Foolish Faith Is Quicksilver Sneaky Fast

The other day, during a discussion on another blog about the deviousness of Mankind, a nice lady named Denise quoted a verse which resonated for us:
"5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Jeremiah 17:5

The passage deals with the apostasy of Judah in Jeremiah's time, but mankind is universal. This verse is right above the better known passage:

"9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
10 “I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds."

“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,"--does that remind you of anyone? Of several billion anyones?
For one prominent example, think about Al Gore. Is he trusting that God has everything in hand, or is he trusting in mankind to solve what he considers to be “problems”?
Easy answer, right?
The only way that you can worry about anything is to disbelieve God.

Denise also quoted from Psalm 20:7
“7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.”

Nowadays, some boast/trust in mandates and legislation, some trust that mankind can somehow “FIX” a single one of the problems he causes. Talk about foolish faith!
I’ll stick with God, Who has a proven track record going back farther than you can count. Amen.

Can't Hurt To Ask

Okay, midnight ideas don't always shine as brightly by light of day, but here t'is: as the Healthcare Reform Bill was so strongly contested before being signed into law this past Tuesday, why not let the people decide?
The ballot above, with the simple yes or no vote, would give each American a voice in whether or not he or she WANTS to see the HCR law implemented.
There would be time now for debate, two years, for the merits and demerits of the HRC law to be appraised, praised or denounced by the public which our government is supposed to be serving. Nothing kicks in until 2014, although the extra taxes have already begun to be collected.

Why would the politicians in Washington vote in favor of having this question put on the 2012 ballot?
Cover. Self interest. A chance to get out from under the HCR cloud.
If, for example, Senator Al Franken wants to win re-election, and 90% of the population votes NO on the referendum, he can say, "The people have spoken. I now reject the HCR Act of 2010, and demand that an alternative measure be sought."
Wishful thinking? Or would it be more in keeping with what should happen in a Democracy?
Carl Sandburg was one of the most overrated wordsmiths of the last century, but I love the name of one of his epic 'poems': "The People, Yes."

Shouting 'Theater' In A Crowded Water

...or 'Water' in a theater crowd-all the sameish.

God laughs at the wicked who plot against the righteous
for HE (God) sees his (the wicked's) day is coming.
Which day? Judgement Day. See Psalm 37:12-13.
Payback. ROI. If a person's sins are not covered by the blood of Christ,
(meaning that they are NOT a Christian...)
on that Day they will stand before God alone and answer for their sins. Ouch times infinity.
It isn't "Hate Speech" for me to state that each of us needs salvation through Jesus Christ.
It is the epitome of Love Speech.
30

UH OH!!!

President Obama introduces his new Medical Czar.

Hoo Boy! Let me Tell ya!

Greetings, fellow earth dwellers. I noticed that it has been near a week since I've updated FDW-some of you know why my life has been hectictical for the past 7. Suffice it that things are fine, and all of that.
I’ve stated here in eternity past that, as a Christian, I am defined by THE Positive, Jesus Christ, not a negative, such as Protestants-proponents of protest against Catholicism.
A lot of Conservatives, Right thinking folks, are upset and angry right now that Obamacare has been signed into law. I can’t join the outrage-it gets my soul all muddy.
Rather than bemoan events, I thank God for every day, every challenge, every bumpy road. I certainly wish that it had failed, and I hope that it gets repealed but you know what? I will go on living either way.
When circumstance grows darker, when times are troubled, more people reach out for God’s hand. He is Glorified when people repent and turn to Him. There’s my silver lining. I would love to see Heaven filled with my friends and family and everyone reading these words. If it takes Obamacare/Gov takeover of the private sector/taxing us back to the stone age for them to look upward...bring it on, Barry!

Trust Me...I'm A Christian! Really! Honest and True!

"1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." 2 Peter 2:1-3

I was listening to this book tonight, and these verses caught my attention. Peter mentions that 'false prophets arose among the people'. As you read the Old Testament, you can't help but trip over false prophets, acting up and attempting to draw people away from God.
Peter goes on to promise Christians that 'there will also be false teachers among you' introducing destructive heresies. Boy, have they ever!
It has gotten so bad in 2010 that the destructive heretics seem to outnumber true believers. It's getting so that the pagans don't know who to disbelieve anymore!

Here's a few handy hints to help you recognize the heretic next door.

If they CLAIM to be Christians:
Ask him who Jesus is. If you get any answer other than Jesus Christ, Messiah, one third of the Trinity...he might just be a heretic.

Ask her if the Bible can be trusted as the Word of God, inerrant in the original languages. If you get any other answer...she might just be a heretic.

Ask him if he is certain of going to Heaven. If not, why not?

Verse two above holds another clue: false Christians will follow their sensuality-while supposedly living for God, they will be living self satisfying, ego driven lives. If the most Christian thing about them is the fish symbol on their car parked at the no-tell motel bar...
your heretic meter should be pinging like the fifth level of the OSI protocol stack.
Another clue would be if they don't go to church regularly. If they can't stand to be around Christians... well, that's a problem that solves itself.

"In their greed they will exploit you with false words." By the bucketful, friends.
False teachers write books, hold seminars promising things which aren't found in the Bible. If somebody is trying to tell you that you can live a better life, a happier, thinner, healthier life because of something God told him...make sure your wallet is still safe in your pocket and RUN!

Mouldy Bread and Fleecing Circuses

"When the city of Rome burned, the Romans believed that their emperor, Nero, had set the city on fire, probably because of his incredible lust to build. In order to build more, he had to destroy what already existed." From John MacArthur's introduction to 1 Peter.

Maybe President Obama is a student of history-he certainly seems intent on tearing apart and rebuilding the country into his Ideal.
Nero blamed the Christians, claimed that they burned down the city.
If the ill-named "Healthcare Reform"fails (as seems likely), the President and his Democratic Bread and Circuses Congress will not simply say, "We were wrong-we didn't understand how out of touch we were, going against the will of the American people. Now that we have heard from the public, the Healthcare Reform bill is dead."
No. watch the news and see if I have it right-It will all be blamed on the Republicans who never had enough votes to stop the bill's passing.
Mouldy Bread and Fleecing Circuses. Just sad, obnoxiously sad.
May God Bless the United States of America.

I'm Not Lazy-I'm Recycling!

My Pastor asked me if I would cook up another Bible quiz for tonight-here is most of the quiz, for your enjoyment or t'oher. I culled the questions which had to do with 'Finish the verse'.

Enjoy!

Bible Quiz 3-14-2010

1: 14th book of the Bible?


2: Who was the prophet who resisted God?


3: We all know the Samaritan woman at the well. What city did she live in?


4: Which king had Daniel tossed in the lion's den?


5: What did Darius do while Daniel was in the den?


6: The miracle of a few loaves of bread feeding a large crowd, with some left over, is first recorded in which book?

7: 14th book of New Testament?

8: To whom is 3 John addressed?

9: According to Lamentations 3:24, the LORD is my ?

10: According to Psalm 73:26 God is the strength of my heart and my ?

11: Be the first one to stand up and quote Psalm 103:1
"1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name."

May God Be Merciful

Here's the deal. I have written to both my Senators and my Representative in the House, voicing my opposition to the alleged "Health Care Reform" con being perpetrated on the American people. As all three are ardent Democrats, in return I received nicely worded letters thanking me for my interest, but this is necessary for the American blah blah blah blah.
Knowing that people sometimes NEED trouble in their lives in order for them to give up on their selves (reference: see all of the Old and New testaments...and my life)...I can see God glorified in these troubled times as circumstance drives people to their knees seeking Him.
So how do I pray? I ask God to bless President Obama. Not his grandiose plans, but Obama himself. I don't curse the President-according to Scripture, Pride goes before a fall, and everyone who exalts himself God will humble. Obama is heaping curse upon himself, and I ask God to be Merciful, to forgive him, drawing Obama to Himself.

"1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time."
1 Timothy 2:1-6

Even if the Democrats got their entire wish list, and we became serfs serving Government, God is still in His Heaven, in charge of everything. Christianity had it's start at a time when all of the known world was under Roman rule. People have endured, thrived under many Caesars, many il Duce, Hitlers, Stalins and tinpot dictators. Look up Psalm 37:35-40.
May God be Merciful and may God be Glorified.

Not Madison

This is “Oscar WKND” and, as usual, I will celebrate the Oscars by going to church and ignoring the enclave of “stars” thanking their mothers and agents while clutching statues in sweaty manicured hands.
I just had a mental image of a red carpet microphone nuisance-Mary Hart, or Joan Rivers…trolling the red carpet, trying to hook celebrities as they enter: “THEE Event Of The AGES”:
Mary Hart: “Mary Hart for ET, welcoming you to our telecast of the Golden Calf Celebration and after party. Kicking things off, coming towards me is Miriam being escorted by her brother Aaron. Miriam, who are you wearing?”
Miriam: “It’s just a dress. Um…Egyptian? I don’t know.”
Mary Hart: “Aaron, I imagine that you are both excited, waiting for your brother to come back down the mountain. Can you tell us how excited you are?”
Aaron: “Well, he’s been up there quite awhile. I’d say…(looking at Miriam) we are very excited.” Miriam nods and smiles.
Mary Hart: “And who are you wearing tonight?”
Aaron: “Who? My wife dresses me-she had a headache, so she stayed in the tent; I’ll have to ask her and get back to you.”
Miriam: “Forgive my brother, Mary-he’s such a guy. Valentino.”

Dr. Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger

Have a great weekend, underpeople!

You Didn't Hear It From Me

Gossip: Vice enjoyed vicariously.
I heard that stated tonight, and it makes such sense. Who has been hurt by gossip? Stinks, doesn't it?
I didn't need Biblical prohibitions to keep from gossiping, but I'm glad that they are there:
Proverbs 20:19
"He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip."
Romans 1:29, 2 Cor. 12:20-look them up if you like.
Gossip-false gossip, but true gossip is just as vile-gossip once put a massive hurt on my life; I hated what I went through, but God used those bad times to cause me to seek Him and His Salvation. That was 30some years ago-I hate gossip to this day, and when I hear some, I shut my ears and it dies with me. Meaning that I refuse to be a carrier of the vicarious vice.
You might say, "But Doug! Didn't you gossip about Obama when...?"
No.
I do comment on cultural/political events, and on people. I will talk about President Obama's policies, but not his personal life. Go ahead and dig through my archives-I doubt you will find anything that you could call gossip. But if you do...keep it to yourself. Shhh!