The Sons of Jeremiah

Next Stop For America: God's Wrath!

2012-01-27T18:19:00.000-08:00

After being awakened most abruptly to the staggering levels of biblical illiteracy in the American church, and the unrelenting pace of moral decay in American communities I was struck by one unavoidable fact. The sin of the Americans has come to its fruition. We have rejected the gospel and the Savior and Lord it proclaims. We have every kind of designer spirituality and Christianity you can invent but no time for the simple truths of God's word. We are into every kinky and slinky activity ever conceived of by mankind but won't submit to the Spirit of God who convicts us of our sins.

We will not do what is right by God at home or abroad, in the home, or at work. And all the while we keep telling ourselves how good we are. But God says, 'there is none righteous, no not one.' God says all have fallen short. Aside from repentance and faith in Jesus Christ there is no salvation. But this is an exclusive Jesus, one defined by the Bible, and this exclusive Jesus has almost no place in most churches and homes in America, a once mighty and christian nation.

The Burden Concerning America

Woe to you America! You have forsaken the ancient paths! You have sown to the wind, and you will reap the whirlwind!

The Lord will not hear petitions for you any longer for you are utterly conceited and corrupt. Do not think that you will escape the day of punishment that comes upon the whole earth. Will you rise up? You will surely fall down into the pit and all your slain will rejoice when they see you take your place among the others. In you will be found the blood of saints and prophets. And the Lord will avenge the blood spilled in you, the blood spilled by you. For when He called, you did not answer, but did whatever was in your own wicked hearts. You fatten yourselves for a day of slaughter. Your enemies plot in secret. They will strike you without mercy. The Lord has determined to bring down your pride and to show mercy to the remnant.

Is Obama's Lack Of Action On Iran Treasonous?

2012-01-24T09:07:00.000-08:00

A clear and present danger continues to flow out of the mouths of the Iranian leadership, against Israel, against the world. All the while this President is content to have American's disappear in Iran, US military technology captured and benefiting our enemies, our most ardent friends in the Middle East begging us for action and spurned. Is this President failing as a Commander-in-Chief to the level of cowardice and therefore treason?

It is quite true that the latest round of sanctions are already destroying the Iranian currency. And if, in July, they truly take effect, all of our allies around the world will suffer along with the Iranian people simply because, after more than a decade of smoke and mirrors, outright acts of war against US troops and other interests, this President wants to see if destroying their economy can bring the Iranians to the negotiating table. These sanctions are an ultimatum and they should be stated plainly as such. The Iranians should be told to stop immediately all nuclear activity, to be verified by the IAEA, or face military consequences at a time of our choosing and imminently.

Mr. Obama's foreign policy consists of under the covers moves and a push for a Middle East arms race that has the simple long-term effect of endangering Israel and reducing US hegemony in the Middle East and the world. Mr. Obama's foreign policy based upon slapping your opponent in the face and hoping he feels ashamed is endangering many nations and changing the course of the world toward darkness rather than light.

Godspeed to those who have the courage to stand up for the truth.

(Proverbs 25:26) If the godly give in to the wicked, it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

Obama is polluting the world with his cowardice and claiming it is wisdom.

EU begins regime change in Iran! Imposes sanctions and embargo!

2012-01-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/23/eu-agrees-on-iran-oil-embargo-as-part-nuclear-sanctions/

Europe is already seeing the creeping assault of Sharia Law and has faced many terrorist attacks since 9/11 motivated by radical Islam. I applaud this move, not as a move against Islam, but a move aimed at undermining the power of radical Islam. In the US more and more discussions are cropping up around the growing number of cases where Sharia Law is being administered by Muslim communities in the US. The Supreme Court will eventually have to outlaw Sharia law in the United States. America stands at a day of awakening, a day when the country's 2/3 conservatives come home and remember what the country is founded on. President Obama is going to be forced into action on Iran soon or lose all chance of re-election in the Fall. Now finally the world will lurch toward what is right.

Romney The Attack Dog? Gingrich Drops The Rominator!

2012-01-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

After falling under a hard right hook from Gingrich in South Carolina, Romney is expected to go on the attack in Florida. This observer for one does not believe Romney can get around his nice guy exterior without sinking himself into a non-terminating loop of inner turmoil. Newt has felled Romney. Now the only question is whether we are looking at a Gingrich/Santorum or a Santorum/Gingrich ticket. Ron Paul will get tired of running in a few weeks. He does not really serve those who follow his rhetoric, its just his philosophy and little more. He is not a commander-in-chief of any caliber and the country is facing war with Iran.

Conservatives! Wake up and rally yourselves now for a revival!

Santorum wins Iowa?

2012-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/19/10188663-iowa-republicans-to-call-caucus-result-split-decision

Amid widespread inaccuracies and missing data Iowa has announced a split decision. Will Russian style protests out about fraud in the Iowa Caucases?

Giants Invade Lambeau, Defeat Packers 37-20

2012-01-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46007749/ns/sports-nfl/

I tweeted about the possibility of this Giants upset win. I knew Eli Manning was a Giant killer, only he is a Giant. I knew that New York had a defense that could stand and deliver. I still expected the Packers to win. The crucial plays in my mind were:

Choosing to go for the on-side kick just before the half - on-side kicks almost never succeed so it was a high likelihood that the ball would go over to a very good offense at your own 40. On-side kicks in my opinion are desperation plays. It would have been better to have Crosby kick it out of the end zone and make the Giants go 80 yards.
Aaron Rodgers fumble early in the third when the Giant O. Umenyiora gets to him as he is about to toss a sure touchdown to a wide-open Greg Jennings.
The fumbles on offense shut down several drives: when you only get a limited number of opportunities in a game, shutting yourself down by not taking care of the ball reduces the likelihood of victory.

My broader criticism has to do with two things: distractions, and defense. Not everyone can be a polymath, and acting is probably not going to be Aaron Rodgers second career. Stay humble, stay hungry. The imbalance between offense and defense is now glaringly obvious. The tone on the defense has to become something more like Ray Lewis while retaining the sensitivity to what Green Bay stands for. Reggie did it so well. The next two years are when Aaron Rodgers will make those crucial steps that affect his legacy. Will he go down in history as a dynasty quarterback or as the Tony Romo of the Arctic?

Finally, I have to admit that the Packers seemed a step too fast or too slow for many of the connections they needed today. In understanding this, without making an excuse, we should not look past the tragic recent death of a member of the Packer's family. There is no way to compare the loss of a football game to the loss of a loved one. I pray that the Lord's comfort be abundant to the family and friends, the Packers organization, and the broader community.

God bless and thanks for a great season!

About Blessing

2012-01-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

As I finished hand washing the dishes a few moments ago I looked out my window across a snowy Door County landscape as my neighbor headed off in his snowplow. I looked on the counter and there on the large white ceramic platter was a living basil plant in a plastic bag, the scent filling the area, some mandarin oranges, a loaf of artisan bread. Next to this was the butter dish. I turned to look at the table and on the cutting board was a stack of wheat crackers next to several slices of Brie rind. A local christian music station was reminding me that God is not dead, but I hardly needed reminding. Standing in my own home, on a land big enough to do what I feel called to, with my wife and two kids, and uplifting God centered music making the backdrop of this moment, I remember that none of this came apart from faith in Jesus Christ. Are these blessings that many of us share, christian or not? Yes. But, if you are an unbeliever, imagine the satisfaction of knowing that what you have came through the hands of a loving heavenly Father whose plan for your life only just begins on earth and lasts into a blessed forever. Can you say, 'endorphin rush?' Can you say, 'peace?'

Praise and honor be to the Lord. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

A Dangerous Scene - Some Statistics About Teen Drinking

2012-01-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA67/AA67.htm

Our society has pushed back against smoking and it seems to be paying off but what bout the epidemic of teen and young adult drinking and binge drinking. The above link lays out so sobering statistics. Let's face it we can't outlaw alcohol, prohibition proved that, but must we be a culture with a drinking problem? Let me say that again, we are a culture with a drinking problem. In fact we could say that alcohol is almost like the fuel of our culture. Every professional sports team has a cozy relationship with vendors and brands and most people who drink responsibly would say "Why should I be punished because others do not act responsibly?"

Let us turn that justification of indifference around. Being responsible in society does not mean only keeping your own life together it does mean civic responsibility, and the law says minors are too young to drink. Do you know parents who indulge their underage teens and/or their friends? Do you sit quietly by while the culture portrays alcohol as a rite of passage? Alcohol should be legal because it can be used responsibly and it is as much a part of the culinary traditions of the world as almost any food. But the question America will one day have to face is whether allowing alcohol means we have to be a wet culture.

In many small towns the hub of economic activity is the local bar - again Cheers! But should that allow us to ignore our responsibility to raise our youth to be careful of their alcohol use. Its not just about you and me friends, its about others, its about the Nation, its about what is best and good.

God bless.

Benny Hinn or Benny Sin?

2012-01-13T19:55:00.001-08:00

Some deceiving spirits are like a flood. But now the tide is going out on Mr. Benny Hinn and his ilk.

Iran inviting Team of UN inspectors to view its nuclear program? Is it the rope-a-dope? What is Israel doing?

2012-01-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/01/13/iran-to-host-un-nuclear-inspectors-amid-tensions-over-strait-hormuz-threat/

Before I even get started let me remind all of us that North Korea did the same thing, then all of a sudden there was a shaking sound from under the Korean Peninsula. Now as far as I know no one has yet to truly verify that it was anything more than a lot of dynamite and a fuse, but it was a huge explosion and the North recently was found to have a beautiful new centrifuge facility. The North Korean tried to help Syria get started on a nuclear capability. The Iranians have run out of time in my opinion, and I do not believe the West should allow another round of rope-a-dope. Every day is another opportunity for the mentally disturbed Iranian regime to acquire the one weapon they think will give them legitimacy in their quest to lead a global Jihad and pave the way for Mahdi to return. In the service of their delusions they are encouraged to lie by the Koran itself.

You know I have seen in many children a sort of game they like to play. You tell them 'no' about something and they don't listen. Then you make the coming consequences clear and they still just sort of sit there and look at you. Then once they see you get up and move in their direction they immediately rush off to do what they know they should have done, given excuses along the way in the hopes that they are not going to be disciplined, because you know they did do eventually what you asked. Now some parents call it a victory at that point, but wise parents realize that the child has still disobeyed, and furthermore they have tried to establish the parameters within which they can continue to disobey. Maybe Dad won't ground me every time? That means I can get away with it every other time? Obedience to what is right after the dominoes have started to fall should not always remove the consequences of refusing at first. Tempting the wrath of a king is folly. Only those who long for death would be so foolish to do it again and again. And now let us note that with Iran we are talking about grown men, not children. Playing games with the world to the point where regime change against your nation is locked and loaded is no joke.

At this point in these very wearying games I would not be willing to give Iran any room to wiggle or squirm - a demand is more what is needed. Stop all nuclear work within your nation immediately and do not continue until outside observers have verified that fact and a treaty acceptable to all is in place for the progress of your peaceful nuclear ambitions. Any deviation from this course and, at a time of our discretion, Shock and Awe 2.0 will remove the regime, destroying all of its military capability beyond a Kalashnikov, and using whatever level and longevity of force is necessary to do so, including occupation of Iran, including bunker buster nuclear weapons.

The issue of nuclear proliferation is not one of 'he has one so I should be allowed to have one too.' It is a matter of being responsible enough to safeguard freedom. America has shown itself faithful, rebuilding our enemy's nations after we were forced to destroy them time and time again. The issue with Iran will abruptly come to an end, one way or another, and very soon.

Finally I do want to mention that the possibility that Israel is engaging in a broad pattern of assassination on foreign soil (again) means that the Us foreign policy has already failed. Such tactics, if they be by the Israeli's are only being used because they cannot risk open war but feel forced into actions which will inflame hatred toward them across the region. In other words because the Us won't be the policeman of the world, Israel is firing from the undergrowth and posturing themselves as best they can. I recently wrote a post titled 'Why Israel may have to go it alone on Iran.' Israel's increasingly open covert war with Iran may be one reason why the US has to go it alone on Iran and that Obama has to give the go ahead soon.

May the Lord add to our resolve, discretion, and to our discretion, real concern for mankind, so that we accomplish the task forced upon us with a clean conscience.

Game over.

Does Iran think it has the obligation to lie to the West about its nuclear ambitions?

2012-01-12T16:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/011-taqiyya.htm

Based on close consideration of video and other statements made by the Iranian President and the realization that Islam allows Muslims to lie to unbelievers I have started to wonder if in fact they are not purposely lying. In the cause of Islam a sect like the Twelvers find it their duty before Allah to lie if needs be to gain the type of weaponry needed to destroy their enemies and make way for the appearance of Mahdi.

I have often felt while watching President Ahmadinejad speak in interviews that his body language suggests he is lying and knows it. I wonder if the West would discover such a ploy before a nuke goes off in Seattle or Tel Aviv? It would be interesting to hear an expert on body language explain his peculiar manners during an interview.

Katy Perry's Parents Want Her To Hook Up With Tim Tebow

2012-01-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.9news.com/entertainment/241841/343/Buzz-Katy-Perry-and-Tim-Tebow

The best intentions of mice and men... Being a parent my heart goes out to Katy's parents. having a daughter my heart goes out Katy who is trapped by sin. But... trying to tie her up with Tim Tebow in a relationship before she repents of her personal sin and turns away from polluting the youth of America is asking too much of Mr. Tebow. Missionary dating never works.

Is it God's will? Maybe so, but Paul warned us very clearly not to associate with those who know the truth but do not practice it. I pray that if a Tebow/Perry lifelong marriage is something God sees in the future, we would see him calling her sincerely back into the fold and placing her great talents at the feet of the Master.

You can do all things Lord, protect Tim from the black widow and rob the devil of his songstress.

So mote it be!

Iranian Scientist Assassinated - Who Done It?

2012-01-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45953703/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/magnetic-bomb-kills-nuclear-scientist-iran-israel-accused/#.Tw2ZyRBSRtI

This is at least the second high profile assassination of an Iranian scientist or leader around their rocket and nuclear program in months. Last year was the Stuxnet Worm that set them back a few months. Right now there is much talk that Israel (with or without US help) is conducting a covert war using techniques similar to those seen in the wake of Munich to get after Black September. Another possibility is that with the technological aid of a foreign power, factions within the government are removing those they think are not loyal enough to see the regimes plans for a nuclear device and later attack on the Us or Israel through to completion. Still a third possibility is that these bombings are the work of dissidents within Iran who, after being abruptly silenced in their cries for freedom just a year or so ago are now taking a tack more in line with last summers Libyan resistance and the ongoing Syrian effort.

Time will tell. The big news floating around cyberspace is that the Iranians are planning a one kiloton underground nuclear test (like North Korea's) sometime this year. This would put Obama on the spot and leave him very weak going into the election if he did not respond strongly and if the the American electorate viewed it as a serious foreign policy failure if Iran obtains nuclear status under his watch.

As I have said, and continue to say, this is a battle that has to be fought eventually, and a clear and pressing case for preemption is easy to make. The disturbed viewpoint of the Iranian leadership leads them to terrorism and warlike attitudes toward their neighbors and the world in a very sensitive part of the world at a time when the world can ill afford to wait and see if this cult of Twelvers really believe Mahdi might be among them. My sense is that the plans for a broad coalition attack starting with attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, followed days later by Shock and Awe 2.0 are nearly completed and that the green light will come some time between now and April 1st.

This conflict will mark a point of departure from the 20th century, and historically it will be seen as part of the transition to a new paradigm in world history - yet another new world order.

Godspeed.

Romney Takes New Hampshire, Paul A Strong Second

2012-01-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/10/10099057-romney-wins-nh-primary-paul-second-huntsman-third

South Carolina has a big role to play now, to decide if Romney is truly going to be the frontrunner, and to decide who else should feel like they can keep dividing the party on what will surely a losing bid.

The patina on Rick Santorum lasted for about a week with me and now I feel somewhat embarrassed for stealing that horse.

Considering Paul's strong showing in Iowa, I think most of these candidates should spend their money against Romney in South Carolina and then drop and support Paul or Romney so we can get on to seeing how their percentages of support really compare.

Romney for me now has two strikes against him: 1) He is Mormon, and I am sorry to those who say I am discriminating because I am, I know what Mormons believe and it scares me. 2) He is super-rich and got that way by running in the investment capital and banking circles, the very circles that put all the chips in and then wanted them back when their hand was a bust.

Paul for me right now raises some red flags: 1) He is almost libertarian in his ideas about legalizing drugs. 2) He seems to be too much of a dove to really stand up for the country in a showdown. I'm afraid he would not be balanced in war but fail on the side of disengaging from the world and failing to protect the country by keeping our enemies at bay.

Which of these weaknesses is worse? Will I vote for either? Time will tell the tale. Santorum could surge in South Carolina again, a very conservative state, and Gingrich could also find legs passing through the South.

On to South Carolina.

The subtle differences between bibliolatry and respect for God's word

2012-01-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bibliolatry

bibliolater

1: one having excessive reverence for the letter of the Bible
2: one overly devoted to books

As soon as one crosses that line between living for Christ in the strength that only he can provide and becoming a walking canon of Scripture (pun intended) you cease to be a builder of God's kingdom. The letter kills but the Spirit gives life. Sadly because so many who want to be christian are willing to play the role of neophyte, even sycophant, the modern churches have been plagued by cults of personality and demagoguery for many many decades now.

The Bible is the word of God, but one must know the Word of God Jesus Christ and walk in the Spirit guided by the Bible in order to be Sons of God. God did not give us a 350 point sermon outline and walk away, letting us to decide how best to proceed, that is deism folks!

The Bible is the most important book and it should take the central place in the life of the Christian, but there is a difference between seeking God, accepting what is plainly written, and moving to a place where we alone understand every nuance and begin our own personal crusade against heresy. If we walk with Him there is a way of dealing with those who oppose. If we walk in our own intellectual prowess eventually the Lord will rebuke us, such vanity is not of God.

May the Lord bless us in the knowledge of Him.

Israel Considers Outlawing Misuse Of 'Nazi' Term

2012-01-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45939525/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/israel-considers-jail-terms-nazi-gibes/#.TwxNJBBSRtI

I wonder how the US Supreme Court would handle this case? My guess is that it would not be a unanimous decision. One perspective that I would expect to hear is that it is free speech even if the way it is used is offensive. On the other hand, using speech in a way that is meant to incite could be viewed as well incitement. So for ultra-orthodox to call their fellow Israelites 'Nazis' and to dress their children as concentration camp inmates in protest seems to cross some red lines. Probably misdemeanor incitement strikes a good balance.

What Israel is faced with is its own version of the hate speech debate. This particular variety sits at the loci of other issues as well because freedom of religion might be cited. The ultra-orthodox are sincerely expressing their belief that non-Jews are vermin and the Israeli government is rejecting God by rejecting their interpretation of the Law. As unsavory as most of the world is seeing the behavior of these ultra-orthodox communities, at the same time any civil society would want to make sure that it does not reverse the discrimination. An uncomfortable question that is faced by the world today is when does a form of religious expression invalidate itself by acting in ways that no god which any person should serve would condone.

All of these things make the statements in the Book of Revelation stand out for those who would understand, and those who might go through the end times.

(Revelation 14:12) This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

A time will come when that true religion which should not be spoken against cannot be accepted at all by a world given over to darkness. Then comes the temptation to fight with the weapons of this life, but we have greater weapons and they are forfeit if we do not walk in Christ.

May the Lord bless us in the knowledge of Him.

Radical Islam Will Have to Be Defeated Before The World Can Address Its Other Problems

2012-01-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

Radical Islam has now proven itself to be willing at every level of engagement to use threats and violence in an attempt to achieve its ends. Radical Islam is a perversion of religion which is so fundamentalist in its mindset that even the murder of innocents by brutal dictators is favorable to accepting the fact that a basic human right is freedom of religion.

What we fight when we fight radical Islam is not a religion, but a form of despotism, demagoguery, and tyrannical perversion of the human longing for fellowship with the Divine.

A distinction must be made for the purposes of civil society between Islam and Radical Islam. Radical Islam at the level of governments has already united itself with the great Axis of Evil which at best uses democracy and capitalism to entrench itself deeper and deeper. The free peoples of the world must understand that the great battle of this time is between those who respect human dignity and offer protection of liberty and those who abuse every form of human hope in the pursuit of their own power.

The wars which are soon to come are about good governance, basic human dignity, and the right to live in peace without the constant threats and provocations of those who seek to enslave men rather than free them to make the choice God Himself granted to them. After the forces of good have won this battle, which they will, which they must, the new world will face a series of threats leading to the rise of the Antichrist. The fact that evil will find its final great expression by twisting what is now a step toward the light cannot be a reason to fail to support what is right. In each moment we must do what is right, building, even though evil is ever watchful for a chance to tear down.

The Lord of Heaven will return to this earth soon. Jesus will return soon. When he does He will ensure that no oppressive government will ever again hold power on the earth. He will defeat those who will take what we intend for good and twist it for ultimate evil.

In every human heart is the understanding that there is more to life than meets the eye. The times ahead will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt what and Who that something is.

May the Lord bless us in the knowledge of Him.

Green Shoots In The Housing Market

2012-01-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Economists at Goldman Sachs recently forecast that after bottoming in 2013 house prices won't recover their 2006 peak until 2023. (No, that's not a typo.)

http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/21/9614305-as-home-prices-fall-more-borrowers-walk-away

Well right now there are enough people hungry for salad that every sign of green is going to be gobbled up on the spot.

It is going to be a long haul brothers and sisters but we have the one who designed life, death, and eternity living in our hearts by faith.

May the Lord strengthen us for what lies ahead. And He will!

Corrupt on Earth, Waging War on God - Iran To Execute US Man Visiting His Grandmother

2012-01-09T06:40:00.001-08:00

"The court found him Corrupt on Earth and Mohareb (waging war on God)"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45923397/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/#.Twr6AhBSRtI

An American Iranian man with dual citizenship is accused by Iran of spying for the CIA while visiting his grandmothers. The Guard court has sentenced him to death labeling him Corrupt on Earth and Waging War on God.

The first words that came to my mind after reading this were these.

MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN

You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting, this night is your kingdom taken from you and given to the Medes and Persians.

May the Iranian nation be returned to the control of its people. Lord strengthen our resolve for what must be accomplished now. We look forward to a time when the nations will no longer learn war, but we know that until then wars will be fought. Let us be on the side of justice and liberty, faith and freedom in You. Let not our hearts fail us.

Corrupt on Earth, Waging War on God - Iran to Execute US Man visiting his grandmother

2012-01-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

Romney wants to use what he knows about investment capital to get America back to work!

2012-01-08T23:23:00.000-08:00

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/08/10054651-romney-pushes-back-on-bain-attacks

We knew the man had to have a soft spot somewhere. At the risk of not getting any investment capital for my first big box chain I am going to call out Mr. Everyday Guy who just happens to be among the top 3000 richest men in America and say that he has not really spent his life in the public sector. Not the public sector that the average American lives in, where companies can be leveraged out from under you and the new owners can dump your pensions in a moment and never have to give them back, lay you off and hire you back at 75% what you were making before.

Gordon Gecko wants to be President, is that how we should think of it? No, its time that America has a President that actually does care about Americans and Mitt Romney cannot prove to us that he cares. And he certainly cannot prove to us that his experience as an investment banker will help him help anyone but other investment bankers. Banks should do well when the economy does well. Somehow we have found our way to a system where banks do well even if America ceases to exist.

Ponder that and ask me who must be running the country for that to be true. Do we need banks. Yes. Is there such a thing as a bank too big to succeed and be a responsible corporate entity? No. Be successful. Be responsible. But is there,... can there be such a thing as too big to fail? Because America knows the answer to that question, Mitt Romney will not be President. And I am going to dare to assume that Mitt Romney knows it.

Ponder that!

Pat Robertson says 2012 Economic Collapse

2012-01-08T21:53:00.000-08:00

http://themarkofthebeast.christianmoney.com/2012/01/pat-robertson-predicts-financial-collapse-in-2012.html

I notice that this 'god' who is speaking to Pat says the coming economic collapse is not his judgment but that we are doing it to ourselves. That fits, cuz Pat's God of prosperity and spiritual principle would bless us all abundantly with peace and riches if we just brought the full tithe into the storehouse and planted enough seed faith into Pat's bank account.

This man is a false prophet, its just time that we really admit that. He has ridden a wave of TV evangelism that is really a form demagoguery and has bilked people who claim to believe out of tens of billions of dollars. If judgment is coming on the church in America, and it is, men like Pat Robertson have hastened the day.

Pray all you like, the Lord will not hear. Judgment begins with the house of the Lord, and it will be evidenced by the fall of many very large ministries followed by a state of confusion within the churches which is palpable.

May the Lord strengthen the remnant that remains, for the work of true believers awaits them in the face of a rising and still largely hidden evil.

Lord help us.

A Scrabble Debacle

2012-01-08T21:13:00.000-08:00

My wife beat me at Scrabble tonight for the first time either of us remembers. And it was no small beating. I was down within a few turns of the end by eighty points. She won by over forty points. It was a great victory and she felt great about it. I, on the other hand, examined carefully all of my mistakes and realized that the turning point in the game was when I put the non-word mastid across with the m making me down and sitting on a triple letter score. I could have put mast for twenty-eight points but my vanity tempted me to be foolish and force her to challenge a word that I thought was a genus of fish or something. So I lost the turn and a potential twenty-eight points while she was able to come back and tile down for a triple word score for fifteen points. Well that is a forty-three point turn around, all else remaining equal, and it came at a point in the game when I was leading with confidence by near twenty points. So I feel good for her, its nice to see someone striding with the confidence that comes from a game well played. Still I have to admit that I am not pleased with myself for making such an unprincipled mistake. So now she knows she can beat me. The fear factor is gone. The monolithic effort it was going to take just to overcome the fact that she had never won, all lost. Such a small stone derails the train.

Praise the Lord!

Learning From Children

2012-01-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

This is a series of sorts that I come back to from time to time. What have my kids been teaching me lately. First I think one of the things I learn from everyone that I run into is that I am a glass half empty kind of a guy. I have had to admit this because when I ask myself which attitude I find more realistic - the eternal optimist ostrich with head stuck in the sand, or the prophet of doom - I think prophets of doom are more realistic. But lets get honest each position has its weaknesses.

The Bible does say that the heart of the wise is not in the house of mirth but the house of mourning. This is because the wise realize that sack cloth and ashes is the only garment one can wear to the party on this earth, so destroyed is it by sin. In fact the Preacher also says 'I beheld that the earth is lacking something, and that what is missing cannot be replaced.' Now that is a pretty good assessment of the fallen world. But here is the optimists claim to fame. You have to admit its getting better. Paul said 'The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.' Amen. So we have to find joy through Christ and then be thankful but sober about worldly things. Rejoice in life through Christ and find ways to redeem the time - that is make sure how we use this world has some redeeming value. Wilderness Christians often struggle with redeeming the time and it is a way you can recognize that they have not come to the place John identified as the fathers - 'I write to you fathers because you know Him who is from the beginning.'

So, lessons from my children. They forgive and forget. Children patch thing sup after a spat and then everything is just like it was. It is amazing to remember how long we worked through friendships as children. And I think we could do some very interesting analysis of why that is, but lets just realize that for a child that is at that stage there is nothing more heart rending than losing a friend. Certainly we can say that the 'sins' that most children commit against one another are typically trite. He took my toy. She stuck her tongue out at me. But in order to see full reconciliation repentance must occur, but then also a healing at least to the extent that we are willing to trust each other again. Adults tend so much more to develop a callous toward those who hurt them, so that even if we do forgive (meaning we no longer seek vengeance, we want them reconciled to God) we have a tough time figuring out how to renegotiate a relationship.

Recently both of my children have been hitting milestones. My daughter just squeaked over the boundary of that landmark called abstract reasoning. At 8 it seems a little early but she is starting to analyze the consistency of her parents arguments and actions. She is also starting to be creatively intelligent by figuring out the many options in a situation and stating which one makes the most sense. It is awesome. And yet still there are many times when the light bulb goes out and she will 'My brain just exploded, I'm not getting this.' I also love how she now is becoming aware of her attitudes and can sometimes actually step back and make a choice not to entertain a certain thought or attitude. Is the power always there for a christian child? Maybe. I just think that developmentally we are not always able to self analyze and self regulate (enter parents.)

My son is growing rapidly. Turning 3 in two months, he is learning to talk and he has those cute little lisps and speech impediments that so many toddlers have. I ask my wife if he is growing fine and she thinks so. Then I consider it and I know that a boy able to ask me for whatever he wants, tell me when he is unhappy, and smile and play in a way that lights up the whole room is doing just fine. In the last week or so it is my relationship with my son that has been used to speak to me more than others. For instance a day or so ago we were outside in the yard and he was in a high energy mode, bouncing from one thing to the next, and then suddenly he wanted me to open the garage. When I did not jump up immediately from my perch and rush to open the door he began getting more emotional and crying and whining 'Open the door please. Dad open the door." Then he came closer to me and started pointing to the garage, 'Please. Open the Door.' With a sort of commanding whine. I saw the analogy of my own relationship with my Father in heaven immediately. So then I decided I would open the door but I asked him some questions. 'Why do you want the door opened?' He would not tell me. Now the reason was clear to me. He wanted to get out his stroller and push it around the yard and I had already told him he could not have it. So, rather than saying 'Get strowwwla', he kept pushing me to open the door. So I did open the door and then he was in the garage. After that I reiterated, 'No I don't want the big door open and no you cannot take your stroller into the yard because you already have one out there. From a kids perspective it just sometimes makes no sense why parents say no to certain things. This whole scene stuck with me. And in the days since almost every time I look at him I see all the good things sure, but I also have been reminded that I have prayed just like he approaches me.

'Dad, I want this. Can I have it?'

Now in my son it is still wrapped in all the cuteness and relative harmlessness of toddlerhood, but in adults it is very irritating and can be dangerous.

The question that I have to ask myself is am I growing up into Christ and what does that really look like from the biblical perspective. What is the litmus test for maturity in Christ. We could say some things like this. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends. Does this mean you have to have many friends and be very gregarious or your not attaining? No. Jesus also said that if we love Him we will do what He commands. His commandment now that He has done all the hard work of saving us and regenerating us, is to love one another. Why, because love is the fulfillment of the law. Pertaining to the Law of Moses, in Christ the ceremonial law is completely gone, the civil law is useful but not required, and the moral law is the only part that stands as a benchmark of sorts. Not regarding punishment, but regarding holiness. When I read God's righteous decrees I see also whether I make righteous decrees. If not, I should be compelled to repent.

My children are under the care of my wife and I and we want nothing more than for them to grow up and exhibit the kind of love that Jesus did. A love for God, for people, for the truth. We all spend our lives on something. If we remain as children we might be happy to spend our lives making castles in the sand, but what return is there on building something which only passes away?

(Psalm 127 NIV) Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

How can children be a heritage? Think about that for a while, look into the Hebrew words underneath Psalm 127:3.

May the Lord bless us in the knowledge of Him.

US Navy Frees Iranians Captured By Pirates

2012-01-06T14:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts-law/amid-ongoing-tensions-with-tehran-us-navy-rescues-iranian-fishing-boat-taken-by-pirates/2012/01/06/gIQAiaL9eP_story.html

This story made me smile. It just reminded me that we are the good guys. Even though it probably won't bring Tehran to a place of negotiating over its nuclear program at least the Iranian people know we are not the bogeymen the regime might paint us to be. The American idea is about a peaceful and prosperous world. Again, this is just one of those stories that makes you feel good to be an American and gives you hope for humanity. Great job US Navy!