Truth Revival

Can You Relate?

2015-10-05T15:31:00.000-04:00

http://momeaning.com/2015/09/30/can-you-relate/

Posted on September 30, 2015 by mograce15

Does God exists? Romans 1:18-32 tells us that “what may be known about God is plain…..so that they are without excuse” The question I found myself asking many times in the past was “what is God like?” “How do I get to know Him better?” “ Do I want to know Him better?” I am certain my friend Sal has had the same questions. So I asked him, “have you always been a Christian?”

I was not surprised to learn that like me he had been raised Roman Catholic. He explained that while in college, he met and dated his future wife. She attended an evangelical church. She asked him to come to her church one evening to listen to her sing. “Well” he responded, “I’ve already attended Mass” and she said firmly, “This is not an obligation but an invitation. It would make me happy if you came to hear me sing”. “So to please her” he said,”I went to her church, heard her sing, met her friends and after that experience I never went back to the Catholic Church.

His life changing event mirrored my own. My wife and I made friends at a CMA Church play group our children attended. We soon realized that these people had a relationship with God that was not born of a sense of obligation but in response to an invitation.

Jesus said “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

Sal and I wrestled with the idea of God, not so much about His existence, rather it was about relating to Him. Our view of God and how to approach Him was distorted. We had a bad relationship with God. ¹

This may be difficult for some people to accept but a true relationship with God does not come by obligation, the works of man, ritual or tradition but by the cross of Christ. Col 1:20

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

According to Jesus a right relationship with God is vital ;

“On Judgement Day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you….’ Matt 7:22-23

Even those who have done so much good have placed the foundation of their faith on works, obligation, ritual and tradition rather than the intimate relationship that God has designed for us to desire.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. Psalm 73:25

We tend to design our relational approach or non- approach to God according to our view of God. These distortions range from passive indifference to fanatical terrorism. Skye Jethani writes

“a great many people have settled for a darker existence… in which they relate to God in a way that leaves them discontent”.²
pg3 -“With”

He explains that most people mistakenly relate to God from four postures of religious life, spending their lives trying to live “over, under, from, or for God”never having been given a more beautiful vision of a “life with God” pg13 –“With” ³

How about you? Do you have a vision of living life with God? Can you relate?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2011/october-online-only/ur-video-skye-jethani-on-treasuring-god.html

Matt 11:28
¹Notes from lecture “The Psychology of Disbelief” Dr.John Coe ACC2014
Isaiah 1:18
Col 1:20
John 14:6
Matt7:22-23
Psalm 73:25
² Skye Jethani, “With” pg3
³ Skye Jethani, “With” pg 13

Go,In His Name

2010-10-23T15:48:00.003-04:00

St. Augustine once said,

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

In regards to prayer, it seems as if lately God is holding up a mirror to our prayers and saying “Yes, you go….”

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

This is how I feel God is responding to our prayers;

“Father, raise up godly leaders to positions of influence and help us through these corrupt and troubled times”

God is saying “Yes, you go and raise up godly leaders. Mothers and fathers teach your children. You have the ability to do this in my name.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

“Father, rescue the poor and the homeless”

God is saying “Yes, you go and rescue them. Create an environment where they can legitimately become part of the market place and be productive citizens earning there own living with dignity. You have the ability to do this in my name.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you”

2 Thessalonians 3:10 “Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: "Those unwilling to work will not get to eat”

Deuteronomy 25:15” Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Matthew 7:12 “Therefore, whatever you want people to do for you, do the same for them, because this summarizes the Law and the Prophets."

“Father, bring peace to a troubled people in the Middle East and throughout third world countries."

God is saying “Yes, you go and bring the peace I have given you to these nations and teach everyone my commandments.”

Matthew 28:19 “Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Matthew 28:20 “Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time."

“Father, rescue those who are being sold as slaves in the markets throughout the world”

God is saying “Yes, you go and rescue these people and bring the criminals before the court to stand trial and receive their punishment. You have the ability to do this in my name.

Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;”

Psalm 82:4 “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows."

“Father, help us to protect the un-born and allow them to live fulfilling lives.”

God is saying “Yes, you go and protect the un-born. Create a culture of life that embraces all humanity as a sacred creation endowed by me with un-alienable rights. You have the ability to do this in my name.”

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations."

Psalm 139:16 “your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Malachi 4:6 “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

“Father, help us turn away from sin and protect our children from a violent and narcissistic culture.”

God is saying “Yes, you go and change your culture into a reflection of all that is good. Create beauty and embrace truth and excellence in all learning, redeem the arts and pursue godly knowledge and wisdom. You have the ability to do this in my name.”

Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is-what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.”

“Father, bring healing and comfort to those who are ill and hurting and need your touch”

God is saying “Yes, you go and bring comfort to them. Minister to their injury and sickness and pray with them and for them that they may know my presence and my healing power. You have the ability to do this in my name.”

Hebrews 3:13 “On the contrary encourage one another, day after day, so long as To-day lasts, so that not one of you may be hardened through the deceitful character of sin.”

James 5:16 “Therefore, make it your habit to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Acts 4:29-30 “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

“Father, help us to live godly lives to know your will and to do it”

God is saying “Yes, you go and live godly lives and be holy and teach others the same. You have the ability to do this in my name.”

2 Peter 1:3 “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”

2 Peter 5:7 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

James 1:22 “But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

Perhaps, God has been holding up a mirror all this time, waiting for us to move obediently in His name, with faith that in His name, our prayers offered up in His name, will be answered.

Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Blogging for cash

2010-08-09T15:02:00.002-04:00

Cleaning up shop - not much time to write lately - so the content will be sporadic and generally focused on recent events, political and cultural.

However,the next essay,as promised,will be about the failed attempt of the Pilgrim settlers at living out a communist lifestyle. They had failed so miserably at producing a harvest that the winter following claimed many lives due to malnutrition.

I am hoping to be able to add more content to this blog. Embedding video clips of relevance and sharing links to other sites of similar content. The following means
absolutely nothing except a site marker to help me set up a means of earning some income while delivering timely and relevant essays.( A seed ascends around the turntable.)

Thus the journey continues and I hope you stay plugged in for the upcoming journalistic endeavor.

Wise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves

2009-11-24T22:13:00.007-05:00

There is a threatening cry of frustration coming from the extreme religious right against President Obama and his liberal socialist agenda. Tony Norman of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette writes in a recent article,

“Earlier this year, the Rev. Wiley Drake of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, Calif., instructed his followers to pray for Obama's death. Presidential candidate Alan Keyes' former running mate called down curses on Mr. Obama, based on prayers of vengeance from the Psalms.
In Tempe, Ariz., Pastor Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church called for Mr. Obama's death on the eve of his visit to Phoenix earlier this year."

Some of the so called “Christian faithful”, having no foundation from which to pursue opposing or reforming the policies of the political behemoth of liberalism, have resorted to speaking threatening words which could certainly be classified by some as hate speech. True followers of Christ should be quick to rebuke those who resort to this type of dissent. It is not Christ-like, does not help resolve the situation or advance a civil debate and attracts those who have no instruction in civil discourse. In short it is dangerous and helps no one but the enemy.

We must look at this question however. Why should there be this deep sense of frustration? President Obama and his Socialist-Marxist views should come as no surprise. In Scripture, Hosea 10:12 reminds us of the dangers of turning away from truth and righteousness.. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped iniquity; you have eaten the fruit of lies:" Yes we are eating the fruit of lies, and we are not brave or humble enough to seek the remedy.

What are we to expect from the generations we have trained and schooled for years in the philosophies of vain deceit. The Christian community has stood by and witnessed the gradual fall from righteous instruction to instruction in lies. Many have made the exodus from the leftist run educational systems and institutions realizing the immediate threat to their children and the future. In many instances most people have not been aware of a threat or not able to make a move, others are un-willing to make the sacrifices needed to insure the proper transfer of instruction and education to our young people. Thus we have reaped the fruits of our labor or lack thereof. Leaders who have no understanding of the concepts and ways of justice, liberty and freedom and personal responsibility are now in control of the political realm.

Let’s not fall prey to the tempter who would entice us to resort to acts of violence, but let us pray for our rulers even for those who oppress us. We should pray for wisdom in responding using the tools of our political structure to its best and highest use.

Recently a group of religious leaders signed a historic document called the Manhattan Declaration. This document affirms the commitment of religious leaders across the denominational spectrum to the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious freedom. I encourage you to read this important document and sign on in agreement.

http://manhattandeclaration.org

Our duty is to watch and pray and to continue in the way that God has instructed us.

Col 3:16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"

2 Timothy 2:22-25
"Keep a strong curb, however, on your youthful cravings; and strive for integrity, good faith, love, peace, in company with all who pray to the Lord with pure hearts. But avoid foolish discussions with ignorant men, knowing--as you do--that these lead to quarrels; and a bond-servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be inoffensive towards all men, a skillful teacher, and patient under wrongs. He must speak in a gentle tone when correcting the errors of opponents, in the hope that God will at last give them repentance, for them to come to a full knowledge of the truth"

We need to embrace once again the spirit of humility and thankfulness that our Pilgrim Fathers did; embracing the understanding and faith which brought forth the fruits of righteousness, a free self-governing people and a foundation for government based upon biblical principles.

Next Post; Pilgrims vs Puritans and Communism

Ideas Have Consequences

2009-11-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

As we grieve for the loss of brothers and sisters at Fort Hood, Texas, and pray for Gods peace and comfort for their families and the community, may we consider the urgent need to come to our senses regarding the folly of political correctness.

How many tragic events will it take before we realize that our current battles are not unlike the battles of yesterday? Why are we so often surprised by the actions of people who have a clear and dangerous ideological distinction from us? Many of us remember the stories of the Nazi occupation of European countries, the concentration and death camps and the determination of the followers of one ideology to extinguish all others. It took tremendous resolve and sacrifice to win this war. We faced a similar threat after World War II and fought the Communist in Korea and Vietnam and a Cold War with an arms build up and a somewhat diminished ideological debate. That debate like many others has been abandoned by the embracing of the new tolerance and moral relativity.

We are witnessing the fruits of ideological capitulation on the part of our religious, educational and political institutions. Nurtured by our intellectual political enemies in the universities and agencies of social change "Political Correctness" has become the defining quality of the New Progressive American. Not willing or able to take a stand against ideologies that destroy the liberating qualities of a moral absolute we are now unwittingly falling for anything, surrendering security and freedom. PC has neutered our ability to engage in a reasonable debate regarding the validity and consequences of philosophies and ideologies that shore up or tear down the God given freedoms we have been blessed with in America.

Kerby Anderson, of Probe Ministries International explains the problem.

“Much of the confusion stems from our country's misunderstanding of democratic pluralism. Our founders wisely established a country that protected individual personal beliefs with constitutional guarantees of speech, assembly, and religion. But undergirding this pluralism was a legal foundation that presupposed a Judeo-Christian system of ethics. Thus, in the area of personal ethics, people are free to think and believe anything they want. Moreover, they are free to practice a high degree of ethical pluralism in their personal life. To use a common phrase, they are free "to do their own thing." But that doesn't imply total ethical anarchy. Not everyone can "do his own thing" in every arena of life, so government must set some limits to human behavior.”

We are called time and again to stand up and engage the enemies of this freedom at all levels, spiritual, intellectual and physical. By necessity this will entail a healthy discussion unfettered by the touchy feely relativity of the PC intellectual. This will entail a healthy loving evangelical proclamation of the absolutes found in scripture with the hope of the propagation of the forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ. This will entail a strong posture of defense in our government and military that stands to defend the rights of all who do good, and punishing those who do evil while maintaining the highest capacities and qualities of justice and liberty. (Romans 13) This assumes that we are able to freely discern and express what is good and evil without the interference of those who would destroy our freedoms.

This first great battle was lost in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis chapters 2 and 3) When Eve was approached by the serpent, his first strike was to her intellect. He questioned Eve as to the validity of Gods word. “ Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’? As the devil twisted the words of God, Eve accepted his premise that perhaps God was not revealing all the beneficial attributes of his creation. Having captured Eves mind it was a short step to corrupting her will. You know the rest of the story. The concept is clear in scripture “as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:) the mind and heart control the will. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12: 35)

In many countries, Muslim thinking, based on studies of their religious text the Koran, is perceived as anti-Christian and consequently follows that it is anti-American. Many Muslims assume incorrectly that all Americans are Christian, much like we assume incorrectly that all Muslims are either followers of a peaceful religion or terrorist. Our lack of understanding the extremes in both the Christian and Muslim world adds to our confusion and ability to reason correctly. In fact sin has no boundaries; the Muslim and the Christian are equally plagued with sin and its tragic consequences. The great distinction (that we are in danger of losing) is the fact that our foundation of freedom is based on scriptural principles and the freedom by which Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1) In comparison many extremist believe the Koran calls for death to infidels and un-believers (Jews and Christians included), Christianity calls for speaking the truth in love and extending the grace and forgiveness of our lord Jesus Christ to those who are lost. We have no mandate to force our faith upon the others by the sword but to explain the mercy and grace of the gospel, and to teach all things that has been revealed to us in His word. (Matthew 28:20)

This battle is not to be taken lightly and we ignore its necessity to our peril. As we grieve with those who grieve and pray for the souls that suffer in this loss let us not lose faith in God. May He empower us in His Spirit to engage the enemy at all fronts intellectually, spiritually and physically to preserve our freedom and the freedom of others to pursue God without doing harm. For we truly believe that “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
(Hebrews 11:6)

If You Lived Here!

2009-11-07T11:30:00.004-05:00

Many road weary travelers have seen the large billboard above the thruway that reads “If you lived here you would be home by now!” The text is usually splashed across a beautifully inviting view of the surrounding landscape. You may be familiar with the popular saying “home is where the hearts is” There is a similar saying from the Bible that says “where your treasure is there your heart will be also”.

God in heaven has placed within each of us a longing for that home. This is not the home you have grown up in although it may have a special place in our hearts and we long to return there. You may have grown up in a place that you would never call home and would never want to return. The longing for the home that God has provided for us is deeper and more persistent than any other longing. Our hearts have an emptiness that only God can fill. Our desire is for the perfect home of love, mercy, grace and forgiveness, the place where you are welcome as you are, but loved too much to be left that way.

When the prodigal son returned home to his father he was a mess. Smelling of swine and rotten food, dirty and sweaty yet his father ran out to him and embraced him. After the boy had placed his life in his father’s hands, repented of his foolish behavior and surrendered all his rights as a son in the hope of being employed as one of his fathers servants, his father spoke words of love. He called for the servants to bring his son to wash and be clothed in the finest clothes he had. He called for the servants to prepare a great banquet for his son and placed a signet ring upon his finger. There he became once more his father’s son and in his mercy and grace he found his place at home.

Are you on your way home? Do you see the sign that God placed in your heart? If you lived here you would be home by now! Will you allow God to change you into the complete and perfect child He created you to be?

This is the treasure, the complete makeover. He will pull you out of the miry clay, out of the overwhelming floods of pain and guilt. In the Bible book of John we read that God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believed on him would not perish but will gain eternal life. We also read that He came unto His own but His own received Him not but as many as received Him to them He gave the right to be called the sons of God. In miraculous displays of who He was, Jesus gave evidence of His deity, God and man, rejected by many and embraced by more, crucified, died and buried, He rose from the dead and appeared to over 500. Eyewitnesses testified unto death as they declared His truth. Jesus said “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6)

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:23 “the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” This gift is the great treasure that we embrace. This is the treasure that draws our hearts to the place we call home.“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”. (Ephesians 2:6) We have a place in the heavens and there, where your treasure is, your heart will be also. This is the home where your heart longs to be. Do you hear Jesus calling you home?

Are you a road weary traveler? Are you longing for that wonderful warm and peaceful place you can call home? Do you see the sign God has placed in your heart? Receive Jesus, the gift of God, as the treasure, surrender to Him, embrace Him with your heart and you will be home!

I’m OK, are you?

2009-09-05T22:15:00.003-04:00

I recently approached a vehicle and was soon contemplating the prominently displayed bumper sticker that read “Born OK the first time”. That’s strange I thought, apparently this person either believes he is immortal or is OK with what this mortal life has to offer including death. "OK" is a very subjective term. I can think of a few murderous kings and leaders who thought they were OK too. By the way, fortunately for us the villains I had in mind are now dead. But somehow we never quite have a shortage of them.

In reality none of us will escape death. The moment we are born we begin our journey to the grave. Perhaps this "Born OK" person is OK with that and expects nothing more from his existence, in a senseless reality. But what if there is something more? What if there is something that makes sense, which gives us hope? What if there is something that fills the deep longing in our hearts, something that restores us and commands death to release us?

Has this person heard the good news, that eternal life is available and is a choice we all can make? It appears that he has made the choice to decline the offer and live in his reality intent on savoring every desperate attempt to enjoy the journey to the grave. How sad to toss away such a generous offer.

“But what makes you so sure about this offer?” you say.
“After all if something sounds to good to be true it's probably not.” You are a wise skeptic and not easily led astray. Perhaps if our ancient ancestors had been more skeptical we would be in a different situation. I am certain of this offer exactly because our current condition testifies to the fact that we have disobeyed God and very often choose the deception without first verifying the facts.

It is at this point that I begin an explanation of what in the world I am writing about. It is at this point where you decide either to do something else with your time, or invest it in the search for hope, exploring the words of God. The Bible says God will reward those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

The good news of God is as real as the bad news of our current death journey. In the Bible book of Genesis chapter 3, we read about Adam and Eve and the choice they made. Adam had been instructed by God to enjoy all the fruit of the garden but the fruit from one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The choice was simple obey God or disobey God.

But Eve soon heard an offer that was too good to be true. I’ve always wondered about that statement. If an offer is really good, how could it be a lie? Is anything good if it is not real? If the offer is a lie, then it is not good at all! The one making the offer is a liar.

In the book of John 8:44 we read that our enemy is the “father of lies”. He comes to steal and to destroy. In Genesis 2nd chapter, God tells Adam that if you “eat of this tree you will die” The devil, our enemy, calls God a liar and tells Eve “you will surely not die….you will become like God”. So the devil tempts Eve with a new perspective. The choice now appears to be eat and die, or eat and be like God. Hmmmmm looks like Eve forgot one thing when she looked at these options. Both of these statements cannot be true! All truth claims are not equal and or true. She allowed the devil to twist the truth and present her with false options. The original choice was obey God or disobey God.

Perhaps she would have been wise to bring the question to Adam and together bring the question to God. Adam fell for the lie just like Eve did. He should of spoken to his Creator about this new idea that contradicted what God had said. But he did not. Adam took the offer, willingly disobeying God and putting us all in the same predicament. Suddenly, Adam recalled God saying “the day you choose to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is the day you die” Adam certainly must have felt sick in his stomach as he recalled God’s command. The pangs of death already at work in his body made him fearful. It was a long and laborious death but eventually Adam and Eve died. Their descendants have been dying to this day. In fact you might say death runs in the family, it’s in our DNA.

Thankfully, this is not the end of the story. We can put away all thoughts of the inevitable destiny we face for only so long. At some point we must confront reality. The God of reality has provided a means for humanity to be reconciled to Him. Yeah, we still have an appointment with death, that is our present reality. But God, in His mercy will grant us a “do-over” right now! He will allow us to become “born again” into righteousness and everlasting life. Because we are not “Born OK the first time”

Next Post “Good News”

Can’t wait? read John 11:25 then read the whole book of John.

1 Corinthian 15:22

As everyone dies because of Adam, so also everyone will be made alive because of Christ.

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Minnesota 1857,

Preamble: We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Oregon 1857,

Bill of Rights, and Article I. Section 2: All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences...

Effective Protest ?

2009-08-22T15:45:00.001-04:00

The original tea party protest was the spear head event of a tax protest movement by the American colonist which quickly brought the English tea merchants to the brink of ruin. Like the tea party protest of old, our current protest may only be effective when the impact of our displeasure is felt in the pockets and investment portfolios of Washington politicians and bureaucrats. Of course the government can always print more money, as it has recently become accustomed to doing with abandon, to soften the blow of an actual tax revolt.

However is an effective tax revolt possible? If all conservative patriots decided to no longer pay any tax at all, how would that work?

The original tea party had teeth because the economic structure of a free market had yet to be tampered with by self seeking socialist ideologues.

Our current tax policy is a great multi-tentacled octopus reaching into every area of life. Try to avoid paying your local, state and federal tax on fuel, it is impossible; it is built into the price at the pump. Try to avoid paying your local, state and federal taxes on your telephone and utility service. These also are built into the cost and billed monthly. You will find the same problem with trying to not pay your payroll and income tax. Taxes are included in the cost of goods manufactured and sold. Large corporations pass on their tax burden to the consumer. There is no place to hide from taxes, and individuals who refuse to pay taxes will be prosecuted. A tax revolt that is waged in the form of non-payment of taxes is not likely to happen.

Tea party and anti-socialism protesters whose aim is to bring about serious debate and or change in government tax and spend and control policy will only be laughed off by the current mainstream media and Washington pundits and then silenced by ridicule and intimidation. The power of mainstream media has been demonstrated by its ability to place in office the most radical left wing president ever in the history of America.

The rallying cry of no taxation without representation is no longer taken seriously because taxation has been institutionalized and codified into the market and every economic segment of society. This is our problem; we have over-abundant taxation with little to no effective representation. The cry of the patriots has fallen on deaf ears. Politicians no longer hear the American patriots, they have attained powers that allow them to pay lip service to all constituents yet remain un-accountable.

Because of the lack of accountability in our representatives, a radical left leaning press and the impossibility of a tax revolt to help bring substantial pressure to force the issues, Americans are no longer able to effectively protect and maintain their liberties.

Protesting conservatives will not be taken seriously by those in power whose ends are to destroy the free market economy and establish an all encompassing nanny state built on the phony philosophy of compassionate socialism.

Freedom loving Americans are at the edge and need to be reassured that they have leaders who will fight to protect their social liberties and economic freedom. Leaders may emerge by-passing the mainstream media, gathering support via the web and other neutral means of communication. Unless conservative leadership organizes soon American patriots will feel abandoned. Left alone to fend off this socialistic encroachment into all aspects of life will they surrender quietly or will they stand united as true American patriots?

We must understand that the strength needed for overcoming the advance of despotism is not earthly. We must stand in the strength of the victory we have in Christ Jesus. Many people do not understand this and will be determined to use force and all types of strategies to bring about change. Early American patriots understood that the battle was the Lords and the outcome was in His hands. All action or inaction on the part of the true patriot should stem from a heart felt devotion to the word of God as truth and the guide to all of life. For a truly effective protest and stand against tyranny we must be engaged in the spiritual battle through prayer and spirit led action. We must engage ideas in the realm of policy and philosophy head on in a direct and thoughtful debate. Taking captive every thought that stands against the knowledge of God and Christ.

Eph 6:12

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places .

Col 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

2 Cor 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Gal 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Iowa 1857

Preamble: We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Don't Fall For It

2009-08-09T22:20:00.001-04:00

So the sleeping giant awakes. Of course after many years of slumber the giant appears to be grumpy and even angry. Look at all the freedoms that have been lost since we fell asleep. Apparently, we are risking the possibility of loosing more.

Of course there is pent up frustration on the part of everyday Americans. Our elected leaders and representatives are not listening and not governing with wisdom and regard for the individual. Yes, there is a time for shouting and protesting. But we cannot descend to the tactics of the left without appearing as foolish as they are.

When we are given the legitimate vehicle for debate and discussion we should take the opportunity and use it to our advantage. There are questions that need to be asked and need to be addressed directly. We do not need to give in to the premise that we have a health care crisis, or any crisis for that matter. Let's demand an investigation and find out who is responsible for creating crisis. This administration thrives on crisis. This is the tactic of the leftist Statist. It creates a crisis and then steps in to grab more power in order to solve the manufactured crisis. This sounds pretty fishy to me!

We need to ask for facts and compare them to the facts that we have. There is plenty of information out there that we can use to our advantage. Union thugs will continue to show up at Town Hall meetings and public forums and look for ways to intimidate and push and shove. Our best option is to remain civil and exploit this foolish strategy for what it is, an attempt to silence dissent.

This is a dangerous time for conservatives. If we recall world history we will recognize a similar strategy was used by Statist in Europe and the USSR.

1) Create a crisis

2) Push an extreme agenda as something good for everybody

3) When people protest and disagree - characterize them as an unruly mob

4) Aggravate the dissenters with intimidating and unruly plants

5) Once the dissenters have been successfully demonized-have plants escalate
their tactics and cause violent harm to people and property

6) This will galvanize support for intervention - using national guard and
law enforcement to place dissenting citizens in jail

7) Crimes of dissent will be punished - and persecution will be the end result

We need to be praying and organizing according to Godly wisdom and bring these issues to a reasonable debate. Let us not give in to the powers of darkness.

Ephesians 6:12

For 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.

Ephesians 1:19-23

You will also know the unlimited greatness of his power as it works with might and strength for us, the believers. He worked with that same power in Christ when he brought him back to life and gave him the highest position in heaven. He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come. God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. The church is Christ's body and completes him as he fills everything in every way.

Talking points need to be established and tough questions need to be asked politely, firmly and consistently. We must be above the fray and not give in to this socialist tactic - video clips of these events should continue to stress and demonstrate that the leftist Statist have no acceptable answer for the freeman when it comes to government control of the market, private enterprise, the economy, education, welfare, health care or the individual.

Let us not play into their hands!

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Indiana 1851,

Preamble: We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government...

Ohio 1852,

Preamble: We, the People of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common...

Let's Grow Up - Part 3 - Robin Hoods Big Brother

2009-07-25T11:30:00.006-04:00

Science fiction literature has always taken us on fantastic voyages of the imagination. The most memorable and effective of such literature use truth as its foundation and oppose it by taking dangerous ideas to the most extreme logical conclusions. This is the strength of George Orwells classic "1984". The iconic head of the fictional world power state of Oceania,"Big Brother", was always watching to make sure that you maintained the ideals of the "Party". Thought-crimes where not tolerated and severely punished. In our real world we have created the technology to approximate with amazing similarity the capacity for the state or any collective to track our every move and characterize and categorize our individual ideologies, and material and social preferences.

Of course much of this capacity is due to our perception that these technologies help keep us safe from criminals, gives us flexibility in our methods of paying for transactions, makes our lives more pleasing by being able to communicate with one person intimately or hundreds of thousands of people at once. Much of the power of Orwells fictional state was assumed by stealth and deception. One of many parallels to our current state is Big Brothers design to rewrite history and any narrative or opinion that stood opposed to the Party. What the Party said was the truth, the Party slogan was "Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past". Citizens of Oceania were educated in "doublethink" a mental gymnastic that allowed them to hold contradictory positions simultaneously and unquestioningly.

It appears that perhaps we have also been victimized by the same tactics. Our nations mainstream media currently described by Rush Limbaugh as "A P Obama" or "state run media" has never been more supportive of any other President. In fact, they see the current administration as a demonstration of how powerfully effective they have become in swaying public opinion. Our institutions of higher learning pride themselves in their adherence to relativity and non-judgmental tolerance of all ideas, heralding them all as holding equal value,and denying any absolute.

Robin Hood and his envy philosophy along with modern technology and the current trend in education, media and politics appear to be aligned to a similar end. The details and means of control may differ from Orwells vision, however, in relation to the economy, big business and health care, the final goal of the Statist is ultimate control of every aspect of the individuals life.

The term "Statist" is borrowed from Mark Levins bestselling book "Liberty and Tyranny".
He more accurately describes the Modern Liberal believing

"in the supremacy of the state, thereby rejecting the principles of the Declaration and the order of civil society, in whole or in part. For the Modern Liberal, the individual's imperfection and personal pursuits impede the objective of a utopian state. In this, Modern Liberalism promotes what French historian Alexis de Tocqueville described as a soft tyranny, which becomes increasingly more oppressive , potentially leading to a hard tyranny (some form of totalitarianism). As the word "liberal" is, in its classical meaning , the opposite of authoritarian, it is more accurate, therefore, to characterize the Modern Liberal as a Statist."
pg 4 "Liberty and Tyranny" Mark Levin

Robin Hood the classic liberal appears to be morphing into Big Brother the Statist.

Private enterprise is a powerful declaration of the individuals creativity and liberty. Big business may or may not abuse the creativity of the individual and they may or may not prosper as a result. The individual has laws that protect him from such abuse as well as freedom to benefit from his labor. Statist minded unions and big government are enemies of the individual and big business. As allies they present a formidable threat to liberty and freedom. People depend on big business, the private sector, and free enterprise to create jobs and help produce wealth for themselves and for others. Statist proponents of big government want people dependent on them, not big business, the private sector or free enterprise. Statist are now using all of their power to tax,regulate, and steal from big business, transferring our trust to big government.

Private sector health care industry (which creates wealth) cannot compete with a government system (which creates debt) that does not need to earn a profit and that has taxing and regulatory powers over them. Attacking private enterprise using the Robin Hood philosophy places more people at the mercy of Big Brother government. Cradle to grave care is what the miseducated masses are clamoring for and very few understand that Liberty and Freedom are at stake.

It is time for America to grow up and take the admonition of scripture at its word. We must continue to re-educate ourselves and generations to come with the knowledge of truth and its application in all areas of our lives. That these are words of truth and as the patriots understood they are the foundation of our liberties and freedom under law.

1 Corinthians 13:11

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways."

Patrick Henry

"It cannot be emphasized to strongly or to often that this great nation was founded not by religionist, but by Christians; not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

New York 1846, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble: We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...

Let's Grow Up - Part 2 -There Are No Unions In Heaven

2009-07-19T18:00:00.003-04:00

There is a story told about a landowner who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing to pay the workers the usual day's wages, he sent them to work in his vineyard. About 9 a.m. he saw others standing in the marketplace without work. He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard, and I'll give you whatever is right.' So they went. "He went out again about noon and 3 p.m. and did the same thing. About 5 p.m. he went out and found some others standing around. He said to them, 'Why are you standing here all day long without work?' " 'No one has hired us,' they answered him. "He said to them, 'Work in my vineyard.'

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told the supervisor, 'Call the workers, and give them their wages. Start with the last, and end with the first.' "Those who started working about 5 p.m. came, and each received a day's wages. When those who had been hired first came, they expected to receive more. But each of them received a day's wages. Although they took it, they began to protest to the owner. They said, 'These last workers have worked only one hour. Yet, you've treated us all the same, even though we worked hard all day under a blazing sun.' "The owner said to one of them, 'Friend, I'm not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me on a day's wages? Take your money and go! I want to give this last worker as much as I gave you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Or do you resent my generosity towards others?'

If this story sounds familiar it may be because you recall having read this in the Bible. (Matthew 20)

This is a story told by Jesus to illustrate what the kingdom of heaven is like. Certainly there are several principles that we can glean from this lesson as applied to many areas of our lives. It may be helpful to study the passage within the context of Jesus' circumstance among the disciples and teachers of the region. The lesson as applied in relation to this post on envy and covetousness is found in exploring the reaction of the supposedly slighted workers in comparison with recent events in our "common era". (A.D. vs C.E. post in process)

Our first instinctive reaction is to side with the workers who worked hard all day and feeling somehow they were treated un-fairly. Had there been union representation in this crowd the owner of the vineyard would have been strong armed into paying out amounts equated to the hours worked. These tactics have been used in the past and are used today not only by unions and big labor executives, but also by government and most recently by the Obama administration. Not long ago a crowd of Obama supporters, members of ACORN, were encouraged to protest at the private homes of chief banking executives. Expressions of outrage revealing violent intent set the tone of the medias message for the day. At a subsequent meeting with some of these executives in an effort to secure concessions from the banking industry, Obama told them "my administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks". This is not characteristic of great leadership, rather it is an indication of one who seeks ultimate control.

Envy and covetousness is a valuable tool of the left and they have found a way to make it trendy and effective. Manipulating the emotional response of an immature and miseducated populace to gather and focus intimidating pressure is a tactic of political despots. This is not the wisdom found in the kingdom of heaven.

As Christians, citizens of the heavenly kingdom, we should be quick to identify this type of immature reasoning, and to guard against it in our lives and to teach others about its dangers.As a self governing people we have created laws to protect us from abusive employers who go far beyond the supposed slight that the workers in Jesus story imagine. However, we have few laws that protect us from abusive government and their allies. Has justice been served by the recent forced takeover of GM? Their executives have certainly made un-wise decisions but their sad situation was taken advantage of by an administration obsessed with the desire to control.

Ask any of the GM dealers,employees and members of surrounding communities if they feel better now that justice has been done? Now that greed and envy at GM has been curtailed by our compassionate government, where do these thousands of people find work? Local merchants and service industries have lost significant revenue because of these closings. The media has made little mention of the negative impact to the local communities, civic organizations and charities that these dealerships supported.

There has been growing concern about the overreaching political tactics of this leftist regime. Hopefully this concern will develop into responsible political action. However, many are still foolishly looking to Washington for leadership and help in getting even with imagined capitalist villains. Envy and covetousness are getting the better of us as we surrender our liberty in exchange for the porridge of cradle to grave welfcare and the promise of a bright healthy future.

Next Post - Let's Grow Up part 3 - Robin Hoods Big Brother

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Texas 1845, Preamble: We ,the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God...

Missouri 1845, Preamble: We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness...Establish this Constitution.

Let's Grow Up

2009-07-16T22:00:00.002-04:00

Hosea 4:6

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:"

The awe and devotion of both the state run media and its audience to the Obama administrations Robin Hood like antics is truly disturbing. It is not the fact that this administration misses no opportunity to expand its tax base and broaden its scope of power that is disturbing. What concerns the conservative patriot today is the number of child like devotees following merrily along behind the pied piper, little knowing or caring about the peril that lies ahead.

What has bewitched these followers? How has their capacity to reason been handicapped? Why are they so easily deceived?

Many of Obamas followers, who consider themselves intellectual contemporaries, have worked tirelessly for this very day. Finally, one of their own, the product of an educational system totally enamored by and directed toward the creation of a socialist utopia, has assumed the mantel of national leadership. They, along with mainstream state run media, are totally invested in the reconstruction of the Patriots American ideal. Unless we grow up, American life, as we once knew it, is destined for the trash heap; the lesson learned: Americans are not able to govern themselves so government will do it for them, and as a bonus, government will return wealth to its rightful owners.

How is it that many of our neighbors and friends, the great electorate, have been taken captive by philosophies of vain deceit? The foundation of these philosophies are shared by many in all segments of society and educational levels. The socialist liberal philosophy is basically built upon child like reasoning. The same reasoning is used by a four year old when he ask "why does Johnny have more marbles than I have?" and then loudly proclaims "that's not fair, you need to give me some of your marbles so we are even". The same immature reasoning is used in the intellectual debates at Harvard when the professor declares that "it is only fair that all views and ideas are equally valid". The same reasoning is used when one makes the statement that "America is bad because it has so much more of everything than other countries."

The foundation of this immature philosophy is "envy" and "covetousness".

James 3:14,16

"But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true... For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing."

One of the effective tools used by the liberal socialist in pursuing state control of private enterprise and the economy is "envy". How many of us feel the need to get even with those big shot wall street executives? Or as children have been placated by our parents equal distribution of a chocolate bar?

The heroic tales of Robin Hood live on in the minds of those who demand equal outcomes for all. In truth, Robin Hood was a thief. His motto "I rob from the rich to give to the poor" is somewhat similar to Obamas "returning wealth to its rightful owners". Robin Hood also targeted the rich and greedy masters of finance, wealth and labor. His method was not successful in tearing down the abusive system of feudalism. Feudalism lost its grip upon the people once they became Biblicaly literate and applied the liberating principles of scripture in all areas of life.

Robin Hood would be pleased however, to know his legacy lives on in the hearts of the allies of big government, the labor unions. These allies are currently serving as a means to an end for big brother government. Little do they know that once they have served their purpose, they too will be tossed aside into the ash heap of American political history joining us in lamenting the fall of the Patriots American ideal.

Next Post - Let's Grow Up Part 2 - There Are No Unions In Heaven.

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble : We, the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...

New Jersey 1844, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God, for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors...

Independence Day ?

2009-07-02T20:08:00.001-04:00

As we reflect upon Independence Day 2009, keep in mind the enemies of our great nation are alive and well and are more emboldened than ever before. Many hold public office and positions of great influence in media, education and the marketplace. Many have been working diligently knowingly and un-knowingly to move the following agenda items forward.

How many would you say have been successfully implemented?

Congressional Record--
Appendix, pp. A34-A35 January 10, 1963

Current Communist Goals EXTENSION OF REMARKS OF HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, January 10, 1963 Mr. HERLONG. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Patricia Nordman of De Land, Fla., is an ardent and articulate opponent of communism, and until recently published the De Land Courier, which she dedicated to the purpose of alerting the public to the dangers of communism in America. At Mrs. Nordman's request, I include in the RECORD, under unanimous consent, the following "Current Communist Goals," which she identifies as an excerpt from "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen: [From "The Naked Communist," by Cleon Skousen]

CURRENT COMMUNIST GOALS

U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
Do away with all loyalty oaths.
Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.
Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
Gain control of all student newspapers.
Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture-- education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].
Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use ["]united force["] to solve economic, political or social problems.
Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
Internationalize the Panama Canal.
Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction [over domestic problems. Give the World Court jurisdiction] over nations and individuals alike.

John 1:17

" For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

John Locke, "The Reasonableness of Christianity", 1695

"As men we have God for our King, and are under the Law of Reason: as Christians, we have Jesus the Messiah for our King, and are under the Law reveal'd by Him in the Gospel."

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble: The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy...

Maine 1820, Preamble: We, The People of Maine, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity...and imploring His aid and direction.

Let us Pray

2009-05-06T12:00:00.001-04:00

The National Day of Prayer was founded in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It reveals the deep understanding that many Americans have that this country was founded upon Judeo-Christian ethics and receives its blessing from the God of heaven and the influence of His word the Bible.

This years day of prayer holds much deeper meaning as we face the un-relenting encroachment of un-restrained government into the fabric and freedom of our lives. At risk is not only our economic freedoms but intellectual and religious freedom. These include most importantly freedom of conscience and expression and the right to speak the word of God regardless of who may be offended. Hate crimes legislation is on a fast track through the halls of leadership and may soon threaten our ability to protect ourselves and our children from a perverted sense of entitlement characteristic of those pursuing alternative sinful lifestyles.

This is a spiritual struggle and we cannot rely on the mainstream media to help us engage in the arena of ideas. We no longer enjoy the freedom of the press to the extent that we can effectively move hearts and minds. The mainstream press has proven its power by appointing a leader far removed from our ideals of freedom and liberty. It will defend this representative leader of paradigm change until the end.

Our struggle is as a people described in Ephesians 2:1-10

" And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

We are struggling against a power that once had hold of our very hearts and soul, the "power of the prince of the air". It is that power which works now in the un-redeemed mainstream news and entertainment media. All attempts will be made to silence and malign its opposition.

Thomas Paine reflects on a similar situation. However, the character of opposing parties were more similar and popular opinion was much easier to sway. They were not as we are today engaged with a party of total un-redeemed passions. His words reflect on the character of true patriots and how persistent the struggle for freedom is. For clearer understanding of our situation replace the word Britain with U.S. Government.

The Crisis

by Thomas Paine

December 23, 1776

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

Galations 5:1,13-26

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery...

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."

Our victory is in prayer and living the life that God has called us to.
We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our friends and neighbors to rescue them from a life of deception, despair and darkness and eventual death.

Ephesians 6:12

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

We need to engage the powers and principalities in battle praying in the power of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us and conquered the enemy, then we shall see hearts and minds changed. Then we shall see communities engaged in the God -ordained task of encouraging one another, meeting needs and providing employment and creating opportunities for families to prosper.

2 Chronicles 7:14

"However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear [their prayer] from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country."

1 Peter 2:12

"Live decent lives among unbelievers. Then, although they ridicule you as if you were doing wrong while they are watching you do good things, they will praise God on the day he comes to help you."

We must engage all means of communication to maintain the community that God has called us to. The mainstream media has effectively silenced our voice. However by any and all means still available to us(e-mail, blogs, church, family, local newspapers, telephone and letters to our representatives, etc...) we must be in conversation regarding salvation in Christ, the peace and strength of our fellowship in Him and the calling to stand united in Him speaking the truth in love. This communication has not yet been outlawed but there are dark clouds gathering that are whispering about methods of silencing the word of God.

Let us be united in prayer and belief that God's word will not return void.

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I.Art.I Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III : That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Truth Under Assault

2009-04-23T22:00:00.003-04:00

During the coming celebration of President Obama's first 100 days we will certainly witness a strained attempt at placing positive value on the following achievements.

(These are not in any particular order, however the cumulative effect is the same.We are witnessing a deliberate attempt at moving our culture,
its politics, religion and economics as far left as possible in as little time as possible)

Obama and friends first 100 days:

• remove the world wide abortion funding ban, allowing the use of federal
funds for promoting the killing of un-born children around the world

• lifts restrictions on un-born children embryonic stem cell research

• currently attempting to rescind the Bush Rule on Conscience for
Health Care Providers – increasing pressure on health care providers to
violate their moral convictions with regard to killing un-born children

• ignoring and denying the foundational Judeo-Christian principles of this
nation

• has the representative symbol of Christ covered up during his speech
at Georgetown University

• condemns interrogations of terrorist as immoral and counterproductive
Admiral Blair admits the CIA received high value, lifesaving
information

• throws grand White House parties serving his guest a
hundred dollar a pound Kobe beef, while asking America to sacrifice and cut
back to make it through these tough economic times

• bows submissively to the king of Saudi Arabia

• listens patiently and respectfully to dictator Daniel Ortega
lecture for 50 minutes about the crimes of the US. Obama does not
speak in defense of the US, not one word is spoken to object,
or disagree

• does not stand up for his country during the Summit of the
Americas

• travels the world and apologizes for the USA the greatest, most
compassionate, most innovative and freedom-loving country in world history

• allows Fidel Castro to lecture him about how Cuba handles political
prisoners and its economy

• nominates five tax cheats to his cabinet,one of which oversees the IRS

• returns a bust of Sir Winston Churchill to Great Britain. This
symbol of freedom was given to President Bush, after 9/11, by the British

• insults the prime minister of England and the queen of England, with
trivial and embarrassing gifts

• Iran takes a hostage, an American journalist, as Obama promises better
relations

• North Korea humiliates Obama with their missile launch

• pushes stimulus bill that puts the country in debt for generations to
come while promising fiscal responsibility

• will be placing new energy tax pressure on big business resulting in
higher consumer prices

• proposes minuscule budget cuts

• declares that Caterpillar would begin hiring once his stimulus bill
passes, the company lays-off of thousands after the stimulus bill passes

• proclaims total transparency, without declaring who received TARP funds

• attempts to nationalize the banks preventing financial institutions from
paying back TARP money they don't need or want

• attempting to either nationalize General Motors or allow it to fail

• ignores the concerns of hundreds of thousands of Americans at tea parties
across the country in response to irresponsible government spending

• Obama's Homeland Security chief labels peaceful American demonstrators
and veterans as extremists and security risks

• attempts to move the census over to the commerce department for political
gain

• encourages ACORN and others to protest at the homes of AIG executives,
sowing class hatred and envy

• delays the rescue of kidnapped American Captain

• continues to promote left wing socialist agenda expanding big government
and the deficit with radical government spending

• seeks always the opportunity to silence and or criminalize dissent

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble: We, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe...In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction...

A Daily Prayer

2009-04-15T07:14:00.005-04:00

On this Tea Party Day I am posting this prayer by George Washington.

George Washington

A Daily Prayer

Almighty God,

We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection: that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.

Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

South Carolina 1778,

Preamble: We, the people of the State of South Carolina, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution

Marriage

2009-03-21T11:45:00.002-04:00

How about some truth about marriage.

It appears lately that the term "marriage" is being hijacked for use by the radical left to describe the age old concept of homosexual unions. This is an attempt to bring about complete acceptance and approval from all for this alternative lifestyle. This contentious battle is not being won in the marketplace of ideas and culture, so the latest tactic is to enlist the aid of government.

With the aid of the strong arm of the law, the left will continue to use intimidation, coercion and punishment against those who do not approve of their lifestyle. We are a step away from the oppression currently experienced in Canada and other nations worldwide.

In June of 2005 Dr Chris Kempling, a Christian counselor at a Canadian high school was charged with "conduct unbecoming" a teacher by the British Columbia College of Teachers. His scolding was in response to a series of editorials he wrote in a local newspaper supporting traditional marriage and critical of the homosexual lifestyle. The British Columbia Court of Appeal said that Kempling had no protection under the Canadian Charter of Freedoms because his editorials were discriminatory and damaging to the public school system.

Since when did editorials become material liable for criminal prosecution. I thought the age of Nazism and Marxism were past. It's time for expansive renovations to the Gulag.

Pastor Stephen Boisson got off lightly for expressing his moral opposition to homosexuality with a $5,000.00 fine for "damages for pain and suffering" he also had to apologize to the "human rights" activist who filed the complaint.

Americans who change their homosexual lifestyles are also witnessing a double standard of tolerance. Many request to host booths and present alternative views at NEA and PTA conferences are denied.

Expanding the definition of "marriage" has nothing to do with the proper definition. It has everything to do with co-opting the power of government to force approval.

Expect to see mandated teaching towards the general acceptance of this distorted view of marriage. We will see intimidation,coercion,and the imposition of hate crime and discrimination laws upon those who disagree, or do not teach or accept this strange new imitation of marriage.

Pastors will not be allowed to preach,teachers will not be allowed to teach,writers will not be allowed to write and thinkers will not be allowed to think anything that goes against the thoughts and teaching of homosexuals and their definition of marriage and family.

There are two parties involved here. One of which has every intention of remaking America into a brave new world combination of Marxism, Socialism and Pantheism. The others are merely being used as pawns in this world changing game.

In a sense this is a stealth approach to the destruction of a free society which we have inherited from courageous patriots who shed their blood in defense of our freedoms. May all Americans who bravely oppose this destructive agenda be counted among them.

Psalm 32:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Georgia 1777

Preamble: We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Vermont 1777

Preamble: Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man...

Truth will always be

2009-03-09T20:45:00.000-04:00

In anticipation and celebration of Spring

a few random notes on Truth -

Truth exist – Truth is as real as a map or GPS coordinates–

Truth is that which conforms to reality

Truth can be known – we can choose Truth or choose all other lies

Truth is under assault – by lies since creation – some say creation is a lie

A Subjective truth statement is “ I like vanilla ice cream” or “I prefer to believe something that makes me feel good” it is declaring an opinion or personal preference

An Objective truth statement is “ planes with no power do not fly well” - “even if you jump high you will not fly” “that ice cream is melting” it is declaring a fact about something or the state of an object

Truth is that which conforms to “reality” – is “ reality” subjective or objective?

What is real is real whether I believe it to be real or not - reality is objective

Truth is true whether I believe it or not

Truth is the foundation of knowledge and subsequently of a fruitful, sustaining and morally righteous life

Truth is the security of a nation and the prosperity of generations

Truth is suppressed by those who deceive

Some rulers gain power by suppressing truth and/or by passive or active deception

People are enslaved by lies

People are set free by truth

People are empowered by proclaiming truth

People may be persecuted for proclaiming truth

People live in despair and darkness when deceptions abound

People can live in safety and security when truth is the foundation of society

Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life"

Jesus can not lie

Jesus said "seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened"

Seek the truth and you will find it

Ps 32:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...

Maryland State Constitution 1776

Preamble: We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Pennsylvania State Constitution 1776

Preamble: We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...

Virginia State Constitution 1776

Bill of Rights, XVI Religion: The Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other...

Truth Applied or Denied?

2009-02-07T14:45:00.007-05:00

If you pay attention you will observe the utter denial of major foundational truths on a daily basis. Among our political and cultural leadership these moments of denial are usually accompanied by a complete disregard and contempt of those who are concerned enough to point them out.

While examining the opening phrase of our most respected and misunderstood founding document and comparing this statement of belief to recent current events, some major truths are apparently tossed aside. I am writing of the Declaration of Independence and drawing some conclusions in regard to how they are given jurisdictional weight only in matters that benefit the left.

In the opening text we read

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

The first event this past week happens to be a polite dis-invite of writer, teacher, comedian Ben Stein. Stein had been invited to speak at the University of Vermont's Commencement this Spring. However, after public outcry and much criticism by proponents of tolerance and free speech in the community and at the alumni and college level, Ben Stein humbly declined to appear at the event and returned the honorarium.

Quoting Tim Johnson from the Burlington Free Press Feb 3rd 2009

"In other venues, Stein has expressed opinions critical of evolutionary theory and in favor of intelligent design, for which he has been sharply criticized in academic circles. He has also offered views on the role of science in the Holocaust that some have found offensive. Fogel said he had been only "vaguely aware" of these controversial views. After UVM announced Stein's selection Thursday, Fogel said in a written statement, "profound concerns have been expressed to me by persons both internal and external to the university about his selection." Fogel said he received hundreds of e-mails beginning Saturday -- including only about a half-dozen from people at UVM -- contending, generally, that Stein's views of science were "affronts to the basic tenets of the academy."
"Once I apprised Mr. Stein of these communications, he immediately and most graciously declined his commencement invitation," Fogel's statement said."I did not ask him not to come," Fogel said in an interview Monday, adding, "I was not going to let him be blindsided by controversy. I hugely regret I didn't anticipate the intensity of the concerns," Fogel said. He stressed that the issue is not one of academic freedom, or of Stein's right to offer his controversial opinions on campus, but rather whether someone who holds views antithetical to scientific inquiry should be honored as commencement speaker. "

How does this situation reflect a regard for our Declaration's foundational statement? Do we all share the same opinion as our founders that all men are created by a Creator? Are these truths held to be self evident today? What has changed?

Stein has merely been pointing out the fact that the founders are now considered by the scientific academia to be naive patriots who had little understanding of where life came from. In the movie "Expelled" Stein documents the blacklisting of proponents of ID by major universities and research institutes. Stein can now add his experience at UVM to the ongoing documentary drama of those bold enough to consider intelligent design in regards to science and life.

The second event is the questionably inconsistent prayer and speech of President Barack Hussein Obama at the Washington Prayer Breakfast. The President speaking of religion said

"There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know."

Confusion abounds over exactly what he meant by this phrase (see WND articles by Chelsea Schilling and Joseph Farah) Particularly puzzled are pro life supporters who were recently appalled by the President's executive order lifting the ban on US funds to promote abortion worldwide.

Shall we presume the President is qualified to speak on issues regarding life? Does President Obama understand the unalienable right to life? In all wisdom should he not err on the side of creation? Our founders knew of a Creator and that He alone was the giver and taker of life and unalienable rights, not government.

Isaiah 29:13

"The Lord says, "These people worship me with their mouths and honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is [based on] rules made by humans." "

Romans 1:20

"From the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse."

Romans 1:25

"These people have exchanged God's truth for a lie. So they have become ungodly and serve what is created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen! "

Truth or Consequences

2009-01-31T12:25:00.001-05:00

To some, truth is an asset, to others, a liability. Our current administration's reaction to attempts by critics and the undecided to understand the full implications of a record breaking, history making, back breaking, and inflation creating grand stimulus package, appear to be quite over-dramatic. Perhaps for them the truth is a liability.

The Obama media as well, has bent over backwards in the attempt to persuade the masses that such scrutiny by Rush Limbaugh and others is certainly un-deserved and time wasting and should not be tolerated. How dare we stop and study and question these grand leftist steps of progress towards the great healing our nation desperately needs?

(Side Note - some believe this economic crisis was manufactured and encouraged by great powerful leftist in Washington who used the base instincts of greed and profit in banking and real estate and wall street to their advantage. Substantial evidence supporting this claim is prevalent. Rohm Emmanuel even spoke of the great advantage the left now has by saying "never let a serious crisis go to waste.. it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before" The understanding from a conservative perspective is this is an opportunity for the left to move our nation towards a newly defined and repackaged socialism.)

To understand this situation fully you would be best aided by reading blogs other than mine. The writers at Patriot Post, American Thinker, National Review and other conservative sites would provide valuable guidance towards a holistic view of this situation.

The point is that if we are as passionate in speaking and defending the truth as those who hide and suppress the truth, then we have served the cause well. If we are more passionate in speaking and defending the truth than those who hide and suppress the truth we may guide the nation towards righteousness and prosperity.

Exodus 23: 1-3

Do not let a false statement go further; do not make an agreement with evil-doers to be a false witness. Do not be moved to do wrong by the general opinion, or give the support of your words to a wrong decision: But, on the other hand, do not be turned from what is right in order to give support to a poor man's cause.
(Bible in Basic English)

If we can see that this proposed surge to the left will not aid the cause of the poor but make all of us poor and dependent on the state, saddle our children with insurmountable debt and a great loss of freedom, then it is our duty to stand for what is right.

We must become people of truth and action in all our communities supporting encouraging and uplifting those in need. Action is needed at the local and state levels to remove restrictions, road blocks, taxes and encumbrances that stifle creative enterprise, industry and job creation. It is a free people allowed to fulfill their individual creative abilities in free enterprise who create jobs not big government.

We cannot allow ourselves to be made slaves to the monolithic state, it is not in our best interest and does not encourage responsibility and/or promote freedom.

Consider this famous outline, attributed to Alexander Tytler (1748-1813) of the sequential stages of a civilization:

From Bondage to Spiritual Faith,

From Spiritual Faith to Great Courage,

From Courage to Liberty,

From Liberty to Abundance,

From Abundance to Selfishness,

From Selfishness to Complacency,

From Complacency to Apathy,

From Apathy to Dependency,

From Dependency back into Bondage.

We are to be responsible for ourselves our families and communities not the overreaching nanny state, all to eager to make us subservient dependent paupers.

We can break this cycle by moving from Abundance to Selflessness. We are being called to step up and take responsibility for ourselves and others in a selfless fashion speaking the truth in love sharing with others in need and fighting for the right to be free from oppressive slave making government.

We will work our way into prosperity when big government gets out of the way and we the American people do the right thing.

Pray and then take a stand and do what's right!

Nothing New Here

2009-01-24T12:30:00.005-05:00

President Barack Hussein Obama's signing of executive orders ready made for this "new era of responsibility" and a "new birth of freedom" have brought about questions. Apparently those who are not entranced by President Obama's presence are asking how these orders model either responsibility or freedom.

Barack H. Obama has been inaugurated to the loftiest height of power attainable in the modern world. At this height truth like oxygen thins out, it takes more effort to stay focused on foundational concepts that should guide and measure the impact of important moral decisions. Truth should be the means by which a new leader gains the moral advantage and political strength. Truth attracts its own allies and musters the political will to do the hard (and in today's world un-popular) work of standing up to protect the innocent and defenseless. Without truth as the foundation, Freedom and Hope, Responsibility and Justice cannot be attained.

Executive order "Free the Terrorist"
was signed by President Barack Hussein Obama earlier this week.

Is our president ready to take responsibility for the many lives that will be endangered and perhaps lost by the release of terrorist from secure confinement. Letting them loose on the world to once again commit crimes against humanity. How does this action model Responsibility and Justice?

Executive order "Surrender the Un-Born"
was signed by President Barrack Hussein Obama late Friday evening. This order removes the ban on US funding to foreign non-governmental agencies that promote abortion as part of family planning around the world.

Is our president ready to take responsibility for the many lives lost by funding abortion providers around the world with USA dollars? Is this a prudent use of taxpayer dollars given the current economic crisis we are in? How does this action model Freedom and Hope?

The oath of office states clearly the defense of the US Constitution. The Constitution reflects the foundational truths of the Declaration of Independence;

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"

If we cannot trust our leaders to uphold the Truth that provides the foundations for Freedom and Hope, Responsibility and Justice, then we must appoint new leaders.

Psalm 11:3
"If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?"

New Year-New Post-New You

2009-01-01T15:00:00.003-05:00

Happy 2009

Blogsters, I assume, are expected to post something personal or reflective, inspirational or encouraging for the new year. Not wanting to discount the opportunity and later regret that I had not posted something of value, I present the following with hope for a blessed future for you all.

So what's new?

What may be new to you may not be new to me. After all new is in the eye of the beholder. There is something about the concept of "new" that excites and energizes. Kids love to get new toys, new clothes, even new school supplies. Grownups also seek out new clothes, new cars, new tools, new homes, careers etc...

So what is it about "new" that gets kids and grownups excited?

How long does new last? Do some things stay new longer than others?
It seems we get bored with new things very quickly. Are they really new things or just freshly produced cleaned up same old things with a shine? Is there anything really new under the sun?

The all wise teacher Solomon, had it right when he wrote these words.

Whatever has happened before will happen [again]. Whatever has been done before will be done [again]. There is nothing new under the sun. Can you say that anything is new? It has already been here long before us.

(Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 Gods Word Translation 1995)

Examining the wisdom of our current age we see ideologues and philosophers,the media shapers of culture grasping at any philosophy or doctrine that rejects all absolutes. Yet the same high priest of moral ambiguity decry the inevitable consequences by asking where have we gone wrong?

All options and isms have been tried before and failed miserably. Pluralism under Roman rule, Socialism, Communism, Marxism, Stalinism, Gnosticism, Paganism, Nazism, each and every failed cultural social religious and economic philosophy is rehashed repackaged and takes its turn in another attempt at resolving our dilemmas.
Expect a rehash and repackaging of sorts from the Obama administration. Pragmatic pluralism will not work in a nation founded upon absolutes. These absolutes demand limits to pluralism and our culture appears to lack the will to maintain either.

Do you long for something new in your life that will outlast and remain new always?
Something new that will inspire and encourage you to take hold of life with the understanding of what is needed to make your world a better place.

Here are some NEW things that you may want to consider this NEW year!
You will have to work these out on your own.

NEW mercies every morning - Lamentations 3:21-25

A NEW spirit within you - Ezekiel 11:19

A NEW heart - Ezekiel 36:26

A NEW covenant - Mark 14:24

A NEW commandment - John 13:34

A NEW nature - 2 Corinthians 5:17

A NEW knowledge - Colossians 3:10

A NEW way - Hebrews 10:20

A NEW song -Revelation 5:9

A NEW heaven and earth -Rev 21:1

These are all NEW things that are promised to those who seek them. Before you make and break this New Years Resolution take a look at the words of the Only Wise God the one who created you. Only there will you find hope!

"The reason I can still find hope is that I keep this one thing in mind:
the LORD's mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great. My soul can say, 'The LORD is my lot in life. That is why I find hope in him.'The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to anyone who seeks help from him. His mercies are new every morning"

(Lamentations 3:21-25, God's Word Translation 1995)

Why Choose?

2008-12-21T23:30:00.002-05:00

National papers reported on recent objections made by atheist concerning a Nativity scene at a public display in Olympia, Washington. Dan Barker,who heads up the atheist and agnostic Freedom From Religion Foundation, said

“If there can be a Nativity scene saying that we are all going to hell if we don’t bow down to Jesus, we should be at the table to share our views.”

In Dan's view the choice appears to be bow to Jesus or you will go to hell. It is puzzling how Dan Barker(a former evangelical preacher)seems to have missed the point. Hell is not a punishment for not bowing to Jesus it is a place that we all are destined for and Jesus is our rescuer. In his years of training for ministry he should have learned in "Basics of Christianity 101" that Jesus is not just another idol, good luck charm or insurance policy. Dan also has ignored the part of his bible study from

Psalms 14:1 that declares "the fool says in his heart there is no God.."

Dan and his atheist friends must be all knowing if they can say with conviction there is no God.

Following Christ is a choice to follow truth rather than lies.

In the Gospel of John 18:37, Pilate questions Jesus about who he was, Jesus responds "You say that I am a king. To this end was I born and for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice."

Christian faith acknowledges that the choice is between living and pursuing life from the perspective of truth or not. Jesus said we can know the truth and it will make us free.

Our choice is clear either we agree that there is truth(Gods word)and live by it or we deny truth and live by whatever else we may create or imagine (mans word). God allows us to choose. However, because we have chosen the path of destruction(mans word)God in His mercy has reached out to us to provide a way back to the right path, the truth of Gods word.

There is no way that man can live happily at peace forever on his own. There is no philosophy, faith, technology or invention of man that will bring him everlasting life. We all face the inevitable conclusion, death. The heading for a great sermon could be "Death,it Runs in the Family".

Gods word tells us that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23 All of us are floundering in the ocean with arms flailing away, certain death awaits us all. Jesus is the ark that will rescue us.

In Matthew 1:23 the angel in Josephs dream describes the child as "Emmanuel" meaning God with us, Jesus, the very incarnation of God is born to a virgin. A miracle for us, an act of love and humility for God. God took upon himself the form of a man, Jesus, and in His great love took upon himself the inevitable judgment of man, death. In taking on the judgment for sin, Jesus the "God Man", the perfect sinless sacrifice died on a man made cross. With His death He fulfilled Gods law of justice and destroyed the power of death and set the captives free. The empty tomb and the testimony of the apostles and hundreds of people proclaim His resurrection from the dead. After physically leaving the earth, he endowed all believers with His presence in the Holy Spirit, and restored them in fellowship with God and the inheritance of eternal life with Him in glory.

This is no myth or fairy tale. Countless lives have been changed, since the days of the prophets and apostles. Billions of people could testify of how their lives have been changed by the reality of Jesus Christ in their lives. The influence of true Christianity throughout the world cannot be denied. The impact of consistently standing upon the bedrock of truth found in the word of God can be seen in the lives of the founders of this nation. (The words of these great leaders of faith and freedom will be examined in future posts)

Basically, the truth is out there. The question is do you really want to know truth? The choice is simple, it has to do with how you view reality and every part of your life. It has to do with the answers to the biggest questions of your life. Who am I? Why am I here? How did I get here? and what's my purpose in life?

You can choose to find the answers from the source of all truth, Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life" (John 14:6) or you can choose to create your own illusions after "the traditions of men, philosophy and vain deceit, the rudiments of the world.." (Col 2:8)

The choice is not Jesus or hell - assuming there is another option, but hell or Jesus. Choose whose standard will you live by, Gods or your own.

If we choose mans standard, we will fail miserably, both in defining the standard and then maintaining it, and still not attain eternal life. When we choose our own standard we deny that God has a standard we must live by.

If we choose Gods standard we will also fail miserably both in defining and maintaining it. Is this a lose-lose situation? Thankfully, no it is not. Ultimately we can not live up to Gods standard and if not for the grace of God reaching down to us in the incarnate Christ we would be lost. Jesus the Christ suffered death to uphold justice, maintaining Gods standard, liberating us from the judgment pronounced at the garden rebellion of Adam. Attaining for us what we could not attain for ourselves, a right standing before God and eternal life in His kingdom.

Christ came to us as a child. All He ask is that you come to him with the faith of a child.

Choose today who will be your guide, your standard, your salvation. Pray to God, to open your mind and your heart, He will hear you. Then read the Gospel of John...It may be the best Christmas you have ever had!

What do you mean?

2008-12-17T23:05:00.001-05:00

In the last post I wrote about restrictions of speech. The debate on this idea continues. There are legitimate restrictions on speech and there are not. I do not intend to judge either in this post but wish to point out that restrictions placed upon speech are the result of the influence of a cultural moral conscience. The current post-modern trend sets up a vaporous type of obstacle to free speech by applying pragmatic moral relativity in the realm of language and reason.

Words mean things, words contain information describing or defining things, words form ideas and explain ever larger concepts and realities. Noah Webster placed such a great importance upon the accurate dissemination of the meaning of words that he spent most of his lifetime studying their origin and creating an incredible volume of definitions in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. He recognized that a standard of meaning had to be maintained in order to have civilized and reasonable discourse.

"The authority of individuals is always liable to be called in question-but the unanimous consent of a nation, and a fixed principle interwoven with the very construction of a language coeval and co-extensive with it, are like the common laws of the land, or the immutable rules of morality, the propriety of which every man, however refractory, is forced to acknowledge, and to which most men will readily submit." Noah Webster

Yes, I had to consult the dictionary to understand what Noah was saying. "Coeval" means of the same age or era and "coextensive" means to the same extent. "Immutable" means unchanging and "refractory" means obstinate in opposition. Noah's dictionary is a wonderful guide yet somehow we have tossed aside its enlightening qualities and replaced it with a cultural language that has become most refractory to the immutable laws of morality.

In the rush to embrace relativity in all areas of life, the post-modern has imposed relativity upon the meaning of words and ideas. They take on a new meaning and are used in otherwise reasonable debate to malign, vilify and or discredit the opponent.When confronted with words that imply disagreement or critical analysis of ideas post-moderns describe the same as words of hate, intolerance and bigotry. Rather than engage the debate with reason from a shared language and or perspective (if any )the post-modern resorts to name calling and labeling and selective reasoning.If disagreement means hate then all of us on both sides of the disagreeable camp suffer from the same malady.

What is it that stirs up the reaction of the pragmatic relativist? Is it the fact some people use an immutable standard by which to reason? Is it because some people have an immutable standard by which to determine right from wrong? Why is that they gladly use this standard when it is convenient in propping an argument and condemn it when it is applied consistently to derail their argument?

In a telling example of selective reasoning, atheist in Olympia, Washington, were upset that a sign they had recently posted was stolen. The sign read in part that

"there are no gods....religion is but a myth...that hardens hearts and enslaves minds"

News reports indicated that a spokesman said a temporary sign would be posted with the addendum "thou shalt not steal" attached to it. In an atheist world without God why would stealing be an issue? Ask any godless leader like Hitler or Stalin or Lenin if they felt remorse for the lives they extinguished?

Being consistently honest we must determine to reason from one standard or another, we cannot reason from both according to our current passions and or desires. Consistency in reasoning simply would not be consistent with pragmatic moral relativity. Or would it?

The Pen and the Sword

2008-12-06T21:57:00.000-05:00

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me - true or false?

Words have great power, as Edward Bulwer-Lytton paraphrased a proverb from scripture,"the pen is mightier than the sword". Words nurture and comfort us. We allow words to inform and educate us. They also cause us to think good and bad thoughts about ourselves and others; they can tear us down or build us up. Words establish nations and empires and bring them great power. They can also set us against each other, brother against brother, nation against nation.

Words have power to form our conscience and guide our actions. Should we all assume responsibility for controlling our words so that we cause more good than harm? It would seem to be a reasonable thing to do if we can agree that it is beneficial to all. However, in a culture where good and bad are subjective and there is no source of validation outside the realm of the individual we find ourselves in a most unstable position. The postmodern trend is to disregard any outside form of validation that may give moral strength to ideas. To make any reasonable sense at all the postmodern has to borrow language from the objective view of morality (one based upon absolutes) in order to gain any beneficial sense of validity. Recent attempts at persuasion tend to circumvent this technique by pursuing numbers using polls as a rule by which a moral argument gains validity. Relying on the strength of numbers and/or the might of amoral government to advance a cause leads us to the place where the majority rules.

Do we want to be in the place where rules are made by a majority who have denied any ultimate authority or standard of higher law, judge or God. Without a solid unmovable standard of morality we make the mob ruled by human passion God. We know these passions are fluid and tend towards extremes. World history testifies of the 100 million slaughtered for Lenin , over 6 million for Hitler and many million more murdered for communist, socialist and marxist leaders around the world. (All of whom deny the existence of any ultimate authority save man himself.) At the other extreme we are to this day witness to the slaughter of innocents around the globe by militant Islam. If a people cannot stand upon reason they will rely upon force.

"where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty" 2 Corinthians 3:17.

How much more proof do we need that we cannot rely solely on man and his word to inform and educate our conscience. We must look to an immovable standard outside ourselves to guide our actions, direct our thoughts, inspire our imaginations, compel us toward compassionate liberty and law and to greater heights of virtue and love.

Yes restrictions of speech is necessary to protect the individual's person, character, conscience, property and rights. However these restrictions must not be guided by mans fluid passions, misguided ideas and ever-changing standards of righteousness. They must be guided in the unchanging standards and uplifting principles of truth and love found in the word of God.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path". Psalm 119:105

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