Where sin did abound, Grace did all the more abound.
This is a paraphrase of the great verse in Romans 5. This is the form of the verse which Charles Spurgeon wrote sermons and books about: Grace is greater than sin. Grace > sin. Sin can only reach certain limits, and can never become greater, extend farther than God’s Grace. That is a wonderful, comforting promise, made all the more precious as the World spins deeper into sin. No matter how bad it gets, no matter how troubling the times, God is in charge, and His children are safe, surrounded, protected by His Grace.
That doesn’t mean that we are invulnerable; we all pass from death to Life, and it isn’t always pretty. God may bring us face to face with persecution and torture, but where sin does abound, Grace does all the more abound. And if/when we die, we go from Grace to Grace, as we go to be with Him at His Throne of Grace.
This is a win/win. Mighty cool. May God Bless you richly today.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Now a word was brought to me stealthily,
And my ear received a whisper of it.
Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
Dread came upon me, and trembling,
And made all my bones shake.
Then a spirit passed by my face;
The hair of my flesh bristled up.
It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, then I heard a voice:
“Can mankind be just before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?”
And my ear received a whisper of it.
Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
Dread came upon me, and trembling,
And made all my bones shake.
Then a spirit passed by my face;
The hair of my flesh bristled up.
It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, then I heard a voice:
“Can mankind be just before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?”
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Now a word was brought to me stealthily,
And my ear received a whisper of it.
Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
Dread came upon me, and trembling,
And made all my bones shake.
Then a spirit passed by my face;
The hair of my flesh bristled up.
It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, then I heard a voice:
“Can mankind be just before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?”
And my ear received a whisper of it.
Amid disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
Dread came upon me, and trembling,
And made all my bones shake.
Then a spirit passed by my face;
The hair of my flesh bristled up.
It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, then I heard a voice:
“Can mankind be just before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?”
Friday, July 18, 2008
Job 40:1-14
After Job’s life had been turned upside down, after his friends had accused him of harboring some secret sin which had brought God’s Judgment down on him…God spoke to Job.
He didn’t explain Himself. He didn’t apologize. But He did ask Job some questions, and here I must be very careful.
I believe that the questions God asks of Job each of us should contemplate, as they have to do with our standing, our relationship with our Creator.
“Job 40
1Then the LORD said to Job,
2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it.”
3Then Job answered the LORD and said,
4 “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 “Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;
Even twice, and I will add nothing more.”
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said,
7 “Now gird up your loins like a man;
I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
8 “Will you really annul My judgment?
Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?
9 “Or do you have an arm like God,
And can you thunder with a voice like His?
10 “Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity,
And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
11 “Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
And look on everyone who is proud, and make him low.
12 “Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him,
And tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 “Hide them in the dust together;
Bind them in the hidden place.
14 “Then I will also confess to you,
That your own right hand can save you.”
This is just a short section of what God asked Job, but it gets right to the point: if we are not God, not His equal, then we cannot question God or His motives when our lives are torn apart. We cannot curse God, blame God, find fault with God, because we are merely men and women, His creations. As the poem says, “Our arms too short to box with God.”
I encourage you to read through Job; it is deep, filled with wisdom, much spiritual nourishment. May God richly Bless you today.
He didn’t explain Himself. He didn’t apologize. But He did ask Job some questions, and here I must be very careful.
I believe that the questions God asks of Job each of us should contemplate, as they have to do with our standing, our relationship with our Creator.
“Job 40
1Then the LORD said to Job,
2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it.”
3Then Job answered the LORD and said,
4 “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 “Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;
Even twice, and I will add nothing more.”
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said,
7 “Now gird up your loins like a man;
I will ask you, and you instruct Me.
8 “Will you really annul My judgment?
Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?
9 “Or do you have an arm like God,
And can you thunder with a voice like His?
10 “Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity,
And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
11 “Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
And look on everyone who is proud, and make him low.
12 “Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him,
And tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 “Hide them in the dust together;
Bind them in the hidden place.
14 “Then I will also confess to you,
That your own right hand can save you.”
This is just a short section of what God asked Job, but it gets right to the point: if we are not God, not His equal, then we cannot question God or His motives when our lives are torn apart. We cannot curse God, blame God, find fault with God, because we are merely men and women, His creations. As the poem says, “Our arms too short to box with God.”
I encourage you to read through Job; it is deep, filled with wisdom, much spiritual nourishment. May God richly Bless you today.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Luke 18:1-8
1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3“There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4“For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said*; 7now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8“I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1-8
Wow. The good Doctor has some potent medicine here for us Christians. Our Pastor noted this parable in his message today. There’s a lot here, but some of the main points that I find comforting are:
1. Our Lord is going to return. He will bring Justice to an unjust world. He will remember every offence perpetrated against His elect; every cruelty, every persecution…and ‘He will bring about justice for them quickly.’ It is stated as fact, not assumption or guess. That is very comforting, especially as we struggle on through a world that wants to deny Christ’s return.
2. In the very first verse we are told the object lesson of the parable: pray and not lose heart, don’t give up;
Prayer, our lifeline, our communing with God, is what keeps us connected, in sync, sensitive to the leading of God in our lives. I can tell you that I have not prayed as I should, and it has been detrimental, has weakened me.
I have the ‘not lose heart’ part down, the ‘not giving up’ element is part of my nature, but I am often guilty of pushing forward in my own strengths, instead of submitting to God. I would make fewer missteps if I spent more time listening to our Father. Part of the reason I so cherish His Mercy and Grace is that I am daily in desperate need of both. So are you.
3. Jesus uses the example of an ungodly Judge who does the right thing due to the widow’s perseverance.
This reminds me of the children of Israel being given treasure by the Egyptians as parting gifts. The ungodly Egyptians were used by God to bless Israel. You could look it up.
4. “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Lord, I hope so. He will…if we do not lose heart, and continue to pray. The last verse leads back to the first.
Amen.
Luke 18:1-8
Wow. The good Doctor has some potent medicine here for us Christians. Our Pastor noted this parable in his message today. There’s a lot here, but some of the main points that I find comforting are:
1. Our Lord is going to return. He will bring Justice to an unjust world. He will remember every offence perpetrated against His elect; every cruelty, every persecution…and ‘He will bring about justice for them quickly.’ It is stated as fact, not assumption or guess. That is very comforting, especially as we struggle on through a world that wants to deny Christ’s return.
2. In the very first verse we are told the object lesson of the parable: pray and not lose heart, don’t give up;
Prayer, our lifeline, our communing with God, is what keeps us connected, in sync, sensitive to the leading of God in our lives. I can tell you that I have not prayed as I should, and it has been detrimental, has weakened me.
I have the ‘not lose heart’ part down, the ‘not giving up’ element is part of my nature, but I am often guilty of pushing forward in my own strengths, instead of submitting to God. I would make fewer missteps if I spent more time listening to our Father. Part of the reason I so cherish His Mercy and Grace is that I am daily in desperate need of both. So are you.
3. Jesus uses the example of an ungodly Judge who does the right thing due to the widow’s perseverance.
This reminds me of the children of Israel being given treasure by the Egyptians as parting gifts. The ungodly Egyptians were used by God to bless Israel. You could look it up.
4. “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Lord, I hope so. He will…if we do not lose heart, and continue to pray. The last verse leads back to the first.
Amen.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Actually, Stonehenge Rhymes With Orange
A mother and child walking next to the ocean. The child wants to count the sand, to see how many sands it takes to be a beach. First handful.
“One…two…three…”
The mother knows it’s impossible, and waits for the child to become bored.
“Sixty one…sixty two…”
The mother looks out and sees a sailboat about halfway to the horizon. As the child counts, she imagines being on that boat, sailing away.
“Seventy nine…eighty…eighty-one …”
This is why I am sometimes amused by Man in his arrogance.
Man makes plans on old information because he must. An event happens, and we react. The War of 1812 lasted a year beyond the signing of the peace treaty, as the news took time to reach the warring factions. Man stumbles through history, mistaking enemies for friends, friends for enemies, causing fights and reacting when hit.
We do not run this planet. If left to ourselves, we would have wiped ourselves out, each Cain killing his Abel, his Seth, his Eve or Adam.
It is having been made in God’s image which keeps us from oblivion; the fact that we are still here is proof of His patience and Grace. Our future is much brighter than our past only because God has better plans for us than we could even imagine.
I think God designed us to need sleep so that we can only make mischief 2/3rds of the time.
While we are like children counting sand, God knows. He could tell us the number of granules of sand on that beach, but we couldn’t process the answer. He would know the number of hairs on the head of that imaginary sailor in the sailboat; from our perspective on the shore we can’t even see if there is a sailor.
And yet we declare ourselves omniscient enough to rule our planet. Arrogance and foolishness.
The next time you hear a pontificator pontificating, feel free to go ahead and laugh.
“One…two…three…”
The mother knows it’s impossible, and waits for the child to become bored.
“Sixty one…sixty two…”
The mother looks out and sees a sailboat about halfway to the horizon. As the child counts, she imagines being on that boat, sailing away.
“Seventy nine…eighty…eighty-one …”
This is why I am sometimes amused by Man in his arrogance.
Man makes plans on old information because he must. An event happens, and we react. The War of 1812 lasted a year beyond the signing of the peace treaty, as the news took time to reach the warring factions. Man stumbles through history, mistaking enemies for friends, friends for enemies, causing fights and reacting when hit.
We do not run this planet. If left to ourselves, we would have wiped ourselves out, each Cain killing his Abel, his Seth, his Eve or Adam.
It is having been made in God’s image which keeps us from oblivion; the fact that we are still here is proof of His patience and Grace. Our future is much brighter than our past only because God has better plans for us than we could even imagine.
I think God designed us to need sleep so that we can only make mischief 2/3rds of the time.
While we are like children counting sand, God knows. He could tell us the number of granules of sand on that beach, but we couldn’t process the answer. He would know the number of hairs on the head of that imaginary sailor in the sailboat; from our perspective on the shore we can’t even see if there is a sailor.
And yet we declare ourselves omniscient enough to rule our planet. Arrogance and foolishness.
The next time you hear a pontificator pontificating, feel free to go ahead and laugh.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Pragma, or Three Tattoo Minimum
Ouch. I just got another sharp gain in my vista. Sometimes it hurts to look at a future so bright.
Forgive, please, if this isn’t linear enough for you; I was up all last night, working on an idea for my job. It’s been a catch up day, but I thought I might set this down so I can get some sleep later unmindful of extemp thoughts.
I have a solution for the energy crisis; not in total, but an idea which I am certain could help. Here I am, giving it away for free. Wind power. Solar power. Where are our windmills?
“Uh, they’re all over the place, Doug.”
Yes, but windmills have been working at the same level since one of then took on Don Quixote and won.
We have left the ground. We are in space, we are in flight, and windmills needn’t remain grounded anymore.
There are much fiercer winds, more powerful, higher up. Windmills at the higher level would have more to work with, could create more energy than their hit or miss, wait for the wind to blow grounded counterparts. We have nearly perfected wireless transmission of energy- a platform of windmills, also capturing solar energy-above most clouds, the solar energy is uninterrupted, always on-such platforms, held in position just as satellites are, could power cities.
I’m all for nuclear power. I would love it if we opened up more of our verboten areas for oil drilling. But the Nay-neighers on the Left will have none of that.
In Israel, a company has come up with the idea of creating hydroelectric power…by forcing water up a giant pipe into the sky, which turns turbines as the water falls back to Earth. If that catches on, barren areas with no waterfalls can create hydroelectric power cheaply. It takes a little power to push the water up the pipe, but more energy is created simply by agreeing with gravity.
My point is that we have greater technological tools to work with than they did even 50 years ago. We can improve old ideas, and maybe think of a few new ones.
About the title of this post: I don’t hardly fit into this world system. If I were the type to go to the trendy clubs which have a three tattoo minimum for entrance, I’d never get in. Scars don’t count. I don’t have a single tattoo. I have known Christians who sport them, and I am not knocking those who have drawings on their skin…it’s just not for me. I think that being an outsider (in the world, but not of it) can give Christians a clear perspective which those of the world miss. Most common, of course, is our certainty that God exists. They don’t get that. They think we’re nuts. I recognize not only that God exists, but that He is working His will upon His Creation.
A pragmatist never loses his footing.
30
Forgive, please, if this isn’t linear enough for you; I was up all last night, working on an idea for my job. It’s been a catch up day, but I thought I might set this down so I can get some sleep later unmindful of extemp thoughts.
I have a solution for the energy crisis; not in total, but an idea which I am certain could help. Here I am, giving it away for free. Wind power. Solar power. Where are our windmills?
“Uh, they’re all over the place, Doug.”
Yes, but windmills have been working at the same level since one of then took on Don Quixote and won.
We have left the ground. We are in space, we are in flight, and windmills needn’t remain grounded anymore.
There are much fiercer winds, more powerful, higher up. Windmills at the higher level would have more to work with, could create more energy than their hit or miss, wait for the wind to blow grounded counterparts. We have nearly perfected wireless transmission of energy- a platform of windmills, also capturing solar energy-above most clouds, the solar energy is uninterrupted, always on-such platforms, held in position just as satellites are, could power cities.
I’m all for nuclear power. I would love it if we opened up more of our verboten areas for oil drilling. But the Nay-neighers on the Left will have none of that.
In Israel, a company has come up with the idea of creating hydroelectric power…by forcing water up a giant pipe into the sky, which turns turbines as the water falls back to Earth. If that catches on, barren areas with no waterfalls can create hydroelectric power cheaply. It takes a little power to push the water up the pipe, but more energy is created simply by agreeing with gravity.
My point is that we have greater technological tools to work with than they did even 50 years ago. We can improve old ideas, and maybe think of a few new ones.
About the title of this post: I don’t hardly fit into this world system. If I were the type to go to the trendy clubs which have a three tattoo minimum for entrance, I’d never get in. Scars don’t count. I don’t have a single tattoo. I have known Christians who sport them, and I am not knocking those who have drawings on their skin…it’s just not for me. I think that being an outsider (in the world, but not of it) can give Christians a clear perspective which those of the world miss. Most common, of course, is our certainty that God exists. They don’t get that. They think we’re nuts. I recognize not only that God exists, but that He is working His will upon His Creation.
A pragmatist never loses his footing.
30
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Nearer, My God, To Thee
May God richly Bless you today. Throughout our lives, first and foremost, God deserves honor and our Praise- for loving us, for keeping our world spinning, and for putting up with us.
This post had it’s genesis a week ago. I was watching “Lois and Clark-The New Adventures of Superman”. A cheesy show, but I like it. It struck me that the two “guest villains” of that episode are now dead: actor J.T. Walsh of a heart attack, and the other, Charles Rocket, of suicide. Suicide, as in couldn’t stand living anymore.
Then one of my brother’s co-workers committed suicide. Quite a shock-we are such a small town that everyone knows each others cousins, if only by reputation.
Each of these men had in common that they were roughly six years older than I am now. By God’s Grace, I’ve never messed up my life so terribly that the thought of ending it has ever occurred to me. I know from scripture that God sets the number of our days, for both saint and sinner. I’ve often read Psalm 37 for comfort, including:
“18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.
20 But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.”
We are living now for eternity. We are in the existential “Green room”, waiting to go on.
However we die, whether by our own hand, or by accident, or illness, or any way noble, ignoble…God is in charge. When He calls us, we go.
Suicide has been called, “The coward’s way out.” That’s terribly unfair, and is very much a worldly viewpoint. We should have compassion on those who are so troubled that life becomes unbearable. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Can a Christian become so despondent that he or she would commit suicide? Absolutely. As I stated above, by God’s Grace I’ve never so messed up my life that I’ve considered ending it. But Christians, being human, sometimes do make quite a mess of their lives. Christians can suffer from depression, mental illness-we are not invincible, impervious to disease or damage. Whatever happens in this life, however our frailty is exhibited, whichever thorns we have in our sides, God is in charge. He loves us, He keeps our world spinning, and He numbers our days. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.
This post had it’s genesis a week ago. I was watching “Lois and Clark-The New Adventures of Superman”. A cheesy show, but I like it. It struck me that the two “guest villains” of that episode are now dead: actor J.T. Walsh of a heart attack, and the other, Charles Rocket, of suicide. Suicide, as in couldn’t stand living anymore.
Then one of my brother’s co-workers committed suicide. Quite a shock-we are such a small town that everyone knows each others cousins, if only by reputation.
Each of these men had in common that they were roughly six years older than I am now. By God’s Grace, I’ve never messed up my life so terribly that the thought of ending it has ever occurred to me. I know from scripture that God sets the number of our days, for both saint and sinner. I’ve often read Psalm 37 for comfort, including:
“18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
And their inheritance will be forever.
19 They will not be ashamed in the time of evil,
And in the days of famine they will have abundance.
20 But the wicked will perish;
And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures,
They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.”
We are living now for eternity. We are in the existential “Green room”, waiting to go on.
However we die, whether by our own hand, or by accident, or illness, or any way noble, ignoble…God is in charge. When He calls us, we go.
Suicide has been called, “The coward’s way out.” That’s terribly unfair, and is very much a worldly viewpoint. We should have compassion on those who are so troubled that life becomes unbearable. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Can a Christian become so despondent that he or she would commit suicide? Absolutely. As I stated above, by God’s Grace I’ve never so messed up my life that I’ve considered ending it. But Christians, being human, sometimes do make quite a mess of their lives. Christians can suffer from depression, mental illness-we are not invincible, impervious to disease or damage. Whatever happens in this life, however our frailty is exhibited, whichever thorns we have in our sides, God is in charge. He loves us, He keeps our world spinning, and He numbers our days. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Majority of Two
“What can we do?” whispered the Aide.
The Consul shook his head. “We’re dead.”
“How did this happen? Weren’t you supposed to be guarding him? Making sure that no-one could get to him?”
“You can’t blame me for this. According to Barack, this was fated to happen.”
“I feel ill.”
Many were feeling sick to their stomachs in that conference room. Barack Obama, soon to be President of the United States, was appealing to his closest staff with tears in his eyes.
“We have sinned against God! We have set ourselves up as little gods, when we are nothing! Nothing but sinful men who have rejected God!”
The sat silently, staring at the man who had been their hope.
“We have done great injustice, not only to our fellow man, but to our country, to this world!”
The Consul raised his hand. “Barack, I can understand that there has been injustice done, but not by us.
We are the party defending the common man, the victimized, the abused. We have…”
Obama cut him off.
“How can you say that? We have, as a party, held to Abortion as a protected right! We have destroyed millions of innocent lives, decimated generations since Roe v Wade, and there is no more innocent victim than a baby aborted!”
“Barack!” Shouted the Aide. “Who ARE you? You’re talking crazy! A fetus is not a person! It has no rights!”
“I know who I am. And I know who I was just a few short weeks ago.” Obama wiped his eyes, took a sip of water, and sighed.
“I was sitting up late, in Atlanta, after speaking at that college. That must have been June 20th , because I remember thinking that it was the weekend, and I was beat. I’d been having trouble sleeping, so I looked for something to read, to make me sleepy. I picked up the Bible.”
Groans were heard coming from the back of the room. He continued.
“Yeah, I know. I figured a few pages would knock me out, but I began in the Gospel of John, and…this is hard for me to say out loud, but God was working on me. God shined light on those pages, God turned that light on my sin…and I knew I was dead. That I deserved death. That I was a sinner, in danger of being held accountable for my sin. That scared me to my knees, and I asked God to forgive me, asked Jesus to save me, and He did!”
“But Barack!” said the Consul. “You’ve been a Christian for twenty years!” Barack laughed.
“Let me tell you what kind of Christian I was. I was a Christian without Christ, who saw opportunity to advance myself. I was a Christian who got rich telling poor people that they were victims of somebody else’s greed.
I was the kind of Christian who embraced any and all religions that I knew were lies. I had no problem communing with atheists, liars and crooks who could help me politically. As a matter of fact, the more ungodly, the better I got along, as I was one of them!”
The Consul stood up. “Barack, I guess I’m one of those ungodly people, since I’ve been with you longer than anyone else in this room. You’re some kind of good Christian, insulting me like that. I want an apology, right now, right here!” Barack stared at his old friend, then shook his head.
“I’ve played that game too many times, and you should know me better than that. If I’ve hurt your pride, friend, maybe that’s a good thing. Sit down.” Obama looked around the room.
“You all must be wondering where we go from here. Who comes with me to Washington? That depends on you. Here it is.”
“I plan on working with the Republicans to undo the damage we have done to this nation. Forget legalized Abortion. It’s gone-even with a Democratic majority in Congress I will get that done first. If you don’t like that, there’s the door.” Nobody moved.
“Forget Welfare. We have subsidized the destruction of the black family, the poor and disadvantaged. We have made it necessary to rely on the Government, which leads me to the next point.
That Federal Bureaucracy is destroying this nation! It sucks up money and power, creating layers upon layers upon layers of Government, hacks who all work to grow the Bureaucracy. In the past, I always declared that I would change Washington. That was politics… now I mean it.”
“I will protect our borders, through any means necessary. Fences, militias, maybe move some of those Washington bureaucrats to the borders with shotguns and binoculars. They can do some good there.”
“Term limits for both Senators and Representatives. This will be the hardest nut to crack, but I plan on getting a term limit referendum before the voters, giving the people an opportunity to run the scoundrels out. When you dig cancer out of a body, you have to get it all.”
A few of the staff got up and left. Obama watched them go, and said, “There go some good people. I know I offended them, but I’d rather offend man than God. You may be joining them in a minute.”
“All of you sitting here have been promised prominent positions in my administration. As you are still here, I assume you want those jobs. You’ve invested years in me, and you’re not about to walk away just because you think I’ve gone crazy.”
“Here’s the deal. I believe that God has perfect timing, and that He convicted and saved me that 20th of June so that I can lead this nation as He wishes.”
“We will return to God. We will lead by example, first by pulling out of the United Nations- that corrupt house of cards-and we will defend Israel, Iraq, and every other democracy where people are free. Every tyrant, every government and religion which holds people in chains is our enemy.”
“If you are ready to help me change the world, to bring it back to God, I want you with me. This is the greatest undertaking possible, the highest hill we can climb. There is no power in Government which has not been placed there by God. We can honor God by using that power properly to help, not hurt, the weak and powerless. We can serve God by serving the people well. Will you help me?”
The last to leave the room, the Consul and the Aide, walked out together.
President-Elect Barack Obama was left alone with His God. A majority of two.
The Consul shook his head. “We’re dead.”
“How did this happen? Weren’t you supposed to be guarding him? Making sure that no-one could get to him?”
“You can’t blame me for this. According to Barack, this was fated to happen.”
“I feel ill.”
Many were feeling sick to their stomachs in that conference room. Barack Obama, soon to be President of the United States, was appealing to his closest staff with tears in his eyes.
“We have sinned against God! We have set ourselves up as little gods, when we are nothing! Nothing but sinful men who have rejected God!”
The sat silently, staring at the man who had been their hope.
“We have done great injustice, not only to our fellow man, but to our country, to this world!”
The Consul raised his hand. “Barack, I can understand that there has been injustice done, but not by us.
We are the party defending the common man, the victimized, the abused. We have…”
Obama cut him off.
“How can you say that? We have, as a party, held to Abortion as a protected right! We have destroyed millions of innocent lives, decimated generations since Roe v Wade, and there is no more innocent victim than a baby aborted!”
“Barack!” Shouted the Aide. “Who ARE you? You’re talking crazy! A fetus is not a person! It has no rights!”
“I know who I am. And I know who I was just a few short weeks ago.” Obama wiped his eyes, took a sip of water, and sighed.
“I was sitting up late, in Atlanta, after speaking at that college. That must have been June 20th , because I remember thinking that it was the weekend, and I was beat. I’d been having trouble sleeping, so I looked for something to read, to make me sleepy. I picked up the Bible.”
Groans were heard coming from the back of the room. He continued.
“Yeah, I know. I figured a few pages would knock me out, but I began in the Gospel of John, and…this is hard for me to say out loud, but God was working on me. God shined light on those pages, God turned that light on my sin…and I knew I was dead. That I deserved death. That I was a sinner, in danger of being held accountable for my sin. That scared me to my knees, and I asked God to forgive me, asked Jesus to save me, and He did!”
“But Barack!” said the Consul. “You’ve been a Christian for twenty years!” Barack laughed.
“Let me tell you what kind of Christian I was. I was a Christian without Christ, who saw opportunity to advance myself. I was a Christian who got rich telling poor people that they were victims of somebody else’s greed.
I was the kind of Christian who embraced any and all religions that I knew were lies. I had no problem communing with atheists, liars and crooks who could help me politically. As a matter of fact, the more ungodly, the better I got along, as I was one of them!”
The Consul stood up. “Barack, I guess I’m one of those ungodly people, since I’ve been with you longer than anyone else in this room. You’re some kind of good Christian, insulting me like that. I want an apology, right now, right here!” Barack stared at his old friend, then shook his head.
“I’ve played that game too many times, and you should know me better than that. If I’ve hurt your pride, friend, maybe that’s a good thing. Sit down.” Obama looked around the room.
“You all must be wondering where we go from here. Who comes with me to Washington? That depends on you. Here it is.”
“I plan on working with the Republicans to undo the damage we have done to this nation. Forget legalized Abortion. It’s gone-even with a Democratic majority in Congress I will get that done first. If you don’t like that, there’s the door.” Nobody moved.
“Forget Welfare. We have subsidized the destruction of the black family, the poor and disadvantaged. We have made it necessary to rely on the Government, which leads me to the next point.
That Federal Bureaucracy is destroying this nation! It sucks up money and power, creating layers upon layers upon layers of Government, hacks who all work to grow the Bureaucracy. In the past, I always declared that I would change Washington. That was politics… now I mean it.”
“I will protect our borders, through any means necessary. Fences, militias, maybe move some of those Washington bureaucrats to the borders with shotguns and binoculars. They can do some good there.”
“Term limits for both Senators and Representatives. This will be the hardest nut to crack, but I plan on getting a term limit referendum before the voters, giving the people an opportunity to run the scoundrels out. When you dig cancer out of a body, you have to get it all.”
A few of the staff got up and left. Obama watched them go, and said, “There go some good people. I know I offended them, but I’d rather offend man than God. You may be joining them in a minute.”
“All of you sitting here have been promised prominent positions in my administration. As you are still here, I assume you want those jobs. You’ve invested years in me, and you’re not about to walk away just because you think I’ve gone crazy.”
“Here’s the deal. I believe that God has perfect timing, and that He convicted and saved me that 20th of June so that I can lead this nation as He wishes.”
“We will return to God. We will lead by example, first by pulling out of the United Nations- that corrupt house of cards-and we will defend Israel, Iraq, and every other democracy where people are free. Every tyrant, every government and religion which holds people in chains is our enemy.”
“If you are ready to help me change the world, to bring it back to God, I want you with me. This is the greatest undertaking possible, the highest hill we can climb. There is no power in Government which has not been placed there by God. We can honor God by using that power properly to help, not hurt, the weak and powerless. We can serve God by serving the people well. Will you help me?”
The last to leave the room, the Consul and the Aide, walked out together.
President-Elect Barack Obama was left alone with His God. A majority of two.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ah Know, Molly
“18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21So then let no one boast in men.”
1 Cor 3:18-21a
This subject has been covered so often, that it is nearly impossible to come up with any original thoughts.
So these will be quick.
Anything you know, anything you are sure of as a certainty, if it conflicts with the word of God, is foolish, dangerous fancy. Anything.
If you think that homosexuality is just fine with God, for example, and you are fine with the recent ‘legitimatizing’ of Gay marriage in California…your belief is in conflict with what God has stated in His Word. How do you deal with that?
Dismiss it? Ignore it? Pretend that I and other Christians who strive to live by God’s Word are hideously mistaken?
There are many well known passages in Scripture which give authority to the belief that an unborn fetus, no matter the legality set by man, is considered a child, a person by God. If that is so, then aborting that unborn is murder. Am I wrong? Does this belief conflict with yours?
Dismiss it? Ignore it?
Here’s the point towards which I have been pointing. The world is full of darkness and ignorance, by design. We’ve been falling since The Fall in Eden.
If your life conflicts with what God has graciously shared with us through His Word…you are wrong. You have to change. You are nearly doomed. “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.”
You must become foolish to become wise. Foolish according to the world, wise according to God. Believe on Him and the Salvation He has made available through Jesus Christ. Your friends and family may think that you have lost your mind, but it is better to trust in God than man; it truly is a matter of Life and Death. Choose Life.
1 Cor 3:18-21a
This subject has been covered so often, that it is nearly impossible to come up with any original thoughts.
So these will be quick.
Anything you know, anything you are sure of as a certainty, if it conflicts with the word of God, is foolish, dangerous fancy. Anything.
If you think that homosexuality is just fine with God, for example, and you are fine with the recent ‘legitimatizing’ of Gay marriage in California…your belief is in conflict with what God has stated in His Word. How do you deal with that?
Dismiss it? Ignore it? Pretend that I and other Christians who strive to live by God’s Word are hideously mistaken?
There are many well known passages in Scripture which give authority to the belief that an unborn fetus, no matter the legality set by man, is considered a child, a person by God. If that is so, then aborting that unborn is murder. Am I wrong? Does this belief conflict with yours?
Dismiss it? Ignore it?
Here’s the point towards which I have been pointing. The world is full of darkness and ignorance, by design. We’ve been falling since The Fall in Eden.
If your life conflicts with what God has graciously shared with us through His Word…you are wrong. You have to change. You are nearly doomed. “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.”
You must become foolish to become wise. Foolish according to the world, wise according to God. Believe on Him and the Salvation He has made available through Jesus Christ. Your friends and family may think that you have lost your mind, but it is better to trust in God than man; it truly is a matter of Life and Death. Choose Life.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bile Fuel
So now the chickens are home, roostering all over the place. These chicks in Dove feathers proclaim:
The sky IS falling!
America is a RACIAL nation!
The world hates us!
War is WRONG!
These barnyard Oracles would stampede us, the lovely herd, if they could. They see chaos, with no answer
possible beyond the human skin, above the human head. They suggest that WE are the problem which can only be solved by WE who are the answer. Which is, of course, impossible. Because six tenths of us continue to generate problem while one tenth try to come up with answer. And then that one tenth, the roostering chanticleers of the dawn, become frustrated and ever more sour as their global warning is unheeded.
Did you notice the broken equation? Six tenths plus one tenth leaves three tenths unaccounted for.
I’m being charitable with my declaration that three tenths of us:
Are not chicken littles.
Are not causing the troubles of the six tenths.
Actually trust that that the solution to every man-made problem can only be found in God.
It is unmitigated arrogance to believe that man can fix himself. It is also blasphemy to suggest that God cannot. He set His solution in place in the Garden of Eden, just as soon as man sinned and began his problem.
The sky IS falling! (God won’t let it.)
America is a RACIAL nation! The world hates us! (Man is a hateful creature-he will always seek out differences to be hateful about. God tells us to love both our friends and our enemies. He sets the example in John 3:16.)
War is WRONG! (War against God is the most wrong. War to defend and protect innocents is RIGHT.)
Rocks don’t teach birds to fly. Rocks in the hands of men teach birds to fly higher.
Trust God-He knows what He’s doing.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Unbelievable
Keeping it short: Hillary Clinton’s concession speech yesterday was a spectacle of vain glory. She needed thousands of cheering supporters as a backdrop, as staging for her farewell from the campaign. Today she couldn’t fill that room; she’s now old news.
After a year of hard campaigning, her former adversary, whom she often declared not ready to be President, is now her advocate, her choice for the job? What?
Was she lying then, or is she lying now? Does she suddenly think that he is ready to be President simply because she couldn’t beat him?
One down, two to go. I’m as sick of hearing the Democrats rhetoric as anyone. The notion that we have erred badly as a nation for eight years under the Bush Administration is noxious to me. It has been a GREAT eight years:
When attacked, we defended ourselves, taking the fight to those who use terrorism as a weapon.
We’ve brought down dictators, set millions on the path of self determination, have improved our image in the world by taking care of business.
If Al Gore had won in 2000, you wouldn’t believe how wonderful the last 8 years would have seemed to the Democrats. If a Gore Administration had had only half the accomplishments of George Bush, it would have been touted as a fantastic success.
We have prospered as a nation for eight years, and think about it: that means that the very Democrats complaining about how bad it has been have prospered right along with the rest of us.
Politics stinks. It reeks, and is a blot on our landscape. (Quick plug for the book: “Blott On The Landscape” by Tom Sharpe. It’s not his best book, but it is good.)
Any Democrat reading this post may discount my words as being those of a partisan, a Republican hack complaining about the Dems. You know, “JABA”. Just as bad as the Democrat hacks. Moral equivalency at it’s unfinest.
Before tarring me with that brush, they should hear what I have to say about John McCain. I’m hardly a “My Party, Right Or Wrong” guy. I hung up on a Republican fundraiser who called the other day. I will not add a penny to the Republican coffers to see John McCain elected. If his candidacy dies on the vine due to financial malnutrition…oh well. I’m voting with my wallet. And my conscience.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Why?
Senator Obama has resigned from membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ. Fine. Now let me ask you something. Would you do the same?
Would you resign from membership in your church in order to win a job?
Could the world exert any influence on you to cause you to remove yourself from fellowship in your church?
My church is unapologetic about our statements of faith. I believe that God led me to my church; after a few years of visiting, I felt that God was calling me to become a member. My church welcomed me and I am grateful to be honored with membership. I abide by the rules and leadership of our elder board, and no job, no boss, no election, no political expediency could influence me, could cause me to leave my church. I feel that I am where God wants me to be; where would I go?
Where will Senator Obama go? If he wins the election, I imagine he will find a suitable church in the Washington D.C. area. And if he loses, I’m guessing that the Obama family will find a more moderate church in Chicago where they can worship and fellowship in relative peace. While waiting for 2012.
May God install a righteous leader in the Oval Office this year. And may God have mercy on us all.
Would you resign from membership in your church in order to win a job?
Could the world exert any influence on you to cause you to remove yourself from fellowship in your church?
My church is unapologetic about our statements of faith. I believe that God led me to my church; after a few years of visiting, I felt that God was calling me to become a member. My church welcomed me and I am grateful to be honored with membership. I abide by the rules and leadership of our elder board, and no job, no boss, no election, no political expediency could influence me, could cause me to leave my church. I feel that I am where God wants me to be; where would I go?
Where will Senator Obama go? If he wins the election, I imagine he will find a suitable church in the Washington D.C. area. And if he loses, I’m guessing that the Obama family will find a more moderate church in Chicago where they can worship and fellowship in relative peace. While waiting for 2012.
May God install a righteous leader in the Oval Office this year. And may God have mercy on us all.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Valor
It is Memorial Day; it is Decoration Day, it is a day of remembering those who have fallen in the service of our country. There will be many more tributes, in every town, in every part of our country.
Yesterday we honored our fallen heroes in our church service, echoing services everywhere.
Last night I was watching a TV drama about the death and funeral of a soldier, and when “Taps” was played, I couldn’t help but stand at attention, moved by the ceremony, even in a fictional show. The honor was real, the emotion true.
May God Bless each and every one of our military, and bless those who have to hear “Taps” played over a loved one.
Valor, from the French valour, has the same meaning of our word value. Men of valor are valuable men, worthy men, and worthy women. We honor those we esteem as worthy. May God Bless you today.
Yesterday we honored our fallen heroes in our church service, echoing services everywhere.
Last night I was watching a TV drama about the death and funeral of a soldier, and when “Taps” was played, I couldn’t help but stand at attention, moved by the ceremony, even in a fictional show. The honor was real, the emotion true.
May God Bless each and every one of our military, and bless those who have to hear “Taps” played over a loved one.
Valor, from the French valour, has the same meaning of our word value. Men of valor are valuable men, worthy men, and worthy women. We honor those we esteem as worthy. May God Bless you today.
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