no Jesus.

With all that they could see, Jesus was not who they thought He was to be. They were blinded by their own vision. They were blinded by THEIR OWN UNBELIEF. Thus, Jesus taught them the Word, which brought forth faith which when coupled with the eating of the bread led to the opening of their eyes. Surely, He could have opened their eyes earlier but the point is pressed that faith comes by hearing the word of God. In fact, their hearts were telling them this was Jesus the whole time(verse 32) but they didn't believe because of what they had seen with their eyes.

Why could they not see Jesus? They could not see Jesus because of unbelief. If you and I want to see Jesus, we need to hear His Word. Seeing isn't believing. Believing is seeing. And what should we believe? The testimony of Scripture is the answer for the child of God.

Elton John Thinks... But God's Word Says!!!

2010-02-19T07:49:00.002-06:00

This is a recent quote from Elton John.

"I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems."

This is a quote from the Word of God.

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:21-25 (emphasis mine)

MARDI GRAS...and Why I don't!

2010-02-16T07:35:00.002-06:00

Mardi Gras is a big festival here in south Louisiana. From the city of Beaumont Texas to the city of Mobile, Alabama along the I-10 corridor, one would be hard pressed today, Fat Tuesday, to miss all of the "celebrating" taking place. It is a deeply entrenched tradition here in Louisiana. As it is celebrated, it ought to be the shame of the south.

Masks are a big part of the shindig. People wear masks for "anonymity". This anonymity allows them to do things in public that they ordinarily would not do. In fact, masks are even said to be the great levelers of society. Once the mask is donned, all other masked individuals instantly become your friends no matter what life is like, without the mask. Maybe it is appropriate that masks are worn. They do, in some respects, indicate the shame in the activities that take place.

Fat Tuesday is the biggest day of the period. It is a day to feast before the fast. It is a day to indulge before one restrains. It is a day steeped in drunkenness and debauchery. It is a day of parades and floats and millions of plastic throws of which the most popular is bead necklaces. It is a day when one plans to sin and indulge BEFORE one repents and prays(Ash Wednesday). The Bible, under the New Covenant clearly states that we are not to sin because we are under grace(Romans 6). But neither under the Old Covenant was such allowed because no sacrifice was made for presumptuous sins(Numbers 15:30-31). Planning to sin is different than falling into temptation. It reveals a twisted heart and calls into question the genuineness of one's relationship to Jesus, if such is claimed.

Mardi Gras is also linked to the past. One of the most infamous krewes is the Krewe of Bacchus. Bacchus was the greek god of wine and revelry. A short GOOGLE search will give you much information about him. This parade was recently held in New Orleans and Drew Brees, of the 2010 Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints, reigned as King of Bacchus. Surely one cannot miss the imagery that the quarterback(now a god) brought revelry to the streets once again. He, Drew Brees, was even quoted as saying, "We love you New Orleans. Hail Bacchus." For a man who professes Christianity to offer praise to a god other than Jesus Christ ought to be a moment of shame for true professors of Christ, not joy.

This is why I do not celebrate Mardi Gras. It is a time when man celebrates man, and man honors gods, but man does not honor God. It is a time when sin is celebrated rather than resisted. It is a time of drunkenness. It is a time of presumption on the grace of God.

"Come out of her my people" is as relevant today as it was over 2000 years ago.

THE HUMILIATION IN THE MANGER

2009-12-21T10:08:00.003-06:00

Philippians 2:5-11 was the basis for my sermon on Sunday. Christmas time is a time of many paradoxes, at least in my mind. We celebrate the Incarnation, as well we should, but too often we do it while wearing blinders. We do this by focusing entirely on what it means to us while failing to consider what it meant to Christ Jesus.

Our exalted view of humanity would almost seem to declare that for Jesus to become one of us was, in and of itself, a tremendous blessing for Him. Immanuel has been changed from "God with us" to God amongst gods. Dare I bring up that we have forgotten that we were made lower than the angels, no matter how little lower that may have been?(Psalm 8:5) How wretched we are to think that becoming human was a blessing in and of itself.

Imagine, if you will, a sitting President and his wife having their baby in a community center rather than Bethesda, Maryland. One might contend that it is not fitting for such to happen. Much more can you imagine the contention if the Royalty of England was born in a barn instead of a castle? But Jesus, the very Son of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of lords, the very One before whom angels bowed, was born in a stable and laid in a manger.

He took upon him the form of a servant. He came not to be served but to serve. The King came not to have His feet washed but to wash the feet of men. The King came not to have people pay taxes unto Him but instead Himself paid taxes unto Caesar. The King came not to suffer and die for any personal iniquity or sin, for He had none. Instead, He came to bear the iniquity and sin of the servants of His kingdom.

No, humanity was not a step up for Jesus but it was a step down. And the reason for Jesus' willingness to bear such humility was twofold. First, it was the Father's will. Jesus obeyed His Father. Jesus worked the works that He saw His Father do. Secondly, it was to pick up fallen man. The love of Jesus and the righteousness of Jesus worked together to do for man what man could not do for himself.

While the manger was about us, we MUST NOT forget what that meant for Christ Jesus. This Christmas as you celebrate what Jesus did for you, consider what that meant for Jesus. Ponder, as Mary did with so many things, what the manger truly means. Consider the humiliation in the manger. Then, as Paul said, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

Merry Christmas

AM I TOO RELIGIOUS

2009-12-03T14:13:00.002-06:00

Am I too religious to help the hurting? If I answer yes, woe to me and my soul. If I answer no but don't help them, I'm a hypocrite.

WHY THE POLAR ICE IS DISAPPEARING

2009-11-17T08:57:00.002-06:00

I was reading the news of the day when I happened upon THIS story. Then it suddenly dawned upon me. The answer for the ages as to why the polar ice is disappearing. Scientists want to blame it on global warming when in reality it is all of the expeditions they make into these regions on icebreaker ships that undermine the ability of the poles to build up their ice sheets. As these scientists continue to "traipse" about(they call it study) the poles constantly busting up these ice sheets that they say are in such a danger of disappearing. But if they stopped their "study" of polar ice, they would not get federal money to line their pockets and provide them with paid vacations that most people can only dream about.

The sequence of events is like this:
1. we study the poles
2. we bust up the ice as we study the poles
3. the ice starts to disappear
4. we ask the feds to underwrite studies to understand why the ice is busting up
5. we travel to the poles, AGAIN
6. busting up more ice to understand what we caused in the first place.

Seems as reasonable to me as cow flatulence causing global warming!

WHY ISN'T THIS A HATE CRIME???

2009-11-11T10:17:00.005-06:00

OUTRAGEOUS is the only way that I can describe THIS news article.

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that if a "white" man had done this to a "black" woman, hate crime, amidst other tags would have been affixed to this news item. The hypocrisy running so rampant in this nation is so blatant that the blind can see it. Only those with their heads stuck in the sand will miss the implications of how this event is being handled.

Wake up America! Physical violence of this nature should not be tolerated IRRESPECTIVE to the color, socio-economic status, gender, orientation or religion of the abused. Let Justice continue to be blind and justice will be served. There is NO NEED to attach "hate" to any crime. An injustice perpetrated is injustice without regard or need for any caveats. Thus, to set apart certain groups with special rights and special status is both unnecessary and a discredit to what it means to be faithful to justice.

The Mainstream Media is manipulating and driving an agenda that will result not in equality and fairness, but rather is motivated to overthrow all that is good and exalt all that is evil. Their hypocrisy is glaringly evident in the way that stories of this nature are covered. And speaking of hypocrites, if Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are truly so concerned about social justice, why aren't they spouting their rhetoric that this man is in error and needs to be sharply reprimanded by the loss of his job? Oh that's right! I forgot for a moment. The criminal is black. The blame, by default, rests upon the "white".

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

KENNEDY'S HYPE AND HYPOCRISY

2009-09-29T07:44:00.003-05:00

Well, Rep. Kennedy of Rhode Island is showing his true colors as well as that of the majority of the Democratic Party. You can find the entire article HERE. He is spewing a warning that those who are opposing ObamaCare are violent and dangerous. Why? Because he saw a sign that read, “Bury ObamaCare with Kennedy.” Now let us look at this quote VERY closely. It DOES NOT say bury Obama. The reference to burying Kennedy was Edward Kennedy who had recently died from a brain tumor. So even there, we are talking about burying someone who was already dead, not someone among the living. But here is where the rubber meets the road. Mr. Kennedy, WHERE was YOUR voice when a movie about assassinating G.W. Bush was being promoted? Mr. Kennedy, WHERE was YOUR voice when then Governor Palin and her family were attacked by the Democrats and the media? Or is it okay in your little Camelot to live by the adage, do as I say and not as I do!? Makes you a hypocrite Mr. Kennedy.

Kennedy then tries to equate the assassinations of his family members to the opposition of ObamaCare. I am not in any way happy to say that any of his family was assassinated but Mr. Kennedy is simply trying to drum up a false sympathy for ObamaCare as well as lump those who oppose it to assassins. In my life up to this point, I have never run across anyone who celebrated the assassinations of either of the Kennedys. I am not saying they do not exist but I am saying that if they do, they must be as rare as a budget surplus in the Obama administration.

And once again, all those who oppose Democrats and their ideas are lumped together as assassins. Mr. Kennedy, if we were assassins, there would not be a Democrat brave enough to open his mouth to espouse the liberal drivel that you do. But rest assured, we WILL oppose the ObamaCare plan and I WILL celebrate the day that the plan is buried.

Yes, it is unfortunate that your family has gone through the things that they have gone through. But what your family has gone through is NOTHING compared to what the good people of the United States will be put through by your hands if you and your ilk are successful in passing the legislation that you desire to pass.

Mr. Kennedy, why don't you try endorsing righteousness and opposing evil? Why don't you try exalting the right and punishing the evil? And so that I am completely clear about this, ObamaCare is evil. So it is not me that you have to be concerned about, it is my God who will return and sift out the evil and save the righteous and before His court, there will be no appeals.

**Corrected to change Ted to Edward in the first paragraph.**

HEALTH CARE DATABASE IS A SICK IDEA

2009-09-28T10:38:00.003-05:00

You know, sometimes, you read an article and you shake your head saying, "no, this simply cannot be true". Hopefully, this article will be proven to have been false but I would not bet on it.

Representative Kennedy of Rhode Island wants those with STD's and abortions on their records to be able to have those kept out of the Health Care Database. So what he is really saying is this. If you are an immoral person, you need to be able to keep your health care secret. We only need to keep track of those darn moral people who believe sex is for marriage and children are a blessing.

Just another move by liberal democrats to seek to exercise complete control of all morality exalting the evil, while abhorring the good.

On a side note, extending the education day by 3 hours is another one of those attempts to completely brain wash your children and grandchildren. If the classroom time was actually being spent teaching the children reading comprehension, writing, math and science instead of learning songs to praise Obama, I'd be willing to bet that the test scores of our students would all go up.

WAKE UP Americans!!! Socialistic Fascism is on the move.

PELOSI PILES ON

2009-09-17T13:20:00.003-05:00

Nancy Pelosi is nothing but a hypocrite. Not ONCE was it ever reported that she spoke out against the members of her own party who publicly defamed and denounced Bush using rhetoric straight from the gutter. And NOW??? she wants to spew this type of hypocrisy. Read HERE. Puleeeease. Clean your own "House", pun intended, then tell me how to clean mine.

One step worse though is her banal attempt to distort the issue but not connecting it with racism this time but instead, attempting to connect disagreement with Obama to the homosexual movement of the 70's.

Nancy Pelosi, you need a teleprompter and a speech writer to prevent you from showing your true colors. You have no substance so you turn to Carter and the charge of racism and now a feeble attempt to connect the anti-socialist movement to the anti-gay of the 70's. This charge will stick to us like eggs stick to a Teflon skillet. Just won't do it.

C'mon Pelosi, stick to the issue rather than slinging mud. But it appears that is all you are capable of doing is smear and slinging. This is why ya'll are such miserable failures. You have NO SUBSTANCE!

THEN I MUST BE A RACIST!

2009-09-16T07:25:00.002-05:00

If disagreeing with President Barak Obama makes one a racist, then I must be a racist. There is VERY LITTLE that I presently agree with him about the way he is proposing to take this country. In THIS article on Bloomberg, Georgia Democrat Hank Johnson, former President Jimmy Carter, and other unnamed black lawmakers attributed Joe Wilson's outburst to racism.

If this had happened to former President George W. Bush, the whole outburst would not have even been given a second glance by the aforementioned "scholars on racism". This whole brouhaha is nothing but politics. Pure, bitter, partisan politics. It demonstrates the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party as a whole who say they oppose racism while it is demonstrable that THEY are the ones who seem to not be able to see past President Obama's blackness.

Again, if disagreeing with Obama makes one a racist, then I must be one.

In this case, however, it seems that those who are raising the biggest stink about this are the racists.

WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE

2009-09-15T08:47:00.003-05:00

It is absolutely pathetic and mind-boggling in this day and age when a BLACK president is called a socialist and the camp he is a part of responds with the charge of RACISM and then THIS (link) happens and people WONDER if it is RACISM.

Calling Obama a socialist may not be much of a conversation builder but it certainly is not racist!

Would it be too much to ask that the liberal left CONDEMN the beating of this child as racially motivated and cheered on/encouraged as it happens?

Where are Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the ACLU who would already have made statements had this been black on white?

Don't talk to me about racism unless the street we are going to discuss is TWO-WAY!

NO ONE! should be treated this way in a civilized society. But it appears that the only one who is supposed to show civility is the WHITE man?!

BLACK community....WHERE is the outrage at this event??? Or are you only concerned if it happens to a man like Rodney King?

GOD HELP US ALL!!!

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009

2009-09-04T15:50:00.002-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS!

Bubba and Allie will be married, Lord willing, this evening. Bubba is my son of 23 years and Allie is my future daughter-in-law. May God grant them wisdom, peace, happiness and prosperity. And yes, Daddy gets to officiate the wedding. Ain't life grand and ain't God good!!!

Thoughts About the BIG Bang

2009-08-20T13:42:00.004-05:00

Okay. So I am sitting here thinking and I have puzzled myself. I have watched videos of nuclear bombs exploding on YouTube. They tend to make very large bangs and so I got to thinking. When these "big bangs" do explode, some of their energy travels out very rapidly and then reverses course and rushes back to the point of detonation as energy heads skyward.

Now "IF" the "Big Bang" happened, did it have the same reaction? Was there a huge rush of energy into nothing and then back towards the center of the explosion into nothing? And if the "Big Bang" was to have happened like nuclear explosions, then is it not reasonable to expect that the effects reach a certain amount outward and then cease to go forward? And although maybe the shock wave continued throughout nothingness, though hard to conceive of that, would not the universe that came into existence have a definite point of influence just as the effects of a nuclear bomb have a definite sphere of influence?

Just some questions. I have tons more but this is all I am desirous to put to pad at this time.

CARICATURES, HYPOCRISY...DEMOCRATS

2009-08-13T07:35:00.002-05:00

Recently, posters started showing up in the L.A. area. These posters depict President Obama as the Joker. You can find a picture of it HERE. Not too long in recent past, Vanity Fair did the same thing to President Bush and you can find that picture HERE.

Having set the stage, let's address the reactions to each. In a Washington Post article, found HERE, the Bush picture was praised while the Obama picture was disdained. In fact, the artist of the Obama pic is even called a racist. Pardon me while I turn my head and cough...(hypocrites).

Have you ever noticed that if you are the one making fun of someone, that it is legitimate. But if someone is making fun of you, it is wrong. Peter Lumpkins has been addressing this very issue of caricatures on his blog concerning Calvinists and Non-Calvinists. He arrives at the same conclusion about Calvinists that I arrive at about the current generation of Democrats. They are both guilty of hypocrisy. A quick disclaimer. If you are a Calvinist and oppose caricatures of Non-Calvinists, then I do not include you. If you are a Democrat and oppose caricatures of Non-Democrats, then I do not include you. I am of course speaking in broad generalization. For while some may say, well look, Republicans think the Obama pic is funny. Luke is a Republican. Luke thinks the poster is funny...well...I did find it humorous but not a humor I would participate in or condemn. Hey, it's politics. Take the heat or get out of the kitchen. If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.

My problem, of course, is NOT with those who caricature the other. My problem is that when they who caricature become the object of caricature, they then gripe about it not being fair. The Left loved the demonization of Bush but they decry the demonization of Obama as being racist among other things. I even read one comment where a person stated that it was true of Bush because he had been in office for 8 years but Obama has not even been in office for 8 months. What has that got to do with the price of tea in China?! Hypocrites are what these people are. Those who will do the very thing they condemn others for doing. They are hypocrites who delight in the caricaturing of others but moan, whine and complain when it is done of them.

From where I sit, caricatures can be pretty funny. Caricatures can be very truthful. Caricatures can be very painful. But pain is not necessarily a bad thing. It can actually keep you from being critically hurt. So if you caricature others, take your baby faced whining somewhere else when it is done of you. Otherwise, chuckle a little, take the picture for what it is worth and move on.

TOWN HALL MEETING BLUNDER

2009-08-11T07:03:00.002-05:00

Every now and then, the solution to a problem presents itself rather easily. Reading THIS article is one of those instances where the problem and the solution is so readily apparent. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs was being interviewed and he made the statement that "[t]he town hall tradition is to give people information, he said, 'so they can make a decision about policy that impacts their lives and I think that's what this town hall meeting will do today and I know the president is excited about engaging the public again.'"(para.5)

First, I will note that the entire quote is not a direct quote of his. But barring any forthcoming statements, it is presumed that Gibbs stands by the way he is quoted. But it is the first part of his statement that I want to draw attention to where it is stated that "the town hall tradition is to give people information." THERE is the problem. They, Obama and his muses, totally misunderstand the purpose of the Town Hall Meeting. It IS NOT for them to give us information. It IS for THE PEOPLE TO BE HEARD and in this case, by no other than Obama himself.

NO Mr. Gibbs! NO President Obama! The TOWN HALL MEETING is not a place where you INFORM us. It is the place where WE INFORM YOU. You've been so stuck in playing politics and stacking the questions that you have completely subverted the reason for these meetings. And perhaps, the people bare as much responsibility for sitting quietly and idly by as you and your ilk answer those staged questions without ever answering the TOUGH questions. But especially with YOU Obama, we understand why. If it is not scripted and you have to go off of your own reasoning rather than Teleprompter logic, you fail miserably because it is at that point where you reveal yourself for who you truly are and what you truly think. When you are behind the teleprompter, you tell us what your information specialists think.

President Obama, make trips to other cities where you KNOW you will be opposed. LISTEN to those gripes, complaints and suggestions. LEARN from us the American people what WE think for as often as it has been repeated, it bears repeating again. YOU work for us in America. YOU were hired by us in America. Now listen to us here in America.

NO Mr. Gibbs! NO President Obama! The TOWN HALL MEETING is not a place where you INFORM us. It is the place where WE INFORM YOU!!!

MORE THAN A PET, HE WAS A FRIEND

2009-07-28T10:31:00.002-05:00

Sitting with my son while his heart was hurting yesterday evening was a very difficult moment. His pet, hunting companion and friend experienced the end of his life. Bullet was his name. He was a hunting companion of a sort. Being mostly lab, he was trained(but not perfect) to fetch ducks. My son commented yesterday as we sat holding back tears, "Well at least he fetched two of them."

Bullet had been battling that awful disease known as heart worms. It was very difficult for my son to watch his friend go through the manifestations of that inward killer. He loved his friend but did not like watching the effects of the disease upon his friend.

We sat, yesterday evening, not saying a whole lot. Me, fighting back the urge to burst into a full blown cry as my son did the same, all the while as I hurt to watch my son hurt so. I'll miss the dog for sure. But my pain was for my son and his pain. In our discourse, I reminded him that this was one of the effects of sin upon this earth and that what God had made was good. But I also reminded him that anytime we open ourselves up to love, we also open ourselves up to hurt. He agreed.

This makes me long for the day when death will be cast away for eternity. For with the passing of death, much sorrow and pain will pass as well.

Bullet--more than a pet--a friend!

RACIAL PROFILING??? GET REAL!!!

2009-07-22T20:48:00.004-05:00

If you haven't heard this news story about the Harvard Professor, HERE is a link to read about it.

So now, it is reported, that some are going to accuse the cop of "racial profiling". OH PULEASE! The report was that two "Black" men were forcing the door open. So are we supposed to run around looking for white men? Are we supposed to run around looking for Hispanics? Are we supposed to run around looking for Japanese? Good grief. If the report is that the men are black, we would look for, yep you guessed it, BLACK men. It isn't racial profiling as in assuming all black men are robbers. It is taking the reported description and matching that description with who is at the house.

In the words of an news reporter(John Stossel to be exact), give me a break.

***UPDATE***Link HERE

UPDATE on Honduras

2009-07-06T13:06:00.003-05:00

For those who think the Honduran Government went beyond its powers to oust the former President Zelaya, please watch the following video.

Our United States President is showing his true colors when he sided with Chavez to condemn the actions of the Honduran Government and that is because President Obama is sympathetic with socialistic dictators rather than true democratic forms of government.

I continue to pray that God will grant the Hondurans a leader who would truly have the people's best at heart. I continue to pray that God will grant the Hondurans freedom from tyranny and a lasting peace. May the Gospel of Jesus Christ continue to be spread throughout Hond

HAPPY 4th of JULY

2009-07-03T22:03:00.002-05:00

May God bless the United States of America. May He keep us free from the powers of tyranny. May He grant us wisdom to withstand the powers of tyranny. But especially may He grant to us victory in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May this Independence Day become the day of salvation for many that they may live lives independent from sin and its wages and may they become dependent upon our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In Support of Honduras' New President

2009-07-01T11:48:00.002-05:00

To the new Honduran President, some of us here in the United States SUPPORT you in your efforts to keep Socialism from controlling your country. Many of us here think it absolutely incredulous that President Obama has spoken against you. May I plainly state that he is only one man and has but one voice. He is NOT speaking for the entire population of our country. I urge you to continue to defend your nation's freedom from the tyranny of a dictator wanna-be. As our Nation celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, I pray that your country will remain independent from tyranny.

ABORTIONIST MURDERED: Where's The Outrage?

2009-06-01T09:50:00.002-05:00

Tiller began providing the life-ending procedure known as abortion(also known as a "choice" by some) in 1973 after Roe v. Wade legalized abortion. I guess there is a statistic out there that can put an actual number to all the nameless children that Tiller killed but I do not have it ready and quite frankly, would probably be appalled by what I would find. 36 years of "technological service" to ending babies lives is the legacy of Tiller.

Comparing Tiller's end with an abortion may seem shocking at first but the irony is truly found in the details. Consider that Tiller made a living taking children from the sanctity of their mother's womb. Tiller's own life was taken from him in the sanctity of a church. Tiller made a living treating babies as if their lives had no value. Tiller's own life was taken from him by an individual that assigned more value to unborn babies than Tiller's value as a human being. Tiller's death left a family in shock and disbelief. How many husbands, fathers, and mothers were left in shock and disbelief after learning of Tiller's procedure upon a loved one? Tiller's years were shortened no doubt in an instant, in a single moment of time. Tiller was denied the privilege of living out those years. His family was denied the joy of those years. Yet, Tiller constantly shortened lives in an instant of time. He denied those babies the privilege of living out their years. He denied the families of those babies the joy of those years. But you argue, Tiller did not have a choice in his death. He was killed by another man on that man's whim. And I respond to you, all of those babies killed by Tiller did not have a choice in their deaths either. They were killed by another man on that man's whim.

I'll conclude this brief comparison in this way. It was an outrage for Tiller to day in and day out take the lives of babies. It was an outrage for Tiller, in the name of technology, to impose his practice upon those who had no choice in the matter. In much the same way, it was an outrage for Tiller to have his life taken in the place and in the manner of its taking. I do not doubt that many will cry foul, though I am quite sure that had he chosen to do all within his knowledge to extend life rather than take life, he himself would be alive today.

Where is the outrage? Where was the outrage of those crying foul when a baby was ripped limb by limb from its mother's womb? Where was the outrage of those crying foul when a mother on occasion died from the procedure? Where was the outrage of those crying foul when the mothers who survived the abortion procedure went on to live with years and years of terrifying dreams and visitations from their unborn child? There was no outrage for those babies or the women left scarred from the procedure, so why would you expect there to be an outrage over his own life being taken?

In no way do I commend Tiller's murderer for what he did and where he did it. But I find it extremely ironic that Tiller met his fate much the same way the victims of his "procedures" did. He found himself at the end of an instrument being held by an individual who sought to impose his will upon another. The only real difference that I can see is that the babies had nowhere to run.

***News article can be found HERE.***

KINDRED HEALTHCARE: Show Us Your Colors

2009-05-28T07:48:00.005-05:00

I would like to alert you to this news story if you have not already heard about it. You can find the original story as reported by CBS News of Fort Worth/Dallas HERE. To say that I was concerned after hearing of this story would be a great understatement. It took just a little searching and I found the website and contact numbers for both the hospital where the original incident took place and the corporate headquarters. Corporate headquarters posted a press release in response to the news article. Everything turned out fine right? Well not as far as I am concerned.

I called the corporate headquarters and was directed to "Dave"(no last name was given) who was in charge of public relations. The phone was not picked up and after ringing several times, it was transferred to "Dave's" voice mail where I was directed to leave a telephone number and my call would be returned. I left two numbers where I could be reached, I have answering machines at both phone numbers and have not heard from them yet. Kindred, DAVE!!!, I am still waiting.

Why am I writing about this? Because the news story claimed one thing and the press released claimed another. When you watch the news story, you will find that the claim of the employee is that she was told that her supervisor and "some others" were offended by the flag. Nothing was said of the size as being inappropriate in the initial report. And yet that is what Kindred is saying this dust up was all about.

Well, someone needs to get their story straight. It appears that Kindred Healthcare is simply trying to cover their tails and instead of dealing with the issue in a straight forward manner are trying to divert the attention to a less than honest recounting of the story. I really wish someone reading this could get "Dave's" attention and have him respond to this. If Mrs. McLucas was lying about the issue, she should be fired and disgraced for using the flag in an dishonorable manner. If Kindred Healthcare finds that Mrs. McLucas is telling the truth and the other employee was offended by the flag and had it removed, that employee ought to be fired and given a one-way ticket to China.

So WHICH is it Kindred? Who is really telling the truth? Or are you simply trying to cover your tail? SHOW us your colors KINDRED! Fire ANYONE offended by our American Flag and send them packing. Or, support them through your weak corporate policies and find that true Americans can find alternative health care providers to attend to them.

EDITED to add: I have also sent them an email and will see if they respond.
EDITED to add: CBS follow up new story can be found HERE.
EDITED to add: Kindred responds in the comment stream.(5/29)

WEEKLY CHURCH GOERS ARE A HINDRANCE

2009-05-20T11:50:00.002-05:00

The NBC Today Show featured an interview by Matt Lauer of conservative Michael Smerconish and Katrina vande Heuval of the liberal Nation magazine. The conservative/liberal descriptors were taken directly from the video description for this particular interview. This interview was talking about the Republican Party's effort to remain relevant and Michael Steele's leadership in that party.

During the interview, Heuvel makes the statement that the Republican Party needs to become a more tolerant, modern, diverse party. She continues in her assessment that every demographic group is fleeing the Republican Party except for weekly church goers and that group, she states, will not make a party. She goes on to state that the Party is in trouble and that it needs to be a more modern, tolerant, opposition party.

Oh yeah. That is what the political arena would like isn't it!? They want us "weekly church goers" to abandon our ideals, adopt their own and sing Kum Ba Yah while the USA, and the world for that matter, continues in its downward moral spiral. Just in case Heuval has forgotten, the presidential race was nowhere near a blowout for Obama. It was a narrow majority win with an emphasis upon narrow though the majority vote went his way. This Republican Party is not as far gone as Heuval would have us to believe and the Republican Party is not as ready for liberal/moderate socialism as she would wish us to be.

This Country, the United States of America, was built firmly upon Biblical, Judaeo-Christian principles and ethics and can only continue its supremacy, whether financially, socially or militarily, as it remains devoted to those tenets.

No Heuval. The problem is not weekly church goers. The problem is those, such as yourself and your radical Nation, who would eradicate the values and tenets of those weekly church goers.

HOMELAND SECURITY REPORT

2009-05-04T08:57:00.004-05:00

Okay, okay. I am not exercising restraint here and am jumping the gun so to speak, but after acquiring the actual 9 page document and reading it, I had to point out this one quote. The entire report is found HERE and the quote is from page 4 under the heading, Economic Hardship and Extremism. "Antigovernment conspiracy theories and "end times"(emphasis mine) prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity (emphasis mine) organizations and extremist members of the militia movement. "

Oh brother, or sister, who would have ever thought that by preaching about the Rapture and 7 years of tribulation that I'd be motivating extremist individuals to make provision for an unprecedented time of global upheaval. Especially when I preach that Christians WILL NOT BE HERE.

My second point concerns the reference to "violent Christian Identity". I sure hope the BI crowd does not start using violence. This would just make reading articles too confusing. I mean, how would we be able to tell the difference between "Christian Identity" and "Baptist Identity". But on a serious note, I am just not sure that the writers of the report understand what true "Christian Identity" really is. If that were the case, they would understand that "violent" is not a modifier of true "Christian Identity". Our Leader, Jesus Christ, was not violent though he died a violent death at the hands of violent men. Our Leader, Jesus Christ through Paul, taught us to pray for our leaders, not destroy them. But thank God that Jesus Christ is coming back. He, Jesus, will do battle with the government of this world. We will not have to avenge ourselves for he himself will avenge us. So pass all the laws you want, but understand, our Lord Jesus Christ is not subject to the laws of man. And make no mistake, he is coming back and this time, it will not be on a humble donkey but instead upon a battle horse.

More to come, Lord willing, as I continue to read the Napolitano Report.

***UPDATE***(5/5/09) The Domestic Extremism Lexicon which was revoked can be found HERE.

***UPDATE***(5/14/09) The DHS has pulled the report referenced. You can read about it HERE and HERE. My link to the report still works at the time of this update. Props to Kim for the heads up.

WHEN LOGIC ISN'T LOGICAL: THE PIG FLU

2009-04-30T07:43:00.003-05:00

Our current president, widely known for teleprompter usage, must be getting his wisdom from a teleprompter. He recently said that closing the border with Mexico because of the Pig Flu "would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out, because we already have cases here in the United States." With all due respect sir, when sick horses continue to leave the barn and mingle with other horses that would not ordinarily be exposed, it is PAST time to close the barn doors. The Divine wisdom given by God in dealing with leprosy would be very appropriate to follow at this point, isolation for the sick and restoration after they are healed.

We find that his advisors are also drinking from the same cup of wisdom. Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary said, "this virus is already in the United States. Any containment theory ... is really moot at this time." And to think of all the things I could have gotten away with had my parents bought into that theory when I was a lot younger. Oh I get it. We'll sin that grace may abound. GOD FORBID.

But instead of worrying about people's health, this method of operation has been chosen because closing the borders would not be economically advantageous or so they say.

Close the borders till the flu dies off and then reopen them! It really is that simple and it doesn't take a teleprompter to figure that out.

Way To Go Navy SEALS!!!

2009-04-12T17:44:00.003-05:00

I say that it is about time that we responded the way that we have. The terrorists, not criminals, have far too long affected the lives of the innocent and then, when confronted try to act like the offended rather than the offender. While I am cognizant of the fact that those terrorists who were killed are more than hostages to the fires of hell, their fate is something that they brought upon themselves. May God grant their families mercy and may the light of Jesus Christ shine upon their souls rather than continue to pursue these methods of operation.

To the Navy SEALS...this is indeed a defining moment for the world to observe. May God continue to grant you great success.

I'll be out of pocket for a while. Lord willing, be back in about a week.

There are many stories out about this operation. You can read about one such HERE.

Who Is My Neighbor?

2009-04-01T09:59:00.002-06:00

Every now and then, a story seems to really drive the point home, just who is my neighbor? If you will follow the link, your heart will not go untouched unless ice water runs through your veins.

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

IS YOUR CHURCH A FRIENDLY CHURCH

2009-03-23T07:24:00.007-06:00

It took the church a while to figure out why they were considered to be elitists. They did not understand why visitors would walk up to the front doors and then turn around and leave. They considered themselves friendly but noticed the whispers around town.

Eventually, they figured out what the problem was. Can you see the difference?

Simple question. Is your church invitational or by invitation only?

SUITABLE FOR TEACHING

2009-03-16T09:24:00.002-06:00

If you are like me, we really do not like our "dirty laundry" aired in public view. And it may be true in some cases that the public has no clue what your "dirty laundry" consists of though many would not be too timid to venture a guess. But what about those past events of our lives that are known both publicly and privately and even those that are known just privately. Consider that instead of covering them from view and burying them from sight, one might actually use them to teach the next generation.

Consider with me the text Proverbs 6:20-35. These verses form a complete unit and though 20-23 seem like they can stand on their own, they actually are to be interpreted in light of verse 24 and those that follow. Solomon is teaching his son about adultery. Now for a moment, side-step the issue of Solomon's multiple marriages. What in Solomon's past could be so important to teach such a truth to his son. I contend that it is what happened between his mother and father. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and as a result, the child conceived died and Solomon was the subsequent child born from the union of David and Bathsheba. But why the connection between verses 20-23?

Deuteronomy 17:17 sheds some additional light about why kings were not to multiply wives and the basic reason for avoiding this is that the women, instead of God, would become the focus of the husband(king). David's mulitple marriages led to his downfall with Bathsheba or more biblically referred to as an adulterous rendevous. David kept not the Word of God and women became his focus. As a result, he fell into sin, which when the shockwaves would finally settle, would cost David more than he ever expected to pay.

Solomon himself was aware of the struggles that led to his own kingship. Surely the truths that the sins of the fathers would be visited upon the children was a truth Solomon had experienced. It indeed was tragic(sinful) what happened in David's life but it was suitable to use such an event to express to the younger the need for remaining faithful to the commands of God and what remaining faithful to those commands would protect us from. In this case, it would be protection from adultery.

Mistakes from our past may be embarassing, but they are certainly capable of becoming teaching moments where we do not extol our error but rather explain how it is that we went astray. Particulary, we abandoned the Word of God and when one abandons that anchor, his/her ship may flounder among many ports of call with unexpected/unintended outcomes.

Lastly, we would do well not to repeat the mistakes of our fathers. Had Solomon only paid attention to his own teachings and the Word of God, he would have avoided the idolatry that crept in under his watch and his children would not have had to endure the hardships that resulted from his own sins.

Yes, our pasts are Suitable for Teaching...not just the next generation...but our very own.

My Latest Blog Entry

2009-03-03T17:20:00.001-06:00

Follow me over to Pete's Place.

Pray for North American Missionaries

2009-03-03T17:15:00.001-06:00

I should have posted this on Monday. This is a reminder to all that read this that we have set aside this week specifically for thinking of and praying for those who labor in missions here in North America. If ever there was a time that we needed a move of God in our country, now is the time and I pray that revival would sweep our land.

My Next Post

2009-02-26T19:07:00.001-06:00

You can find my newest post on SBC Tomorrow. Just click on the link.

HERE

SILENCE PROVES GUILT?

2009-02-05T11:44:00.003-06:00

There seems to be this theme that surfaces throughout life, and it is illustrated here (at 3:59PM 2-4), here (at 6:10Pm 2-4) and here (comment #1 implies), that if one is questioned and remains silent and chooses not to answer that question, then they are indeed attributing truth to the question. Depending upon how the question is phrased, the questioneer(I made that word up) may determine that the person is guilty of a crime, knows something and is hiding it or simply is afraid to speak the truth. Indeed, we often ask questions that we really intend not to even give ear to an answer from the one asked. I think the term for those questions is rhetorical but I digress.

Does one's refusal to answer questions indicate anything positive or negative? Well, in Luke 23:9 we read, "Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing." This is the account of Herod "interrogating" Jesus. Now if anybody knows the answer, it would be Jesus. If there was ever anyone who could answer EVERY question asked of Him, Jesus is the one who could do it. And yet, Jesus remained silent. Did Jesus' silence towards Herod prove anything to Herod. Nope. Simply that Jesus did not wish to speak to Herod.

My point?...Silence is simply that...silence. It neither confirms nor denies. To build a case from silence or to argue against someone who remains silenct is a futile endeavor. For in the absence of words, we are only left with speculation and since none of us are God, we do not know really even what to speculate about the silence.

Silence is what it is. And we can contribute nothing to silence since it indeed does not speak.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

2009-01-26T09:21:00.003-06:00

I'll admit it. When I go to a sporting event, I seldom like to see a blowout. I like to see contests that are challenging and call for both teams to give it their all. I like to see great athleticism and gutsy calls by coaches. But in the end, make no mistake, I like to see a winner. Now we should know that when players/teams agree to go on/in to the field/arena, they understand they could be the loser. Most of them are not actually contemplating losing but rather winning and in that contemplation, they are planning on someone being a loser, albeit they are planning that it will be the other person/team. So in the context of sports, there will be winners and there will be losers and by virtue of one "playing" the game, they understand that axiom from the outset.

Recently, two Texas high school teams made the headlines. The winning team posted 100 points to the losers zero. That score has turned up a pretty big row though. Some feel that the coach of the winning team went too far as he let his team continue to "run up" the score. And then to garner your sympathy for the losers, as if the score is not enough, we are informed that the losing girls team actually has very few athletes at its school. In other words, the school is not a very big "farm" from which to build a successful girls basketball team. All of this is meant to stir us up against the winning coach/team/school. And I want to shout a big, STOP THE BUS and back up here. If you want a handicap, play golf or take up bowling. But basketball does not recognize handicaps and award points accordingly. As far as I understand it, neither do football, baseball, NASCAR, hockey, tennis, ping pong...I think you get the picture.

Competition is meant to distinguish a winner and by virtue of having a winner, it means that someone DID NOT win. I like the phrase, 2nd place is really just the first loser. If you do not like 2nd place either do not enter the contest OR get better at what you do.

Perhaps there should be a mercy rule in sports that once a particular boundary/margin is crossed, the team/player that is behind, LOSES the event. Then the score or margin of victory would be smaller than 100-0. But in the end, whether a race is lost by 1 second or 1 hour, the race is still lost. Whether a game is lost by 1 point or 1 touchdown, the game is still lost. Whether a game is lost by 1 run with the bases loaded or 10 runs, the game is still lost.

In the particular event that I am referring to, the winning coach has taken a lot of heat. But why has no one chided the losing coach for not throwing in the towel after the first half? Why did he submit his team to such a superior team knowing the inevitable outcome? Why didn't the losing coach forfeit after the first half and then propose a member switch for the second half to make the event more challenging though it would not go down in the books? The weight of this event is being placed upon the shoulders of the winning coach rather than the losing coach. And that should not be so. BOTH coaches know that when they step into the arena of play, they could lose and they could lose big.

It seems to me we have bought into this sappy feel good mantra that no one can succeed and do well unless everyone succeeds and does well. With that thought, perhaps I need to challenge Tiger Woods to a game of golf. I'll need about a70 handicap to compete but in the end, I am not Tiger's quality of game. Should he back off his game because the others cannot compete? I say not! Should a student who excels in math be held back because the rest of his class just does not get it?

One more point before I bring my verbiage to a close. Some interject that just because this was a game between two "christian" schools, the winning coach should have exercised better judgment. Some are saying that Jesus would not have run the score up. And to those who would offer such, tell me, what would the score have been then if Jesus was the winning coach? And what about that "Golden Rule"? In the area of sports, I believe it would be this, "Did you give it your all?" How do you want the others to treat you? You should want them to give it their best and when you show up to play, you need to do the same. In this game, both teams gave it their best. However, one team's best was not enough to win.

And what can we learn from this? Sometimes, our best is not enough. And in one particular area, our best will never accomplish a win. Your best is not enough to merit salvation. Having giving it your all is not enough to merit your salvation. Jesus is not going to say, "Well I see you were up against some tall odds, I'll lower the bar for you". Jesus is not going to consider that you came from a tumultuous background and then give you an easy entrance. Instead, if you try to enter by any way other than faith in Jesus and His finished work, you'll hear the words, "Depart from me, I never knew you". Jesus was/is God's best. Jesus finished what you and I could not do. Jesus won where you and I, left to our own devices, will lose.

My final comments will be thus. If the winning coach desired to humiliate the other team, then he failed miserably. The losing coach wisely counseled his team and they did not give up but rather kept trying. But really, was the winning coach desiring to humiliate the winning team or was he desiring that his team gave it their all just as the losing coach was doing for his own team? Coach Micah says he was playing the game as it was meant to be played. I agree with Coach Micah.

You can read the AP story HERE.

A Website of Prayer

2009-01-13T09:36:00.001-06:00

National Prayer Challenge is a website encouraging and devoted to prayer for our nation and individuals at such a tumultuous time. Check it out and sign up if you are willing to make the commitment to pray. If only 1440 people will sign up for one minute of the day, someone will be praying at all times, round the clock. Can we meet the challenge?

DEFINITIONS TO PONDER

2009-01-08T11:29:00.003-06:00

Pride-the attitude of overestimation of one's own self.
Arrogance-an actual demonstration, as opposed to attitude, of pride.
Envy-awareness of the excellence of another and the desire to either have it or see them diminish.
Hubris-an actual demonstration, as opposed to attitude, of envy.

It is amazing to me that when we understand the proper meaning of words, the proper usage communicates more effectively. I found these four very helpful in my current studies.

A TINY BABY, A LITTLE CITY AND ANSWERS TO PRAYER

2008-12-24T11:55:00.005-06:00

How often is it, when you ask a request of God, that you expect it to be answered according to the way that you think it should be answered? In other words, you only see one way that your request can be answered and if it were to be answered in any other way, you probably would not recognize your answer? Now be honest in your answer to yourself. I am sure that we are told to let our requests be made known unto God and I am also sure that we are to ask, seek, knock and find. But I would like this post to help you expand your vision about how God may answer prayer.

Israel sought a deliverer to free them from the rule of the Romans just as they had all throughout their existence though the oppressor often changed. The Romans were a mighty and iron footed people. Crush the enemy that will not honor Caesar was more than likely the thought of many of the leaders and the military. And when you have an enemy as powerful as the Romans, surely many in Israel were hoping for another Sampson. The desire for an extremely powerful deliverer who had strength and cunning no doubt was the request in prayer of many to God. And when the time was right, God answered that prayer. But the way He went about it would puzzle any of us who would be seeking a deliverer of great strength. In our minds, we would expect Atlas to show up and defeat our enemy immediately before our eyes.

But God's ways are not hindered by our limited vision. And I am thankful for God who can do exceedingly and abundantly above all that I could think or ask. Sometimes, I am puzzled by the way that God does answer prayer and might even miss the answer to prayer should I ignore the way that He responds.

Consider the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, was and is their promised deliverer. But God sent their answer as a "fragile" baby. And the fact is, with the exception of a few, a baby was not what was being sought but a deliverer of great strength and might. Little did they recognize the strength and might clothed within the flesh of that little baby. Little did they recognize the answer to their prayers and the royalty from which this baby was ushered. No. They did not recognize their answer because kings are born in palaces, NOT in stables. No. They did not recognize their answer because a warrior is strong and able to take care of himself and NOT need the constant care of a mother. They missed their answer because they only thought they could be delivered as they understood deliverance.

Again, I am aware that not all missed the significance of this humble birth. I am sure that there were those who began to praise God for answering their prayers and watched with expectant eyes, the plan of God unfold. The joy that filled their hearts was overwhelming I am sure. Ah, but those who missed the manner in which God was working are to be pitied. The worry that consumed them, the anger that harassed them and the disappointment that defeated them was their food and drink while those who recognized God's answer enjoyed the food of confidence, peace and hope.

Sometimes, God's answer looks small and feeble and is even able to be missed by human eyesight if one is not careful in his presumptions. My encouragement to you this Christmas Eve and from here forward is that you will notice the humility of the manger and the quietness of Bethlehem and realize that sometimes, God's answer starts small but under the power of His almighty hand, it grows until it accomplishes that for which it was sent. That for which you have been praying may already be before you. Stop at the "manger" in the small city of "Bethlehem" and ponder the working of God. You will be totally amazed at what God can and will do with humble means.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year!

THE LORD'S PRAYER

2008-11-25T08:02:00.003-06:00

Luke 22:32a "...but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..."

I have grown quite accustomed to hearing from people that during their Bible reading, they came across a passage that they just had not realized was there prior to that moment. Oh, it was there alright but for whatever reason, there was a failure to notice those choice words. The quote I opened with is one of those passages of "choice" words pregnant with application.

These words were spoken by our Lord to Peter the night before the crucifixion during what we sometimes call, the Upper Room Discourse. I am ever awed that our Lord spent so much of that time focusing on the 12 Disciples as opposed to his own personal suffering. I know that in my flesh, I would have been more worried/concerned about the suffering to be endured than the failures of others. And also in my flesh, I would have been just a tad angry over the fact that the one I was about to die for was about to deny me. Hallelujah! What a wonderful Savior!

Now to my specific point in addressing this issue. Jesus had already prayed for Peter. Such words in the context of distress would usually bring comfort but Peter in his arrogance/pride did not see the need for such, though I am quite sure that these words came back to him as great comfort. But Jesus had not just prayed a general prayer(Lord bless him) for Peter. He was specific in his prayer for Peter, that Peter's faith would not fail. Not Thomas' faith, not Matthew's faith, not John's faith but Peter's faith. Why had he prayed such for Peter? Because Satan was looking for one to devour and he had desired that Peter would be that very one.

Allow me just a line or two for speculative thinking. What would have been the outcome had Jesus not prayed for Peter? Would Satan have been successful in crushing the wheat into powder during the sifting process? Would Peter have been dealt such a blow that he would have never recovered? But the Lord HAD prayed for Peter and though the time of sifting would come, it would be just the chaff of Peter that fell by the wayside not the wheat germ itself. Our Lord's prayer had been answered.

Simple question and the point of this post. For whom have you prayed to defend them against the enemy?

WHOSE PRAISE DO YOU SEEK?

2008-11-17T11:23:00.002-06:00

John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

The question was once raised, "what does a man profit if he gain the whole world but lose his soul?" The implied answer is, nothing. We often trade the permanent for the temporary as seen in Esau's trading of the prize(birthright) for pottage. We all love to be praised. Children and grandchildren bring their colorings to their parents and grandparents for the simple reason they want to be praised for their effort. As adults, we should not be seeking the praise of our peers. There are times when we should take comfort in simply knowing that we did what was right and beneficial though no one seems to have noticed. Why? God did notice and has noticed in the past and will notice in the future. His praise is genuine and His praise is perfect. And as the child that seeks the praise of his parents or grandparents, we should be seeking the praise of our spiritual parent, our Heavenly Father.

Secondly, it can be expected that if the world is praising you, God probably is not and the opposite would be true as well. If God is praising you, the world probably wants nothing to do with you. We see that in the life of Jesus. His Father was full of praise for Him but the religious leaders were full of nothing but envy and hatred.

It is true that we cannot please everyone. So the question is, who will you please; God or men? If God, open your mouth and confess Him and His Son Jesus to those around you. If men, the next question would be, why are you willing to trade the prize for mere pottage?

Conversation, Communication: Why Such a Challenge?

2008-11-13T16:14:00.001-06:00

Having been silent for some time now, due to time restraints, it is my intention to reenter the electronic environment of the blog. My re-entrance will focus on a subject that I have been interested in as I wander through blogdom. Primarily, the ability on blogs to hold conversation, communication and why it is such a challenge.

Conversation can be as difficult face to face as it is when using the printed word on a blog. Time passes between entries and although it does not happen on my blog, on others, that passage of time may mean the entry of 20 more thoughts all challenging, agreeing or disagreeing with what was said. At least when face to face, the idea that there can only be one speaker at a time usually rules the field. It is quite difficult to hear two speakers at once and understand their points of view. But on the blogs, this oftentimes happens. Multiple views are espoused and it may end up that many threads are being chased either in respect to the main idea or not. To approach blogs with the idea that conversation will be the same as when face to face or on the telephone reveals the naivety of the one who would do such. This mode of interaction, though not here on this blog, usually involves many sub-conversations all taking place at once and even consists of a few persons who attempt to be engaged in all the conversations at once. Surely, this calls for skill and some manage to do so and do it well. But for many of us, it would be wise to stay on topic or at least on a single thread before entangling ourselves in the conversations of others. Also, wisdom would dictate that one read the prior conversation before jumping in with both feet.

But just because conversation is taking place, is it right to assume communication is taking place. Communication does not imply agreement with what is spoken but is the writer actually writing what is meant AND are the listeners hearing without rose colored glasses, the true meaning and wording. Our biases sometimes…often??? shade what is said. But we have no excuse for letting our biases distort what was written. Words on a page are what they are. If such words are vague, we would be wise in either inquiring further into their meaning or just remaining silent. Personally, I like to ask lots of questions even if I use them as a tool to expose a weakness in another’s statements. AND when words are simply heard, for example an online sermon, one would be wise to separate their assumptions about meaning from what was actually said. The hearer does have the option of inquiring of the original speaker as to what was actually intended if there is room for disputation.

Blogdom can be a very useful tool of conversation and communication provided we interact with undivided attention AND a true desire to understand and be understood. After all, God spoke to and through men and prophets, who wrote that Word in preparation for the Incarnate Word and then once again, spoke to apostles who wrote the Word about the Incarnate Word because He desires to be understood.

GUSTAV

2008-08-30T20:17:00.002-05:00

As of the present, we are going nowhere. Planning to hunker down and take whatever Gustav dishes out. But, I reserve all rights to bail out at the last moment and head north to fairer land. Lake Charles should be on the west side of the storm according to the weather prognosticators. See ya'll on the other side of Gustav.

THIS...IS SCIENCE???

2008-06-27T08:58:00.002-05:00

I have watched with great interest the Phoenix mission to the planet Mars. Is it not amazing that we can send that much knowledge to a planet and cannot reduce our dependency on oil here on our own planet? But that is another thought for another time. I would like to draw your attention to a particular goal of this mission.

The Phoenix was equipped with special equipment which would allow it to take a few soil sample and check them to see if water was found in the soil. A few pictures back from the planet even showed what some scientists believe may have been ice in the dirt and that is particularly what they were looking for. Their reasoning is that if water is found there, then there is the possibility that life may exist or might have existed on Mars. But here is the catch in all of this scientific endeavor. NASA sent water to Mars. Yes, you heard me correctly. NASA sent water to Mars. You can find that article HERE. The following is the paragraph I am referencing.

"The Phoenix mission is not directly looking for life on Mars, but rather whether conditions for habitability ever existed. In the wet chemistry experiment, water was mixed into the soil to produce Martian mud. Then the apparatus performed the same sorts of tests that gardeners use to test the condition of their soil.

Did you catch that? They sent water to the planet to conduct experiments. The specimen upon which they are conducting their experiments has been compromised. Ah but some will argue that NASA has implemented all kinds of safe-guards to ensure that the soil experiments are not compromised. Oh, you mean the safe-guards that caused one landing craft to enter at a wrong angle and speed because one group of programmers used the Metric system while the others used the English standard system? Oh, do you mean the safe-guards that prevented one shuttle from exploding during take-off taking the lives of the seven astronauts with it? Oh, do you mean the safe-guards that prevented one shuttle from exploding upon reentry when heat and gases were able to mingle in a compromised heat shield?

Should the Lord tarry, a hundred years from now, water will be found on Mars. And it may or may not be because it already existed there but one thing is for sure, it will be found because NASA put it there.

Think about it.

COINCIDENCE OR THE HAND OF GOD?

2008-06-27T08:37:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, things happen around us and we are oblivious to the "cause and effect" of those happenings. Here is what I would like you to consider.

On May 15, 2008, California's Supreme Court declared gay marriage to be legal for their state. The ruling would take effect 30 days later. Gay couples began to marry on Monday, June 16th and West Hollywood celebrated a wedding marathon for homosexuals on Saturday, June 21. All that participated in this event are hoping that the people of California do not get this on the ballot and see their marriages voided. References can be found HERE and HERE.

On June 21, 2008, a lightening storm of unnatural proportions was unleashed across portions of California. After more than 8000 strikes, over 800 fires had been started in the rain starved bush of that state. The intensity of the storm and the origin of the storm have caused scientists to shake their heads in disbelief. References can be found HERE and HERE.

Coincidence? I think not. When sin is celebrated so openly and enthusiastically, we can be assured that heaven will respond. Why are people not connecting the dots? Drought and fire over a protracted length of time. Oh yeah, I forgot. This is because of Global Warming. Since there is no God in California, it must be the result of man.

Romans 1:21 Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God...

Think about it!

DARE WE FORGET?

2008-06-06T10:53:00.001-05:00

D-Day. June 6, 1944.

AN ATTEMPT TO NEUTER GOD

2008-05-20T13:53:00.002-05:00

The article I am referencing is available HERE.

The referenced article has some interesting statistics. But the header and the eye catcher in the article is the fact that a new prayer book is being written that wants to render God gender neutral. This attempt of man to modernize God's Word is a feeble attempt which in the end undermines their own prayers even. When Jesus prayed in the garden, he referred to God as His Father. If God is not the Father, then the son-ship of Jesus is a farce. You cannot remove the gender of God without destroying the revelation of God to man. Undermine the relationship of Jesus to His Father and you undermine Christianity. Undermine Christianity, why even pray?

Paul wrote well of such in Romans 1.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,...

AN ANSWER LONG SOUGHT FOR

2008-04-28T08:58:00.002-05:00

There are many who ask the question, "Why does trouble come my way?" or at least some version of that question. Usually, it is asked when the "heat" is on so to speak. To use a different illustration, the thought does not usually cross one's mind until a storm is upon them and then the question arises, "Why this trouble?". The Bible has the answer to your question. You may not like the answer but it is definitely the answer to the question.

Why do troubles come? According to Paul in II Corinthians 1:9, trouble comes "that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God...". Now, in Paul's particular situation, the trouble was death and Paul's hope in this particular situation was that God raises the dead. But the core principle of this verse is that Paul says he was learning to trust in God, not in himself.

Isn't that really were we all run amok. We like to think that we have things all under control. We like to think that we have things all planned out. We have our calendars and our day planners and our computer programs and everything is timed to the "T" to work out just right. Therein lies our problem. We are trusting in ourselves rather than God. Troubles come, therefore, to teach us NOT to trust ourselves but rather to have faith in God.

There is NO SITUATION you can find yourself in where God cannot sustain you. And maybe, just maybe, that trouble that is upon you now or coming your way is to reveal that you have been trusting yourself more than trusting God. Certainly it is not something we love to experience, trouble, but the experience will certainly teach us to love our God more than we love ourselves.

May God's grace super-abound in your life today.

IT TAKES RAIN!

2008-04-18T08:03:00.003-05:00

Even as I am typing this, rain is falling outside. I am quite sure that there are some home builders who are not happy with the liquid sunshine. I am also sure that there are others who had plans and this rain is washing away at those plans. But I LOVE the rain.

I am a gardener of two sorts. I have a vegetable garden and the beginnings of a rose garden as well as other plants and flowers. These veggies and flowers depend upon this rain for their growth. I can use city water but it does not have the same effect as rain water. After a rain, the grass grows much darker and fuller and the garden veggies as well. The city water does not have as good an effect as the rain water. I placed a 55 gallon plastic drum under one of my gutters to catch the rain water and I use it to water my plants and veggies until it runs dry. Then I hope for rain to fill it up again. Rain water is so much better than man's "purified" water.

The Word of God is likened to water. It washes and regenerates. Sure, you can use "man-made" water for your soul, but it does not produce, it cannot produce what only the pure Word of God can do. Have you had your water today? Do you long for the rain of the Word of God to quench your soul's thirst? Do you long for the real rain and not some man-made, second rate HOH with additives? Read your Bible. Meditate on either a Scripture you are memorizing or one that you have already memorized. Let God, through His Word, quench the thirst of a pilgrim traveling through a dry and thirsty land. Remember, it takes rain!

BLOG RECOMMENDATION

2008-04-15T08:01:00.002-05:00

If you would take the time, I would encourage you to stop over at BYRON'S place and read his latest article, "Be Skeptical of the Skeptics". It is informative and I believe it will bless you to read the truth that is uncovered in this article.

A CALL TO PRAYER

2008-04-11T08:33:00.004-05:00

Please pray for the family of Debbie Kaufman. She is a blogger herself and a frequent commenter on sites that I visit. Her 20 year old daughter has lost her husband in an motor vehicle accident. We pray that the grace of God may super-abound during this time of trial.

ARE YOU SOWING?

2008-04-04T08:02:00.002-06:00

Well, it is that time of year and Spring is in the air. The temperature stays in the upper 70's during the day and is even venturing into the lower 80's. The azaleas have bloomed and now need trimming. The roses are beginning to yield their blooms and the wisteria is beginning to wind down. The grass is green, hummingbirds have returned and the lawn mower shops are bustling with sales and activities. It is also time, actually about 2 weeks past, to plant the old garden. It can be a lot of work getting a garden together. There are weeds to pull, rows to make, decisions to be made about what to plant and where to plant it. But one thing is sure, if you do not plant, you cannot reap. If you do not put seeds into the garden, your garden will not bear fruit. And, besides weeds, you only reap what you plant. You cannot plant corn and expect to get green beans or vice-versa. You plant knowing that it is about 2 months away before you can begin to expect fruit but you plant anyway. The payoff is tremendous. The hard work is fruitful and can be very rewarding. There is nothing like a pot of fresh green beans, seasoned with smoked bacon or sausage.

Our spiritual lives need the same amount of attention and care. We cannot reap where we have not sown. AND, we reap what we sow. Sow weeds and you profit weeds. Sow fruit and you will profit with fruit. How can we sow as Christians? First, I would say you need to sow the Word of God in your minds. Memorize Scripture. Read Scripture. Study Scripture. Meditate on Scripture. Secondly, I would say you need to sow by sharing the Word of God. Whether words given to encourage, heal, challenge or evangelize, share with the hope of seeing God bless the work with returns. Third, I would say you need to sow by supporting those who are sowing the Word of God. That usually means finances but more importantly, your prayers and your involvement in helping them are what are most desired.

So, what are you sowing?

Galatians 6:7-10 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Check Out My New Blog

2008-04-03T11:53:00.003-06:00

I have started another blog that will allow me to keep the sanctity of this blog and yet still venture into the world of the Southern Baptist Convention, its politics and its problems. It is found at:

All Things SBC

Stop in and visit.

PLANS FOR TOMORROW?

2008-03-31T09:17:00.002-06:00

Did you check with God about those plans? This is just a friendly reminder that God is not on our timetable but rather we are on His. We may be able to change the outside color of hair, but God can permanently change the DNA of your hair. When you can change the actual color of your hair, then I suppose God may take your plans a little more seriously.

We all make plans, yes we do. It is Scriptural to make plans.(last post) But it is not Scriptural to presume that you can carry out those plans without considering what God is doing. God's will is going to be done no matter how much we may strive against Him. The American "Can Do" Attitude attempts to influence us into thinking that we are in control of our destiny. However, the Word teaches us that God is the ultimate One in control of destiny.

Hear these words from James 4:15.

For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that.

So, what have you planned for tomorrow???

Count the Cost.... BEFORE....Not After

2008-03-25T08:32:00.001-06:00

Sure you want a puppy. After all, it is so soft and cuddly and cute. It is fun to watch it chase balls across the floor. And who does not laugh when it chases it tail around and around until it gets dizzy?! But wait. What…what is that the puppy is doing now? NOOOOOooooo, not squatting on the floor. Aw mannn. Human reaction is not fast enough to thwart the bodily functions of this puppy. Now, a damp spot in the carpet and a little pile of pooh of which needs disposing await human reaction. Finally, it is bed time and so the little pup is placed in its bed. It peers from the blanket with huge eyes of wonderment as to what is going to happen now. The human body longs for its own bed and its feet turn from the puppy to head to the bedroom, but the tickety-tick of little puppy nails on the floor indicate that the puppy has learned how to follow. Placing it back in its bed followed by sharp admonitions to stay should do the trick. Ahhh but the puppy has a few tricks up its fur. What is it now? Yelp yelp yelp yelp. Whimper. Whine. It is lonely. This is its first night away from its own family. The night is a sleepless night for all in the house. Eyes blurred by the lack of sleep miss the nights gift of a wet spot in the hallway floor. The kitchen has its own gift awaiting as the puppy rounds the corner. It really was cute when it was picked out of the litter. In fact, it was the cutest of all the little pups. Having a puppy does not seem to be the brightest of choices now. What happened?

Somebody forgot to ponder, for even a moment, the care and upkeep associated with the puppy. Counting the cost was exchanged for consideration of cuteness. Temporary desire overruled life-long devotion. Commitment to a person, project or pet is just that. A commitment. Rather than failing to live up to those commitments, a person should avoid them altogether. If you cannot be faithful, do not marry. If you cannot finish the project, do not start it. If you cannot take care of the pet, do not take it home.

Many things seem like a good idea at the time. In fact, when I fail at something now and somebody asks why I did what I did, I try to make it a habit to say that, “it seemed like a good idea at the moment.” But what I do not like is when something turns out one way other than what was expected and the reason that it was not expected is that the cost was not counted and then you begin to hear complaining. In fact, you will even hear, “I did not count on this happening.” Well, simply put, you should have put more counting into your plans. Hear the words of Jesus.

Luke 14:28-32

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have to finish? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is ye a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

While the application Jesus makes is specifically to the cost of discipleship, the truth that Jesus puts forth is applicable to all of life.

Count the cost BEFORE you begin so that you may finish well.

THE IRONY IS

2008-03-23T07:09:00.001-06:00

...that there are those who, as of today, still have not found Jesus.

JEREMIAH WRIGHT: Eisegesis and Historical Revisionism

2008-03-18T13:45:00.003-06:00

Occasionally, we read on blogs the accusation towards another of eisegesis rather than exegesis being the foundation of an argument. Occasionally, we may find ourselves listening to a recorded message on the radio by some pastor or some televised message that we label as eisegetical in nature rather than exegetical, but the message by Barak Obama's former pastor yet current mentor is rather obvious. In one of his sermons, which are readily available on YouTube, he makes the statement that "Jesus was a poor black man". As blinded as the Pharisees were before Jesus, this preacher stands before his own congregation. Wright's characterization of Jesus as black is as bad as those painters who give Jesus blue eyes and blonde hair. You can point to the Bible all you want and say that it tells you Jesus was a poor black man under the rule of rich white people but the fact that you are a pastor does not make it right. Point blank, Wright is WRONG! Jesus, incarnate, was a Jew come to save His people, the Jews who are not black(African) and who are not white(European) but Jews AND who also came to save the black, white, red and any other color fella you want to list. The attempt to make Jesus more/less than what He is/was is idolatry. And no one, regardless of color gets a free pass when it comes to rightly dividing the Word of truth.

Occasionally, we read modern books that attempt what is called historical revisionism. This is a reference to the attempt to rewrite history not to record what actually happened but rather history with a slant from the writers point of view. This slant is supposed to help a modern agenda. Again, Wright is wrong. He seeks to make a correlation between the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and 9-11. He would repaint the pre-WWII history and make the United States the aggressor rather than Japan. He would repaint the modern history of 9-11 to make the United States the aggressor rather than Al Qaida/Taliban. Wright wrongly states that this is the reason for America's troubles, that "America's chickens are coming home to roost".

America has troubles to be sure but America's troubles stem from it rejection of the Biblical principles upon which it was founded and the God that blessed America rather than aggression towards Middle Easterners. America has troubles to be sure but America's troubles stem from pastor's who do not rightly proclaim the truths of God's Word but instead tell their congregants what they want to hear rather than what God wants them to hear.

We have traded the Gospel of spiritual deliverance from sin and death for a social gospel of handouts without accountability. We have traded the truth that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places for the lie that the white man is the black man's enemy and the black man is the white man's enemy. We have an enemy and he is the same enemy that is behind racism, Nazism, Islam and a host of other 'isms. He is the same enemy that thought that by killing Jesus, he could usurp the throne for himself.

God help us to tell history as it was and the Gospel as it is.

IN DEFENSE OF LARGE FAMILIES

2008-03-11T07:18:00.003-06:00

I was both saddened and happy when I read a recent letter. A couple wrote their friends and families to tell of the fact that they were expecting another baby. Daddy, mommy and 5 children were excited about the new addition to their family though they would be waiting another 8 months for it to arrive. In this letter, the lady was compelled to write that she desired that everyone would be happy for them. I was overjoyed to hear they were expecting again and the fact that this child would make the sixth time the Lord had blessed them was in no way a hindrance to my joy at all. But to live in a world where she felt that there would be some reading who would think that she was just going way to far shows just how much of the Word of God we have forgotten. To think that there are people who would question, chastise or belittle the next blessing this family was about to receive is beyond my understanding. So to those who think large families are a burden and to those parents who have been questioned about their reason for adding to their number, let me offer to you the Word of the Lord.

Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

It is time that especially we as Christians see children for what they truly are. They are a gift, a treasure given to us by the Almighty God. Neither global warming nor global cooling nor taxes nor personal goals should be allowed to influence us otherwise. Families are the KEY to a functional society and you cannot have families without children. Thank God that those who can have large families do and may God bless them so that their children will continue to bring a heavenly influence over the world as a whole. May God truly bless the wombs of His children and may they indeed celebrate the blessings of the LORD.

TOP NEWS HEADLINES THAT ASTOUND

2008-03-04T16:53:00.002-06:00

With hopes of slapping Christianity and Judaism, it is now reported that Moses had a little help on Sinai:
LINK

And yet Islam followers are given a free pass:
LINK

Can you imagine the outcry if the first story was that Mohamed had been smoking camel dung and that Christian women were asking for their own time to exercise at Harvard?

It is so comforting to me, in the midst of such duplicity, that this world is NOT our home but that we have an eternal home, not made with human hands, awaiting us. Blessed thought this is!

WORD FOR THE WEEK

2008-03-03T09:13:00.002-06:00

THANKFULNESS

The attitude of the heart of a father to the heavenly Father for His grace and mercy upon his son.
The attitude of the heart of a father, to the Father, when he contemplates what could have been apart from Divine Intervention.

UPDATE ON BUBBA

2008-02-20T12:59:00.002-06:00

Bubba is doing well all things considered. In fact, considering the grace of God, Bubba has a new lease on life. We are praying that infection will not set in and we are doing all within our ability to ensure that it does not but our dependence is upon the Lord. Below is a link to 2 pics of his leg. WARNING: They may be graphic to some.

Thank you all for your prayers and Praise God for His goodness.

To Pics.

PRAY FOR BUBBA

2008-02-18T02:18:00.002-06:00

I and my family are asking that you pray with us for our son Bubba. He was cleaning his gun yesterday and shot himself in the leg. The bullet entered and exited his leg twice running along a downward angle. The Lord was gracious to us in that no arteries were severed and the bone was not hit. This alone is a miracle but the bullet is another miracle. It did not do as it was designed to do. It was a 40 calilber hollow point that failed to mushroom. The bullet actually landed in his boot. We are thanking and praising God that all is well but we are also asking that no infection results. We will be visiting the surgeon later today to double check the work of the ER doctor. He has at least a month of recovery ahead of him but praise God we still have him. I'll be out more so this week than normal but I appreciate your prayers.

CHARLES BARKLEY: HYPOCRIT

2008-02-17T14:09:00.004-06:00

Check out this LINK where sir dunks-a-lot spewed garbage from the dumpster. Uh Charles, you have done what you declare that the conservative Christians have done. But, it is all well and good when the Left does it for after all, the rules only apply to the Right, at least that is the way the Left would have it.

I also guess that by Charles' logic, liberals are the real Christians. Charles, a real Christian is one who follows JESUS CHRIST. And in case you have not heard, Jesus did tell people to go and sin no more, which means that they were sinning. But He did not come to condemn sinners to hell, He came to save sinners from hell and part of that saving surely means that the Christian now follows Jesus as master and not sinful lifestyles. This means, Charles, that abortion is a sin that can be forgiven but it is sin none-the-less. This means, Charles, that homosexuality is a sin that can be forgiven but it is sin none-the-less. Making sin legal or illegal, Charles, does not make it any less or any more sinful.

Stick to giving basketball tips, Charles. It is obvious you know nothing of the Word of God.

HAVING YOUR CAKE AND EATING IT TOO!

2008-02-07T10:13:00.000-06:00

Check out this link:

Adoption of Islamic Sharia law in Britain is 'unavoidable', says Archbishop of Canterbury

How well do you think the reverse would be received in the Muslim countries? I say it would be about as well received as screen doors on submarines by the Navy. Just wouldn't happen would it?!

WHERE'S MARY?

2008-02-07T08:06:00.000-06:00

Revelation 5:2-5 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of th elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

For all those who would contend that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was sinless, these verses prove to be a devastating blow. In fact, for all who would espouse any other savior than Jesus have a very difficult time in getting past these verses. The search for any person worthy to open the scroll eliminated not only those in heaven but those on earth as well. Amongst this crowd, even Mary was not found worthy. To espouse to others that she is to be sought through prayer for favors is patently blasphemous. There is only One who is worthy of worship, honor and glory. There is only One worthy to open the scroll and it was not Mary. While she was blessed among women, the title Blessed One is only reserved for the Christ.(Romans 9:5)

For that matter, we can also ask where Mohamed, Krishna, L. Ron Hubbard, Confucius, Paul, John and others were when this question is asked. Truth be known, NONE are worthy. There is only one worthy and it is the Lamb of God who was slain for our transgressions. Salvation is not by accident but it is by the purpose of God and only through His Son.

Reader, do not trust the inventions of men for salvation when the plan of God is so perfect yet restricted. Man's works do not achieve the righteousness of God. Righteousness is imputed to us through Christ and Christ alone by faith and faith alone. When this passage in Revelation makes it so clear that Christ is the only Holy One, why would you seek after another? Turn to Christ while it is still day. Turn from idols before the night falls. Mary cannot save you, but her Son can. Mary cannot change your heart. Jesus can and will if you will but call upon Him for salvation.

There are no other options for there is none in heaven, none in earth and none under the earth worthy to save you than Jesus Alone.

MARDI GRAS MADNESS

2008-02-04T10:15:00.000-06:00

I live in the Gulf Coast region of the state of Louisiana. With the exception of Contraband Days, this is one of the biggest events in our area. Fat Tuesday, as it is celebrated down here, is a time of excess. It is a time of excess limited only by legislation and imagination. In fact, some laws are "overlooked" during this time so as not to spoil the fun and revelry. Fat Tuesday is a time to throw moderation to the wind and indulge one's self with the complete knowledge that the day after, known as Ash Wednesday, everything will be made right. In other words, sin does not account for much on Tuesday because it will be absolved on Wednesday. Or, we can sin today because grace will abound tomorrow.

The names of such Krewes as Bacchus, Endymion and Zeus, among others, ought to be a hint of what one could and should expect during this event. Gods and goddesses are venerated and celebrated with such enthusiasm as to convince one that they really exist. Oh c'mon Luke. These are not being worshiped. This is just a lot of people having fun. And my retort is this, "What fellowship does Jesus have with Baal?" As the people of God, we are to be separate from the base elements of this world. In the world, yes, but not of it! And what can be said of sinning today knowing we can have grace tomorrow? Romans chapter 6 is Paul's answer to such. GOD FORBID! To sin under the presumption of grace speaks at best of carnal Christianity and at worst, sin darkened hearts with no real knowledge of or relationship with the Light.

Do not envy the ways of southern Louisiana and Mardi Gras. Rather, pray that the true children of God would come out from this practice and recognize what a shame this is to the Only True God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

WASP NESTS AND WATER

2008-01-29T07:48:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with.

What did you really hope to accomplish by throwing that rock at the wasp's nest? It would have been better had that question been asked BEFORE the rock left your hand. There is always a motive. But every motive does not always have as its end the goal of honoring Christ.

WORRY, and THOSE WHO DO

2008-01-24T08:30:00.000-06:00

A person who worries about things that have not happened would make a very poor banker. Instead of waiting until a savings account was opened to begin attributing interest earned where due, the banker would add interest to an unopened account because of what the depositor might invest. In no time at all, the banker would be broke and destitute.

Worry is like that. Worry is interest paid on an account not yet invested. And to compound the problem, the amount may never even be invested or it might only be a fraction of what was thought that would be. And yet, so many people live their lives on what might be instead of what is and will be.

Worry in its self accomplishes nothing. Well, that is if you do not consider a stomach ulcer, heart problems, increased cholesterol, sleepless nights, headaches and fatigue as anything. Worry does not change events. Worry neither increases nor decreases the likelihood that an event will or will not occur. Maybe we can then define worry as payment on a bill not received.

What then is the cure for worry? Very simple. Get so enamored with seeking God and His righteousness that you do not have time to contemplate what tomorrow holds. Put another way, stare so long into the sun(Son, Jesus, the True Light) that the things of this earth around you grow fainter and fainter.

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.(KJV)

ARE YOU READY TO BE OFFENDED?

2008-01-14T15:32:00.000-06:00

I can remember when I was younger watching the Duracell commercial on the television which featured the then prominent actor, Robert Conrad. In the commercial, he was to be exhibit the tough guy image by placing a battery on his shoulder and daring you to knock it off. I still remember my wish that somebody would. I would love to have seen his reaction.

Today, we live in a highly charged, antennae saturated, overly sensitive society. Political correctness has run so far amok and reached such a volume that some are reluctant to speak because someone else may be offended by something said in spite of the fact that no offense is intended to be communicated. However this post is not being written to address those that offend when they speak but rather to address those who are offended by everything they hear.

Let me start this then by saying that if profanity offends you, in addition to calling/writing the advertisers of movies that contain such, you need to only turn your TV off. It is that simple. Do not watch the movie/program. Now I do not like profanity. I learned quite a while back that profanity is the attempt of a feeble mind trying to express itself forcefully. When I hear profanity being used, I acknowledge to myself that the person speaking the profanity lacks the moral integrity and virtue that the Spirit of Christ would seek to instill in such a person. While not restricted to only profanity, when the Scripture says that we should not let any corrupt words proceed from our mouths, profanity is included. Other people are offended by suspected racists comments. Others still are offended by what we would call sexists comments. This list could get extremely long but we dare not forget the socio-economic comments that some would find offensive and extreme.

In each of these situations, the hearer is wearing their particular ideology like a battery on their shoulder just daring and waiting for anyone to knock it off. Have we, as Christians, forgotten what Jesus came for? He came not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. As his ambassadors, we have the same calling. We are to be a people that seek reconciliation rather than the condemnation of another. Rather than be offended by a person's speech, what I hear is a soul that needs the work of the Holy Spirit. And might it just be that through me and a humble spirit on my part, that God might reach said offender. When I am easily offended, I lift myself up rather than Christ. Rather than seeing a sin darkened heart when I am offended, I see the red of my pride that I believe is so worthy of respect. If a person respects not Jesus Christ, how in the world can I expect that they would respect me? And if their life is lived in such a way that it can be said of them they respect and follow Christ, perhaps, just perhaps that the words they uttered that you found so offensive were in no way intended or meant to be offensive but were interpreted that way through the battery that was being displayed on your shoulder.

Passing laws in our country have done nothing to change the heart of man. Laws may restrain the actions of man but they do no have the ability to do what only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do, change the heart. As an ambassador of Christ then, I am to ultimately be concerned about the hearts of man. Just because their actions have been restrained does not mean the issue has been settled. In fact, it is extreme naivety to think that restraint has changed the heart. Sometimes, restraint actually enrages the heart and the opposite of what is best happens. As Christians, we should be ready to dialogue about our Savior and the power afforded by him to make the changes that we so desire. Can we forget about ourselves long enough to see that at least on our part, Christ is lifted up? Is there enough integrity within our own hearts to make sure that Jesus Christ is offended before we are? Need we be reminded that all sin is actually against Christ though it may be aimed at man?

Why would what I have said offend anybody? It is precisely because it would seem that I am giving the offender a free ride. It would seem that I am placing the responsibility on the offended rather than the offender. Absolutely not. Rather, I am bringing back into the equation that which is so often neglected or disregarded. Is my display of being offended bringing dishonor to the cross and work of Jesus Christ? It does become necessary to confront such a one who would bring forth corrupt speech but that is the subject of another post. Rather, this one is to deal with the hearts of those who cry foul so easy when they are offended.

Genesis 21:25-30 has an interesting correlation for this subject. Abraham was wronged/offended by the actions of another and instead of pitching a fit, Abraham gave the offender gifts as a sign that he, Abraham, had been wronged. Boy, would this turn our court system for civil suits on its head or what? But, that can be the subject of some other post as well. My point, what does the behavior of crying foul so swiftly and easily say about the condition of the heart of the one who is crying foul?

While this may not float so well in the world's eyes, it ought to sail rather smoothly on the ocean of Christianity. Shouldn't it?

A FACET OF THE ATONEMENT

2008-01-09T07:48:00.001-06:00

I'm preaching through the Gospel according to John and a particular passage jumped out at me like at no other time before. Here it is:

John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.

This one verse can turn one's entire view of the atonement on its end. I, as well as many of you, have been taught, listened to many sermons, read many books and studied about the atonement and its extent. What does this verse say about the atonement.

At the cross, where Jesus laid down his life, a price was paid. A debt was paid. A punishment was endured. A transaction was made. However, the legal effects of this sacrifice, as pertaining to a sinners guilt before God, only become real or transacted at the moment that the sinner/guilty believes in Jesus, the great I Am. Unbelief, the refusal to accept Jesus as God in the flesh(and thus his teachings), results in one being judged guilty and sent to eternal punishment for their own sins. Mark 16:16 (for those of you who have not cut it from your texts) reinforces this concept that, "the wrath of God remains upon them that believe not."(Henry, vol5, pg 989)

What happens at salvation then is this. Jesus does not die again every time someone believes for the Scriptures plainly teach that Jesus died once. But, at the moment someone believes, the price that Jesus paid is applied to the debt, sin, of the believing. Not before, not some second blessing later but at the moment of belief.

Jesus did not universally pay a debt that rendered all men sinless. At the cross, Jesus paid the debt for those who had died in belief. Hebrews 11 has a list of many, though it is not exclusive to them alone as being the only ones who died in belief. But the forward application of the cross only takes place when a person "believes" in Jesus as the great I Am. At the cross then, the payment was "actual" for those before the Christ, and is "potential" for those coming after the Christ. It is kind of like the miracle of II Kings 4:1-6. As long as there are vessels to be filled, the oil will keep pouring and will not stay until there are no more vessels to fill. The blood of Jesus shed at the cross, like such, will keep paying the sin debts of those who believe until there remains no more to believe. The cross, like the pot of oil, has great potential to fill many. But its application stops once there are no more who believe.

Who then can be saved? Whosoever will, let him come. For Jesus' payment will be applied to your debt at the moment salvation is graced upon you. But know this, refusal to have faith in Jesus, the great I Am, and you will die in your sins and YOU will eternally pay your debt of sin. It is not enough to know his teachings. It is not enough to believe he is a prophet. It is not enough to believe he was a good man. He must be received, by faith, as the Christ, the Messiah, the Lamb of God. If there is an empty vessel, there is oil to fill it.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

2008-01-07T21:26:00.000-06:00

These things ought not be so!

If you have no frame of reference to which I allude, you are more blessed than you realize.

Lord,
Have mercy on us and flood us with you peace. Grace us with wisdom, patience and forgiveness toward others. Help us to decrease that you might increase.

SELAH

ANGLICAN ANYALYSIS AWRY

2008-01-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

HERE is an article of just recent that ought to get your eyes a rolling. With Christmas being past and only a few hundred days until it returns, there is much time to consider what the Archbishop has to say. Now I realize that there is much about the birth of Jesus that we do not know. What time of night, how many shepherds there were, seems to have been anything but silent for the shepherds, how many wise men there were and exactly when, date and time, they showed up are a few questions that are batted around to which we do not have an absolute biblical answer. But when one begins to cast doubt upon what the Word actually records, now it is time to scrap. Two points wherein the Archbishop showed his true reasoning behind bringing any of this up anyway are:

1. He actually denies the account of Matthew 2:9 by saying that "stars just don’t behave like that". Well, Matthew records that this one did. Perhaps the Archbishop thinks that Matthew was just recording legend, folklore, myth? In his feeble attempt to set the record straight about the Christmas celebration, he ends up with all four wheels in the ditch. To deny the very truth recorded by Matthew based upon his understanding of earth science rather than faith in God and the truth of His word is bound to eventually resurface in the doubting of other portions of the Word of God.

2. He actually calls the virgin birth of Jesus a "hurdle" over which new Christians did not need to concern themselves with in order to be "signed up". I can only assume that by being "signed up" he is referring to salvation. If that be the case, he believes it but it isn't necessary for others to believe in the virgin birth in order to be saved. If Jesus was not virgin born then he was simply the offspring of Joseph and Mary, which would make Jesus a mere mortal and not Immanuel. If Jesus was not virgin born then his death secured nothing for the salvation of others much less his own. If Jesus was not virgin born, the the idea of the resurrection is absolutely ludicrous unless we deny other Scriptures about death and the afterlife. If Jesus was not virgin born, then what exactly is the calling of the Archbishop? Is it a call to a man-made organization? For there truly is no church if Jesus was not born of a virgin. Deny the virgin birth and you invalidate the entire New Testament.

May God have mercy upon this man and may the Holy Spirit show him the error of his way.

HUCAKBEE ON MEET THE PRESS

2008-01-02T07:51:00.000-06:00

If you did not get the opportunity to watch Sunday's show with Tim Russert(Most SB preachers/church goers are at church I think), you can still watch the interview with Huckabee HERE. That link also gives you the opportunity to read the entire transcript which I have done. I prefer the transcript because then I can pause and ponder the statements that are made without missing what comes next. Here is my take on one issue from that interview.

ORDAINED MINISTER OR POLITICIAN?

I am not sure what time during the interview this was but it is on page 6 of the transcript. Huckabee was asked about a statement that was penned in his 1998 book, "Kids Who Kill". In that statement, homosexuality was listed as an "institutionally supported aberration" along with pedophilia, sadomasochism and necrophilia. Huckabee, when pressed by Russert, demonstrated what it truly means to be a politician. Rather than AFFIRMING or even denying his previous statement from his book, Huckabee AVOIDS addressing the quote. Can we expect more of the same from Huckabee if he were elected to the White House? Strangely, Huckabee expects that BECAUSE he is a "Southern Baptist Evangelical" that he will automatically secure the support of other "Southern Baptist Evangelicals". HERE, in response to the action of Land to support Thompson, Huckabee said, "They make 'electability' their criterion." Let me point out the obvious. Huckabee, I contend, must have sensed that affirming the quote from his book on homosexuality would affect HIS OWN ELECTABILITY and so he avoided, if not abandoned, his belief that homosexuality is an "institutionally supported aberration". Huckabee appears to have abandoned his ordination at that moment for electability, or more commonly called, politically expedient behavior. HERE, Huckabee, in an appeal for "Southern Baptist Evangelical" votes also stated, "But I am a true soldier for the cause. If my own abandon me on the battlefield, it will have a chilling effect."

An ordained minister abandoning his beliefs and morals for electability have a chilling effect on me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-01-01T12:43:00.001-06:00

May the year 2008 be a blessed year for you and may your faith and love for the Lord Jesus Christ grow abundantly.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

For unto us was born, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. That Babe was found lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes just as the angels said He would be. God came and dwelt amongst us. The shepherds saw Him and spread the news abroad. The wise men came from the east and worshiped the young child. How will you celebrate this day that commemorates that moment in time when heaven came near? Will you draw near to Christ and worship Him and tell others about the Gospel?

May the message that stirred the shepherds and beckoned the wise men have the same effect upon our own hearts this glorious day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

FOR WHAT DO YOU HUNGER AND THIRST?

2007-12-17T08:03:00.000-06:00

We are in the midst of the greatest holiday season of the year. Beginning with Thanksgiving and ending a day or two after New Year's day, we spend the better part of about 6 weeks imbibing in a diabetics nightmare. Eggnog, fudge, cookies, chips and dips fill the menu for many. Office parties, church parties, Sunday School parties and family gatherings fill the agenda for many. Living down here in the gulf south does not afford the opportunity for snow to fill our yards, though the frost we had this morning was quite spectacular. Yes, I do long for knee deep snow. But beyond all of these temporary and transitory goodies, do you hunger and thirst for something more? When the holidays are gone, are you still left with a void that none of the prior things listed could fill?

There are many things we can search for and hope for and ask for. I really would like snow. Snow knee deep would really be neat. But is my desire for snow a deeper desire that even that much snow could not fill? Would that one request satiate me or would I long for more.

Well, amidst all of the things we could seek after, there is one that the Jesus said would lead to us being filled. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, he said, would be filled. If we were to list all of the things that we are desirous of this year, how many of them would fall under the category heading, Righteousness? Why are we then surprised when those things that do not fall under the heading Righteousness, do not fill us with any meaningful filling?

So, for what are you hungry and thirsty?

A FUNNY I HEARD

2007-12-06T07:56:00.000-06:00

Lord willing, I will soon be back into the blogging rhythm. For those of you who have been patiently waiting and encouraging me, I thank you.

Getting things back on track now, I have decided to share a TRUE story that I was told. This sounds unbelievable and it would seem that it came right out of some stand up comedians act but I assure you that this is first-hand knowledge of the event.

A young girl that I know was recently celebrating her 17th birthday and was given a watch by her uncle. She opened the watch and was excited to wear it. She asked her dad what time it was and proceeded to give him the watch to set it for her. Upon looking at the watch, he noticed that the time was correct and he told his daughter that it was so. She asked how the time could be correct and he told her that the watch had probably been preset by someone at the store or the factory. (Now I remind you that this girl has just turned 17.) His daughter replied, "Yeah, right! Like they would know this would be the exact time I would open my present."

THANKFUL? TO WHOM???

2007-11-22T09:28:00.000-06:00

I am thankful to our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. A lot of people will be speaking of WHAT they are thankful for today. I encourage you to tell them to WHOM you are thankful.

Blessings and peace be upon your homes today in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Save Treasures or Serve Jesus?

2007-11-08T08:17:00.000-06:00

There is a cliché that goes, “where God guides God provides”. Now as to who exactly was the first person to phrase that thought in this manner I doubt anyone but God truly knows. Not all clichés have validity and not all have truth but the one quoted has basis from the Word of God.

God had initiated a covenant with the people of Israel and part of the responsibilities revealed to Moses was that of the making of the Tabernacle. It was not a place for God to live, but it was a place for God to dwell amongst His people. God had set forth the standard that was to be used in building the Tabernacle and it would be a formidable task. The materials were not those that could just be found laying on top of the ground in one’s perusal through the wilderness. It was not called the wilderness because of its bounty. Another problem in building the Tabernacle would be in acquiring someone with the talents and skills that could build to the exact specifications.

Now consider this for a moment. God had given instructions for this to be built, how to build it and what to build it with. God also as we learn from the Scriptures provided for those instructions to be met. The people of Israel took with them from Egypt the spoils given to them and these spoils consisted of the precious items that would be used to form the Tabernacle. God had sent the plagues and because of the display of His power, not the Israelites, the people of Egypt were only too happy to get rid of the Israelites and their God. Another way that God provided was by giving wisdom to a worker who would be skilled in following God’s direction. God had also provided by giving Moses the details, measurements and even a glimpse of the real items so that the message could properly be relayed. But something was lacking. Something was missing from this mixture and chapters 35-36 reveal what this was that was missing. It was a God designed missing element. What was that element?

A willingness of the people to serve God in obedience. Chapter 35: 5, 21,26, 29; Chapter 36:2, 3. There is no doubt that God had given them the wisdom. There is no doubt God had given them the provisions. But now, God wanted the people to willingly return unto Him by obedience. They were not forced to participate. They chose to participate. They stirred up their hearts to serve the LORD. Yes, God had guided and God had provided. Now it was up to the people to serve the LORD, willingly at that, or become enamored with these treasures.

God’s righteousness requires righteousness from man. Man, lost in his own sin is unable to provide the righteousness needed to achieve God’s righteousness. God made provision for that righteousness through Christ Jesus. God guides man to Jesus through the preaching and hearing of the Word. Now the question to be answered is this: What will you do with the new life offered to you in Christ? Will you reject it? Will you delay a response to it? Will you keep it for yourself buried in some treasure box? Will you live it grudgingly in outward obedience? Or will you willingly yield all that you are and have up to Him in obedience? The Great God of love and provision yearns for your response.

Christianity and Halloween: Oil and Water

2007-10-29T08:25:00.000-06:00

Unless you have lived in a cave all of your life, the fact that there is opposition to the observance of modern Halloween should be no surprise to you. If you are reading this blog, I am equally sure that you are savvy enough to research the origins of this event as there is no shortage of information available on the internet about this particular day. Well then, you may ask, just why are you adding to the already abounding information about Halloween? My intent with this post is not to add more information to your files but instead to get you to process and think about that which you have learned.

Halloween's modern observance, apart from giving candy to kids, is about scaring, being scared, death and dying. For some, this day is a time for an office party or the likes in which it is okay to imbibe in drinks and other faculty diminishing provisions without restraint. It can be difficult, then, to try to lump all participants into one nice neat box when describing this day and the way it is observed. Yet, we are called to be salt and light in this world and find it necessary then to address this day and its common observance.

Haunted houses, witches, spiders, spooks, goblins, ax murderers, graveyards and ghosts inhabit this event. Shouldn't these things wave a red flag in the Christian's mind? Christianity does not deny the existence of demons and devils and Satan and the likes. However, we find through the reading of God's Word that these entities are our enemies and not our friends or even associates. Death and dying, as the end result of sin, are what Jesus came to defeat as our enemy and as such we are not to celebrate death and dying in the physical sense but we are to celebrate new life and everlasting life that is found only in Christ Jesus. Satan and his evil hordes are defeated through the power given to us by Jesus Christ. Why then would or should a Christian dress up like any of the such as if to honor those that are our enemies? Why then would or should a Christian participate in any events in which theses enemies evil character is celebrated or used in the intention to drive fear into the hearts of others? Can you really conceive of Jesus or the Apostles participating in these events?

By the way, I can offer you a way better option for your pumpkins than to carve a scary face in them in order to ward off wayward spirits. Carve them up into pieces, boil em down until they are soft. Blend them. Add egg, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and few other ingredients to taste and after a little more cookin', voila, pumpkin pie. Ummmmm Umm!

WHO CAN BE SAVED?

2007-10-09T09:04:00.000-05:00

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

These two verses are interesting in so many ways but there is just one aspect of these verses I would like to consider at this time. The idea to consider is that "God shall take away his part out of the book of life". I have searched commentaries and many have either skipped over this or glossed over it. And yet, this single phrase is so bound with truth. The argument amongst many 4pt vs 5pt Calvinists usually exists in the area of the extent of the atonement. This debate not only exists amongst themselves but also amongst Calvinists and non-Calvinists as well. How this phrase is interpreted can tie knots in our theology IF our theology is built more on philosophy than the revealed Word of God. So let us look at this phrase very closely and see what God has revealed to us.

The first clue to the understanding of this phrase is actually in verse 17. The Gospel call is universal in scope and is not bound by any limits whatsoever. "Whosoever will" is as broad a call as a call can be. The call is made to all men without distinction of any sort. The call made to all men is genuine without any reservation of any sort. It is not just a Gospel for the "elect". It is the Gospel for the WHOLE WORLD. The Gospel is Good News TO AND FOR all. How does that impact verse 19 then you may be wondering?

The idea that Christians can lose their salvation is not in sight here, that is one thing that is for sure. But that is NOT the MAIN idea of that phrase. There is a difference between having your name removed verses having your place removed. In the book of life, there is a "place" for all names to be written down. Just because there is a place for that name does not mean that all will be written down. For example, here in Louisiana, when we go to vote, there are many names recorded in a register. The only ones who can vote are those who sign their names in their place. There is the offer to all to vote, but only the signer can vote.(Please do not push this illustration too far, it will fail as will ALL of men's illustrations but its reason for being used illustrates clearly what is being said.) I'll say it once again. The book of life, as it were, has an available place for ALL. The all here is not just without distinction, but all in its entirety. The call of verse 17 illustrates that. However, those who reject the truth of God's word or add to God's word will/can not be saved but not only that, they will LOSE/FORFEIT their opportunity to be saved, their place will be removed. II Thessalonians 2:11-12 teach the same thing. Listen. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." For what cause? It is mentioned in verse 10 and verse 12. The did not receive or believe the truth! And the sending of the strong delusion is equivalent to having your place removed from the book of life. When that happens, there is no hope of salvation. When the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus is rejected, what other alternative is there to salvation? There is none. God's word teaches that there can come a point in time where a line can be crossed and one can forfeit any hope of ever being saved. Not that they would want to be as is clear from their rejection of the truth and Jesus.

Why then is this important? Because 5pt Calvinism teaches that there is only a chosen group that can be saved and that the others, though the Gospel they may hear, cannot respond nor would they want to respond because they are not among the chosen. I am saying, that is not so. The opportunity for ALL to be saved is apparent in Revelation 22:17-19. I am saying that the Gospel offer to any is a genuine offer and has potential. What the person does in response to that offer is what determines one's eternity.

In conclusion, I am not saying ALL will be saved. I am saying that the opportunity for ALL to be saved is legitimate. There IS NOT a secret list in heaven of those who can be.(while I believe it is known who will be). There IS the book of life. Upon those pages, every human born into this world has a place in the book and the opportunity of having their name written in their place if they will receive/believe the truth. Rejection of that truth can and will result in losing that opportunity and not only that, but the place as well. The Scriptures testify that TO DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...

GOSSIP AND ITS COMPANIONS

2007-10-01T07:29:00.000-05:00

I Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

MALICE...GUILE...HYPOCRISIES...ENVIES...EVIL SPEAKINGS

Malice-the intent, the thought/s, the inner thinkings
Guile-deception
Hypocrisies-appearance is contrary to reality
Envy-displeasure at the sight of another's excellence or joy
Evil Speakings-slander, backbiting, even includes the idea of defamation

NONE of these things leads to the growth of a Christian. They are not beneficial. Instead, they are destructive. These words are contrary to the teachings of Christ and they are contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life. Where gossip exists and abounds, you can be sure that in some form or distribution, you will find the others, malice, guile, hypocrisies and envies. And, where these things abound you will NOT find a Christian abounding in Christ. In fact, you most likely will not even find a Christian who reads the Word of God.

If you contend that you do not have any of those motives or intentions when you gossip, then pray tell, WHY DO YOU GOSSIP? If you contend that you can gossip and not possess any of these other qualities than you are self deceived. You are self justified. Gossip is NEVER with the intent of doing good. It may come under the disguise of doing good but the root of gossip is ALWAYS sin. If you truly have the other persons best interest at heart, go TO them do not talk ABOUT them. Also, to spread such even though you may not be the instigator, aligns yourself with the sin and not the right.

As I have asked in an earlier post, do you really desire to grow in the Lord? If the answer is yes, you have not but one option. Put Gossip AWAY from you.

GOSSIP AND THE HEARERS RESPONSIBLITY

2007-09-27T07:37:00.000-05:00

FOURTH IN A SERIES

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

You were hoping I wouldn't go there weren't you? Well, I did and we will provided you keep on reading. What is the responsibility of the listener when gossip is spoken? Oh, I know. The listener is to REBUKE the speaker and PUT THEM IN THEIR PLACE. Well, lets at least look at this passage before we make that assumption.

The first phrase IS NOT a command to hear what you like and ignore the rest. Rather, it is telling us to not pay attention to the babbling of others and babbling in general. Why? Because if you listen to all of the babbling and grumbling and complaining, you will hear your servant curse you and if you act against that grumbling and babbling, you are setting yourself in a higher moral plane than others and the reason is clear that that cannot be done. YOU likewise have cursed others in your vain babblings as well. We are condemned by our own actions if we condemn all actions of the other.

What does this have to do with Gossip? The hearer of such needs to filter what is heard. In other words, perhaps the one speaking the gossip is doing it out of anger and hurt feelings and on any other normal day, would not have said so much. Perhaps they are just babbling things about when they should have just kept their mouth shut. We are not speaking about those who are intentionally trying to stir up strife. We are speaking about those who, for whatever reason, are just "spouting off". The listener/hearer then should not make any judgment calls about the subject of the speech then. We have said things we do not mean before. We have said things out loud that we wish we had not said before. We have put our mouth in motion without having our wisdom in gear before have we not? Thus we are to use great wisdom in this situation. Sometimes, we just need to let it, the gossip, fall to the ground when we consider the source of the speech. We do not need to have an answer for all the babblings around and we certainly do not need to be correcting EVERY babbling we hear. We too say things when we are upset or discouraged or the likes.

So to the listener/hearer/over hearer of such things, sometimes, we need to just drop it and let it go. What they said may hurt and what they said may be wrong. But you and I have done the same thing to others when in reality, we were speaking off the cuff or on the spur of the moment or on a whim of emotion and not that our failures make theirs acceptable, rather, we give and grant room for forgiveness and understanding all the while knowing that if it were not for that same forgiveness, our own heart would be under condemnation as it must readily admit that we ourselves have done likewise.

May God grant us the wisdom to be as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves.

For the first in this series, go HERE.
For the second in this series, go HERE.
For the third in this series, go HERE.