"so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." 1 corinthians 2:5
all throughout the ages christians have been questioned about GOD. face to face conversations make me nervous regarding GOD, so i write about HIM. i'm hoping this will change over time and i'm pretty sure GOD already knows that this makes me nervous. when i am put in that position HE gives me the knowledge to speak from my heart about HIS purpose.
two of the biggest questions that are usually asked by individuals that have not returned to HIM is "if HE is a loving, powerful GOD why is there evil and why do bad things about to good people?" first of all i don't know why all those things happen - i question that myself on occasion. one response i could give is read the book of job in the old testament and see how it plays out.
the idea of collective salvation is a myth. first of all we can not save people's souls; only GOD can. the idea that we are responsible for a group of soul's is just craziness in my opinion. collective salvation is false doctrine and teaching of scripture. GOD and the devil exist - they are at war for your souls and hearts.
i wonder sometimes if individuals think that to be a christian you have to live within the rules of the old testament. GOD became silent when the israelites stopped listening to HIM and to be honest i don't know how they could of kept up with all the rules of how to worship GOD. HE made it easier for us when HE sent HIS SON. the ten commandments stayed the same, but the rules of worship began to change. GOD wanted you to have a personal relationship with HIM; one on one.
HE came in human form so that you could see the conditions of your heart and mind. JESUS came for the purpose of GOD's will alone; to save you. there is great fear when you have to take a hard look at yourself and face your demons. when i was first diagnosed i really believed that i was being punished on earth for my sins (and there were some really bad ones). little to my knowledge at the time the MS was actually a gift. it is a sure way that i will always return to HIM in all things. my hardship is my true joy, because it gave me HIM.
we all have choices and we don't always make the right one. some of us continue to make the wrong choice and we suffer the consequence. for some the question is going to be why would GOD be the right choice; how is HE going to change my circumstance? i don't know how HE is going to change your heart for you, because i'm not you. all, i can do is tell you examples from scripture, or stories of how GOD creates such beauty in the lives i have great pleasure in witnessing.
i can understand though why individuals have questions about GOD in our world, because we have removed HIM from everything so that all we see in the world is horrors. i get it. why do bad things happen to good people; i don't know. i can only guess that GOD needs that individual to come even closer to HIM, or they just need listen to HIM. i don't know. all we can do is pray that HE will show us wisdom and discernment; that we will listen. i don't think that our hardships are punishments; they are tests of our faith in HIM. they are a way for us to relinquish control over own our life and rely on HIM only. they are ways for us to open our eyes on how we are living; pushing us to become more christ-like.
if you have a great life and you know that you do well then here are few questions to ask yourself. do you know the difference between right and wrong? do you know that you are to respect and love your spouse? do you know that you are the protectors of your children? do you pay your bills? do you give to the needy? have you sought wisdom? have you ever loved something more than yourself? then the question should be where did you learn all of those things; where did all things come from? the world, or GOD? guess what you non-believers you can find all of that in scripture.
if you are going through tough times, but you are choosing to ignore GOD and not rely on HIM; try to seek HIM as a change. you never know what could happen. you never know where HE will guide you. HE may just open your eyes to the incredible beauty of what you do have and what HE may be willing to give you. what's the harm - take a chance. study scripture on your own, ask questions, seek wisdom and most all pray for guidance.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
people pleasers
how many of us try to be people pleasers? how many of us never say no? how many us worry so much about our image to another that our hearts aren't taken care of? how many of us focus on what wasn't done in our lifetime that we push ourselves to almost the brink of insanity trying to break the cycle? it is almost the curse of the american people and i have to say a lot of christians. the idea of saying no just doesn't even cross our minds when dealing with domestic, foreign, or personal relationships.
this is a tough one to learn in our journey with CHRIST. we seem to almost forget our relationship with HIM, because we are so worried about our deeds. the funny thing about this is that when you are continually nourishing your relationship with HIM the deeds just become second nature to you. when we start pushing ourselves to do more deeds to prove to the world that we are christians is when it becomes a problem. the question then should be are you doing the will of GOD, or are you doing it for the glorification of the world and yourself?
it is not in my nature to pretend to be something i'm not. i don't work that way - i never have. i have tried to do this and it only gets me in trouble; actually i have done this for years. if i feel there is an injustice, that someone has been taken advantage of, or that i have been taken advantage of i usually say something. my husband and i have had numerous discussions about this - not always good i might add. he wants me to control my tongue and i want to put it out there for people to ponder. the argument is more about the tone and not always about the injustice. he has basically been trying to tell me it doesn't matter what others think; he knows i'm a good person and GOD knows.
i have on more than one occasion threw it by the waste side about others judgements, but on other occasions i just couldn't contain it anymore. there is a verse in scripture that says when you do something good don't let others see it. i never understood that verse completely. i knew that we should be humble in our giving and that we should do it with a cheerful heart, but if others didn't see it how would they know your a good person; a good christian? i have finally gotten that verse. i have tried to quit beating myself up when i say no. i have had to realize my limitations and that some things i was doing weren't always what GOD wanted me do, it was more about what i thought i should be doing.
i have very wise friends; very wise. they have for years tried to get me to slow down. for years they have tried to get me to see that i have a good heart regardless of my deeds. they have tried to tell me for years that i was good person and i shouldn't feel guilt for not doing something. there comes a point that you have to stop thinking that you're not worthy enough for someone else and realize that you are worthy in the eyes of GOD. HIS judgement is the only one that matters, and HE knows your heart.
for the first time in my life i can honestly say i am comfortable in my skin. i am comfortable in my life and whom i have become because of my relationship with CHRIST. this doesn't mean i won't make mistakes, it just means that i don't have to beat myself about it anymore - i just need to let HIM guide me more. what an incredible blessing to be a child of GOD. what a great relief it is to have HIS grace in what i do above all others.
the greatest gift that i will ever teach my children is that GOD comes before all things, all relationships. their relationship with HIM will get them through the good and the bad. it has been a great blessing that i listened to HIM to slow down and to just focus on my purpose; my husband and my boys.
"7But (Q)whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of (R)knowing (S)Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
9and may be found in Him, not having (T)a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, (U)the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10that I may (V)know Him and (W)the power of His resurrection and (X)the fellowship of His sufferings, being (Y)conformed to His death" phillippians 3:7-10
this is a tough one to learn in our journey with CHRIST. we seem to almost forget our relationship with HIM, because we are so worried about our deeds. the funny thing about this is that when you are continually nourishing your relationship with HIM the deeds just become second nature to you. when we start pushing ourselves to do more deeds to prove to the world that we are christians is when it becomes a problem. the question then should be are you doing the will of GOD, or are you doing it for the glorification of the world and yourself?
it is not in my nature to pretend to be something i'm not. i don't work that way - i never have. i have tried to do this and it only gets me in trouble; actually i have done this for years. if i feel there is an injustice, that someone has been taken advantage of, or that i have been taken advantage of i usually say something. my husband and i have had numerous discussions about this - not always good i might add. he wants me to control my tongue and i want to put it out there for people to ponder. the argument is more about the tone and not always about the injustice. he has basically been trying to tell me it doesn't matter what others think; he knows i'm a good person and GOD knows.
i have on more than one occasion threw it by the waste side about others judgements, but on other occasions i just couldn't contain it anymore. there is a verse in scripture that says when you do something good don't let others see it. i never understood that verse completely. i knew that we should be humble in our giving and that we should do it with a cheerful heart, but if others didn't see it how would they know your a good person; a good christian? i have finally gotten that verse. i have tried to quit beating myself up when i say no. i have had to realize my limitations and that some things i was doing weren't always what GOD wanted me do, it was more about what i thought i should be doing.
i have very wise friends; very wise. they have for years tried to get me to slow down. for years they have tried to get me to see that i have a good heart regardless of my deeds. they have tried to tell me for years that i was good person and i shouldn't feel guilt for not doing something. there comes a point that you have to stop thinking that you're not worthy enough for someone else and realize that you are worthy in the eyes of GOD. HIS judgement is the only one that matters, and HE knows your heart.
for the first time in my life i can honestly say i am comfortable in my skin. i am comfortable in my life and whom i have become because of my relationship with CHRIST. this doesn't mean i won't make mistakes, it just means that i don't have to beat myself about it anymore - i just need to let HIM guide me more. what an incredible blessing to be a child of GOD. what a great relief it is to have HIS grace in what i do above all others.
the greatest gift that i will ever teach my children is that GOD comes before all things, all relationships. their relationship with HIM will get them through the good and the bad. it has been a great blessing that i listened to HIM to slow down and to just focus on my purpose; my husband and my boys.
"7But (Q)whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of (R)knowing (S)Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
9and may be found in Him, not having (T)a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, (U)the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10that I may (V)know Him and (W)the power of His resurrection and (X)the fellowship of His sufferings, being (Y)conformed to His death" phillippians 3:7-10
Sunday, March 27, 2011
guilt by association; race
"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." martin luther king jr
slavery is one of the worst scars on american history; on our soil. i can't understand why the founding fathers did not abolish slavery when they founded our country . i don't know why they didn't. in writing the constitution they said all men were created equal; why weren't they? my question now is why are we still not equal in the eyes of so many?
why are we still playing the race card? why can't we question someone on their morals, beliefs and work ethic without it being about race? i want to know why we had the civil war. i want to know what the civil rights movement was about. i want to know when we are going to break the cycle. i want to know when the race card is going to stop being played. i want to know when as a society we will be forgiven for the sins of our fathers. it was their choice. it was their choice not to break the cycle; not ours.
we have changed the laws. we have created every opportunity for individuals to succeed in this country. why are so many still saying that because i'm not white i'm not given a chance. if there was ever time in this country for the american dream to be achieved it is now. even the lepers in the bible were treated fairly by CHRIST. even the prostitute was treated with love by CHRIST. GOD was trying to show us that it doesn't matter what hardships you face; your heart is what matters. when you ask for wisdom and truth it shall be given.
a publisher in tennessee just released a new version of mark twain's huckleberry finn. they have changed the word nigger to slave. they are both offensive. one word was used to insult a man as if he was an animal. the other is bondage over another human being. what i find interesting about this is that we have changed this offensive word, but i have heard black men use this as a term of endearment towards each other. rap music uses this word all the time. so i have question to my black friends should we see you as an individual of character, or a black person? how would you like me to see you?
there comes a point where we have to realize that men like jeremiah wright, al sharpton, and jesse jackson are spreading anger and hate. if they are true men of GOD they have to find a way to forgive. we have to change individuals hearts and minds. that is what GOD wants from us. we become slaves to our anger and hatred - it is a sin.
i had hoped and prayed when president obama was elected that we could finally put the past behind us, but it seems to have only gotten worse. it seems that we can't get past it. a law can't change a heart, only GOD can. if i chose to be angry about my MS, and use that as a clutch then wouldn't you begin to resent me?
we can't change history by rewriting it. we can only learn from it and hope that the anger and hatred of this period will be forgiven. if we are true men and women of GOD we must learn to forgive. HE has commanded us to.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
slavery is one of the worst scars on american history; on our soil. i can't understand why the founding fathers did not abolish slavery when they founded our country . i don't know why they didn't. in writing the constitution they said all men were created equal; why weren't they? my question now is why are we still not equal in the eyes of so many?
why are we still playing the race card? why can't we question someone on their morals, beliefs and work ethic without it being about race? i want to know why we had the civil war. i want to know what the civil rights movement was about. i want to know when we are going to break the cycle. i want to know when the race card is going to stop being played. i want to know when as a society we will be forgiven for the sins of our fathers. it was their choice. it was their choice not to break the cycle; not ours.
we have changed the laws. we have created every opportunity for individuals to succeed in this country. why are so many still saying that because i'm not white i'm not given a chance. if there was ever time in this country for the american dream to be achieved it is now. even the lepers in the bible were treated fairly by CHRIST. even the prostitute was treated with love by CHRIST. GOD was trying to show us that it doesn't matter what hardships you face; your heart is what matters. when you ask for wisdom and truth it shall be given.
a publisher in tennessee just released a new version of mark twain's huckleberry finn. they have changed the word nigger to slave. they are both offensive. one word was used to insult a man as if he was an animal. the other is bondage over another human being. what i find interesting about this is that we have changed this offensive word, but i have heard black men use this as a term of endearment towards each other. rap music uses this word all the time. so i have question to my black friends should we see you as an individual of character, or a black person? how would you like me to see you?
there comes a point where we have to realize that men like jeremiah wright, al sharpton, and jesse jackson are spreading anger and hate. if they are true men of GOD they have to find a way to forgive. we have to change individuals hearts and minds. that is what GOD wants from us. we become slaves to our anger and hatred - it is a sin.
i had hoped and prayed when president obama was elected that we could finally put the past behind us, but it seems to have only gotten worse. it seems that we can't get past it. a law can't change a heart, only GOD can. if i chose to be angry about my MS, and use that as a clutch then wouldn't you begin to resent me?
we can't change history by rewriting it. we can only learn from it and hope that the anger and hatred of this period will be forgiven. if we are true men and women of GOD we must learn to forgive. HE has commanded us to.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
Saturday, March 26, 2011
there is no hell
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." matthew 7:15
rob bell, a pastor, has recently come out with a book stating that hell does not exist. another evangelical pastor was recently fired because he questioned why we are continually justifying a GOD that allows bad things to happen. the new niv translation of scripture has recently changed to become more politically correct. for example instead of saying that mary was a "virgin" she is now called a "young woman."
in the book of revelations GOD specifically tells us not to change scripture. the love of GOD is that of a father to a child. what we choose to do with our lives and the opportunities that are given to us is our choice. we can either learn and move forward, or we can ignore the situations that we learn from. for most of us we rarely learn from the good things, just the bad. for some reason the line from will smith's movie "i am legend" pops up into my head; "GOD didn't do this we did."
i like this line because it's true. it was not GOD'S choice for us to turn from HIM. it was not GOD'S choice for us to remove HIM from our lives. we have done that in justifying and choosing to turn from HIS rules. we have chosen the world and it's rules over HIS. interpretation of the bible is just that, interpretation. how we apply scripture to our life is another. "for they knew HIM, but they did not honor HIM."
when i was teenager, actually well into my early twenties i used my father's love for me no matter what, because of my parent's divorce; it was a guilt trip. i would push him into things that he did not want to do. i would make him feel guilty because i was his child and he loved me. i abused his love. it has taken me a long time to admit this about myself and what i did. when my father finally had, had enough he said no more. i had to learn that the choices i was going to make have consequence. if i hadn't stopped and listened to him we probably wouldn't be in each other's lives. this would have been my fault, not his.
in 1 corinthians 13 paul talks to the corinthian church about what love is. love is not only patient and kind, but love is also saying no. the church was abusing GOD's love for them. abusing our relationships because of love is wrong. abusing the love of GOD is wrong. GOD loves us, but if we fail to understand and learn from HIS words there will be consequences. mr. bell i feel is trying to remove hell because he doesn't want to face that there is consequence when we continually do the wrong thing. GOD's love is not an enabler, GOD's love is not a reason for us to continue in our sins.
see i made my dad feel guilty because he loves me. i never should use love as weapon to force someone to do something that they don't want to do. just because you love someone doesn't mean that you continually enable them to abuse that love. we are to forgive, but what if we have to keep forgiving the same sin over and over again. for most of us there is a breaking point; why wouldn't GOD have that? see it doesn't come down to why the person can't understand why you aren't forgiving them any longer, it comes down to why that person isn't willing to change their hearts.
we have a choice to make in our relationships. do we continue to abuse the love that we have from our loved ones, or do we realize that we are wrong in that? do we continue to abuse the love of GOD, or do we choose to learn from our sin and become more christ-like? do we choose to face the consequence of our actions, or do we choose to continually think we are always going to have a get out of jail, free card?
i look at the government this way. the united states government, as well as some individuals have abused citizens in the united states because of our love for our country and fellow man. we are at the breaking point. it's not that we don't want to help individuals it's that we can't give any more without individuals learning that they have to stop abusing our trust and love. this is what happens when we try to change GOD's word; GOD didn't do this we did.
rob bell, a pastor, has recently come out with a book stating that hell does not exist. another evangelical pastor was recently fired because he questioned why we are continually justifying a GOD that allows bad things to happen. the new niv translation of scripture has recently changed to become more politically correct. for example instead of saying that mary was a "virgin" she is now called a "young woman."
in the book of revelations GOD specifically tells us not to change scripture. the love of GOD is that of a father to a child. what we choose to do with our lives and the opportunities that are given to us is our choice. we can either learn and move forward, or we can ignore the situations that we learn from. for most of us we rarely learn from the good things, just the bad. for some reason the line from will smith's movie "i am legend" pops up into my head; "GOD didn't do this we did."
i like this line because it's true. it was not GOD'S choice for us to turn from HIM. it was not GOD'S choice for us to remove HIM from our lives. we have done that in justifying and choosing to turn from HIS rules. we have chosen the world and it's rules over HIS. interpretation of the bible is just that, interpretation. how we apply scripture to our life is another. "for they knew HIM, but they did not honor HIM."
when i was teenager, actually well into my early twenties i used my father's love for me no matter what, because of my parent's divorce; it was a guilt trip. i would push him into things that he did not want to do. i would make him feel guilty because i was his child and he loved me. i abused his love. it has taken me a long time to admit this about myself and what i did. when my father finally had, had enough he said no more. i had to learn that the choices i was going to make have consequence. if i hadn't stopped and listened to him we probably wouldn't be in each other's lives. this would have been my fault, not his.
in 1 corinthians 13 paul talks to the corinthian church about what love is. love is not only patient and kind, but love is also saying no. the church was abusing GOD's love for them. abusing our relationships because of love is wrong. abusing the love of GOD is wrong. GOD loves us, but if we fail to understand and learn from HIS words there will be consequences. mr. bell i feel is trying to remove hell because he doesn't want to face that there is consequence when we continually do the wrong thing. GOD's love is not an enabler, GOD's love is not a reason for us to continue in our sins.
see i made my dad feel guilty because he loves me. i never should use love as weapon to force someone to do something that they don't want to do. just because you love someone doesn't mean that you continually enable them to abuse that love. we are to forgive, but what if we have to keep forgiving the same sin over and over again. for most of us there is a breaking point; why wouldn't GOD have that? see it doesn't come down to why the person can't understand why you aren't forgiving them any longer, it comes down to why that person isn't willing to change their hearts.
we have a choice to make in our relationships. do we continue to abuse the love that we have from our loved ones, or do we realize that we are wrong in that? do we continue to abuse the love of GOD, or do we choose to learn from our sin and become more christ-like? do we choose to face the consequence of our actions, or do we choose to continually think we are always going to have a get out of jail, free card?
i look at the government this way. the united states government, as well as some individuals have abused citizens in the united states because of our love for our country and fellow man. we are at the breaking point. it's not that we don't want to help individuals it's that we can't give any more without individuals learning that they have to stop abusing our trust and love. this is what happens when we try to change GOD's word; GOD didn't do this we did.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
the MS150
every year from houston to austin a great bike ride takes place to fight MS. my husband and i decided to make it a priority to be at the end of the race when the bike riders start coming in each year. we haven't made it every year, but that weekend always holds a special place in my heart.
the first time someone rode with my name on their bandanna i cried. i still cry when someone i know has that bandanna on with my name and others riding to find a cure. there are 7 individuals that i know personally that ride in this race with my name and you are so loved by this family. we are grateful for your hearts; i'm grateful for your heart.
the idea of riding on a bike from houston to austin just sounds exhausting, and for someone to do it because they care so much for the individuals that have this disease is incredible. it reminds you that there are still good people out there that are willing to give to another.
when GOD gave me this i was angry. i still get annoyed with it and sad, but it is still by far one of the greatest blessings that HE has ever given me. it shapes you and encourages your heart to have compassion. it also challenges you to understand that no matter what your obstacles are with illness, or life you must move forward and have hope.
my last attack was in december of 2010. pure stress brought that on, so that meant that i needed to re-prioritise what i could and move forward. this disease is about life lessons and what you choose to do with it. GOD made this disease so you would understand how life is meant to be lived, and for all the individuals that i know that have it they get it. they all have strong faith in GOD and they all have beautiful hearts.
i wouldn't say that i have always been compassionate to others since i was diagnosed. i actually have to fight the fact that if you are healthy and can move forward then do it; i can be really harsh. it makes me angry to see others that can achieve so much and don't. i can be judgemental with others and their choices, because i see so many individuals with this disease push forward no matter what.
i haven't always handle it with grace or not feel great sadness about the hand i've been dealt with having MS, but i have to remind myself that there is a purpose for everything that comes our way. GOD gave me my husband, my MS, my faith in HIM, and then my boys so i can't even begin to show enough gratitude to the LORD ALMIGHTY for what HE has given me. all obstacles in life make us stronger if we choose to do that. this disease makes me stronger and i love GOD for that.
this year it will be even more special to my heart, because my boys will be there cheering on the riders with us. what a great life; what more could i ask for. so for those that ride your not just giving time, raising money, or fighting to find a cure your giving your hearts to those that need HOPE and FAITH.
"For God, who said, " Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 corinthians 4:6
the first time someone rode with my name on their bandanna i cried. i still cry when someone i know has that bandanna on with my name and others riding to find a cure. there are 7 individuals that i know personally that ride in this race with my name and you are so loved by this family. we are grateful for your hearts; i'm grateful for your heart.
the idea of riding on a bike from houston to austin just sounds exhausting, and for someone to do it because they care so much for the individuals that have this disease is incredible. it reminds you that there are still good people out there that are willing to give to another.
when GOD gave me this i was angry. i still get annoyed with it and sad, but it is still by far one of the greatest blessings that HE has ever given me. it shapes you and encourages your heart to have compassion. it also challenges you to understand that no matter what your obstacles are with illness, or life you must move forward and have hope.
my last attack was in december of 2010. pure stress brought that on, so that meant that i needed to re-prioritise what i could and move forward. this disease is about life lessons and what you choose to do with it. GOD made this disease so you would understand how life is meant to be lived, and for all the individuals that i know that have it they get it. they all have strong faith in GOD and they all have beautiful hearts.
i wouldn't say that i have always been compassionate to others since i was diagnosed. i actually have to fight the fact that if you are healthy and can move forward then do it; i can be really harsh. it makes me angry to see others that can achieve so much and don't. i can be judgemental with others and their choices, because i see so many individuals with this disease push forward no matter what.
i haven't always handle it with grace or not feel great sadness about the hand i've been dealt with having MS, but i have to remind myself that there is a purpose for everything that comes our way. GOD gave me my husband, my MS, my faith in HIM, and then my boys so i can't even begin to show enough gratitude to the LORD ALMIGHTY for what HE has given me. all obstacles in life make us stronger if we choose to do that. this disease makes me stronger and i love GOD for that.
this year it will be even more special to my heart, because my boys will be there cheering on the riders with us. what a great life; what more could i ask for. so for those that ride your not just giving time, raising money, or fighting to find a cure your giving your hearts to those that need HOPE and FAITH.
"For God, who said, " Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 corinthians 4:6
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
the hand that feeds us
well the world pulled me in again. faith has to be nurtured. when you aren't studying the word, or applying it to your life then that almighty world just pulls you in. since this past friday i have slept so much my body has said "you're not tired anymore, wake up." i heard that voice saying it's time to come back to ME and renew. not that i lost HIM, i just wasn't paying much attention to HIM.
there is truth in being grounded in your faith; relying fully on GOD for the course. it's the balancing act of our faith that seems to get the best of us at times. one of the saddest acts of peer pressure seemed to be displayed by our president this past week and to be quite honest i'm at a loss of what he should have done about the libyan situation. what i'm not at a loss about is that once upon a time our presidents lead us in difficult times, but now we have a president that has to have the approval of the rest of the world to lead.
GOD created leaders for a reason; we need them. we need individuals that can handle difficult situations and pull us through. we need leaders that are grounded in faith, because they have GOD to rely on to make those tough decisions. we are in world war III in my opinion, not just the physical war of the middle east, but the war that is going on around the world with words and actions. the only set purpose seems to be how to make more money; how to keep from drowning in the mess we've created. the idea of one world unity is a myth. utopia does not exist.
i like a clear, set purpose. i like to know what the ultimate goal is and when a decision isn't made it creates a mess. the bible is not a self-help book, it is the book on how we are to live. society would like us to see the words of GOD through rose-colored glasses and that there are no consequence to our actions. just look at the world and some churches, or christians that manipulate the gospel to their own truths; there is no longer any accountability. we are playing GOD and we will lose.
financial guru, susie orman said that the "american dream" is dead. then i ask, ms. orman, "what in the world are we fighting for?" is she basing it on the financial aspect only to the american dream, or the entire american dream? i know a lot of individuals that are living the american dream; christ, family, friends, food on the table, shelter and clothing on their backs. i'm living the american dream along with my family.
CHRIST said HE would provide all those things for us; not the mercedes, or the $500,000 house. the american dream does not mean the internet in every home, or the 52 inch screen tv. those are wants, not needs. those are luxuries only. if you feel you need those things and are putting yourself into debt, but you can't afford to buy food for your family then you need a reality check. we are not entitled to those wants.
love is the ultimate commandment. we are to love HIM above all things. we are to love each other. we are to love our enemies. although, we only seem to see the "mushy" part of this love. leaders and individuals around the world use this against us when we do not conform to their way of thinking; a guilt trip, intimidation. we do not need the approval of the world or individuals on how we are to live. the ultimate approval is GOD's. if we are living to the best of our ability with a CHRIST FILLED LIFE then it doesn't matter what the world thinks of you. hard lesson to learn right there because we base our self worth on how others perceive us.
we are to love, but love is also holding each accountable to CHRIST. GOD's love is grace, that of a father to a child, discipline, accountability, hope and all those things that make life blessed. we are HIS creation, made in HIS image and i wonder if we took the time to return to that big book of life then we might actually get some things right. america's biggest downfall will not be that we financially fell, but that we have removed GOD from everything; the very HAND that feeds us.
"18For (AJ)the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who (AK)suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because (AL)that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For (AM)since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, (AN)being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not [c]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became (AO)futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22(AP)Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and (AQ)exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [d]crawling creatures. 24Therefore (AR)God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be (AS)dishonored among them. 25For they exchanged the truth of God for a (AT)lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, (AU)who is blessed forever. Amen.
26For this reason (AV)God gave them over to (AW)degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, (AX)men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, (AY)God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are (AZ)gossips, 30slanderers, (BA)haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, (BB)disobedient to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, (BC)unloving, unmerciful; 32and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of (BD)death, they not only do the same, but also (BE)give hearty approval to those who practice them." romans 1:18-32
there is truth in being grounded in your faith; relying fully on GOD for the course. it's the balancing act of our faith that seems to get the best of us at times. one of the saddest acts of peer pressure seemed to be displayed by our president this past week and to be quite honest i'm at a loss of what he should have done about the libyan situation. what i'm not at a loss about is that once upon a time our presidents lead us in difficult times, but now we have a president that has to have the approval of the rest of the world to lead.
GOD created leaders for a reason; we need them. we need individuals that can handle difficult situations and pull us through. we need leaders that are grounded in faith, because they have GOD to rely on to make those tough decisions. we are in world war III in my opinion, not just the physical war of the middle east, but the war that is going on around the world with words and actions. the only set purpose seems to be how to make more money; how to keep from drowning in the mess we've created. the idea of one world unity is a myth. utopia does not exist.
i like a clear, set purpose. i like to know what the ultimate goal is and when a decision isn't made it creates a mess. the bible is not a self-help book, it is the book on how we are to live. society would like us to see the words of GOD through rose-colored glasses and that there are no consequence to our actions. just look at the world and some churches, or christians that manipulate the gospel to their own truths; there is no longer any accountability. we are playing GOD and we will lose.
financial guru, susie orman said that the "american dream" is dead. then i ask, ms. orman, "what in the world are we fighting for?" is she basing it on the financial aspect only to the american dream, or the entire american dream? i know a lot of individuals that are living the american dream; christ, family, friends, food on the table, shelter and clothing on their backs. i'm living the american dream along with my family.
CHRIST said HE would provide all those things for us; not the mercedes, or the $500,000 house. the american dream does not mean the internet in every home, or the 52 inch screen tv. those are wants, not needs. those are luxuries only. if you feel you need those things and are putting yourself into debt, but you can't afford to buy food for your family then you need a reality check. we are not entitled to those wants.
love is the ultimate commandment. we are to love HIM above all things. we are to love each other. we are to love our enemies. although, we only seem to see the "mushy" part of this love. leaders and individuals around the world use this against us when we do not conform to their way of thinking; a guilt trip, intimidation. we do not need the approval of the world or individuals on how we are to live. the ultimate approval is GOD's. if we are living to the best of our ability with a CHRIST FILLED LIFE then it doesn't matter what the world thinks of you. hard lesson to learn right there because we base our self worth on how others perceive us.
we are to love, but love is also holding each accountable to CHRIST. GOD's love is grace, that of a father to a child, discipline, accountability, hope and all those things that make life blessed. we are HIS creation, made in HIS image and i wonder if we took the time to return to that big book of life then we might actually get some things right. america's biggest downfall will not be that we financially fell, but that we have removed GOD from everything; the very HAND that feeds us.
"18For (AJ)the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who (AK)suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because (AL)that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For (AM)since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, (AN)being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not [c]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became (AO)futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22(AP)Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and (AQ)exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [d]crawling creatures. 24Therefore (AR)God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be (AS)dishonored among them. 25For they exchanged the truth of God for a (AT)lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, (AU)who is blessed forever. Amen.
26For this reason (AV)God gave them over to (AW)degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, (AX)men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, (AY)God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are (AZ)gossips, 30slanderers, (BA)haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, (BB)disobedient to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, (BC)unloving, unmerciful; 32and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of (BD)death, they not only do the same, but also (BE)give hearty approval to those who practice them." romans 1:18-32
Sunday, March 13, 2011
living without GOD
i read a billboard that said you can still have a good life without religion - you could still have hope. i'm sure that for the individuals that don't have GOD, or religion they believe this is true. what does life mean to you then? whom holds you accountable for your actions? there are so many different religions being fought to be heard, and the individuals that don't believe in GOD at all that there seems just to be a great amount of confusion on why we are here. we are to worship GOD in the manner that is glorious to HIM.
there is complete chaos going on in the world; natural disasters, war, financial ruin, etc. in the age of technology we are able to watch the devastation over and over again. looking at the devastation in japan just goes to show that we do not have control over mother nature - it can be gone in a blink of an eye. man cannot control what GOD has decided to do to show us how really small we are.
look at the middle east. in the book of daniel and the book of revelations it has been foretold of the wars that would go on in this region all pointing to the ultimate destruction of israel. think about palestine and israel fighting over the holy lands for generations - a piece of land. their war has devastated the region and countless lives have been lost because of the ideology of men. GOD of course wins in the end, so that's reassuring
in our own country a war has been going on since the revolution in my opinion. we have prospered, we have fallen, and prospered again. we have created every equal opportunity, for every group of individual in this nation and it still hasn't worked. we have laws, we have services financially and socially that still have not worked. our bitterness, rage, resentment and our need to feel entitled has overshadowed everything. it's not that the opportunity isn't there; it's just that people have chosen not to take the opportunity.
i don't even know what the answer is. individuals from all over the world have come to this country because of those opportunities that i have mentioned. no one seems to want to break the cycles of history, or to say the truth that we have failed in a sense. good people over the years have tried to break the cycles and the greed of others still comes into play. there will always be someone out there saying what we need more of and not willing to fix what we already have.
there is story in the bible about a vineyard owner that agreed to pay each worker a denarius for their labors. some workers worked all day and others only worked an hour or so. at the end of the day the vineyard owner paid each worker a denarius as he said he would. well needless to say the workers that had worked all day were angry, because the ones that hadn't worked received the same amount. were they wrong in their anger? not in my opinion, i would have been furious. was the landowner wrong? no, because he said that is what he was going to pay them - he was fair. he based it not on their work, but what he said he was going to pay them. now we can see where a lot of the anger comes from in this country. it's his money, he can do what he wants with it and it's not always going to be fair
i think that if more individuals read this story in the bible individuals in this country would get it. we no longer help people because of the merit, or their work ethic we do it because we think everyone is equal when their not. not all men and women are equal. we are equal when we are born, because we haven't been influenced by the world - just GOD. maybe GOD is saying that we are equal in our sin only and we will be judged on that. i don't know.
not all of us will work hard. not all of us will be rich financially. not all of us will make a mark on society that changes the world. not all of us will have children. not all of us will be married. not all of us will accept CHRIST into our hearts when we have even seen the proof of HIS miracles.
i believe we have to stop pretending that everyone is equal when their not. not everyone has the same ideas or values. i have to hope and pray that the individuals that are so prideful in their journeys will understand that all things come from HIM, it's just what we choose to do with those blessings. that will be our judgement from GOD, not the judgement of man.
"The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8. “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” matthew 20:1-16
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness" phillipians 2:5-7
there is complete chaos going on in the world; natural disasters, war, financial ruin, etc. in the age of technology we are able to watch the devastation over and over again. looking at the devastation in japan just goes to show that we do not have control over mother nature - it can be gone in a blink of an eye. man cannot control what GOD has decided to do to show us how really small we are.
look at the middle east. in the book of daniel and the book of revelations it has been foretold of the wars that would go on in this region all pointing to the ultimate destruction of israel. think about palestine and israel fighting over the holy lands for generations - a piece of land. their war has devastated the region and countless lives have been lost because of the ideology of men. GOD of course wins in the end, so that's reassuring
in our own country a war has been going on since the revolution in my opinion. we have prospered, we have fallen, and prospered again. we have created every equal opportunity, for every group of individual in this nation and it still hasn't worked. we have laws, we have services financially and socially that still have not worked. our bitterness, rage, resentment and our need to feel entitled has overshadowed everything. it's not that the opportunity isn't there; it's just that people have chosen not to take the opportunity.
i don't even know what the answer is. individuals from all over the world have come to this country because of those opportunities that i have mentioned. no one seems to want to break the cycles of history, or to say the truth that we have failed in a sense. good people over the years have tried to break the cycles and the greed of others still comes into play. there will always be someone out there saying what we need more of and not willing to fix what we already have.
there is story in the bible about a vineyard owner that agreed to pay each worker a denarius for their labors. some workers worked all day and others only worked an hour or so. at the end of the day the vineyard owner paid each worker a denarius as he said he would. well needless to say the workers that had worked all day were angry, because the ones that hadn't worked received the same amount. were they wrong in their anger? not in my opinion, i would have been furious. was the landowner wrong? no, because he said that is what he was going to pay them - he was fair. he based it not on their work, but what he said he was going to pay them. now we can see where a lot of the anger comes from in this country. it's his money, he can do what he wants with it and it's not always going to be fair
i think that if more individuals read this story in the bible individuals in this country would get it. we no longer help people because of the merit, or their work ethic we do it because we think everyone is equal when their not. not all men and women are equal. we are equal when we are born, because we haven't been influenced by the world - just GOD. maybe GOD is saying that we are equal in our sin only and we will be judged on that. i don't know.
not all of us will work hard. not all of us will be rich financially. not all of us will make a mark on society that changes the world. not all of us will have children. not all of us will be married. not all of us will accept CHRIST into our hearts when we have even seen the proof of HIS miracles.
i believe we have to stop pretending that everyone is equal when their not. not everyone has the same ideas or values. i have to hope and pray that the individuals that are so prideful in their journeys will understand that all things come from HIM, it's just what we choose to do with those blessings. that will be our judgement from GOD, not the judgement of man.
"The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’ 7“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8. “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ 13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” matthew 20:1-16
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness" phillipians 2:5-7
Monday, March 7, 2011
born again christian
i've heard this term a lot over the years, and it makes me laugh. first of all it's not that we ever lose HIM, it's that we've chosen to ignore HIM. GOD doesn't leave us we just choose not to go down that path. people always say there must not be a GOD if HE would allow these bad things to happen. GOD never said life was going to be easy after adam and eve ate the apple, as a matter of fact it was the complete opposite.
life is easier with HIM in it i must say - it gives you a chance to redeem yourself, not only for HIM, but yourself also. when we start to fail with sin and then continue in that path i wonder if we should be asking ourselves what is going on in the background that we need to resolve. history repeats itself, not just in the world, but in our own lives. for most of us we need to figure out how to break the cycle.
i just turned 36. i like getting older, i just don't like looking older. i've begun to stop worrying about what others think of me and take more chances. my beliefs are much more grounded, and what i want from life has been determined. the downside of this is that i'm not as willing to change as much. i don't know if this is GOD, society, or that i have become more sure of myself (i could just be crankier).
it's funny the traits you realize about yourself as you do get older. i have had to take many hard looks in the mirror since choosing to go down the path with HIM, and to be honest sometimes i really don't like it. that's the beauty of it, GOD allows you to take your time with HIM to figure out what you do need to change. at least with GOD you know where you stand and with people there's too much grey.
i listen to HIM more now than i did in the beginning when i chose this path. if HE is telling me not to do it then i tend to listen more to that voice (not always). when i don't listen i get a little lost; i'm not as grounded. i have been missing my relationship with HIM over the past few weeks; our alone time. the greatest blessing is that HE is always there waiting for you to call HIM.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
life is easier with HIM in it i must say - it gives you a chance to redeem yourself, not only for HIM, but yourself also. when we start to fail with sin and then continue in that path i wonder if we should be asking ourselves what is going on in the background that we need to resolve. history repeats itself, not just in the world, but in our own lives. for most of us we need to figure out how to break the cycle.
i just turned 36. i like getting older, i just don't like looking older. i've begun to stop worrying about what others think of me and take more chances. my beliefs are much more grounded, and what i want from life has been determined. the downside of this is that i'm not as willing to change as much. i don't know if this is GOD, society, or that i have become more sure of myself (i could just be crankier).
it's funny the traits you realize about yourself as you do get older. i have had to take many hard looks in the mirror since choosing to go down the path with HIM, and to be honest sometimes i really don't like it. that's the beauty of it, GOD allows you to take your time with HIM to figure out what you do need to change. at least with GOD you know where you stand and with people there's too much grey.
i listen to HIM more now than i did in the beginning when i chose this path. if HE is telling me not to do it then i tend to listen more to that voice (not always). when i don't listen i get a little lost; i'm not as grounded. i have been missing my relationship with HIM over the past few weeks; our alone time. the greatest blessing is that HE is always there waiting for you to call HIM.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
freedom
when accepting him we are free from sin. i wonder though if this means that we feel that there is no consequence for our actions. i'm confused by what individuals think when they accept CHRIST - do they think it is a get out of jail free card? i just read a sermon about confession and what freedom there is in confessing our sins; our wrong doings.
as i watch what is happening around the world and the riots to seek freedom i wonder if individuals know that GOD is in their dna and HE wants them to be free from tyranny. the most reassuring aspect of all of this is that GOD wins in the end. the book of revelations tell us that; that HE conquers all things evil.
i have no idea what to think about the middle east. i just read that the yemen president believes the united states and the "jews" are pushing them into war. who even knows if this is true? all of them have been at war with each other for so long. i don't believe that there will ever be peace in the middle east. i can't even imagine living in a country that is never at peace and always at war. we are becoming a country at war with words and we seem to be moving into the action part. our love of money is starting to show more and more.
from the moment GOD made the israelites, the chosen, there was never going to be peace. the only true peace is accepting JESUS CHRIST. the freedom alone to worship JESUS in peace is becoming a rare commodity. i hope and pray we don't lose it all together. as we continue to fight amongst ourselves about whom is going to pay for what, or whom is to blame for america's current state, i wonder if we should just take a look in the mirror to see what the real problem is.
i could blame the politicians, but we as a nation elected the individuals that are there now, so who do we blame? do i blame president bush for leading us into war, not really. i'm confused though now about whether we should stay, or come home. on one hand i believe we should, on the other hand i believe we need to protect and fight along side israel; GOD's chosen.
of course i am quite aware of how much money we would have back in our coffers if they came home, but with the current unrest in the world i don't know if we should take the risk of cutting our defense. the perception is that if we do cut defense then we will solve our problems, but will we really? we are a generation of spenders and the individuals that are in office are the same. we can't have it both ways. we can't make a certain amount of money and live beyond our means; the math doesn't add up.
i can understand the frustration in wisconsin. the teachers are state employees and their livelihoods are being threatened. i can also understand the private sector wanting reform, because their livelihoods are being threatened. which way do we choose? are they both greedy; no. we do however have to understand that we no longer have the money to do what we once did.
are we suffering GOD's judgement, or are we suffering from the consequence of our actions? have we forgotten that we were once a christian country that knew we had to follow GOD's rules; big time! westboro baptist stands on corners, or rallies at soldiers funerals with the idea that they are the blessed ones to pass judgement because of GOD. only GOD can do that. i bet each one of those individuals will be held harsher judgement from GOD than most.
"and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" revelations 1:5
as i watch what is happening around the world and the riots to seek freedom i wonder if individuals know that GOD is in their dna and HE wants them to be free from tyranny. the most reassuring aspect of all of this is that GOD wins in the end. the book of revelations tell us that; that HE conquers all things evil.
i have no idea what to think about the middle east. i just read that the yemen president believes the united states and the "jews" are pushing them into war. who even knows if this is true? all of them have been at war with each other for so long. i don't believe that there will ever be peace in the middle east. i can't even imagine living in a country that is never at peace and always at war. we are becoming a country at war with words and we seem to be moving into the action part. our love of money is starting to show more and more.
from the moment GOD made the israelites, the chosen, there was never going to be peace. the only true peace is accepting JESUS CHRIST. the freedom alone to worship JESUS in peace is becoming a rare commodity. i hope and pray we don't lose it all together. as we continue to fight amongst ourselves about whom is going to pay for what, or whom is to blame for america's current state, i wonder if we should just take a look in the mirror to see what the real problem is.
i could blame the politicians, but we as a nation elected the individuals that are there now, so who do we blame? do i blame president bush for leading us into war, not really. i'm confused though now about whether we should stay, or come home. on one hand i believe we should, on the other hand i believe we need to protect and fight along side israel; GOD's chosen.
of course i am quite aware of how much money we would have back in our coffers if they came home, but with the current unrest in the world i don't know if we should take the risk of cutting our defense. the perception is that if we do cut defense then we will solve our problems, but will we really? we are a generation of spenders and the individuals that are in office are the same. we can't have it both ways. we can't make a certain amount of money and live beyond our means; the math doesn't add up.
i can understand the frustration in wisconsin. the teachers are state employees and their livelihoods are being threatened. i can also understand the private sector wanting reform, because their livelihoods are being threatened. which way do we choose? are they both greedy; no. we do however have to understand that we no longer have the money to do what we once did.
are we suffering GOD's judgement, or are we suffering from the consequence of our actions? have we forgotten that we were once a christian country that knew we had to follow GOD's rules; big time! westboro baptist stands on corners, or rallies at soldiers funerals with the idea that they are the blessed ones to pass judgement because of GOD. only GOD can do that. i bet each one of those individuals will be held harsher judgement from GOD than most.
"and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood" revelations 1:5
home improvement
we are going on 3 weeks in our house with home improvements. i started off just wanting to add some built-ins and revamp our closet to add some space to our little house. it has turned into much more. good idea? maybe not all one time, but the end result is turning out to be a beautiful home on the inside.
the only problem is once you make something new again you want to make something else new. once you figure out that you can make something better, you always end up striving for something else to become better. we've tried to make our home look like all the things we love about other homes and turn it into one. i think we are succeeding. of course with all this said it's not the physical beauty that makes a home, it's the people inside that home that make it beautiful.
i knew going into this that it would bring out the best and the worst in the whole family. i knew that my husband and i would have arguments about the way things should go. neither one of us is right, we are just different. i like things to be done quickly and he likes them to be perfection no matter how long it takes. our boys have been troopers up until recently, so it's been like a bad vacation that keeps going. can i blame them? i can understand fully, but i'm the one that wanted to do this.
the saying that you can make up your mind to be happy, sad, angry, aggravated, etc really comes into play when you've decided to subject yourself to something unnecessary. cosmetic home improvement is definitely a want, not a need. with all that said i don't regret the changes we made; we've made our home more of our personalities.
last weekend my husband and i went to new orleans. for any of you that have not been to new orleans, there are artists in jackson square that set up their work each day. i went up to one painting and instantly liked it and as i looked at the other pieces, this one kept drawing me back. my husband wasn't with me, so i went ahead to the next vendor when i looked back my husband was looking at the same piece. when we started talking he said "did you see the one with the tree" and i said "that's one of my favorites." we bought it. when it all comes down to it we always end up wanting the same thing, we just have to take our own time getting to that end result. in the end it is just about us.
GOD sees it that way. no matter how you get to him, no matter how hard the journey may be sometimes, it's that you always finish by going to HIM and living through HIM. the end result is that you get to spend eternity in heaven with HIM and all of HIS beauty.
"Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight".
1 Peter 3:4
the only problem is once you make something new again you want to make something else new. once you figure out that you can make something better, you always end up striving for something else to become better. we've tried to make our home look like all the things we love about other homes and turn it into one. i think we are succeeding. of course with all this said it's not the physical beauty that makes a home, it's the people inside that home that make it beautiful.
i knew going into this that it would bring out the best and the worst in the whole family. i knew that my husband and i would have arguments about the way things should go. neither one of us is right, we are just different. i like things to be done quickly and he likes them to be perfection no matter how long it takes. our boys have been troopers up until recently, so it's been like a bad vacation that keeps going. can i blame them? i can understand fully, but i'm the one that wanted to do this.
the saying that you can make up your mind to be happy, sad, angry, aggravated, etc really comes into play when you've decided to subject yourself to something unnecessary. cosmetic home improvement is definitely a want, not a need. with all that said i don't regret the changes we made; we've made our home more of our personalities.
last weekend my husband and i went to new orleans. for any of you that have not been to new orleans, there are artists in jackson square that set up their work each day. i went up to one painting and instantly liked it and as i looked at the other pieces, this one kept drawing me back. my husband wasn't with me, so i went ahead to the next vendor when i looked back my husband was looking at the same piece. when we started talking he said "did you see the one with the tree" and i said "that's one of my favorites." we bought it. when it all comes down to it we always end up wanting the same thing, we just have to take our own time getting to that end result. in the end it is just about us.
GOD sees it that way. no matter how you get to him, no matter how hard the journey may be sometimes, it's that you always finish by going to HIM and living through HIM. the end result is that you get to spend eternity in heaven with HIM and all of HIS beauty.
"Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight".
1 Peter 3:4
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Rabbi Daniel Lapin: The Bible enshrines the title deeds of western civilization
i found this blog posting and thought i would share it...
Faith
Rabbi Daniel Lapin:
The Bible enshrines the title deeds of western civilization
Posted on March 1, 2011 at 10:10am by Rabbi Daniel Lapin Print » Email » Few of the Jews living comfortably in Warsaw, Poland, in say 1935, had the faintest idea that life as they knew it was about to end. In less than five years normal life in luxurious mansions would be replaced by unspeakable horror in torture camps so terrible that death itself was a relief.
I do not suggest that we shall confront such severe shocks to our lives over the next few years. However, wise people recognize that nothing lasts forever. Smart observers recognize that the challenging changes that have swirled turbulently around the foundations of our world over the past ten years have consequences that will impact the quality of our lives in increasingly dramatic fashion.
One can ignore the distant sound of approaching boots and blindly await the cataclysm or one can make the effort to peer through a periscope and spot the threats. It is possible to analyze current events through the lens of ancient Jewish wisdom and emerge with, if not a prophetic sense of where things are headed, at least a good idea of what the short term future holds.
Some people condemn themselves to stumble through the dark forest at night snagged by branches and tripped by roots. Others wear night-vision goggles and cover the ground easily and safely. It is my goal in these few paragraphs, to equip you with night-vision goggles in the form of five permanent principles of the Bible. These will make sense of the treacherous landscape and help you to avoid the roots and branches awaiting the unwary.
Whether we examine the North African troubles or the bizarre pro-union farce in Wisconsin, the picture we obtain will be clearer with these tools.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 1
People are not merely smart animals. We are an entirely different species, touched by the finger of God and possessing souls. This means that few lessons we learn from animals are applicable to people. For instance, if any animal is restricted to an adequately large area and provided with food, water and safety, it will never endeavor to go anywhere else. People, even if confined to a very large area in which they can obtain all their hearts desire, find that their souls chafe at the restrictions. We seek the infinite. While animals protect their territories, we humans feel the urge to seize the territories of others. In civilized circumstances we try to increase our holdings by purchase and trade. In less civilized circumstances we do so by war and plunder. Animals act on instinct and are incapable of evil and are incapable of choosing good over evil. People are capable of making moral choices and in many cases, will choose war and plunder. We do not need to prepare ourselves to cope with evil animals, a mere fence will keep the wolves from our sheep. But we very much need to prepare to deal with evil people or we shall not survive.
Those nations with a strong sense of their Biblical roots tend to build up their societies and allow their people to prosper in an environment of safety and security. Occasionally, straying from those roots, as Germany did when it temporarily turned to Hitler and his Nazi thugs, even western nations will pursue predatory policies but they seldom work for very long. The thousand year Reich failed to make it past the twenty year mark.
By contrast, nations based on organizational principles other than Judeo-Christian deny their people prosperity and security and tend to prey on their neighbors. Shaka, the late 18th century Zulu chief thought nothing of marching his warriors off a cliff to prove their loyalty and the eight year Iran-Iraq war in which both sides needlessly sacrificed millions of their population was no less insane by Judeo Christian standards.
Communism, the mirror image of Judeo Christian faith (See my Tower of Power-Decoding the Secrets of Babel), similarly denies its citizens the opportunity of improving their abilities to make a living while needlessly slaughtering them by the million as did Stalin in the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong in China, and Pol Pot in Cambodia.
In general, those people who reject the Judeo-Christian model of human organization usually end up embracing its opposite, which is a materialistic vision of reality. In this vision, people are not united by the content of their characters and the devotion of their souls because people are merely smart animals. Just as animals are divided by shape and skin color, so are people, claims this mistaken model. In this age-old false vision of humanity, there must be strife between men and women, between black and white and between rich and poor.
The tendency of labor unions to form gangs by means of which others can be plundered is an expression of this principle as is the tendency among those who reject the Biblical blueprint, to regard labor unions as a sacred priestly class automatically cloaked with virtue.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 2
There are two basic obstacles to any individual’s physical survival. (1) Extracting a living from an often reluctant earth using as little of our time and effort possible. (2) Preventing other stronger individuals or groups from attacking us and seizing our property and possibly also taking our lives.
The Judeo-Christian Biblical blueprint confers success upon its followers by solving these two problems. Firstly, it affirms the worthiness of work and the idea that we were placed into this Garden of Eden precisely in order to work it and become God’s partners in creation by transforming jungle into cities and fetid swamps into fertile fields.
It then implants in us the idea that God does not allow us individuals to take the property or lives of others and how borrowing is a bad idea even from future generations. It inculcates in us respect for women and the goodness of protecting and cherishing women. Finally, it teaches the importance of specialization to produce God’s desire of interdependence upon one another. (see my Prosperity Power—Connect for Succe$$) Not surprisingly, those cultures that founded themselves by following these precepts prospered in peace and tranquility.
As time went by, however, many blessed western countries first forgot then abandoned the very blueprint that brought them to affluence. Environmentalism with its pantheistic doctrines and worship of nature is one destructive aspect of the loss of Biblical vision. We are now watching the economic consequences of that rash rejection of their founding Biblical principles.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 3
In isolation, individuals live short and painful lives. Only by organizing ourselves into families, communities, societies, and yes, nations, do we stand a chance of solving the two basic problems of survival.
Just imagine if you were the last person alive on the planet after some catastrophe wiped out everyone else. Your first sensation might be relief at being able to retain the remote control for the TV and being able to find a parking place downtown but you’d soon be brought up short. No electricity (nobody to operate the power plants), no television or radio programing, no restaurants, and eventually no more food in the now empty markets. Pretty soon, for transport in your search for food, you’d be reduced to riding whatever horse or donkey you could find and like a subsistence peasant in the most primitive third world neighborhood, you will have to plant something and hope it will grow to harvest before you starve to death. Our wealth IS other people, provided they also subscribe to a common system of values that allows us all to communicate, cooperate, and above all, trust one another. Without trust there is no credit and no transaction and without transaction, we are each on our own.
There are four basic patterns to human organization. (i) Leave all alone and live with chaos and civic anarchy. (ii) Centralized planning by a tyrannical regime. (iii) Tribal. (iv) Judeo Christian system of ancient Israel that created western civilization in general and the United States in particular.
The first is unendurable and the plight of those trapped in this environment is tragic. As for centralized planning, one would think that the twentieth century destroyed faith in this hopeless model but it lingers with almost religious fervor among America’s elite university faculties and Europe’s secular fundamentalists. The tribal model has demonstrated an inability to build even bicycles let alone computer chips and seems incapable of even seeing the benefit of water-borne sewage systems. The fourth system, God’s plan for human interaction, speaks for itself. With all the imperfections inevitable when mere humans try to implement a perfect system, it still remains the deep desire of most human beings and what they seek either by politics or emigration.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 4
God created separate nations in the world instead of making all humans part of one big group. (see my The Gathering Storm-Decoding the Secrets of Noah) Several chapters of Genesis are devoted to showing how God’s plan was for each nation to experiment with its own ideas of how human cooperation should be structured. Israel alone was presented with God’s Biblical Blueprint and with it, the mission to share it with the world.
However, unlike some other faiths that also believe they possess the truth, Israel was never to use the sword to force others to accept its divine blueprint for human cooperation. The sword was unnecessary because it would quickly become obvious to all observers that God’s Biblical model produced a wealthier, a more tranquil and free society than all the other experiments out there. In their own interests, God hoped, everyone would adopt it willingly and peacefully.
By way of example, when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the cars they had been making, the GAZ Pobedas, the Volgas, and the ZIL limousines were roundly rejected by western car buyers. Those mediocre mechanical monstrosities were used in the Soviet Union because that is all there was. If you bought a car then, you bought a Soviet product at the point of a sword as it were. You had no choice. Western cars were far superior because makers enjoyed competition. Nobody was forced to buy a government-made product. People picked the very best cars they could afford and today, miraculously, most people in the west can afford a vehicle that will carry four passengers for fifty-thousand miles without any major mechanical work. Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and even Cadillac do not have to force people at the point of a gun to purchase their vehicles. In their own self-interest, those who can willing and eagerly acquire those products ignoring the poor experiments in car design that governments sometimes try to foist upon a docile public.
Similarly, God set up a system wherein different people in their own groups could experiment all they wished. Meanwhile, Israel, and those who adopted the Biblical blueprint would build so vastly superior societies that others would flock to adopt the same system of organizing principles. Let competition of ideologies flourish and let people choose the right way. This was God’s design.
We in the United States are threatened by the growing numbers of our fellow citizens who regard themselves as citizens of the world rather than as citizens of the United States of America. Our lives are endangered by leaders willing to sacrifice our welfare for the good of the world. Gasoline prices surging to $5/gallon and more present a greater threat to hard-working American families than panic-inducing warnings of climate change. Weakening our defense capabilities in order to win the approval of those who hate us is sheer recklessness calculated to make the ghost of Neville Chamberlain smile. All these and more flow from the attempt to deny Permanent Principle of the Bible number four.
For reasons that lie outside the scope of this discussion, what we think of as western civilization grew from those societies which adopted Christianity which, in itself, was an adoption of Judaism, the faith of Israel. Not surprisingly, over 90% of the scientific discoveries and medical advances of the past eleven hundred years came out of Christendom, an old word for western civilization which I like. Not surprisingly, no capital market has ever emerged indigenously from a non-Christian country.
Sure enough, God’s prediction that others would spot the success of societies following the Biblical blueprint and emulate them has been partially fulfilled.
Many societies have adopted the outward trappings of the west. Today, both banks and bathrooms in Beijing, Bombay, and Bangkok, resemble those in Boston, Birmingham, and Berlin. However, in most cases they have neglected to adopt the Biblical underpinnings of morality and law that ultimately make possible those outward trappings. This throws their durability into doubt and suggests the imprudence of the west trying to salve its conscience by throwing large sums of foreign aid to so-called developing countries. The idea that raising taxes on Americans and sending loads of money to barbaric regions of the world will convert them into exotic versions of Highland Park, New Jersey or Encino, California is laughable.
Imagine a remote island whose primitive population spends most of its time robbing and raping, mugging and murdering. What do you think will bring about more change, parachuting in bags of cash along with officials of the World Bank or sending in one hundred Christian missionaries?
Yes, the Biblical model is verified by the immigration patterns of the last sixty years. The greatest and most rapid human migration in history has been from non-Christian-founded countries to Christendom, or the West. To put it perhaps a little too bluntly, neither Saudi Arabia nor Somalia has an illegal immigration problem. People vote with their feet for what works, and what works in terms of allowing people to make a living and stay reasonably safe and secure, is the Judeo-Christian based west.
The disturbing deceit inherent in the idea of multi-culturalism and its close cousins the communist dream of internationalism along with the left’s childlike faith in the impotent United Nations are all futile manifestations of the attempt to overturn this fourth Permanent Principle of the Bible.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 5
Few more powerful motivators exist for human beings than a deep conviction in what their god wants from them. Part of America’s inability to deal effectively with Islamic terror stems from this fatal failing: Prior to 9-11, almost nobody in the American State Department had ever met a human being willing not only to die for his faith but also quite willing to kill for it.
Islam may not have a god that did much to help its devotees build attractive and successful societies but those devotees certainly are totally committed. Total commitment, even to something wrong, often trumps lukewarm commitment to truth.
Alcoholics anonymous works so well for so many people precisely because its founder, Bill Wilson recognized the need to include God when attempting major transformation. Not surprisingly, government anti-drug programs accomplish very little because they so meticulously banish God from the program.
Using these five Permanent Principles of the Bible, we can gain better insight into what is happening as countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, and many others to follow, ignite into civic chaos.
Essentially, these cultures have enviously witnessed the wealth of the west since before the start of the twentieth century. They have lusted for the materialistic results of the Judeo-Christian system, but they have rejected the spiritual underpinnings that made it all possible.
Now, they mistakenly believe that all that stands between them and life as seen on American television are their corrupt governments and tyrannical leaders. When they discover that Hosni Mubarak and Muammar Gadhafi’s successors are not able to deliver, we shall probably see even greater unrest.
The leaders that will emerge understand far better than their decadent western counterparts that people need a spiritual anchor as much as they need food on the table. They will encourage an ardent return to Islamic fundamentalism since the nature of Islam discourages dreams of democracy. They will continue constantly to deride the west and particularly America and Israel as the world’s sources for the appealing and attractive Judeo Christian Biblical model. By fostering in their populations frenzied fanatics and fierce fiends, they hope to retain power and protect their privileged lifestyles. Without American leadership that values our Judeo-Christian heritage and understands how its spiritual nourishment sustains our success, we face increasing travail.
With these permanent principles of the Bible, we can also understand the circuses in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Religious conservatives place principle above politics. This is why it was Republican legislators and officials who forced President Richard Nixon to resign and why it was Democrats who saved the presidency of Bill Clinton. If the Judeo-Christian vision fuels your life, then your politics must conform. Winning is not everything, God is. For the secular fundamentalists on the left, however, their political creed is their religion. Thus politics for them is a form of religious war—a crusade if you will. For this reason, legislators hiding away in remote corners are performing an act of brave and principled defiance. Winning is everything. That is their religious doctrine-they have no other.
The left has succeeded in dividing America into many separate groups or gangs. By annihilating our commonality and eroding love of our providential mission, it has set us all against one another. Those who do not want to throw more money at a failed educational system are child-haters. Those who want relief for American families groaning beneath the burden of confiscatory rates of taxation hate the poor. Those who want a spiritual cure for multi-generational family dysfunctionality are racists.
Today, American culture is cut by a canyon. It doesn’t separate whites from blacks; it doesn’t separate rich from poor; it doesn’t separate men from women. It divides those who regard Judeo Christian values as vital for our nation’s survival from those who consider the Biblical blueprint to be nothing more than a primitive obstruction to progress. And there are blacks and whites on both sides; there are rich and poor on both sides, and there are men and women on both sides.
There is hope for a brighter tomorrow but it utterly depends upon the twenty-percent of Americans (see my Thought Tools volume 2) who recognize how urgently we need a return to our founding principles. Only by a return to the Judeo-Christian values that have sustained Israel for three thousand years and that created the United States of America can we once again become one nation under God. We will become a nation capable of seeing the threats imperiling our survival and we will again be a nation capable of fearlessly facing our foes and defeating them. We will become a nation capable of recognizing the folly of living beyond our means and will have the fortitude to take the necessary steps to recover fiscal responsibility. In short, we will once again be the nation that successfully salvaged the world from the threat of a prolonged period of darkness and we will do so again.
Faith
Rabbi Daniel Lapin:
The Bible enshrines the title deeds of western civilization
Posted on March 1, 2011 at 10:10am by Rabbi Daniel Lapin Print » Email » Few of the Jews living comfortably in Warsaw, Poland, in say 1935, had the faintest idea that life as they knew it was about to end. In less than five years normal life in luxurious mansions would be replaced by unspeakable horror in torture camps so terrible that death itself was a relief.
I do not suggest that we shall confront such severe shocks to our lives over the next few years. However, wise people recognize that nothing lasts forever. Smart observers recognize that the challenging changes that have swirled turbulently around the foundations of our world over the past ten years have consequences that will impact the quality of our lives in increasingly dramatic fashion.
One can ignore the distant sound of approaching boots and blindly await the cataclysm or one can make the effort to peer through a periscope and spot the threats. It is possible to analyze current events through the lens of ancient Jewish wisdom and emerge with, if not a prophetic sense of where things are headed, at least a good idea of what the short term future holds.
Some people condemn themselves to stumble through the dark forest at night snagged by branches and tripped by roots. Others wear night-vision goggles and cover the ground easily and safely. It is my goal in these few paragraphs, to equip you with night-vision goggles in the form of five permanent principles of the Bible. These will make sense of the treacherous landscape and help you to avoid the roots and branches awaiting the unwary.
Whether we examine the North African troubles or the bizarre pro-union farce in Wisconsin, the picture we obtain will be clearer with these tools.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 1
People are not merely smart animals. We are an entirely different species, touched by the finger of God and possessing souls. This means that few lessons we learn from animals are applicable to people. For instance, if any animal is restricted to an adequately large area and provided with food, water and safety, it will never endeavor to go anywhere else. People, even if confined to a very large area in which they can obtain all their hearts desire, find that their souls chafe at the restrictions. We seek the infinite. While animals protect their territories, we humans feel the urge to seize the territories of others. In civilized circumstances we try to increase our holdings by purchase and trade. In less civilized circumstances we do so by war and plunder. Animals act on instinct and are incapable of evil and are incapable of choosing good over evil. People are capable of making moral choices and in many cases, will choose war and plunder. We do not need to prepare ourselves to cope with evil animals, a mere fence will keep the wolves from our sheep. But we very much need to prepare to deal with evil people or we shall not survive.
Those nations with a strong sense of their Biblical roots tend to build up their societies and allow their people to prosper in an environment of safety and security. Occasionally, straying from those roots, as Germany did when it temporarily turned to Hitler and his Nazi thugs, even western nations will pursue predatory policies but they seldom work for very long. The thousand year Reich failed to make it past the twenty year mark.
By contrast, nations based on organizational principles other than Judeo-Christian deny their people prosperity and security and tend to prey on their neighbors. Shaka, the late 18th century Zulu chief thought nothing of marching his warriors off a cliff to prove their loyalty and the eight year Iran-Iraq war in which both sides needlessly sacrificed millions of their population was no less insane by Judeo Christian standards.
Communism, the mirror image of Judeo Christian faith (See my Tower of Power-Decoding the Secrets of Babel), similarly denies its citizens the opportunity of improving their abilities to make a living while needlessly slaughtering them by the million as did Stalin in the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong in China, and Pol Pot in Cambodia.
In general, those people who reject the Judeo-Christian model of human organization usually end up embracing its opposite, which is a materialistic vision of reality. In this vision, people are not united by the content of their characters and the devotion of their souls because people are merely smart animals. Just as animals are divided by shape and skin color, so are people, claims this mistaken model. In this age-old false vision of humanity, there must be strife between men and women, between black and white and between rich and poor.
The tendency of labor unions to form gangs by means of which others can be plundered is an expression of this principle as is the tendency among those who reject the Biblical blueprint, to regard labor unions as a sacred priestly class automatically cloaked with virtue.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 2
There are two basic obstacles to any individual’s physical survival. (1) Extracting a living from an often reluctant earth using as little of our time and effort possible. (2) Preventing other stronger individuals or groups from attacking us and seizing our property and possibly also taking our lives.
The Judeo-Christian Biblical blueprint confers success upon its followers by solving these two problems. Firstly, it affirms the worthiness of work and the idea that we were placed into this Garden of Eden precisely in order to work it and become God’s partners in creation by transforming jungle into cities and fetid swamps into fertile fields.
It then implants in us the idea that God does not allow us individuals to take the property or lives of others and how borrowing is a bad idea even from future generations. It inculcates in us respect for women and the goodness of protecting and cherishing women. Finally, it teaches the importance of specialization to produce God’s desire of interdependence upon one another. (see my Prosperity Power—Connect for Succe$$) Not surprisingly, those cultures that founded themselves by following these precepts prospered in peace and tranquility.
As time went by, however, many blessed western countries first forgot then abandoned the very blueprint that brought them to affluence. Environmentalism with its pantheistic doctrines and worship of nature is one destructive aspect of the loss of Biblical vision. We are now watching the economic consequences of that rash rejection of their founding Biblical principles.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 3
In isolation, individuals live short and painful lives. Only by organizing ourselves into families, communities, societies, and yes, nations, do we stand a chance of solving the two basic problems of survival.
Just imagine if you were the last person alive on the planet after some catastrophe wiped out everyone else. Your first sensation might be relief at being able to retain the remote control for the TV and being able to find a parking place downtown but you’d soon be brought up short. No electricity (nobody to operate the power plants), no television or radio programing, no restaurants, and eventually no more food in the now empty markets. Pretty soon, for transport in your search for food, you’d be reduced to riding whatever horse or donkey you could find and like a subsistence peasant in the most primitive third world neighborhood, you will have to plant something and hope it will grow to harvest before you starve to death. Our wealth IS other people, provided they also subscribe to a common system of values that allows us all to communicate, cooperate, and above all, trust one another. Without trust there is no credit and no transaction and without transaction, we are each on our own.
There are four basic patterns to human organization. (i) Leave all alone and live with chaos and civic anarchy. (ii) Centralized planning by a tyrannical regime. (iii) Tribal. (iv) Judeo Christian system of ancient Israel that created western civilization in general and the United States in particular.
The first is unendurable and the plight of those trapped in this environment is tragic. As for centralized planning, one would think that the twentieth century destroyed faith in this hopeless model but it lingers with almost religious fervor among America’s elite university faculties and Europe’s secular fundamentalists. The tribal model has demonstrated an inability to build even bicycles let alone computer chips and seems incapable of even seeing the benefit of water-borne sewage systems. The fourth system, God’s plan for human interaction, speaks for itself. With all the imperfections inevitable when mere humans try to implement a perfect system, it still remains the deep desire of most human beings and what they seek either by politics or emigration.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 4
God created separate nations in the world instead of making all humans part of one big group. (see my The Gathering Storm-Decoding the Secrets of Noah) Several chapters of Genesis are devoted to showing how God’s plan was for each nation to experiment with its own ideas of how human cooperation should be structured. Israel alone was presented with God’s Biblical Blueprint and with it, the mission to share it with the world.
However, unlike some other faiths that also believe they possess the truth, Israel was never to use the sword to force others to accept its divine blueprint for human cooperation. The sword was unnecessary because it would quickly become obvious to all observers that God’s Biblical model produced a wealthier, a more tranquil and free society than all the other experiments out there. In their own interests, God hoped, everyone would adopt it willingly and peacefully.
By way of example, when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the cars they had been making, the GAZ Pobedas, the Volgas, and the ZIL limousines were roundly rejected by western car buyers. Those mediocre mechanical monstrosities were used in the Soviet Union because that is all there was. If you bought a car then, you bought a Soviet product at the point of a sword as it were. You had no choice. Western cars were far superior because makers enjoyed competition. Nobody was forced to buy a government-made product. People picked the very best cars they could afford and today, miraculously, most people in the west can afford a vehicle that will carry four passengers for fifty-thousand miles without any major mechanical work. Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and even Cadillac do not have to force people at the point of a gun to purchase their vehicles. In their own self-interest, those who can willing and eagerly acquire those products ignoring the poor experiments in car design that governments sometimes try to foist upon a docile public.
Similarly, God set up a system wherein different people in their own groups could experiment all they wished. Meanwhile, Israel, and those who adopted the Biblical blueprint would build so vastly superior societies that others would flock to adopt the same system of organizing principles. Let competition of ideologies flourish and let people choose the right way. This was God’s design.
We in the United States are threatened by the growing numbers of our fellow citizens who regard themselves as citizens of the world rather than as citizens of the United States of America. Our lives are endangered by leaders willing to sacrifice our welfare for the good of the world. Gasoline prices surging to $5/gallon and more present a greater threat to hard-working American families than panic-inducing warnings of climate change. Weakening our defense capabilities in order to win the approval of those who hate us is sheer recklessness calculated to make the ghost of Neville Chamberlain smile. All these and more flow from the attempt to deny Permanent Principle of the Bible number four.
For reasons that lie outside the scope of this discussion, what we think of as western civilization grew from those societies which adopted Christianity which, in itself, was an adoption of Judaism, the faith of Israel. Not surprisingly, over 90% of the scientific discoveries and medical advances of the past eleven hundred years came out of Christendom, an old word for western civilization which I like. Not surprisingly, no capital market has ever emerged indigenously from a non-Christian country.
Sure enough, God’s prediction that others would spot the success of societies following the Biblical blueprint and emulate them has been partially fulfilled.
Many societies have adopted the outward trappings of the west. Today, both banks and bathrooms in Beijing, Bombay, and Bangkok, resemble those in Boston, Birmingham, and Berlin. However, in most cases they have neglected to adopt the Biblical underpinnings of morality and law that ultimately make possible those outward trappings. This throws their durability into doubt and suggests the imprudence of the west trying to salve its conscience by throwing large sums of foreign aid to so-called developing countries. The idea that raising taxes on Americans and sending loads of money to barbaric regions of the world will convert them into exotic versions of Highland Park, New Jersey or Encino, California is laughable.
Imagine a remote island whose primitive population spends most of its time robbing and raping, mugging and murdering. What do you think will bring about more change, parachuting in bags of cash along with officials of the World Bank or sending in one hundred Christian missionaries?
Yes, the Biblical model is verified by the immigration patterns of the last sixty years. The greatest and most rapid human migration in history has been from non-Christian-founded countries to Christendom, or the West. To put it perhaps a little too bluntly, neither Saudi Arabia nor Somalia has an illegal immigration problem. People vote with their feet for what works, and what works in terms of allowing people to make a living and stay reasonably safe and secure, is the Judeo-Christian based west.
The disturbing deceit inherent in the idea of multi-culturalism and its close cousins the communist dream of internationalism along with the left’s childlike faith in the impotent United Nations are all futile manifestations of the attempt to overturn this fourth Permanent Principle of the Bible.
Permanent Principle of the Bible # 5
Few more powerful motivators exist for human beings than a deep conviction in what their god wants from them. Part of America’s inability to deal effectively with Islamic terror stems from this fatal failing: Prior to 9-11, almost nobody in the American State Department had ever met a human being willing not only to die for his faith but also quite willing to kill for it.
Islam may not have a god that did much to help its devotees build attractive and successful societies but those devotees certainly are totally committed. Total commitment, even to something wrong, often trumps lukewarm commitment to truth.
Alcoholics anonymous works so well for so many people precisely because its founder, Bill Wilson recognized the need to include God when attempting major transformation. Not surprisingly, government anti-drug programs accomplish very little because they so meticulously banish God from the program.
Using these five Permanent Principles of the Bible, we can gain better insight into what is happening as countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, and many others to follow, ignite into civic chaos.
Essentially, these cultures have enviously witnessed the wealth of the west since before the start of the twentieth century. They have lusted for the materialistic results of the Judeo-Christian system, but they have rejected the spiritual underpinnings that made it all possible.
Now, they mistakenly believe that all that stands between them and life as seen on American television are their corrupt governments and tyrannical leaders. When they discover that Hosni Mubarak and Muammar Gadhafi’s successors are not able to deliver, we shall probably see even greater unrest.
The leaders that will emerge understand far better than their decadent western counterparts that people need a spiritual anchor as much as they need food on the table. They will encourage an ardent return to Islamic fundamentalism since the nature of Islam discourages dreams of democracy. They will continue constantly to deride the west and particularly America and Israel as the world’s sources for the appealing and attractive Judeo Christian Biblical model. By fostering in their populations frenzied fanatics and fierce fiends, they hope to retain power and protect their privileged lifestyles. Without American leadership that values our Judeo-Christian heritage and understands how its spiritual nourishment sustains our success, we face increasing travail.
With these permanent principles of the Bible, we can also understand the circuses in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Religious conservatives place principle above politics. This is why it was Republican legislators and officials who forced President Richard Nixon to resign and why it was Democrats who saved the presidency of Bill Clinton. If the Judeo-Christian vision fuels your life, then your politics must conform. Winning is not everything, God is. For the secular fundamentalists on the left, however, their political creed is their religion. Thus politics for them is a form of religious war—a crusade if you will. For this reason, legislators hiding away in remote corners are performing an act of brave and principled defiance. Winning is everything. That is their religious doctrine-they have no other.
The left has succeeded in dividing America into many separate groups or gangs. By annihilating our commonality and eroding love of our providential mission, it has set us all against one another. Those who do not want to throw more money at a failed educational system are child-haters. Those who want relief for American families groaning beneath the burden of confiscatory rates of taxation hate the poor. Those who want a spiritual cure for multi-generational family dysfunctionality are racists.
Today, American culture is cut by a canyon. It doesn’t separate whites from blacks; it doesn’t separate rich from poor; it doesn’t separate men from women. It divides those who regard Judeo Christian values as vital for our nation’s survival from those who consider the Biblical blueprint to be nothing more than a primitive obstruction to progress. And there are blacks and whites on both sides; there are rich and poor on both sides, and there are men and women on both sides.
There is hope for a brighter tomorrow but it utterly depends upon the twenty-percent of Americans (see my Thought Tools volume 2) who recognize how urgently we need a return to our founding principles. Only by a return to the Judeo-Christian values that have sustained Israel for three thousand years and that created the United States of America can we once again become one nation under God. We will become a nation capable of seeing the threats imperiling our survival and we will again be a nation capable of fearlessly facing our foes and defeating them. We will become a nation capable of recognizing the folly of living beyond our means and will have the fortitude to take the necessary steps to recover fiscal responsibility. In short, we will once again be the nation that successfully salvaged the world from the threat of a prolonged period of darkness and we will do so again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)