In the not-too-distant-past, in America, every child and every adult shared a common morality. They did not express it perfectly. They did not express it consistently. But we all knew what was right and what was wrong.
A stranger could correct your child for wrong behavior and you would appreciate it. Not only that, but the child would respond to it and change whatever they were doing. This behavior, on the part of the child, would be done with respect and politeness.
The moral standard we all shared, was biblical. It was the standard handed down through the Levitical Law and the Commandments of Jesus. It was taught in Public Schools and in Churches. It was taught in homes and in the public square. It was not oppressive, it was protective.
And it's gone! When it left, it took our American Heritage with it. All we're left with is the shell. We have a semblance of decency in our public face but behind that there is nothing of value to stand upon. Truth is whatever I want it to be. Character is whatever I think it to be. Every family, every community, every business has a different value-system. Words don't even mean what you think they mean.
And now, the U.S. House of Representatives is about to "Deem" the Health Care Bill to have passed, without ever voting to pass it!
Did you think you would live long enough to see the United States of America being sold down the river on this flimsy raft? Once Health Care becomes Law, it will grow and expand, until it becomes what Canada has and what Europe has: another nail in the coffin of individualism and personal responsibility.
So called Christians are telling us this is a 'moral imperative.' This from the same Bible that tells us, "if a any would not work, neither should he eat." [II Thess. 3:10] The context is a condemnation of disorderliness in living.
Take away mans' responsibility and he suffers in ways that can only destroy the society that sought to do him good. Once freed from the constraints of duty and responsibility, he is free to satiate his desires in more trivial pursuits. The end result being a man, a family, society must now take care of, completely.
The voices of reason, responsibility, independence and all things constructive, have been deemed irrelevant. In their place has come a new "Master," a new "Slave Owner." It's name: Self. The humanist's god. A most voracious task-master. One who's appetite is never satisfied.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What's Right About A Wrong Goal?
Listen to the cat-fight that is Washington, today. Accusations and condemnations being hurled back and forth, across the aisle. Each political party claiming the High Road of honesty and integrity, all the while illustrating just the opposite.
Of course, it's not limited to Washington. We see and hear it in State Houses and City Halls all across the country. It's become so common that most of don't pay much attention to it anymore. We've come to expect elected officials to be corrupt or at least self-serving.
For Christians, however, the problem has become that we tend to support a policy, a person or a Party, when we ought to be supporting what's Right!
Take Health Care. What's right about the Federal Government taking over health care? The answer is: Nothing! So, why are we supporting one version of the Bill or another?
The Constitution does not support National Health Care. Our Founding Documents point us more toward individual responsibility. Any and all versions of a National Health Care Program threaten both our fiscal well being and the level of service we receive. Listen to the debate: To cut costs, services will be limited and providers will receive less.
Let me suggest something radical: Why don't we just do right?
"Right" is following the rules, being honest, listening to the people, creating a safe, productive environment within the bounds of decency and integrity.
"Right" is a government that protects it's citizens from foreign enemies, illegal immigration, unsafe products or practices and destructive inequities. This includes government intrusion into private affairs, unjust limitations on what citizens can do and say, confiscatory tax structures and "entitlement" programs.
Enthusiastic Christians are at risk of being co-opted and marginalized when they hitch their wagons to one political party or another; one political policy or another. The Bible calls this, zeal without knowledge.
Christians should be advocating for doing right, not for choosing one destructive idea over another. We are able, as a nation, to help those who are truly needy. We are NOT able to take care of everyone and doing so is morally and socially destructive.
No amount of lipstick is going to make this pig look good!
Of course, it's not limited to Washington. We see and hear it in State Houses and City Halls all across the country. It's become so common that most of don't pay much attention to it anymore. We've come to expect elected officials to be corrupt or at least self-serving.
For Christians, however, the problem has become that we tend to support a policy, a person or a Party, when we ought to be supporting what's Right!
Take Health Care. What's right about the Federal Government taking over health care? The answer is: Nothing! So, why are we supporting one version of the Bill or another?
The Constitution does not support National Health Care. Our Founding Documents point us more toward individual responsibility. Any and all versions of a National Health Care Program threaten both our fiscal well being and the level of service we receive. Listen to the debate: To cut costs, services will be limited and providers will receive less.
Let me suggest something radical: Why don't we just do right?
"Right" is following the rules, being honest, listening to the people, creating a safe, productive environment within the bounds of decency and integrity.
"Right" is a government that protects it's citizens from foreign enemies, illegal immigration, unsafe products or practices and destructive inequities. This includes government intrusion into private affairs, unjust limitations on what citizens can do and say, confiscatory tax structures and "entitlement" programs.
Enthusiastic Christians are at risk of being co-opted and marginalized when they hitch their wagons to one political party or another; one political policy or another. The Bible calls this, zeal without knowledge.
Christians should be advocating for doing right, not for choosing one destructive idea over another. We are able, as a nation, to help those who are truly needy. We are NOT able to take care of everyone and doing so is morally and socially destructive.
No amount of lipstick is going to make this pig look good!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Only Two Cultures In The World
A recent report indicated that our children spend 7 1/2 hours a day with digital media: cell phones, internet, gaming, TV, iPods, etc. They text, tweet, chat and blog. They talk on their phones, text and send pictures back and forth. And on the internet they not only use the video chat rooms, they have access to every sewer and cesspool in the world!
Once upon a time, parents "programed" their children with the family value system. They controlled what children saw, heard and did. They controlled what they ate and where they went. The end-product was an adult who understood, at least, even if he did not embrace the family value system.
Today, this model is seen as restrictive. We are not convinced a child can grow up balanced unless he or she is exposed to every evil, nasty, degrading and disgusting thing the world has to offer. We certainly don't want them shielded. What will happen to them when they are released into the world? They won't be prepared. The world will eat them alive!
Maybe. But consider this: is it better for a child to be desensitized to sin, or to be shielded from it so that when he encounters it, he is shocked?
Do we want our children to grow up accepting of evil or convinced they will either "get caught" or be damaged by contact with it?
I think we need to ask ourselves: "How's this new morality working out?" How's this new parenting program doing? Is it producing a better product? Every study says No! And even a casual look around would support those conclusions.
We have probably the smartest, most talented bunch of kids the world has ever seen. And, yet we can't educate them, we can't protect them and we can't give them hope. They seem hooked on sensual gratification, whether it's music, entertainment or drugs. The boys want to "party" until they're 35 years of age. Boys and girls want the fulfillment of a relationship without 'benefit of clergy.' And the girls still want babies (at some point), whether or not the fathers are around for the long haul.
Where is all this taking us? Certainly we are not improving, as a society. Our penchant for freedom and a non-judgmental social contract is driving us into distinction as a culture.
The reality is: There are only two cultures in the world: One is a godly culture the other isn't. And, even Christian parents are rejecting the godly one. Why? Because they don't want to be 'the bad guy.' Well, being the 'bad guy' is what parenting is about.
Once upon a time, parents "programed" their children with the family value system. They controlled what children saw, heard and did. They controlled what they ate and where they went. The end-product was an adult who understood, at least, even if he did not embrace the family value system.
Today, this model is seen as restrictive. We are not convinced a child can grow up balanced unless he or she is exposed to every evil, nasty, degrading and disgusting thing the world has to offer. We certainly don't want them shielded. What will happen to them when they are released into the world? They won't be prepared. The world will eat them alive!
Maybe. But consider this: is it better for a child to be desensitized to sin, or to be shielded from it so that when he encounters it, he is shocked?
Do we want our children to grow up accepting of evil or convinced they will either "get caught" or be damaged by contact with it?
I think we need to ask ourselves: "How's this new morality working out?" How's this new parenting program doing? Is it producing a better product? Every study says No! And even a casual look around would support those conclusions.
We have probably the smartest, most talented bunch of kids the world has ever seen. And, yet we can't educate them, we can't protect them and we can't give them hope. They seem hooked on sensual gratification, whether it's music, entertainment or drugs. The boys want to "party" until they're 35 years of age. Boys and girls want the fulfillment of a relationship without 'benefit of clergy.' And the girls still want babies (at some point), whether or not the fathers are around for the long haul.
Where is all this taking us? Certainly we are not improving, as a society. Our penchant for freedom and a non-judgmental social contract is driving us into distinction as a culture.
The reality is: There are only two cultures in the world: One is a godly culture the other isn't. And, even Christian parents are rejecting the godly one. Why? Because they don't want to be 'the bad guy.' Well, being the 'bad guy' is what parenting is about.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Will The Church Go Through The Tribulation?
The answer to this question is either YES or NO, or MAYBE, depending on who you ask.
Beware the person who makes elaborate efforts at defining words or explaining grammar, to make his point. The answer is not that hard, nor is it that complicated.
The Church is a unique organism. It is called a "Mystery" because it was unknown until God revealed it to us, through Christ. It is the "wild olive branch" which is "grafted in," now that Israel has been "cut off" for a while. [Rom 11]
It is called the Body of Christ, as each member is baptized into it at the moment of salvation [I Cor. 12:13].
It is called The Bride of Christ [Eph. 5], with Jesus her Bridegroom.
And it is called a Temple: the temple of God on earth. [Eph. 2:21,22]
The Church is said to be 'saved from wrath' through justification [Rom. 5:9]
And...not appointed unto wrath [I Thess. 5:9]. The wrath which God has "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men... [Rom. 1:18]
Jesus promised another 'comforter' Whom The Father would send, once He was gone. This Comforter would indwell believers (The Church) to convict the world of sin. [Jn. 16:8]
In simple terms: This 'Mystery' had a beginning, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is now the 'holy nation' of God, which will be the focus of God's blessings until Israel is restored, when 'the times of the Gentiles be come in.' [Rom. 11:25,26] And thus all Israel shall be saved.
And it will have an ending:
Before Israel is saved
Before God's wrath is poured out on those who dwell upon the earth [Rev. 3]
When The Comforter is removed, revealing the Man of sin [II Thess. 2]
When Jesus 'descends from heaven' [I Thess 4]
There is no "Church Ministry" in the Great Tribulation.
The Gospel preached is not the same as that preached today.
During the Tribulation, God is not building His Church.
During the Tribulation, God is not dwelling upon the earth.
Tribulation wrath is for earth-dwellers: The nations & Israel.
Christians are not earth-dwellers [Col. 2:20; 3:1]
The doctrines which have to be corrupted to allow The Church to go through The Tribulation are many. The Doctrine of The Church, The Holy Spirit & Salvation are the main ones.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about the coming of Christ and told them not to worry. He said the coming of Christ is not something they should be concerned about. The "coming" in view, with 'times and seasons' is all about "them" not us. I Thess 5
It's all about your hermeneutic and whether or not you use a sound exegesis. Without this, you are able to make the scriptures say almost anything.
Beware the person who makes elaborate efforts at defining words or explaining grammar, to make his point. The answer is not that hard, nor is it that complicated.
The Church is a unique organism. It is called a "Mystery" because it was unknown until God revealed it to us, through Christ. It is the "wild olive branch" which is "grafted in," now that Israel has been "cut off" for a while. [Rom 11]
It is called the Body of Christ, as each member is baptized into it at the moment of salvation [I Cor. 12:13].
It is called The Bride of Christ [Eph. 5], with Jesus her Bridegroom.
And it is called a Temple: the temple of God on earth. [Eph. 2:21,22]
The Church is said to be 'saved from wrath' through justification [Rom. 5:9]
And...not appointed unto wrath [I Thess. 5:9]. The wrath which God has "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men... [Rom. 1:18]
Jesus promised another 'comforter' Whom The Father would send, once He was gone. This Comforter would indwell believers (The Church) to convict the world of sin. [Jn. 16:8]
In simple terms: This 'Mystery' had a beginning, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is now the 'holy nation' of God, which will be the focus of God's blessings until Israel is restored, when 'the times of the Gentiles be come in.' [Rom. 11:25,26] And thus all Israel shall be saved.
And it will have an ending:
Before Israel is saved
Before God's wrath is poured out on those who dwell upon the earth [Rev. 3]
When The Comforter is removed, revealing the Man of sin [II Thess. 2]
When Jesus 'descends from heaven' [I Thess 4]
There is no "Church Ministry" in the Great Tribulation.
The Gospel preached is not the same as that preached today.
During the Tribulation, God is not building His Church.
During the Tribulation, God is not dwelling upon the earth.
Tribulation wrath is for earth-dwellers: The nations & Israel.
Christians are not earth-dwellers [Col. 2:20; 3:1]
The doctrines which have to be corrupted to allow The Church to go through The Tribulation are many. The Doctrine of The Church, The Holy Spirit & Salvation are the main ones.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about the coming of Christ and told them not to worry. He said the coming of Christ is not something they should be concerned about. The "coming" in view, with 'times and seasons' is all about "them" not us. I Thess 5
It's all about your hermeneutic and whether or not you use a sound exegesis. Without this, you are able to make the scriptures say almost anything.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Search For A Fountain Of Youth
It is man's dream to live a longer life. Explorers searched for The Fountain of Youth. Diets and supplements abound, to provide for health and longer life. The medical profession seeks to extend life. Researchers search for causes and cures for old age, and yet, men still die.
We can hook people up to every machine known to man, desperately trying to keep people alive. But when their spirit leaves the body, all that effort is for nought. A dead body will begin to decay, even while machines breath for it and process the bodily functions.
Now an international team of scientists, based at Newcastle University, in North-East England, believe they have found the cause of old age and age-related illnesses. Their research involves a "system biology" approach, involving computer modeling and experiments with cell cultures and genetically modified mice.
Their conclusion: they now believe cells send out a specific internal signal, when serious damage is done to its DNA. This damage is done by the general wear and tear of life and the signals trigger the creation of oxidizing "free radical" molecules, which in turn tell the cell either to destroy itself or stop dividing.
The result is wrinkling of the skin, toughening of the texture, weaker function of muscles and organs, and all the other signs of old age. Apparently, it is the damaged DNA that causes cancers and the ability of the cells to quickly produce these corrective molecules, in a sufficient number, that makes the difference between those who get cancer and those who do not.
Isn't "Mother Nature" amazing? Just imagine how long it must have taken for these cells to mutate into this protective methodology! All this from an explosion of unknown particles, eons ago.
Or, it could be from an infinite, intelligent, purposeful Person, Who designed, built and sustains the known universe, along with all it's systems for purposes known only to Him.
This new research replaces the old research. You see scientists still don't really know why people and animals die, nor how to stop it. The Bible says it's because of sin [Gen. 2:17]. But the evolutionist considers the idea of God to be so repugnant he can't possibly accept this simple solution.
So...he continues his search for The Fountain of Youth! And each new discovery ends in disappointment or leads to a new possibility. Everywhere he looks points him right back to The Bible. It must be frustrating for him.
We can hook people up to every machine known to man, desperately trying to keep people alive. But when their spirit leaves the body, all that effort is for nought. A dead body will begin to decay, even while machines breath for it and process the bodily functions.
Now an international team of scientists, based at Newcastle University, in North-East England, believe they have found the cause of old age and age-related illnesses. Their research involves a "system biology" approach, involving computer modeling and experiments with cell cultures and genetically modified mice.
Their conclusion: they now believe cells send out a specific internal signal, when serious damage is done to its DNA. This damage is done by the general wear and tear of life and the signals trigger the creation of oxidizing "free radical" molecules, which in turn tell the cell either to destroy itself or stop dividing.
The result is wrinkling of the skin, toughening of the texture, weaker function of muscles and organs, and all the other signs of old age. Apparently, it is the damaged DNA that causes cancers and the ability of the cells to quickly produce these corrective molecules, in a sufficient number, that makes the difference between those who get cancer and those who do not.
Isn't "Mother Nature" amazing? Just imagine how long it must have taken for these cells to mutate into this protective methodology! All this from an explosion of unknown particles, eons ago.
Or, it could be from an infinite, intelligent, purposeful Person, Who designed, built and sustains the known universe, along with all it's systems for purposes known only to Him.
This new research replaces the old research. You see scientists still don't really know why people and animals die, nor how to stop it. The Bible says it's because of sin [Gen. 2:17]. But the evolutionist considers the idea of God to be so repugnant he can't possibly accept this simple solution.
So...he continues his search for The Fountain of Youth! And each new discovery ends in disappointment or leads to a new possibility. Everywhere he looks points him right back to The Bible. It must be frustrating for him.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
What Is It About Homosexuality?
Homosexuality has emerged as the Issue of our Age.
Why are so many, so determined to legitimize and mainstream such a highly personal and intimate human behavior? The answer from those who advocate for acceptance of this lifestyle tell us it's about Human Rights. People are being persecuted for their sexual preferences.
Okay. Define "Persecution." Homosexuals have a higher average yearly income than heterosexuals [$55,430, vs. $32,144]. 59.6% of homosexuals are College graduates, compared with 18% of the general public. 49% hold professional / managerial positions, compared to 15.9% of the general population. [Statistical Abstract of the U.S. 1990]
The suicide rate for homosexuals is 50%. 73% of psychiatrists say homosexuals are less happy than the average person. But 70% of these same psychiatrists say that unhappiness is NOT due to social stigmatization. [Sexual Survey Number 4: Current Thinking on Homosexuality, Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality -- by H. Leif]
Homosexuals live shorter lives [by almost half], are more unhappy, are more unfulfilled, commit more suicides, and are more unhealthy [78% have STDs, account for more than 50% of all AIDs cases, and are infected with intestinal parasites (39 - 59%)].
In addition, they account for 33% of all reported child molestations in the United States -- And this from 2% of the population!
So, I ask: What's with the effort to protect homosexuality?
We can't disparage it. We can't condemn it. We can't discriminate against it. We can't protect our children from being indoctrinated to accept it [State Educ.]. And, if we think this is simply a social issue, consider the new Hate Crimes Legislation or the Bullying Laws being passed. You can go to jail for saying homosexuality is bad!
Is it bad? YES! Is it dangerous? YES! Is it socially destructive? YES! Do you want your 8 year old child introduced to it? NO! But you can't say this in public?
Does anyone stop to consider what's going on and where all this is leading?
Why are so many, so determined to legitimize and mainstream such a highly personal and intimate human behavior? The answer from those who advocate for acceptance of this lifestyle tell us it's about Human Rights. People are being persecuted for their sexual preferences.
Okay. Define "Persecution." Homosexuals have a higher average yearly income than heterosexuals [$55,430, vs. $32,144]. 59.6% of homosexuals are College graduates, compared with 18% of the general public. 49% hold professional / managerial positions, compared to 15.9% of the general population. [Statistical Abstract of the U.S. 1990]
The suicide rate for homosexuals is 50%. 73% of psychiatrists say homosexuals are less happy than the average person. But 70% of these same psychiatrists say that unhappiness is NOT due to social stigmatization. [Sexual Survey Number 4: Current Thinking on Homosexuality, Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality -- by H. Leif]
Homosexuals live shorter lives [by almost half], are more unhappy, are more unfulfilled, commit more suicides, and are more unhealthy [78% have STDs, account for more than 50% of all AIDs cases, and are infected with intestinal parasites (39 - 59%)].
In addition, they account for 33% of all reported child molestations in the United States -- And this from 2% of the population!
So, I ask: What's with the effort to protect homosexuality?
We can't disparage it. We can't condemn it. We can't discriminate against it. We can't protect our children from being indoctrinated to accept it [State Educ.]. And, if we think this is simply a social issue, consider the new Hate Crimes Legislation or the Bullying Laws being passed. You can go to jail for saying homosexuality is bad!
Is it bad? YES! Is it dangerous? YES! Is it socially destructive? YES! Do you want your 8 year old child introduced to it? NO! But you can't say this in public?
Does anyone stop to consider what's going on and where all this is leading?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
A Deaf Ear & Blind Eye To Ba'al Worship
The ancient worship of Ba'al [lit: Lord] was widespread throughout Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Carthage, Philistia and Canaan. Also known as Marduk or Dagon, Ba'al was a generic name for an especially horrific form of pagan worship. One that required the sacrifice of infant children.
The Bible speaks of King Ahaz and King Manasseh offering their children to Ba'al/Moloch [2 Kings 16:3; 21:6]. The Bible speaks of making their sons "pass through the fire." History illuminates this practice.
Ba'al worshipers brought their infants to the priest. The priest would set the child on the outstretched arms of an image of their god. From here the child would be either rolled backward into the "chest" of the image, where a fire burned, or simply roasted over the flames of an open fire, below the arms.
Why? Well, as in all pagan religious thinking, the gods held the keys to a nation or a family's well-being. They were sacrificing their children for personal convenience. Either they could keep and nurture these innocent babies or they could have rain, or peace, or victory over their enemies. But, apparently, they could not have both.
In 1973, we're told, women won the right to have an abortion. Until then, they had been forced to bear children regardless of how they were conceived, or their own health -- they said.
But, the truth is more gruesome. Abortion was a right in this country BEFORE Roe v. Wade. What happened in 1973 was that women won the right to have an abortion, On Demand. For no reason other than they didn't want to carry the child full-term and have to rear it.
In less than a decade, abortion on demand, in the first trimester, became abortion on demand through the second trimester and, depending on the doctor, any time the woman demanded it. Of course it wasn't long before that meant partial-birth abortions.
You see, Americans want personal convenience too. Even if it costs the life of an unborn, helpless child.
But what can you expect of those who worship self? The humanist is all about doing whatever will make their life easier or more pleasant. Their "god" is the human potential. And unwanted babies just get in the way.
The real problem is the deafening silence of the visible church. Not the real Church, but the one which either supports this idea or takes the "high moral ground" of not judging.
For too many, this ancient Canaanite practice is somehow a woman's Right.
The Bible speaks of King Ahaz and King Manasseh offering their children to Ba'al/Moloch [2 Kings 16:3; 21:6]. The Bible speaks of making their sons "pass through the fire." History illuminates this practice.
Ba'al worshipers brought their infants to the priest. The priest would set the child on the outstretched arms of an image of their god. From here the child would be either rolled backward into the "chest" of the image, where a fire burned, or simply roasted over the flames of an open fire, below the arms.
Why? Well, as in all pagan religious thinking, the gods held the keys to a nation or a family's well-being. They were sacrificing their children for personal convenience. Either they could keep and nurture these innocent babies or they could have rain, or peace, or victory over their enemies. But, apparently, they could not have both.
In 1973, we're told, women won the right to have an abortion. Until then, they had been forced to bear children regardless of how they were conceived, or their own health -- they said.
But, the truth is more gruesome. Abortion was a right in this country BEFORE Roe v. Wade. What happened in 1973 was that women won the right to have an abortion, On Demand. For no reason other than they didn't want to carry the child full-term and have to rear it.
In less than a decade, abortion on demand, in the first trimester, became abortion on demand through the second trimester and, depending on the doctor, any time the woman demanded it. Of course it wasn't long before that meant partial-birth abortions.
You see, Americans want personal convenience too. Even if it costs the life of an unborn, helpless child.
But what can you expect of those who worship self? The humanist is all about doing whatever will make their life easier or more pleasant. Their "god" is the human potential. And unwanted babies just get in the way.
The real problem is the deafening silence of the visible church. Not the real Church, but the one which either supports this idea or takes the "high moral ground" of not judging.
For too many, this ancient Canaanite practice is somehow a woman's Right.
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