November 2012

I can't help it. I find myself having to comment on politics again, something I said I would not do anymore. But keep in mind that anything written on this blog comes from a Biblical perspective.

2012 is an election year. This coming November, America will once again elect a president. It will either be the incumbent (Obama) or one of about six GOP candidates. On this blog I wrote two entries about Obama. The dates are 09/16/08 and 11/04/08. Both of them are rather sarcastic but unfortunately just about everything in them has come true. I am by no means a prophet or something like that but I am a student of history. If Obama gets re-elected I highly suspect this country will be a completely different place four years from now. The man is a socialist pure and simple. He and his administration is taking this country down a road toward globalism.

As Christians we must always be aware of the aim of the enemy. Satan is subtle. We must keep in mind that the Bible prophesies of a one world government and a one world religion. When I see Obama trying his best to discredit our Constitution and drive us to globalism; and when I see him bow to a Saudi King, well I begin to wonder just who it is that motivates him. One thing I can tell you for a fact, it is not the God of the Bible much less Jesus Christ.

Regarding the approaching election. Anyone is better than Obama. This has nothing to do with Democrats or Republicans or any other political party. This has everything to do with the American way of life. Yes, it really is that serious. Yes, it really has come to that. The health care bill that Obama is shoving down the American throat is just the beginning. If he gets re-elected Obamacare will be instituted in full force. And after that, there will be more programs designed to give the government more control.

I leave you with a quote from a French Historian named Alexis DeTocqueville, he lived in the 1800s.

"After having thus successively taken each member
of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will,
the supreme power then extends its arm over the whole community.
It covers the surface of society with a network of small, complicated
rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and
the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd.
The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided;
men seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained
from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence;
it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and
stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than
a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government
is the shepherd."

Consider these words well and vote Obama out of office.

History is cool.

I remember when I was in college taking a course in Western Civilization. Since I am a history buff I absolutely loved it. The Professor, I think his name was Dr. Ridgely, gave tests in a unique way; at least it was unique to me. Instead of 50 or 100 multiple choice questions or something like that he gave us small booklets with about 10 lined blank pages. He would give five questions, we had to answer three of them.

A test question would be similar to this: "Describe the major events in Western Europe between 1800-1825?" or "List the reasons why the Nazi party was able to gain power in Germany?" Our answers would then be written like a short story describing said events. The course covered two semesters, I made an "A" in both courses. I was successful because I loved the subject and you had to STUDY to answer the questions.

This post is written in support of history. I read a newspaper article one time where teenagers were asked "what is your least favorite subject in school?" One of the answers was history because it has no benefit whatsoever. I beg to differ. History in my opinion is the most important subject taught in school. History teaches us about our past and the mistakes that were made that led to wars or major blunders that had far reaching effects. But history must be studied in it's purest form. History is not a compilation of opinions or interpretations that the author wants to publish. As an example, I am not the least interested in a person's opinion of why the Civil War began. What I want to know are the FACTS, the actions, the events that took place leading up to the Civil War.

Too often today, history is being revised to say something that it is not. Instead of getting the facts, kids today are getting political slants on what the author wants the kids to hear or see. This is a dangerous precedent. You can interview any of my kids and they will tell you that I constantly want to know what they are being taught in school regarding history. It is important.

Consider the protesters of the "occupy wall street" movement. Most of them, I believe are young college graduates. They have been told that big business and corporations are responsible for the economic mess we are in. They have been encouraged to protest the heads of big corporations because they make too much money. Yet, a study of history would reveal that our current economic crisis began with policies introduced by Teddy Roosevelt and expanded by Woodrow Wilson. Is that my opinion, not hardly, these are FACTS of recorded history.

My challenge to young people, learn the facts of history and then draw your own conclusions. Do not become a lemming and waste your time following some political ideologue.

And by the way, who cares how much money a CEO makes. It's none of my business nor is it any of yours. It's a waste of time and a distraction to worry about such things.

He will win

Mark 10.32-34

His mind a swirling vortex of emotion, his road has finally led to this end. His fear and anticipation, so strong that he exudes it, breathes it. It hangs in the air like a pallor. The atmosphere is thick with the coming clash of good vs. evil. His whole life has been lived for this day that is fast approaching. He walks the road ahead of his faithful followers. They know that something is amiss. They can see it in his eyes, the can sense it in his face, they can feel it in his demeanor. The people, the common man who for months had watched him do incredible things now sense the fear and anxiety of the road he walks. He walks it alone for only he is worthy. The sun is hot, the dust is dry, but he walks on steadfast. He is sure of his mission. His resolve is unwavering. He will accomplish what he has set out to do. He will win the war. He will set things right. He will win. No one can stop him now. The host of hell will try but they will be defeated. His mind is set, his face is like stone, his body will obey, his will is the one which will overcome. And he will win. Since eternity past he has seen this road. He has always known that it was ahead of him. He has always known that his destiny was here, now, on this road outside the ancient city of Jerusalem. As he walks, he sees the fear of the people, he senses the anxiety of his disciples. His love for them is such that they will not understand until this road is walked. Love beyond human comprehension, yes, that is why he does it; that is why he walks it. And this love compels him, drives him to keep walking , ever higher, ever closer to the greatest event in creation. For 33 years now he has set aside his true nature. By his own choosing he has cloaked his divine power and privilege for the sake ofthose he loves. And now his love will at last be displayed in it’s fullest measure. It will require him to experience a pain and a terror he has never experienced. But he will do it none theless. He will endure. He will win. He has always known his father. He has always been face to face with his father. He and his father have always been in fellowship, a perfect relationship that goes beyond time. But he knows that for those he loves, that relationship must for a time be broken…and it scares him beyond reason. This is the source of his fear and anxiety. It is not the physical pain he will endure but the anticipated brake in fellowship with his father. But he will do it, he must do it, he willfulfill the mission for which he came. And so he walks the road ever onward to his destiny. He will win.

Faith requires a first step

It is early fall in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The nights are a little cooler and the days are not hot but just warm, usually the low 80s during the day and the mid fifties at night. The leaves have not yet changed color but they will soon. We had a hot dry summer which makes for less color in the fall. Bow season opened four days ago. We have seen deer but have not been able to shoot at any just yet. High school football is a weekly delight. In our case, for now, it is Junior High football on Thursday's but it is a great privilege to see our son playing every week.

Our other son is a freshman at Ouichita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR. He also is doing well studying Music Theatre all of which is paid for by way of scholarships; scholarships which he earned.

Soon, we will be burning fires almost every night. Sitting on our back porch enjoying incredible sunsets in the quiet and serenity of the rural Ouichita mountains. I am blessed beyond reason. I am married to an incredible woman, we have all four of our kids no more than an hour away from our house. I am doing the job that I love more than anything, that is teaching the Word of God and Pastoring a church full time.

The world we live in is full of uncertainty yet the world in our neck of the woods is more than I could ask for. I do not have the time to go into how my family and I ended up here but know that it came about as a result of putting feet to our faith.

Coming here was truly a step into the unknown but time has proved that it was the right decision to make. If anyone reading this is faced with a decision, know that the one that demands faith is the right one to make. God never promises a smooth road or even a clear path. What He does promise is that faith will be rewarded.

Hebrews 11.1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

How do I make Jesus Christ Lord of my life?

Salvation is putting faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. He died for the sins of mankind and was resurrected three days later. Putting faith in these facts saves a person for eternity. But what about after salvation? What about the Christian life/walk for the time we have left before physical death? Do we rely on ourselves and our ability to be good? Is this how we "walk by faith"? Is this how we make Jesus Lord of our lives?

Back to the phrase above "Jesus Christ and His work on the cross". Understanding what that "work" entails is vital to understanding the Christian life/walk. Paul tells us in Romans 6.6 that our old sin nature, the old man, the flesh, was crucified with Christ on the cross so that it (the old man) might be "done away".

Oh, wait a minute, you mean the cross can help me after salvation? The answer is yes...most definitely.

The phrase "done away" in the Greek literally means, "rendered powerless". Accordingly, the flesh, the old sin nature became inactive on the cross with Christ. But here is the kicker...YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE EVERY MOMENT TO CONSIDER IT SO. God nailed your sin nature and mine to the cross but we MUST believe it to be so, (Romans 6.11), and then yield our nature to the control of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 6.13).

You see, not only is salvation "faith alone in Christ alone" but the Christian life/walk is still "faith alone in Christ alone". It is the Holy Spirit who supplies all the power to save us and to grow us into the likeness of the humanity of Jesus Christ.

By this means and this means only will Jesus Christ become Lord of my life or your life.

Consider also:
Ephesians 4.21-24
Romans 13.14
Colossians 2.11
2 Corinthians 10.3-5

The Warrior-King

Watching people protest at the funerals of fallen soldiers is a despicable thing. But what is worse is discovering that the protesters are members of a Christian (Baptist) church in Kansas. I have not taken the time to investigate the motivation of these people and frankly, I don't care. Anyone who protests deceased soldiers, for any reason, needs to be examined for a mental illness.

I would love to know what the Biblical reasons are for their protest. I would love to debate them on whatever passage of Scripture they use as the basis for their insanity; maybe that will happen one day.

I am a Christian. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus is the Son of God and is presently seated at the right hand of God in that vast and incredible realm we know as heaven.

In the Bible, Jesus has many titles attributed to Him. In Revelation 22.16, He is, "the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star". In Revelation 5.5, He is, "The Lion of the tribe of Judah". In Daniel 2.35, He is, "the Stone cut out without hands".

I could go on and on but I want to zero in on one Title found in the Old Testament that fly's in the face of the protesters of fallen soldiers. Joshua 5.15 states, "The Captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so." In context, Joshua and the armies of Israel are about to take the city of Jericho. Joshua looks up and sees a man standing opposite him holding a sword. A study of the passage reveals that man to be not an angel, but what is called a "Christophany" (the pre-incarnate Christ).

The literal translation of "the Captain of the Lord's host" is "Lord of the Angelic armies". Jesus Christ, in this passage is the Commander of a vast host of angels all drawn up for war. Excuse me, but does that not sound like soldiers drawn up for battle.

My point is this. Throughout His word God, draws parallels between the realms of humanity and angelic creation. Many times those parallels speak of soldiers, battle, war, commanders, etc..things that we understand in military terms.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses military terms and pictures to make his point about spiritual truth (Ephesians 6.10-17 is one example). When Christ returns at His second advent there will be literally millions of people who have refused His mercy who will fall dead at His word (Revelation 19.15).

The U.S. military has long stood on the foundation of freedom. It is not oppressive it does not seek to enslave anyone only help to provide a better way of life. World War 2 would have been lost without the intervention of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Westboro Baptist Church, when you protest a soldier at a funeral remember that the very One you claim to represent, Jesus Christ; is known as the Greatest Soldier, Warrior, Commander and King in the created universe.

Friendship

The saying goes that, "a friend sticks closer than a brother". What is it that makes a friend so special? What is it that makes friendship something that every human wants and needs? I think it is acceptance. A true friend takes you for who you are and nothing more. If you have problems, addictions, oddities, or some kind of weirdness about you; a friend does not care. If you are not perfect or if your job is nothing special a friend pays it no mind. I can say without a doubt that I have had a handful of true friends in my life. People who "accept" me in spite of my many oddities.

Now consider this. If I can accept a person for who they are and that person can accept me for who I am, how much more can Jesus Christ accept us for who we are? Jesus is truly the friend who sticks closer than a brother. He "accepts" us right where we are. All our weirdness's, problems, addictions, oddities and obfuscations (to be evasive, unclear, confusing; and yes, I had to look it up); He even accepts us when we mess up, fall off the apple cart, go off in the toolies, hit rock bottom... Through it all, He is present and ready to meet us right where we are. Never forget that Jesus is not only God, but He is God in the flesh. He became intimately familiar with all our infirmities and troubles for He endured them Himself. He can honestly say; been there, done that, defeated it.

And that is a very good thing.