tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-374304022024-03-13T08:47:43.255-05:00Victorious ConquerorThese are the musings of a man who is convinced of the inerrancy of the Bible and all of its teachings. But I am sobered by the poor application of Biblical principles that currently exists in the world today. Join me as I examine various issues of the day and quite often hold them up to the mirror of the Bible to find the truth of each situation or circumstance.Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.comBlogger604125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-9043981879657294922017-09-04T10:16:00.000-05:002017-09-04T10:53:32.800-05:00Presidential Faith ... in Action<span style="font-family: inherit;">Donald and Melania Trump attended at (Washington, DC) church yesterday - the day he had called the nation to prayer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Trump had designated yesterday as National Day of Prayer, specifically asking the country to pause to pray for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana. That hurricane, which hit the Gulf Coast last week, appears to be the most devastation natural disaster ever to hit the U.S. President Trump has already asked the U.S. Congress for nearly $8 billion in aid to the victims of this hurricane and the resulting flooding. The Texas Governor estimates they will need more like $125 billion to recover. But I digress.<br /><br />Here's what I want to talk about today. It was front page news that our President & First Lady attended church. Looking back, it seems that neither of them have attended any regular church services since he took office. They have only attended when the church service was to inaugurate or otherwise honor Trump. This isn't a strong expression of Trump's faith. <br /><br />Now, lest you think that I'm ragging on Trump, let me also mention the fact that Obama rarely attended any church services during his eight years as President. It was the same with his predecessor, George W. Bush. In fact, of all the modern Presidents of the U.S., only the Carters and the Clintons are known to have attended church services on a regular (weekly) basis.<br /><br />I long to see our modern Presidents more open about their faith. Maybe Trump, with his addiction to expressing himself on Twitter, could tweet the Scripture passage that he and his wife read and meditate on together each day. (They do do that, don't they?) You know, I wouldn't mind if our President and his wife were zealous about the God they serve. I'd like to know that my President is a man under authority, that He is surrendered and submitted to Christ in every way possible.<br /><br />I'd really like to see our President at least occasionally leading the nation in public prayer. To be fair, Melania Trump publicly read the Lord's prayer in a ceremony a few months ago. But again, that made front page headlines because it was so remarkable. We're not used to seeing much in the way of outward </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">expressions of faith from our President or First Lady. It's something I'd like to get used to. And of course, I'd like to know that they are regularly attending corporate worship services - as God's Word commands them to. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rbM3VSvYNI/Wa12kBL-SBI/AAAAAAAACXg/4lvTHNJrMiUW9ajesl-uZ9w-FMM9IoCJACEwYBhgL/s1600/Hebrews%2B10%2B24-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="446" height="151" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rbM3VSvYNI/Wa12kBL-SBI/AAAAAAAACXg/4lvTHNJrMiUW9ajesl-uZ9w-FMM9IoCJACEwYBhgL/s200/Hebrews%2B10%2B24-25.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've read the arguments (maybe excuses) about modern Presidents don't attend church regularly. Those range from not wanting to be disruptive to not creating a security scenario. But really don't those are valid reasons. The Scriptural command doesn't have an exception clause that lets Christ-followers off the hook if they think it might be an inconvenience to others or that it would be too much trouble for their security detail. Both of those things can be overcome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />If the President and his family were attending the same local church regularly, the drama would die down. Jimmy Carter still teaches Sunday School, for example, and his fellow parishioners seem to be managing pretty well. Similarly, the security details could be worked out so that the church would be secure enough to ensure the President's safety. Years ago I worked in England, and had occasion to visit a couple of the Queen's castles. I recall that even the Queen of England attends local church services in well known cathedrals or chapels where security has been arranged and where chaos has been overcome. <br /><br />Quite frankly, if the President and his family wanted to join my local church, I would be deeply honored to get to worship, pray, and study God's Word with them. And I know that as a pastor, if I knew the President and his family would be at my church each week, I'm confident that my staff and I could work with the Secret Service to keep it secure. Moreover, I could work with my staff and parishioners to keep the carnival atmosphere to a minimum. <br /><br />The faith of our Presidents is documented. Not a single President of the United States has ever identified himself as an atheist. All have said that they believed in God, and there was an assumption that that meant they also worshiped and submitted to God. The only exceptions have been Thomas Jefferson - who eventually denied that Jesus is God, and Abraham Lincoln - who was so secular that even people who knew him well questioned his faith. (See chart below.)<br /><br />What is less documented and less known, is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our Presidents. Jimmy Carter, for example, is the only President of the United States that is ever known to have taught Sunday School. (He still does!) We have few examples of Presidents praying, reading their Bibles, worshiping, or making disciples as Jesus commanded us to. (Matthew 28:19-20) </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember one time the pastor of our large church actually got up on the stage with the singers and worshiped in front of all of us. He is a terrible singer - bad voice and can't carry a tune. But seeing his heart surrendered to the Lord and him delighting in the worship moved me to tears. It encouraged my heart to see my leader worship our God.<br /><br />So here's the thing. If I were President of the United States, I'm pretty sure that I would want to start my Presidency with a prayer service. In fact, my inauguration speech would include a call for the nation to pray with me. I would ask Americans to pray for me to have wisdom and discernment. I would ask them to pray that God would allow me to see what He sees, hear what He hears, and even think through things with the Mind of Christ. I would ask that my people pray for me to be humbled before the Lord and before my fellow Americans. <br /><br />As President of the United States, I would pledge to my constituents that I would make confession a regular practice - and I would tell them the name of the individual that I would be confessing my sins to on a regular basis. (James 5:16) I would tell them the name of the spiritual adviser whom I would be giving authority to hold me accountable, to challenge me and ask me the hard questions on a regular basis. My weekly radio address (a Presidential tradition) would include prayer for our nation - my people would hear me pray. And I would implement regular time of prayer and worship with my staff, and even invite members of Congress to pray and worship with me. (We might have to move that Bible study to the National Cathedral!)<br /><br />I don't believe the God of the universe can be expected to bless our nation if we as a nation are not submitted and surrendered to Him in real, tangible ways. I believe that there must be evidence that we are actively service the Lord in our everyday lives. (It's called Fruit of the Spirit.) Most of all I don't believe any of this will happen without our country's leaders setting the example. So of course I'm very glad to see that Mr. & Mrs. Trump were in church yesterday. I only hope and pray that this will become a regular thing for them!<br /><br />Won't you join me now in praying that the Lord put a fierce hunger and thirst for God's Word into the hearts of our President and First Lady? Let us pray that God will draw both of them to Himself, and that a desire to seek Him first will overwhelm both of them.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwfyzv6muI/Wa1mXEURfsI/AAAAAAAACXA/hhc1zmHYMDoLUyLqGDnHV9tnPkzNnTDEwCLcBGAs/s1600/Faith%2Bof%2BPresidents.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qIwfyzv6muI/Wa1mXEURfsI/AAAAAAAACXA/hhc1zmHYMDoLUyLqGDnHV9tnPkzNnTDEwCLcBGAs/s640/Faith%2Bof%2BPresidents.jpg" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-85640170449909032832017-08-05T14:54:00.001-05:002020-03-17T09:55:02.097-05:00Shopping Cart Bible Lesson<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">If you’ve followed me on
Facebook for any length of time, you may have seen me posting pictures from
time to time of the carnage left in the wake of the marauding band of “cart
pigs” that struck the local WalMart, grocery store, etc.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The other day I was confronted with no less
than a dozen shopping carts in the one row of the parking lot.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Ironically, they were all abandoned and
strewn about within just a few feet of a cart corral.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">When I made that post, one
of my Facebook “friends,” Mr. Chris LaRue, commented (on my Facebook wall) that
I was a “lame-ass white guy” (sic) for caring about this.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(For the record, Mr. LaRue shares my Caucasian
heritage.)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My wife and even some of my
friends asked me who this was that would say something so mean about me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rather than act hurt or offended, I just said
he might be one of those Christ-followers who leans on his own understanding of
this issue.<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /> </span></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Love Your Neighbor</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">God said, way back in
<span style="color: #ffd966;">Leviticus 19:18</span>, that we are to love others as we ourselves would like to be
loved.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus said it again in <span style="color: #ffd966;">Matthew
19:19 & 22:39</span>, <span style="color: #ffd966;">Mark 12:31</span>, and <span style="color: #ffd966;">Luke 10:27</span>.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Apostle Paul reminded us of this command from God, in <span style="color: #ffd966;">Romans 13:9</span>
& <span style="color: #ffd966;">Galatians 5:14</span>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Even Jesus’ (half)
brother James brought it up (<span style="color: #ffd966;">James 2:8</span>).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>So it sees like one of the most well established Biblical principles
that there are.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Surely no one who would
claim to be a Christian would question this.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We are to love others as we ourselves would like to be loved.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Blessing of Shopping Carts</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">So what is the practical
application of that Biblical principle?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>How on earth could it apply to shopping carts at the local WalMart?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s
simple really.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Think about the owners
and employees of the store.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They’re
offering you the use of a shopping cart, free of charge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And they’ve made a parking place for those
carts in the front of the store.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Many of
the larger stores have even provided cart corrals in the parking lot – so that
you don’t have to walk all the way back into the store to return it.</span><br /><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">It’s obvious, from the
provisions that they’ve made, that the owners and employees of the store expect
you to return the shopping cart.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And
they would appreciate if you did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you
were an owner of the store, you would appreciate it if your customers did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you were an employee of the store, you
would appreciate it if the customers did.<span style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</span></span><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Costs of Cart Pigs</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">When customers do not
return shopping carts to designated space in front of the store or one of the
convenient cart corrals throughout the parking lot, several things happen:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. They often take
up parking spaces where someone might like (or even need) to park their car.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2. If they’re not
taking up parking spaces, they’re probably parked on the grass or in a planter –
ruining the landscaping that the store owners paid for (so you could have an
attractive store to shop at).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWvQ43zdWE4/WYYiEYT7hMI/AAAAAAAACWc/Vj-cM7PMPKs_ETLp99OPoyFdGdZhfOIlgCLcBGAs/s1600/cart%2Bpigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWvQ43zdWE4/WYYiEYT7hMI/AAAAAAAACWc/Vj-cM7PMPKs_ETLp99OPoyFdGdZhfOIlgCLcBGAs/s400/cart%2Bpigs.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>The carts in this
picture were abandoned – and blocking – a special walkway that had been provided
for the handicapped parking spaces.</i></span><i><span style="margin: 0px; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">How
would you like to maneuver your wheel chair through this mess?</span></i></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3. Sometimes the
carts roll off and scratch or even dent other peoples’ cars.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And it’s not just the cars that can be
damaged.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Shopping carts themselves can
be damaged or even ruined altogether.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4. The carts are not
in the front of the store for the other shoppers, thereby forcing them to make a
trip back out to the parking lot to get one.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>(This has actually happened to me!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5. At a minimum, the
store owners must pay someone to rove around the parking lot gathering up all
the abandoned shopping carts and returning them to the front of the store for
other shoppers to use.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Shopping carts are
expensive.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Damage to shopping carts is expensive.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Scratches and dents on peoples’ cars are
expensive.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Labor is expensive.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So the store owners would appreciate it if
you would return the shopping carts.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">And
even if the labor is paid, no retail worker could enjoy having to schlep around a parking
lot in the heat, cold, rain, or snow to gather up the shopping carts from all
over the parking lot.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So the employees would
appreciate it if you would return them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Biblical Command</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Like I said, it seems
like a simple concept.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If I were a store
owner, I would like the shopping carts to be returned.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If I were a store employee, I would like the
shopping carts returned.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If I were a
store shopper, I would like the carts returned.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This is how I would like to be treated.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>So God Himself says this is how I should treat others.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In a sense, there’s a implied Biblical
command here, <i>“Thou shalt return thy shopping cart – because it is how thou
would like to be treated thyself (if thou were a store owner providing shopping carts).”</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Shopping Carts Identify Your Character</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.7.0" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.7.0" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Blogger Craig Dacy (<a href="http://www.craigdacy.com/"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: "calibri";">http://www.craigdacy.com/</span></a>)
has written about this.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He says there
are two different kinds of people in this world: cart <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">returners</i> and cart <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">deserters</i>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And he explains how either one of these
definitions reveals so much about our character.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Here are some excerpts from one of his blog
posts that really say it better than I could myself.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.7.0" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.c.0" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">Cart </span></span></b></span></span><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.c.0" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">Returners Put Others First</span></span></b></span><br />
<span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.e.0" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.e.0" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: inherit;"><span style="margin: 0px;">There are hundreds of excuses for someone to leave
their cart propped up on a grassy median or left between parking spa</span><span style="margin: 0px;">ces.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Maybe they’re in a hurry or it’s raining. …
Whatever the reason is, there is one thing all of these excuses have in common;
</span><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.e.1" style="margin: 0px;">it’s
all about them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">When you take the time to return your cart …, you’re
showing that you care about the employees of the grocery store. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You acknowledge that if you don’t put the cart
away, someone else will have to do it for you. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Basically it shows that you’re not a selfish
person.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">Why not take it a step further? If you see a disabled
person with a cart, offer to return it for them. It's all about helping
our neighbor. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">Successful people put others first. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Instead of being wrapped up in things that
benefit them, they look for ways to help and serve those around them.</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">Cart Returners Are Disciplined</span></span></b><br />
<span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.s.0" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.s.0" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="margin: 0px;">We’ve all been tempted to turn to the dark side,
right? <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Your child is screaming and the
nearest cart receptacle is 10 parking spaces away. ... </span><span data-reactid=".0.$SITE_ROOT.$desktop_siteRoot.$PAGES_CONTAINER.$centeredContent.$inlineContent.$SITE_PAGES.$wlrus_DESKTOP.$inlineContent.$comp-il34n57g.$inlineContent.0.$child.$0.$inlineContent.$1.$5.$0.$richTextContainer.s.1" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">These are the moments that define us. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Will you stand strong or break to temptation? <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Look on the bright side; that screaming child
ensures that everyone will look and see you doing the right thing!</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">Walking the 10 spaces shows you’re disciplined. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You’ve committed yourself to a moral standard
that you won’t break. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Discipline is an
attractive quality in people.</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">Cart Returners Are Happier People</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">I</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"> know I’ve addressed it already, but I’ll say it
again. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Cart returning shows you're not
selfish. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Which is good because selfish
people aren’t happy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">Giving to others brings happiness into our lives. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Whether it’s a big or small gesture, they can
make a lasting impact. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Focusing only on
ourselves gives us a negative outlook on life. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We tend to only think about the things we
don’t have, the things we want, or the things others have that we wish we had. None of these bring on a spirit of gratitude
or contentment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">At the end of the day, the
only person you can control is you. As infuriating as it is to see a front row
parking space blocked by a deserted cart, take comfort in knowing that you
still have the upper hand.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">To all my cart deserters out there; it’s never too
late to make a change. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Cart returners
are very forgiving and will welcome you to our side with open arms!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: yellow;">Finally, to all my cart returners; there is one last
glimmer of hope for you. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>While the walk
to the receptacle may be treacherous, the walk back to your car can be empowering.
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You did the right thing. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Hold your head up high, pump your fist in the
air, and consider that walk as your victory lap.</span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Christ-Followers Return Shopping Carts</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">You had to know where this
was going.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So let me just finish this
post by telling you that <u>it is a sin to abandon your shopping cart just
anywhere</u>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My blogging friend Craig
Dacy allows that there may be exceptions for people with handicaps, etc.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, I’m not even going to give you
that.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If you had the ability to take the
shopping cart and use it, you have the ability to return it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>God said we are to do unto others as we would
like them to do unto us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To do otherwise
is sin.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is that simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="margin: 0px;">If you owned the store,
worked at the store, or shopped at the store and wanted a shopping cart, you
would want the carts put where they belong.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>So do that yourself.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Don’t be a cart
pig! Instead, honor the Lord your God, Christ Jesus, by returning your shopping cart. It's what Jesus Himself would do!</span></span>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-59317979292164941572017-04-14T07:20:00.001-05:002017-04-14T07:21:01.920-05:00Trump's First Budget Proposal<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_58f0b70c0fb929f76488736">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In April 2016, then candidate Trump told the Washington Post that he would promise to completely eliminate the U.S.' national debt over 8 years. (This of course assumed his re-election to a 2nd term.) His first budget proposal includes a 9% boost in defense spending, and deep cuts elsewhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-trOzKP2caOI/WPC9KnbOHII/AAAAAAAACUA/qAJxxVrVVgwKJQ1-JmHgxwzh6Pg1oFsgACLcB/s1600/trump-budget-1bc56c7f49ab643c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-trOzKP2caOI/WPC9KnbOHII/AAAAAAAACUA/qAJxxVrVVgwKJQ1-JmHgxwzh6Pg1oFsgACLcB/s200/trump-budget-1bc56c7f49ab643c.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Trump is proposing a 31% cut to the Environmental Protection Agency, a 28% cut to the State Department, & deep cuts in foreign aid, medical & scientific research, as well as anti-poverty programs that do things like provide free meals to children and </span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the elderly. Trump would entirely eliminate federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR), the Corporate for Public Broadcasting, and the National Endowment for the Arts.</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Trump's philosophy seems to be to shift the funding of many social programs to the private sector - let the philanthropists pay for it. I'm actually okay with that because I see that our current national debt of over $19 trillion is equal to more than $166,000 for every man, woman and child in America. And it is still growing. We have to make deep, painful spending cuts somewhere. The problem is that that's not really what Trump is proposing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Overall federal spending under Trump's proposed budget still comes in around $4 trillion - about the same as in President Obama's last budget plan. Moreover, the deficit (the amount by which spending exceeds tax revenue) would be about $559 billion under Trump - nearly the same as it was under Obama. And the Trump budget doesn't do anything to curb the growing spending - or raise revenue to pay for the growing spending for Medicare, Social Security, and other entitlement programs that so many Americans rely on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Trump's April 2016 pledge doesn't seem to be reflected in his budget proposal. Don't you think it should be? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I realize that Trump is already in for a fight. He believes we're not secure, and by making these deep cuts he's freeing up existing spending for things like the defense departments and construction of a border wall between us and Mexico. Already the liberals are crying foul, and the lobbyists are preparing to launch their attacks to persuade Congress not to let Trump have his way. Based on their past behavior, I have no confidence that our Congress has the courage to make deep spending cuts anywhere. My guess is they will either not let Trump have his defense increases - or they will just borrow more money to pay for it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's even more frightening to consider the prospects of our national debt, when the Republicans are promising tax cuts. In the face of our national debt and deficit spending plans, they think American corporations and individuals should pay less taxes. I know there is a much-beloved theory that if we make tax cuts they will stimulate the economy and more taxes will actually get paid. I haven't actually seen that work. Ever. Not in my lifetime anyway. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I'm not an expert on world history, I am a student of it. And so far I'm not aware of any country that has been able to make that work either. In all the history of the world, it seems that governments must tax their people in order to pay for what they do. No one has ever been able to cut those taxes and actually pay for government spending. Not in the history of the world. And many governments have actually collapsed under the weight of their own spending (and inability to raise the tax revenue.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Its not inconceivable to me that the U.S.' national debt could top $40 trillion or more before Trump's maximum term of eight years in office. I remember when Obama took office. Our national debt was already in the stratosphere. It was breathtaking. I could not imagine how our country could go on borrowing. I honestly feared our whole economy could collapse if the national debt got any worse. But Obama, and our Congress, had a different vision. We continued our wars, our liberal social programs, and even implemented a costly health care plan. The government spending and borrowing continued unabated for eight more years - and the national debt more than doubled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the thing I know. </span><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is expensive to be America</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. We have made ourselves the world's police force - moving literally on every continent to fight for freedom and democracy. We have made ourselves the world's benefactors - shipping humanitarian aid to every continent when there is need. We have made ourselves the freedom fighters, propping up regimes that we view as righteous, providing foreign aid to the tune of billions to countries like Israel or Egypt. And of course, we are not willing to say no to our own people. So we allow the people to vote themselves all sorts of benefits - by sending representatives to Washington who will work to give them what they want. (Politicians often point to their record of "winning" federal money & program support for their own geographic constituents.) All of this is expensive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like I said, it is expensive to be America. And so I wonder how we can move forward if we don't both make deep spending cuts AND commitments to pay more taxes. When will American individuals and corporations decide that it is worth it to pay our own way? When will we be willing to make the hard financial choices in order to reverse this collision course with reality?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are YOUR thoughts about this?</span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-62594927668336667372017-01-03T07:21:00.000-06:002017-01-03T07:22:46.523-06:00How Secure Is My Salvation?In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul effectively explains something that many Christians adamantly cling to as a truth. They sometimes act is if it is more true than anything else in the Bible! I'm talking about the security of one's salvation. <br />
<br />
Many preachers explain the act of receiving eternal life as a "transaction" that occurs when one says a simple prayer to acknowledge that Jesus Christ was born a virgin birth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again before ascending into heaven to prove that He is God. They also confess that they are a sinner in need of His salvation, and announce that they freely accept it. <br />
<br />
For some of us, this prayer was said in our teens, maybe at a church camp or in a youth group. And then we go on to live our lives in no particular way - but doing whatever we think best. After saying such prayer, we may do nothing to educate ourselves about the nature and character of God, or about what He has to say to us in the Bible (we don't read it, much less study it). So our lives as Christians may look no different than the lives of others in the world.<br />
<br />
I won't go into the Scripture references here, but I have studied the Bible - and there are many references which convince me that saying a simple prayer does NOT make one a Christian. I understand from Bible study that belief must be backed up with action in order to be true. It supports the old adage that <i>people may not always do what they say - but they will always do what they believe</i>. So if someone truly is a Christ-follower, it should be evident in the way that they speak and the way that they live their lives. <br />
<br />
My thinking has evolved to the point that I don't see salvation as a transaction that occurs on any particular date - at least not for most of us. Rather I believe that it occurs over time as I develop my beliefs and they shape my words and actions in life. In the end, we all understand that God will judge our hearts. He will know for sure who is a Christ-follower and who is not. However, there are some clues - some evidence - that may suggest now how that judgment will turn out. So I allow the Holy Spirit to convict me each time I sin against God or someone else. And to be clear, I do sin. Much to my dismay, I have NOT been able to live a perfect life - even after surrendering my life to Christ.<br />
<br />
So why am I not adamantly declaring that my salvation is secure and that I can never lose it? Is it because I doubt the Bible's promises of "once saved, always saved?" Indeed not. Those promises are definitely true. But what is questionable in my mind is whether one is truly saved. Jesus explained that those who love Him will obey Him. So I look at my obedience - and wonder if the effort is truly sincere. I look at how I've surrendered my life to Him - and wonder if there is anything else I can do to effectively surrender. <br />
<br />
I'm confident in my relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. I'm so in love with the Lord! But I am not so cocky as to think that my sin doesn't matter. I ask the Lord to examine my heart and show me what still displeases Him. And then I try to make my efforts to align my words and actions with His as sincere as I possibly can. But I understand that in the end, my fate rests on judgment day - and I trust Him with my life. In fact, I trust Him so much that I don't need the Bible's promises to defend my salvation.<br />
<br />
I know this is a very controversial topic among Christians. But I also know that I can live with the apparent ambiguity of not knowing whether God sees my heart the way I see my heart. How about you? What are your thoughts on this subject?Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-66164309620583435782016-10-02T19:41:00.002-05:002016-10-02T19:42:44.250-05:00Voting for President<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, the presidential elections in the U.S.A. are about a raucous as an election could get. I really cannot imagine it getting any worse. Neither of the leading candidates are well liked. Most Americans feel as if we are forced to choose between two bad choices. (I would be one of them.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I had lunch today with a couple from our church. What ensued was a discussion about the election and the candidates that was revealing for me. One of my lunch-mates announced that he would not vote for anyone for president. He surmised that he would just leave the ballot for that election unchecked when he votes. I found myself admonishing him to not squander his vote. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moreover, as we talked about it, I began to see that Christians have a duty to vote. Living in a democracy is a privilege granted to us by none other than God Himself. (Just ask those who don't live in a democracy.) I'm not sure that many Christians in America would see it that way. We may know it is a right - which women and those of African heritage have had to fight for. But even I have sometimes felt like voting was more of a burden than anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We often resign ourselves to the conclusion that our vote doesn't matter. After all, I'm just one person among about 300 million people. If I don't vote, my vote won't be missed. Of course that argument makes common sense. Things of this world can make common sense though - and still be wrong. It just seems that my vote won't be missed. But the truth is, if enough people took that attitude, it could change the outcome of the election. Conversely, if enough people vote, that could change the outcome of the election.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: yellow;"><b>Romans 13:1</b></span> tells us that <span style="color: yellow;"><b>"... there is no authority except that which God has established. The (human) authorities that exist have been established by God."</b></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To our modern way of looking at things, this makes no sense whatsoever. There are evil dictators. There are lame leaders. There is corruption and bureaucracy. We reason that God does not establish them as authorities in our lives. But alas, we reason ignorantly. For God's Word is true. Throughout the Old Testament, we see places where God did indeed use ungodly authorities to punish Israel for having turned from Him and His ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So is God punishing America today, by giving us two bad choices for president? Maybe. The truth is that I don't know. God doesn't share such things with me. But He has shared with me that it is possible. He has shared with me the fact that He has acted in this way before. And He has told me what to do about it. I am to be obedient, submitted, and God-honoring in every way. If the Lord has given me a vote, who am I to squander because I'm apathetic about the candidates?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what should a good American Christ-follower do? How should we respond to the unpleasant circumstances that we find ourselves in? The first thing we should do is<b> <span style="color: #f4cccc;"><i>register to vote</i></span></b>. Make sure you have registered and are ready to exercise your legal right to vote. Then <i><span style="color: #f4cccc;"><b>educate yourself</b></span> </i>on the choices. Maybe you don't like them. But you owe it to God and to your fellow Americans to educate yourself on the merits of each choice.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc-YM6MoXuc/V_GI7RTqcxI/AAAAAAAACQs/VjlNXxnAglE50TNvzYL4Q-V7giyR8wn1QCLcB/s1600/educate%2Bthe%2Bvote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc-YM6MoXuc/V_GI7RTqcxI/AAAAAAAACQs/VjlNXxnAglE50TNvzYL4Q-V7giyR8wn1QCLcB/s320/educate%2Bthe%2Bvote.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I'm on Facebook. I watch TV. I understand there are strong, passionate arguments for why Hillary Clinton can't be trusted or is "not a nice person." I also understand those strong, passionate arguments that Donald Trump is a blowhard who believes his own lies. Nevertheless, these are our choices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We need to consider the fact that the powers that be - whether they be in the worldly realm or the spiritual realm - have given us these two choices. A few short months from now, one of these two candidates will be installed as the most powerful leader in all of the free world. One of them will lead the largest government in the history of the world. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of these two candidates will be in control of your future here on this earth. And God says that it will have been <i>His</i> choice. But He has nominated you to exercise your voice in the matter. So consider the implications. Get on-line. Read comparison sights that compare and contrast the candidate's respective plans and points of view on the key issues of the day. </span><br />
<br />
<br />Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-30285920288766031182016-01-31T16:24:00.001-06:002016-01-31T16:39:20.153-06:00Shameful Realtor Scams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ1yATFagqM/Vq6GJaJL-WI/AAAAAAAACMM/OsxiUY-XgxU/s1600/Keller%2BWilliams%2BPop%2BUp%2BAd%2B2016-01-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ1yATFagqM/Vq6GJaJL-WI/AAAAAAAACMM/OsxiUY-XgxU/s1600/Keller%2BWilliams%2BPop%2BUp%2BAd%2B2016-01-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ1yATFagqM/Vq6GJaJL-WI/AAAAAAAACMM/OsxiUY-XgxU/s200/Keller%2BWilliams%2BPop%2BUp%2BAd%2B2016-01-31.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
If you ever see this, perhaps on Facebook (that's where I saw it), be wary. This one appears to have been sponsored by Keller Williams (a Realty company), but I imagine it could be sponsored by any local Realtor anywhere in the country. <br />
<br />
Being a homeowner, and somewhat curious about the market value of my home, I clicked on the headline to what appeared to be a news article. The picture is of a local train museum that I recognized, so it appeared that the local paper was running a story on this new "tool" that allows you to see your home's market value.<br />
<br />
Clicking on the headline takes you right into a registration site, where you input basic information, like the property address, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and square footage of the home. Then you're asked for some basic contact information, including e-mail and phone number (allegedly "for verification purposes"). Finally you are finished, and looking forward to seeing the "tool" provide an indication of your home's value. But that's not what happens.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDLu7ra1CEs/Vq6Huxor32I/AAAAAAAACMY/TRKGrM4nb5w/s1600/Keller%2BWilliams%2BPop%2BUp%2BAd%2B2016-01-31b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDLu7ra1CEs/Vq6Huxor32I/AAAAAAAACMY/TRKGrM4nb5w/s200/Keller%2BWilliams%2BPop%2BUp%2BAd%2B2016-01-31b.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Instead, you get yet another screen that looks like this. An informal congratulations to you! The value of your home is being calculated and is on it's way. But alas, there is no "tool." This is simply a phishing site, intended to siphon your property and personal information for marketing purposes.<br />
<br />
What happened when I did this? A couple of days later, a strange woman knocked on my front door on a Sunday afternoon. The dog had just peed on the hardwood floor in the entryway, so I happened to be by the front door (cleaning up the mess). She hands me a handwritten envelope, and says it's the market valuation I requested. Inside is simply a print-out from the MLS, showing the sales price of recent home sales in my neighborhood. <br />
<br />
I did not ask anyone to come to my home. At no point in the process was I advised that anyone would come to my home. I simply saw the supposed news story on Facebook, clicked it, and thought I was accessing a "tool" to calculate my home's value. To add insult to injury, now I'm receiving junk mail from the Realtor who took the listing. I'm disgusted, turned off, and really quite offended.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I thought better of the Keller Williams franchise than this. I'm surprised they would stoop to such a low level of professionalism (or lack thereof). The geographic market that I'm in is on fire. Sales are hot. There's a shortage of available homes for sale. I get that. But prices are also crazy, and Realtors get paid based on the prices. I get that too. (Realtors are making good money in a market that's on fire.)<br />
<br />
I may be in the market to sell my home. My curiosity was more than just passing. But instead of seeing me as a lead, Keller Williams and the Realtor who phished me on this site, should see me as an anti-customer. There is not a chance that I will do business with them. And I will be telling everyone I know what they did to me. This is shameful, disgusting, unprofessional, and offensive. It's scams like this that give the Internet a bad name.<br />
<br />Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-21813149624670104802016-01-27T08:30:00.001-06:002016-03-08T09:55:53.754-06:00Pastors & Evangelicals Supporting Trump?<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In a September opinion piece for Fox News, the Rev. Robert
Jeffress, said that, “no evangelical (Christian) … is expecting (Donald) Trump
to lead our nation in a spiritual revival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But on Saturday, the outspoken Senior Pastor of Dallas’ First Baptist
Church stopped just short of endorsing Donald Trump at a rally at Dordt College
in Sioux Center, Iowa.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Trump campaign appearances have become semi-regular gigs
for Dr. Jeffress, who introduced the candidate at a September rally in
Dallas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That same month, Jeffress was
among a group of pastors who traveled to Trump Tower (in New York City) to lay
hands on and pray over Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That group
included Fort Worth televangelists Kenneth & Gloria Copeland.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Through an enthusiastic introduction for Trump this past
Saturday, Dr. Jeffress stressed that he was unable to lend his full endorsement
to the candidate because of his position as head of First Baptist Dallas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Federal Internal Revenue Service Code
prohibits 501(c)(3) non-profit (tax exempt) organizations from working on
behalf of political campaigns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pastors
are also cautioned against lending their support as private citizens to
political candidates.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2Nf76SYE-A/VqjO-AU1O-I/AAAAAAAACL8/u2UFoE1GNAY/s1600/Trump%2BJeffress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I2Nf76SYE-A/VqjO-AU1O-I/AAAAAAAACL8/u2UFoE1GNAY/s320/Trump%2BJeffress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Amongst other things that Jeffress said at Saturday’s
rally, he explained that, “<i>Most Americans know we are in a mess, and as they
look at Donald Trump, they believe he is the one leader who can reverse the
downward death spiral of this nation we love so dearly.” </i>He went on to say that evangelical
(Christians) support Trump because <i>“this nation will not survive another third
term of Barack Obama in the form of Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Trump took the stage, the two men shook hands and
hugged each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeffress called
Donald Trump <i>“a great leader, a great visionary, and a great American.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trump told the roaring crowd that he had been
introduced to Jeffress on television, where the pastor was talking about
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Trump’s words, Jeffress is
reported to have said that, <i>“He’s (Donald Trump) going to be the best leader,
he’s going to be the best for the economy … He’s going to take care of ISIS and
he’s gonna take care of the border …”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Donald Trump also related to the crowd that Dr. Jeffress
has described him spiritually by saying, <i>“He may not be as pure as we think,
but he’s really good, and a great Christian.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trump acknowledged that that’s what he’d wanted to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the reason, Trump said, that he’d
invited Dr. Jeffress to Saturday’s rally in Iowa to introduce him.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In related news, Jerry Falwell, Jr. - who heads the Liberty
College where candidate Ted Cruz launched his presidential campaign – has
officially endorsed Donald Trump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
the endorsement of these prominent evangelicals, Fox News reports that as many
as 47% of those professing to be evangelical (Christians) are now supporting
Donald Trump for President of the U.S.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Folks, I’m really not sure who I support among the numerous
presidential candidates campaigning right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it seems disingenuous for people like Dr. Robert Jeffress to say
things in support of Trump and go out of his way to support Trump – all the
while saying that he is not endorsing Trump in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He most certainly is.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Here are some points to consider:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jeffress
may be one of the most prolific anti-gay crusaders in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trump, on the other hand, says
he was taught that marriage is between one man and one woman – but that his
views are evolving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s said that he
accepts homosexuality as “just the way things are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jeffress,
like most other evangelical Christians, takes a firm stand against
abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trump, on the other hand, is
clearly pro-choice.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It would seem that just on these two points alone –
homosexuality and abortion – Dr. Jeffress, Pastors Kenneth & Gloria
Copeland, and Christian-college leader Jerry Falwell, Jr. would have to compromise their own beliefs in order to voluntarily want to submit themselves to such a man as their government leader. Can they really
endorse or support someone whose views and values are so fundamentally
different from what they themselves claim the Bible teaches?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Federal
Code for the Internal Revenue Service is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Organizations that maintain a tax-exempt status for religious reasons
(i.e., churches) are prohibited from engaging in any political
activity whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They - and by
reason of association – their leaders, are not to endorse or campaign for any
particular political candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then too,
<b>Romans 13:1</b> says that Christ-followers are to obey the laws and statutes
enacted by the government that rules over us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><i>
<span style="color: yellow;">(</span></i></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: yellow;"><i>So</i></span><i><span style="color: yellow;"> it would seem that endorsing Trump and campaigning for Trump is not
only breaking the law, but is a moral sin.)</span></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Come to think of it, there are a number of Bible verses
which come to mind, that would make speaking at political rallies for Donald
Trump – or any other particular candidate, supporting any other political candidate that doesn't follow Christian values, as well as speaking ill of incumbent
leaders and other candidates, is just all kinds of wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some that come to mind:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1 Timothy 2:1-2</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">First of all, then, I urge that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made <u>for all
people … who are in high positions</u>, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet
life, godly and dignified in every way. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Have the campaigners really prayed for and given thanks for the incumbent leaders of whom they are so critical?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Titus 3:9</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">But <u>avoid foolish controversies</u>,
genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable
and worthless. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Can any Christ-follower really allow himself or herself to get wrapped up in divisive political issues of any sort?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1 Thessalonians 4:11-12</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">And to aspire to <u>live quietly,
and to mind your own affairs</u>, and to work with your hands, as we instructed
you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Can any Christ-follower really allow himself or herself to get wrapped up in divisive political issues of any sort?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1 Peter 2:17</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Honor everyone</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. <u>Honor the emperor</u>. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Can we speak ill of any incumbent leader or opposing candidate and still be in obedience to this command from God?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Deuteronomy 17:14-15</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">“When you come to the land that the
Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it … <u>You may
not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother</u>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(Can we
really, in good conscience endorse a non-Christian? Isn't that worse than just voting for "the lesser of the evils?")</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Proverbs 3:5</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, and do not <u>lean on your own understanding</u>. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Can we really endorse - or even vote for - the candidate that we think is best? Isn't that leaning on our own understanding? Shouldn't we be praying for God's discernment, wisdom, and guidance in regards to whom we should vote for?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>2 Chronicles 7:14</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">If my people who are called by my
name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their
land. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Isn't it God who will restore America to greatness?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Leviticus 19:18</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">You shall not take vengeance or bear
a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall <u>love your
neighbor as yourself</u>: I am the Lord. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Is this what we're doing when we speak ill of incumbent leaders and other candidates?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>2 Timothy 2:24-25</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">And <u>the Lord's servant must not
be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
correcting his opponents with gentleness</u>. God may perhaps grant them
repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(Shouldn’t
we look for and vote for a political leader who meets such criteria?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1 Peter 2:13-17</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Be subject for the Lord's sake to
every human institution</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">, whether it be
to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who
do evil and to praise those who do good. <u>For this is the will of God</u>,
... but
<u>living as servants of God</u>. <u>Honor everyone</u>. Love the brotherhood. <u>Fear
God</u>. <u>Honor the emperor</u>. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Doesn't this mean obeying the law, honoring everyone, and honoring the current president?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1 Samuel 2:3</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Talk no more so very proudly</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">, <u>let not arrogance come from your mouth</u>; for the
Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: yellow; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(How
many of our political candidates can meet this criteria?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Titus 1:6-9</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">If anyone is above reproach, the
husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge
of debauchery or insubordination. <u>For an overseer, as God's steward, must be
above reproach</u>. <u>He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered</u> or a
drunkard or violent or <u>greedy for gain</u>, but hospitable, a lover of good,
self-controlled, <u>upright, holy, and disciplined</u>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as
taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also
to rebuke those who contradict it. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(How many of our political leaders can meet this criteria? Shouldn't we try to hold them to these standards?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1 Timothy 3:1-13</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The saying is trustworthy: If anyone
aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore <u>an
overseer must be above reproach</u>, <u>the husband of one wife</u>,
sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, <u>hospitable</u>, <u>able to teach</u>,
not a drunkard, not violent but <u>gentle</u>, <u>not quarrelsome</u>, <u>not a
lover of money</u>. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity
keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his
own household, how will he care for God's church? ... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: yellow;">(Can </span><u><span style="color: yellow;">any</span></u><span style="color: yellow;"> of our candidates meet this criteria?)</span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Deuteronomy 1:13</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Choose for your tribes wise,
understanding, and experienced men</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">, and
I will appoint them as your heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">(Isn’t this who we should be voting for?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Exodus 18:20-26</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Moreover, look for able men from all the
people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such
men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of
tens.</u> … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do this, God will
direct you, … </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Isn't this who we should be voting for?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Psalm 146.3</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Put not your trust in princes</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Dare we think that Trump - or anyone else for that matter - can really make our country great again? Isn't it God who makes a country great?)</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>2 Timothy 2:4</b> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">ESV</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">No
soldier (of God) gets entangled in civilian pursuits</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">, since his aim is to
please the one who enlisted him. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: yellow;">(Isn't it a distraction of a pastor's duties to leave his church and fly across the country to introduce Trump at a political rally?)</span></i></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-18852833354284709052015-08-30T17:12:00.000-05:002016-01-31T16:44:13.479-06:00Christianity in ChinaEvery year for Father's Day, one of my daughters has a habit of going to a Half Priced Books outlet and picking up a half dozen or so used books for me. She knows I like non-fiction and am partial to biographies. Some years I score better than others, as some of the books are discounted for a reason! But this year, a couple of the books she got me were especially good. Let me tell you about one of them - or rather let me tell you about my reaction to one of them.<br />
<br />
I just finished reading God's Double Agent, by Bob Fu. It's a true story of Mr. Fu's personal fight with the Chinese government over his calling from God to be a Christian evangelist. It's a good story and well written. Quite frankly, the level of detail that Mr. Fu is able to recall is remarkable. It makes his story all the more believable too. But the context of the book is disturbing to me. It paints a picture of Christianity in China that is quite disturbing. It leaves me in a quandary, not knowing what to conclude. <br />
<br />
<div>
I like to think of myself as a Christian contemporary, always staying abreast of the issues. Moreover, I tend to dig into the issues in a search for the truth. When radial Muslims bombed America ten years ago, I went and got myself a Qu'ran (the Islamic equivalent of a Bible). I wanted to see what exactly Islam's position is. (It's disturbing - but that's for another blog entry.) When it comes to China, I thought I was fairly aware of the issues of both religion and business. I pay attention to how our respective governments relate to each other, follow the daily business news, and have done more than a little reading about religion.</div>
<br />
The official Christian church in China is known as the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). It's sanctioned by the Chinese government, runs over a dozen seminaries, prints Bibles, etc. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-Self_Patriotic_Movement) If you're a Christian in China, it's the <i>legal</i> approach to worship. But then of course we have the "house church" movement in China - where people worship informally in the homes of individuals. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_house_church)<br />
<br />
Through the years there's been an ongoing struggle between the TSPM and the house church movement. That struggle has been fueled by Christians in America (and the west in general), as they smuggled Bibles, held secret meetings, etc. When you read Christian literature from places like Voice of the Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com/), the struggle with the Chinese government is justified. Western Christianity doesn't view the TSPM as a legitimate church, asserting that the government in China (versus Jesus Christ) is the head of that church. <br />
<br />
After reading Mr. Fu's book, it's clear that his view is the commonly held view - that the TSPM is not a legitimate Christian church. His story regales us of the experiences he had trying to answer God's call to evangelism first under the auspices of the TSPM, and later under the house church movement. It is in the latter that Mr. Fu experienced his worst persecution. He was arrested, spied on, tortured, threatened, and treated badly in other ways. The stories he tells are really awful. On the surface it makes you want to pick up your own cross against the Chinese government and demand reform.<br />
<br />
The U.S. government hasn't necessarily declared that the TSPM is not a legitimate church. Instead, the U.S. government's position has settled on the issue of <i>human rights</i> when it comes to how the Chinese government deals with what it would have to call religious dissidents. The U.S. simply alleges that the Chinese government should be more tolerant of self-professed Christians who rebel against the TSPM. Stories like Mr. Fu's provide plenty of fodder for the American assertion that it's a human rights issues. <br />
<br />
I don't doubt that the Chinese government is treating people badly. Bob Fu's book is believable. It's true. Clearly when someone tries to spread the gospel in China outside of the auspices of the TSPM, they are likely to suffer incredible consequences doled out by the Chinese government. So that's disturbing. But that's the obvious. <br />
<br />
In <span style="color: yellow;">Romans 13:1-5</span>, the Apostle Paul explained to us that,<i><span style="color: yellow;"> "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. </span></i><b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="color: yellow;">So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. </span></i><b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="color: yellow;">For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. </span></i><b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="color: yellow;">The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. </span></i><b><i><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="color: yellow;">So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience."</span></i><br />
<br />
I know. You're thinking to yourself, "He's crazy. The Chinese government is evil." You'd be right on the latter part. But I'm not going to give you crazy just yet. Hear me out. The Bible also tells us that evil can be the servant of God. Satan is serving God right now, for example. Anyone who knows God knows that He is a purposeful God. He allows evil to run its course for a reason. We may not understand that reason, but we can have confidence that the (good) reason is there. Satan is a servant of God, whether he knows it or not. So are evil regimes and countries. (http://www.jimmcguiggan.com/reflections3asp?status=Satan&id=30).<br />
<br />
So that takes me to the conclusion that the Chinese government - as evil as it can be - is a servant of God. This is true whether it wants to be or not. This is true whether it knows it or not. In its own perverse way, that government allows worship of the one true God. In its way, that government allows adults - who are capable of making that choice - to turn to the one true God. In its way, that government allows parents to pray with their children and teach them the ways of the one true God. <br />
<br />
It may be a communist government. But if I lived in China, I believe I would try to see how much I could accomplish for the Lord within the Three Self Patriotic Movement church structure. (Can you believe I just said that?) It seems to me that more of China's citizens might be impacted if they could see more of Jesus in their daily lives. But when Christians openly rebel against the government (and flee to America), I wonder how much Jesus the rest of China gets to see.<br />
<br />
Like I said, I enjoyed Bob Fu's book. It's a good read. But the context disturbs me. I wonder if open rebellion is the most effective way to honor God when confronted with evil. I once heard a pastor here in the U.S. say that the best thing that could happen to Christianity in America would be for the government to outlaw it. <br />
<br />
History shows us that persecution has actually been good for the heart of Christ's church. So in that context, I would have to ask Mr. Fu how many of China's people he is reaching for Christ - now that he has fled the persecution of the Chinese government and lives safely and comfortably in Texas, supported by Americans.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-52459742233551875892015-05-17T17:59:00.001-05:002016-01-31T16:53:11.666-06:00True Worshippers ... Aren't LateI'm sure I'm going to get a backlash for writing this. Let me just acknowledge that up front. I'm going to call out something so central to Christianity in our culture that someone will have to berate me for it. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Or, "Who are you to judge?" "Judge not, lest you be judged." Yes, I will get those emails for today's blog. I fully expect to get some that will remind me that it's better to get there late than not at all. But I am not persuaded. After all, it is my blog.<br />
<br />
Jesus said, <span style="color: yellow;"><em>"You Samaritans worship what you do not know ... Yet a time is coming ... when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.' </em>(John 4:22-23)</span><br />
<span class="verse-24"><span class="red-letter no-red"></span></span><br />
<span class="verse-24"><span class="red-letter no-red">Maybe I'm taking it a bit out of context here, but what kind of worshipers do you suppose Jesus had in mind here? What does it mean to worship "in spirit and in truth?" Does our heavenly Father really seek worshipers at all? And if He does, what is it about worship that particularly pleases Him? </span></span><br />
<span class="verse-24"><span class="red-letter no-red"></span></span><br />
<span class="verse-24"><span class="red-letter no-red"><span style="color: yellow;">Psalm 99 (1-9)</span> sets the tone for me. <em><span style="color: yellow;">"The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble ... let the earth shake. Great is the Lord ... He is holy. The King is mighty ... Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy." </span></em> </span></span><span class="verse-24">And that tone is set in the beginning of the Bible and it continues to the end of the Bible. Just about every single book of the Bible seems to give me clear direction on how I'm supposed to regard the Lord, my God. </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">But it's not a tone that we seem to embrace in our regular weekly worship of the Lord. It happens in my church. It happens in many churches. The music starts, the worship begins --- and people stroll in. They saunter in, quite casually. In many American churches they have their coffee in hand, or maybe a cold drink. </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">Others around them are worshiping the Lord, but they interrupt their worship to greet their friends and give them a hug. Or they interrupt the worship to get the seat that they want. I'm truly not judging them. But for me, there is something going on. </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEvC1OzDhTs/VVkcldWDxLI/AAAAAAAACFU/vDXehSHN6P8/s1600/worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEvC1OzDhTs/VVkcldWDxLI/AAAAAAAACFU/vDXehSHN6P8/s320/worship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE KING! How could I consider being late? It's an ordained time, when people whom God has called to lead me are prepared and ready to take me to a fresh encounter with my Savior. Honestly, it feels disrespectful not to be early. </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">If I have concert tickets or tickets to a sports game or a play, I always get there early. If we're going to a movie, we always make sure we're there in plenty of time to get our popcorn and get seated during the previews. Is not the Lord as important as the latest movie or sports game? </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I said that the tone is set in the Bible. Listen to how it ends. Look at those worshipers Jesus said the Father is looking for. <em><span style="color: yellow;">"Day and night they never stop saying, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty.' Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne ... the twenty-four elders fall down before Him ... They lay their crowns before the throne and say, 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor ...'"</span></em> <span style="color: yellow;">(Revelation 4:8-11)</span></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">
</span><br />
<span class="verse-24">Are these the kind of worshipers that you sit beside in your church? My wife and I, we make it a habit to get to the church on time. We're usually seated before the music starts playing. Our church even starts with a song <u>before</u> the worship - and displays a stop watch, counting down the time until the worship will begin. Usually this is to empty seats. We often remark how empty the church is. But then it fills up. Somehow, between the time that the worship begins and the time that the sermon begins, the 'big house' fills up. </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">But was God really honored? Did He feel the love, while the worship leaders sang to empty seats and the worshipers getting their coffee, dropping their kids a their Sunday school classes, and greeting their friends? </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I want to stop people and ask them, "Do you know who God is?" I'm teaching a class at my church right now and we recently talked about people whose God is too small. I suspect that may be the God that most of us are worshiping. For if we realized His true magnitude, could we dare not be in our seats and ready to give Him praise at the appointed hour?</span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I love my church and I love its people. I love my fellow Christians in other churches. But seriously folks, we are getting this wrong. Is it possible that we are not the worshipers that our Father wants, but rather that He's being relegated to the worship we want? </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><span class="verse-24">If you're a pastor or worship leader, please consider this an exhortation to confront the bad behavior that you see in your people. (And I know that you see it!) Don't be afraid to offend them. They will be truly offended if God discards them because they never really knew Him. Don't be afraid to offend them, when they are offensive to Him. </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I'm not saying you have to stop the service and rebuke the late comers. But maybe you could preach on the subject, and then announce that "from now on," the doors will be closed when worship begins and people can only be seated late during the transitions (from worship to teaching, etc.). </span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I remember attending Kensington Community Church in Troy, Michigan many years ago. That's exactly what they did. There were television monitors in the lobby and late comers could watch the worship on the monitors, waiting for a chance to join them. You were only late once, and you realized you were missing out on something important.</span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">I also remember worshipping at Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago. I was amazed to see people lining up at the locked doors to the worship center. When the doors opened, it was like a contact sport to see who could claim the seats down front. (It was very exciting to imagine people that interested in declaring God's greatness!)</span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">But alas, I don't attend those churches. I attend my church and your church, and the one around the corner. I attend that church that wants to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, like they matter. But I worry that in the process, we make God feel the opposite.</span><br />
<span class="verse-24"></span><br />
<span class="verse-24">Can we as true worshipers, knowing the one true God, ever afford to be late?</span>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-82045826611373891562015-05-13T13:56:00.004-05:002021-03-27T15:39:23.016-05:00That Moment ... Where Unbelief Is OvertakenSo I'm teaching a class at my church on Saturday mornings. It's a curriculum about developing the character of Christ within you. I actually wrote the curriculum - or rather the Lord wrote it through me. At any rate, this past Saturday's lesson was about examining your ways. <br />
<br />
<span><u><b><em><span style="color: #fcff01;">"Let us examine our ways, and test them. And let us return to the Lord."</span></em><span style="color: #fcff01;"> (Lamentations 3:40)</span></b></u></span><span style="color: #fcff01;"><br /></span>
<br />
It's a simple enough Bible verse. But even this teacher recognizes how abstract it seems. How does one examine his ways? How does she test her ways? And when we return to the Lord ... what then? Why do we return to the Lord? What do we expect from the Lord? What does He expect from us?<br />
<br />
As it happens, I have considerable experience examining my ways. You see, I've had some ways, some terrible ways. I have had some dishonest ways, some sarcastic ways. Many of my ways were devious and not honorable at all. They were selfish ways. They were conceited ways. Quite honestly, my ways were painful. They left me with an overall sense - for much of my life - that life wasn't really worth living. <br />
<br />
So anyway, I'm explaining to my class the significance of examining and testing one's ways. I began to walk them through some examples, using some tools I'd included in the curriculum. And then it happened. As I was explaining <em>head knowledge</em>, the Holy Spirit showed up to impart <em>heart knowledge</em>.<br />
<br />
Among the many ways that I have had to examine in my life, chief among them was what I believed about myself. For much of my life, I didn't think I was worthy. I didn't consider myself to be lovable. My starting position with everyone was one of victimhood, distrust, cynicism, and pain. <br />
<br />
The Bible tells us that God loves us. I believed that about you. I just didn't believe that about me. My mind could not fathom that fact that God does indeed love me. I didn't imagine that my wife loved me or anyone else really loved me. I assumed that my friends were either using me or they didn't really know me. For if they knew me like I knew me - they surely could not love me. <br />
<br />
To make a long story short, God eventually changed my heart. He healed my wounded, hurting heart. But in the process, He had to convince me that I was first loved. In working through that, I learned an important lesson about belief and unbelief. <br />
<br />
You see, when we believe something or don't believe something, it seems that is not really a choice. We tend to think of it as a choice. But consider something that you believe. Could you imagine not believing it? Or think of something (or someone) that you just don't believe. Maybe you'd like to believe them. You wish you could. Maybe you want for all you're worth to believe them or believe in them. But the circumstances just overwhelm you - and you can't. <br />
<br />
This is how it works. Your belief or your unbelief goes along, firm in its conviction. But then the truth swamps it. The evidence becomes overwhelming and that thing or person that you didn't believe? Well, now you can't <em>not</em> believe it! Or that thing or person that you believed in with the depths of your heart? Well, they've laid open the core of your understanding such that there's nothing you can do to believe now. You can hope and wish. You can pray and cry and try with all your might. But you can't change your beliefs or unbeliefs. <br />
<br />
So it is with our beliefs. We go along believing them - whether they're true or not. And it is the same with unbeliefs - where we go along not believing them, whether they're true or not. Of course, we always like to think of ourselves as being in control of our beliefs. <br />
<br />
But my life experience has shown me that this is the core of my concept. I really don't control my beliefs or my unbelief. They are victims of truth as it gets revealed to me. And when truth convinces me, it overtakes my belief - or my unbelief ... and they are forever changed.Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-11463346576415625932015-04-30T23:21:00.002-05:002021-03-27T15:39:45.293-05:00Strike Me Hard ... and Often, LordIn just a few years it seemed that I poured my heart and soul into writing this blog. And then it was over, almost as suddenly as it had started. It seemed as if I woke up one day and there was nothing left to say. Is that true? Is there nothing left in me to say? I very much doubt it. So from time to time, I find myself examining my own journey with the Lord - seeking to understand it.<br />
<br />
Today I had what I'd have to call a huge revelation. It was followed by a most surprising prayer. Let me explain.<br />
<br />
<u><strong>Background</strong></u><br />
A few years ago I was faced with a very precarious employment situation. Unexpectedly I found myself without a job. But the Lord was faithful and He provided for my family even better than He had before. However, His provision was temporary in nature. And it came to an abrupt and unexpected ending over Christmas that year.<br />
<br />
Suddenly I was thrust back into the ranks of unemployment. This time it didn't even come with a severance package to help cushion the blow. I dutifully surrendered my predicament to the Lord. With (sometimes forced) resignation, I went about the plodding effort of looking for a job. As always, the Lord provided. He was faithful indeed. This time His provision was a very tentative contract role though, for about a third less than I'd been making. Still, it was enough. <br />
<br />
I was in a lowly, humbling role, and I knew it could end any day. Honestly, I felt like the Israelites must have felt when they wandered for 40 years, picking up manna from the ground each morning to eat. They hadn't known whether they would have food the next day or not. They just had to trust God for that. I was in exactly the same boat! In fact, I felt as if the Lord had me on a very short leash - just to keep me humbled.<br />
<br />
Being in a dilemma like the Israelites were helps do something. It helps you maintain a laser-sharp focus on the Lord and His will for you. Every day. Every minute. As I read and reflect on the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert, I see clearly that (at least) one of God's purposes for having them on such a short leash was that He wanted them to develop and keep a laser-sharp focus on Him. Would our Lord want anything less from me?<br />
<br />
So for months, I drove to work each day, praying in earnest that God would keep me safe. I sincerely prayed and poured my heart out to Him each day, it seemed. Often times as I drove into the parking lot tears were streaming down my face. I'd park the car, dry my tears, and walk into the building literally praying as I walked.<br />
<br />
Oddly enough, I never prayed for a better job. I didn't pray for more money. I prayed that the Lord would give me grace to honor Him in my circumstances. I asked Him to show me how to honor those whom I worked for. I asked Him to help me honor Him - with my words, my thoughts, and all of my actions throughout that day. I prayed for those who would mistreat me (because they did). I prayed for those around me, and I asked Him to use me to bless them (and He did). Even in my painful circumstances, I guess I had enough wisdom to know that the reason(s) I was there might not be all about me. <br />
<br />
As I look back, I remember it being a stressful time - almost terrifying in nature. If not for my laser-sharp focus on the Lord, I would have no doubt been terrified. But we made it through, and my testimony for the Lord was even stronger. He has been so very faithful, and never failed me. Out of the blue, I received a most unlikely job offer, making more money than before. It seemed like a dream come true, and I rejoiced in the Lord.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Stricken By the Lord</u></strong><br />
<br />
To make a long story short, I walked out of those circumstances. My God blessed me and my family with a wonderful job that most of us could only dream about. It pays well and provides us with more financial security than we've ever had in our entire lives. But it's been about eighteen (18) months now since I made that transition - from desperate need to bountiful provision. I'm ashamed to say that my walk with the Lord has suffered during that time. I've found it sometimes hard to seek Him first each day. I've found myself bitter, angry, and unloving at times (at least in my head and heart). At times I've asked the Lord to help me come back to Him. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca1TpNgex4Q/VUL_DOOWwZI/AAAAAAAACE4/gQxw18-JwmI/s1600/paul.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ca1TpNgex4Q/VUL_DOOWwZI/AAAAAAAACE4/gQxw18-JwmI/s1600/paul.jpg" /></a>So today He did. Today the Lord allowed me to be blasted by the enemy. I was, as they say, thrown under the bus by someone I would have thought I could have trusted. I was blamed, accused, and deeply wounded. It was very unsettling. My own brokenness was raging. I prayed in the moment, of course, asking the Lord to give me the words to respond. He did and I got through the meeting. But if ever there were a picture of the "walking wounded" it was me after that meeting.<br />
<br />
Later in the day, I had to go to the airport. My first instinct was to head for the bar and load up on liquor to change the way I felt. Instead, I found a carpeted hallway where terminal golf carts are parked for recharging. I arranged my suitcase to give some privacy and lay down on the floor among them. As I laid there and talked to God about what happened, the tears just started to pour out of my eyes. My hair ended up being soaked by my own tears. <br />
<br />
But as I laid there on the floor of the airport, praying amidst my own tears, I had a moment of clarity. I was suddenly laser-focused on the Lord ... like I hadn't been in months! I talked to Him about that. As He and I examined my heart we saw that I want nothing more than to please Him. I don't want to <em>be</em> or <em>have</em> anything. In fact, if it would please my Lord, I would be happy to cease to be all together. Really!<br />
<br />
As I prayed and reflected, it occurred to me that perhaps the Lord had stricken me (or allowed me to be stricken) in order to get me focused back on Him. If He did, I would be eternally grateful. And so I prayed. <em>"Lord, if You need to strike me and wound me to get me focused on you and keep me focused on you, then please strike me hard. Wound me deeply. And do it often. For there is no greater joy in my life than to run to You - even if it's in my pain and fear."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
I have to confess that this was a prayer that surprised even me. But I am pleased to say that it is definitely a prayer that I mean. <em>"Lord strike me. Wound me. Do whatever it takes to help me keep the sharpest focus on you, Father. In Jesus' name, I pray this. Amen."</em>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-82048464491431213472013-07-09T15:04:00.000-05:002013-07-09T15:09:11.495-05:00God-Honoring Divorce?<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I've made comments on my Facebook wall and in other places that give way to the fact that I believe we can honor God with things like sin. Typically my Christian friends and acquaintances will grimace when I do that. After all, the traditional Christian view is that divorce is unacceptable. One will often hear born-again believers espousing the Biblical wisdom that "God hates divorce." It's true, God does hate divorce. But He allowed Moses to implement provisions for the Israelites to practice it because God knew that sometimes <em>hardened hearts</em> make marriage rather ungodly.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCxsBaZgF3Y/UdxrjLLmgyI/AAAAAAAABtw/arVoY3Fqkks/s1600/divorce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCxsBaZgF3Y/UdxrjLLmgyI/AAAAAAAABtw/arVoY3Fqkks/s200/divorce.jpg" width="200" /></a>Moses in <span style="color: yellow;">Deuteronomy 24:1-2</span> allowed a man to divorce his wife and for her to be married to another. When Jesus was questioned about this in <span style="color: yellow;">Mark 10:1-9</span>, He made it clear that divorce was not in God’s order in the beginning, but was allowed <em>because of the hardness of the people’s hearts</em>. Knowing the nature and character of God, it isn't a stretch to conclude that divorce isn't God's plan for His children. One can readily imagine that divorce saddens our Lord. Nevertheless, our human experience ... applied against Scripture and prayer ... sometimes reveals that divorce is inevitable.<br />
<br />
Let's face it, some of the marriages that Christians find themselves in are just plain <em>ungodly</em>. The respective spouses loathe each other. They don't like each other. They don't respect each other. They don't enjoy spending time with each other. Even being civil to each other can be quite stressful. <br />
<br />
I've counseled couples where the wife would sheepishly admit that she'd told her daughters things like, "I hope you don't grow up and marry someone like your father." Or the husband would admit that he felt guilty for sometimes wishing his wife would just disappear --- so his life wouldn't have to be so complicated. <br />
<br />
Mind you, I don't advocate divorce. But if the two have made every possible effort to salvage the relationship ... it may be time to face the inevitable. Instead of staying together "for the sake of the children," might it be time to divorce for the sake of everyone involved. If you can't give your kids two healthy parents, can you give them one? There may come a time when you must submit yourself and your marriage to the Lord, and seek His counsel. And when you do, you might not be the first person I've ever heard say that the Lord released you from this marriage. (I think He actually can do that!)<br />
<br />
So what happens when you come to the conclusion that the marriage is without a future. You've prayed and waited on the Lord's leading. You're now confident that the Lord is giving you permission to exit this marriage. What then? Enter my concept of a "God-honoring divorce." To be clear, I still think divorce is the very last resort. One should never take it lightly. It breaks God's hear to see two people get to this regrettable place in their relationship. But when one or more hearts is so hardened, it's time to talk about how we might go about <em>honoring God with our divorce</em>.<br />
<br />
An acquaintance of mine recently sought my counsel on his own divorce. Experiencing much pain, he asked for my opinion about how he should respond to the hurtful things he was experiencing. It seemed from the circumstances that his wife wasn't pursuing a very Christ-like response to the situation (despite the fact that she agreed the divorce was the appropriate course of action). What should he do? How should he respond to his divorce and his wife's unfair attacks? Let me share what I told him:<br />
<ol>
<li>Examine your ways and test them (<em><span style="color: yellow;">Lamentations 3:40</span></em>). Make sure that you've owned your part in the conflict. Be sure that you've taken responsibility for what is your responsibility.</li>
<li>Your pain can speak louder than your true beliefs. Take every thought and word captive to God's truth (<em><span style="color: yellow;">Proverbs <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1326933938" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">4:23</span></span></span></em> & <em><span style="color: yellow;">Proverbs 13:3</span></em>).</li>
<li>If you think your spouse isn't being fair with you, look no further than Jesus' own example. He was accused unfairly: </li>
</ol>
<div class="gmail_extra" style="text-align: left;">
- He made no statements on His own behalf.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
- He made no accusations against His accusers.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
- He kept no account of the wrongs of His accusers.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
- He answered questions with as few words as possible.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
- He went into the conflict trusting in the Lord.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
- He went into the conflict planning to forgive His accusers.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
While Jesus clearly had no sin, had done no wrong, and knew how right He really was, it's clear from His example and His teaching that if He had done any wrong, He would have readily owned up to it, made whatever amends for it He could possibly make, and accepted the consequences of His own poor choices with humility and graciousness ... and not anger, frustration, fear, or retaliation.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
If you are going to walk through your divorce in any way that honors God, you must start now to forgive your spouse for everything that he did and didn't do. You must expect and plan to forgive or for everything that he will and won't do. </div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
For men, you committed to love her as Christ loved the church. That would be the church that accused Him unfairly, spit on Him, beat Him, tortured Him, mocked Him, lied about Him, unfairly and wrongly accused Him, cheated Him, crucified Him, and continued to reject Him even after His human life ended. Yes, that would be the church that He died for. And that's the same commitment you've made to your ex-wife or soon-to-be ex-wife. Now that the marriage is ending, your commitment to God continues. You will still have to love her like Christ loved His church --- even after your marriage ends.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
You will <u>never</u> be allowed to list for anyone, even for yourself, all the things she's done wrong. You will <u>never</u> be allowed to explain to anyone, or even think to yourself, how right you are or how unjust the situation has been to you. You will have to hang on the proverbial cross, forgiving her and asking God to forgive her --- even as she drives away with your kids, your money, your reputation, your heart, your sacrifice, your antiques, your family keepsakes, and maybe even your lawnmower. (I know the lawnmower is a stretch ... but I'm trying to make a point here.)</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
For women, it's the same. You love your husband as you love Christ. You made that same commitment before God. And divorce doesn't let you off the hook. You promised to love and honor him - sacrificially. If you have to sue him to get him to pay his child support, you do so without bad-mouthing him. If he remarries a 25 year old blond, you sit with them at your daughter's graduation with love and forgiveness in your heart and eyes. You have anything bad to say about him, you say it to the Lord in prayer.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
It's a tall order. If you're about to divorce, examine your heart and make sure you're up for this. If the Lord gave you permission to exit this marriage, He gave it with these conditions. Make sure that you're ready and willing to call on Jesus to help you pull this off. My guess is you're going to need His supernatural power to do this.</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
If you're already divorced, even if it's ugly, it's not too late. Get on your knees and commit your divorce to the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in your responses to your ex-spouse. Plan to forgive. Plan to obey. And plan to walk in the confidence that the Lord has given you everything you need to honor Him with your divorce, the pain of your divorce, the losses of your divorce, and even the scars of your divorce. </div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
I can't say it too much, divorce is NOT the Lord's plan for His people. But when it is inevitable, His people can still walk through it in ways that give honor and glory to their Lord and Savior. The only question is whether you really want to.</div>
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-33071665788748615482013-01-27T06:23:00.003-06:002013-05-22T19:54:59.185-05:00Hypocrisy on Facebook<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It never occurred to me that I might one day find myself praying to God
about Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that day has
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually it arrived last year some
time, in the midst of the political campaigns for the presidency of the
U.S.A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve long been a registered
Republican, and had strongly disapproved of Barack Obama when he was elected
the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In fact, I wrote
several blogs here about him back then.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he was running for re-election, I didn’t see a suitable
opponent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had initially thought
Hillary Clinton would take his place, but then it became clear that the only
real choice would be between Obama and Mitt Romney.</span></span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course there was no shortage of positive or negative rhetoric about
either of the candidates running for President.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I found myself with reservations about Mitt Romney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it wasn’t his Mormon faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually have a lot of respect for many of
the ideals and values espoused (and held to) by the Mormons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather it was a sense that Mitt Romney might
not be as sincere in his caring for all of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much as I hate to admit it, some of his
remarks about people who are poor, handicapped, or even unemployed seemed
strangely reminiscent of now-deceased billionaire Leona Helmsley who was quoted
as having once said that, “Only the little people pay taxes.”</span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I turned to Facebook to try and find worthwhile understanding other than my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From time
to time, I would pose a question, usually about Mitt Romney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several times I tried to start a dialogue
about the issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does Mitt Romney
really have a plan to bring our country’s deficit spending under control?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we really believe that reducing tax rates
will result in increased tax revenue with which to pay for our government’s
spending?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But time and time again,
questions like this on Facebook would result in the exact same outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Obama-bashers would in outrage ask some
stupid question like, “Would you like four more years of Obama destroying our
country?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never once did they answer my
question, mind you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would just try
to “disarm” me with a condemning question --- resting on the assumption that I
was an Obama supporter (which I am not).</span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s of course no secret that I’m a born-again Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend my life with great concentration on
the teachings of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work
hard to reconcile my sinful nature and selfish desires to the godly
standards of the Old and New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as you might imagine, a great percentage of my friends and even my
acquaintances are also Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
least that’s what they would have you believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Frankly, the bullying and hateful disrespect that some of them displayed
(on Facebook) had me wondering if they could really be following the same
Christ that I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At times I would try to point out the hypocrisy that seemed apparent to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would try to re-engage them back
on the original topic at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
all, I really did want to discuss the issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I had no interest in demonizing either candidate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, I failed in those endeavors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My so-called Christian “friends” prevailed in
their desire to hold on to their hatred and disrespect, demonizing Obama and
trying to bully me for not joining them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually, I began to “unfriend” them on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t stop some of them, so I had to go
back and actually block them from even seeing my wall or communicating with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was quite sad for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve known some of them for nearly 20
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had thought of them as
godly men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I don’t any more.)</span></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></strong> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is plenty of Scripture in the Bible that tells Christians how we
are to regard our government and its leaders. <span style="color: yellow;">Romans 13:1-7 </span></span></strong>says that, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: yellow;">“Everyone must submit himself to
the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who
rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and
those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. …. Therefore, it is
necessary to submit to the (governmental) authorities, not only because of
possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay
taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to
governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if
revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you catch that last part?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you owe respect … then give respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you owe honor … then give honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are no less important than paying the
taxes that you owe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage makes
it abundantly clear that we are to obey the government God places over us. We
are to obey the government in everything—paying taxes, obeying rules and laws,
and showing respect. If we do not, <u>we are ultimately showing disrespect
towards God</u>, for He is the One who placed that government over us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, he
was under the authority of the Roman government during the reign of Nero, who
is notorious for – among other things – being quite possibly the most evil of all the Roman emperors. Nevertheless Paul
still recognized the Roman government’s rule over him. Do we dare do any less
today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I had to “unfriend” an old classmate from high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had reconnected with her not long ago, and
thought it would be fun to catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
didn’t turn out to be the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
professing to be a Christ follower, and quoting Scripture regularly, she also
refers to our (now re-elected) President Obama as “the antichrist” (sic).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I tried to point out the error of her
thinking, she reacted the same way those other Facebook friends had reacted
last fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a severe tongue lashing
for refusing to join or support her demonizing of Obama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cautiously tried to discuss the issue with
her, but was quickly attacked by her adult children as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I retreated, apologized for offending
her, encouraged her to review her position with her pastor, and, of course, “unfriended”
and blocked her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly, my self-proclaimed Christian Facebook friends don’t
appear to be familiar with the context of what Paul said to the Romans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if Obama were the “antichrist,” the
command for Christians would not change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obama may have been elected by the American people, but he got his
position and his authority from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore, it is necessary to submit to him not only because of the law,
but also, as <span style="color: yellow;">Romans 13</span> tells us,
because of conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, we honor
God when we give respect to those in authority over us – whether that is at
work, at church, in government or anywhere else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the things we mistakenly conclude is that if we
don’t agree with someone then we don’t have to submit to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may think that they “don’t deserve” our
respect (as if anyone could).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve heard
people say that the politician whom they think is vile “hasn’t earned” our respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> But who has earned our respect? After all, each </span>of us is so terribly flawed and
bent toward sin and evil that we required the salvation of a Messiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good to remember that when looking at
those in authority over us (and others) whom we don’t agree with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, I don’t have to agree with you, support
your policies, or even like you in order to submit to you, show respect for
you, obey you, and even love you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love
is patient and kind, it always forgives, it never gives up, it is never harsh,
and all those other things that <span style="color: yellow;">1
Corinthians 13</span> teaches us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, here’s
the question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you loved your
politician (insert name here) today? I started out saying that I never imagined I'd be praying to God about Facebook. But as I've encountered this conflict and nasty business on Facebook, I've found myself bewildered by so-called Christians who were behaving so heinously that I didn't know how to react. So I've found myself praying, asking God to show me how to respond to someone. Fortunately, He's been willing to guide me. In some cases, I've been able to re-focus the conversation in a more righteous direction. In other cases, I've been led to "shake the dust off my feet" and move on. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to say that in those cases, it gives me no pleasure to "unfriend" someone on Facebook. For I realize that they are lost in their hypocrisy and have a reckoning day coming that will surely be ugly. Because I love them, I don't want to see that in their future. I wonder if anyone ever sees my hypocrisy so clearly. And I wonder if they do, would they love me enough to try to call me out on it.</span></span>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-66304346133778119502012-12-31T17:49:00.000-06:002012-12-31T17:50:06.306-06:00Should I say something?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I</span>t’s one of my favorite shows, although I’ll be the first
to admit that it has a certain air of offensiveness to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TV show sets up scenarios where people
are presented with typically ethical dilemmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps someone is misbehaving in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a parent is badgering a teen-age
daughter to get Botox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps
restaurant diners are harassing someone who’s brought in a service dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy in the gift shop broke something when
the manager was in the back room and is trying to lie about it so he won’t have
to pay for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then the TV cameras
watch to see what the unsuspecting public will do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they speak up for what’s good and right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will they take a stand for the oppressed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5bOiNIm7nI/UOIju21AUcI/AAAAAAAABrk/-NcG8beJ7rQ/s1600/what+would+you+do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5bOiNIm7nI/UOIju21AUcI/AAAAAAAABrk/-NcG8beJ7rQ/s1600/what+would+you+do.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not sure why I like this TV show that’s titled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What Would You Do?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really not much different than that 60’s
& 70’s era show called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Candid Camera</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has some similarities to the laggard of
comedienne Betty White’s<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Off Their
Rockers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the attraction for me
is the fact that I personally tend to think that there is a right and wrong way
about everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t typically
accept that truth is relative or that it can be left to each of our personal
perceptions or interpretations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see,
I tend to take truth as being something that’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">absolute</i> – meaning it’s black-and-white-and-never-gray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I have to confess that often I find myself in life’s
situations where it seems there’s a dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d like to say that I’m smart enough and coy enough to always know what
the right thing is in those dilemmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d like to say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I was seated in a window seat in the first class
section of an American Airlines flight from Detroit to Dallas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gentleman in the aisle seat next to me
quickly established himself in my mind as a rebel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s putting it kindly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For you see, my thoughts of him weren’t so
kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight attendants made the
announcements that all electronic devices were to be firmly switched into the
OFF position until after take-off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
walked through the aisle exhorting lax passengers to switch of their electronic
devices and put them away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My fellow passenger in the neighboring seat perhaps
didn’t think those rules were important enough to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or perhaps he thought of himself as the one
grand exception amongst the couple hundred of us seated on the plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever his motives, he did NOT switch of
his electronic devices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flipped his
notebook shut when the flight attendant walked by, stuffing it into the seat
pocket in front of him without turning if off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After she was seated, he proceeded to put on
his head phones and power up the music on his iPhone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she walked by again for something, he
flipped it over and pretended to be asleep with the headphones on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, the flight took off with my
neighbor’s electronic devices fully powered – and at least one of them
operating for his personal entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’d like to say that this is the first time I’ve ever
witnessed such a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, I travel
a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ve seen it a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is that I myself don’t know how
important a rule it is that all electronic devices be powered down and properly
stowed before a plane takes-off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean,
is it a safety issue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could the plane
crash because of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is it just
annoying interference with the pilots’ radio communications with the
tower?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to find a serious flight
attendant during the flight and discreetly ask her what a passenger should do
when we observe such a rebel endangering the lives of everyone on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I couldn’t get out of my seat without
asking for his cooperation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About midway through this same flight, the lady in front
of me violently reclined her seat in a split second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The collision with my tray table caused my
drink to spill, me to drop my magazine, and the knee of my crossed leg to be
crushed in the vice-like grip of her seat pressing against my body!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So you might get the impression that I fly a lot and that
I find a lot of things that offend me when I travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be true, but it’s really not the
point of today’s blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point is that
everywhere we go, we find people doing things that are at the least –
inappropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be
offensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the worst of cases,
they can be harmful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it puts us in a
dilemma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It might be the guy who cuts into the line at the movies
or amusement park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it’s the
person with 37 items in the express lane at the grocery store (that only allows
20 items).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s the neighbor who
doesn’t take care of their lawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the
teen-agers who cut through your lawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Possibly it’s the people who leave shopping carts strewn all over the
parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the telemarketers who
call during dinner time, or the solicitors who come to the door at our
homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point is that everywhere we
go, we find people doing things that are at the least – awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We don’t approve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we aren’t sure what to say … or when to say it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it our place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about that “judge not” business?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it sticking our noses into other people’s
business?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is it sticking up for
ourselves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or … just maybe … is it
taking a stand for someone else, who might not be in a position to take a stand
for ourselves?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we go into this New Year, I think it’s a really good
time to get serious about asking that age-old question, “What would Jesus do?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s look at the dilemmas that we find
ourselves in, and let’s resolve to overcome them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Said differently, let’s resolve to conquer
our dilemmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s step out of our
comfort zones, and walk boldly into the cause for what’s good and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s resolve to stand against whatever is
wrong and offensive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In short, let’s resolve be the change that we’d all like
to see in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let us have
the wisdom to see the opportunities to do so whenever – and wherever they happen
to present themselves.</span></div>
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-67888426485772741232012-12-18T07:19:00.000-06:002012-12-18T07:19:17.063-06:00Tame the Internet (and Cage It)?I sometimes have this sense that the world is changing much faster than we may realize. At times I will consider the world my parents lived in, for example. It looked quite different than the world I lived in. My mother died in 2002, and I've often envisioned myself writing her a letter to tell her about all the things that have happened just since she's been gone. It's a long letter!<br />
<br />
Of course the Internet has had an enormous role in changing our world. It's impact is so far reaching it would be hard to imagine much of anything in life that hasn't been touched by it in one way or another. From publishing to food to medicine and education, the Internet has played a role. Even history itself has been impacted by the Internet. We have web sites like Ancestry.com, that put together the whole of a genealogy in minutes.<br />
<br />
Even information itself has been changed by the Internet. Eric Schmidt, the CEO of Google, recently said that we now create as much information in just two days as was created in the entire history of mankind up to 2003. That's something like five exabytes of data that we create in just two days. (<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/04/schmidt-data/">http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/04/schmidt-data/</a>) He went on to say that he assumes that "the world is not ready for the technology revolution that is happening to them ..." I think he's probably right about that. I'm not sure the world could be ready. And I'm certain that the world is largely unaware of this technology revolution.<br />
<br />
Most of us are unaware of how large the Internet is or how far-reaching it is. We see some of it's impact on our own personal lives ... how we shop, interact with our friends, save pictures, etc. But the fact is that our perception of the Internet is, for the most part, limited to what we can acquire from own personal interface with it. But it's safe to say that it's much bigger than that. In fact, today the Internet reaches around the globe. <br />
<br />
There is no country on earth that doesn't have the Internet. And most of what's on the Internet is available to everyone, everywhere. Most of the time, we assume that's a welcome thing. After all, who would oppose the Internet? But indeed countries like China have been fighting with companies like Google for years. They're fighting about content and access. And those fights are beginning to occur elsewhere as well.<br />
<br />
In the U.S., we take up fights about Internet content and access. I'm doing work for a major bank right now, and am required to use the bank's computer network all day long. Hardly a day goes by that I don't try to go to a site which the bank has blocked. It's not just blocking pornography you see. It's also blocking any site that the bank thinks might tempt me to waste my time. It's blocking sites like Gmail.com or Yahoo! mail. It blocks the messages center on LinkedIn, and all of Facebook.<br />
<br />
I suppose that most of us don't think too much about these forms of censorship. We assume that what China's doing to it's people - like blocking Facebook - doesn't impact us. And of course we have ways to get around censorship at our places of employment. We can simply go home and use our personal computer to access what we want. But something happened recently that I suspect could eventually change all that.<br />
<br />
There is something called the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). It's a group of the world's leading countries that operates under the realm of the United Nations (U.N.). It's members are the same 193 countries that comprise the U.N. Anyway, the ITU's purpose is to manage the world's telecommunications network. Most of this is done through an annual conference, which happened to be in Dubai this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The head of the ITU is a man named Hamadoun Toure'. He is a Mali native trained in the Soviet Union. And he deceptively led the ITU to establish a significant beachhead in censoring the Internet. In fact, so great was his deception that the United States and it's allies were completely outmaneuvered. Under his leadership, authoritarian regimes, led by China and Russia, schemed to use the U.N. to claim control over today's <em>borderless</em> Internet. In the run-up to the Dubai conference, dozens of secret proposals by these authoritarian governments were leaked online.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eqv44Vd8NQ/UNBg7PESGkI/AAAAAAAABrE/unzX2-Rx_MQ/s1600/Censorship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
These proposals were controversial and alarming. When asked, Mr. Toure' assured everyone that his agency operates by consensus - and not by majority vote. He also pledged that the ITU had no interest beyond telecommunications to include the Internet. But he kept neither promise. A majority of the 193 U.N. member countries approved a treaty giving governments new powers to close off access to the Internet in their countries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eqv44Vd8NQ/UNBg7PESGkI/AAAAAAAABrE/unzX2-Rx_MQ/s1600/Censorship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eqv44Vd8NQ/UNBg7PESGkI/AAAAAAAABrE/unzX2-Rx_MQ/s320/Censorship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The vote was called late one night at the conference in Dubai. It was first described as a non-binding "feel of the room on who will accept" - on a draft giving countries new power over the Internet. But the result was that 89 countries voted in favor of the draft, and just 55 (including the U.S. and it's allies) were against it. The authoritarian majority of Arab countries, China, Iran, Russia, and much of Africa all voted for it. This so-called "draft" suddenly became a legitimate final treaty. It takes effect in 2015 for these countries.<br />
<br />
The treaty document extends control over Internet companies, not just the telecoms. It declares: "All governments should have an equal role and responsibility for international Internet governance." This is a complete reversal of a privately (non-government) managed Internet. Authoritarian governments will invoke this new U.N. authority to take control over access to the Internet. They now have the U.N.'s blessing to censor, monitor traffic and even prosecute those they deem to be "troublemakers."<br />
<br />
And lest we think this doesn't impact us because we live in the U.S. --- consider how the Internet operates. Today's smoothly functioning Internet is actually a system that includes 40,000 private managed networks among 425,000 global routes that ignore national boundaries. We can expect this new treaty to split those networks by a digital "iron curtain." One result is most likely to be that the Internet will become less resilient. And of course, web sites will no longer be global in nature. <br />
<br />
Make no mistake about it; the world is changing. And it's changing faster than we think. It might be good to think about how it's changing. It might be good to consider whether or not we're ready for these changes. But I seriously wonder if any of us can really begin to comprehend how the world is changing ... much less actually be ready for such change.<br />
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-38549957844630302562012-12-02T16:37:00.001-06:002012-12-18T07:25:45.766-06:00Honor God With Your Shopping!Many times in the Old Testament the Israelites were taken to task for their worship of false gods. Sometimes they were called idols. And they were worshipped ... given roles of prominence in society and in the lives of the people. Each and every time this happened, God was angry. It was identified as sin. And always it had dire consequences. <br />
<br />
Americans have had false gods for some time. I'm not sure what they all are, but it's easy to identify some of them. The first one that I noticed (or that God pointed out to me) was <em><span style="color: yellow;">the god of sexuality</span></em>. Elements of our society worship sex. They say that "sex sells," and so we seem to accept that it's okay. It seems to have some purpose, so we seem to think it isn't that bad then. But it leads to all kinds of sexual dysfunction. (Don't worry, I won't discuss those kinds here. That's another blog on its own!)<br />
<br />
I personally think this god of sexuality is losing some of its grip on our society. Oh sure, there are elements of our society that are deeply mired in pornography, swinging, prostitution, and other elements of sexual perversion. But I notice that today's young people aren't nearly as impressed by it as they were even in my day. I see TV shows and even advertisements that are using other things to sell besides sex. At least it's fair to say that the god of sex has found some serious competition.<br />
<br />
Another false god that I've recognized in America is <em><span style="color: yellow;">the god of entertainment</span></em>. Seriously. Americans like to be entertained. And we justify it. It seems to serve a purpose. Back in the days of the Great Depression and the two major World Wars, Americans described going to the movies as an escape. People thought that was okay, because heck, Americans needed and deserved an escape. Right?<br />
<br />
In more modern times, we seem to be using entertainment for everything. I mean there doesn't seem to be a part of our lives where we escape to entertainment. Instead, we live there! We walk around with ear buds in our ears, listening to music. We never turn off the radio, never turn off the cell phone. In some homes people have several televisions - which never get turned off. And even in a bad economy, we spend a ton of money going to the movies, attending concerts, buying songs, etc. <br />
<br />
But lately, I'm seeing another false god emerge in our society. This one is equally as troubling as the others. I call it <em><span style="color: yellow;">the god of the lowest price</span></em>. I'm watching TV advertisements talking about getting "the best price." We see people setting up tents outside of electronics retailers several days before the start of a big sale --- just so they can be sure they'll be the first in line to get "the best price." They do this, of course, at the expense of their families.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the most shameful worship of this <em><span style="color: yellow;">god of the lowest price</span></em> happened on Thanksgiving this year. Our government has set aside a national holiday for all Americans to take time out to consider how incredibly blessed we are. We're to turn to our one true God (however we happen to see Him), and thank Him for blessing us so. But people are happy to set that aside, sacrificing that solemn occasion so they can chase the lowest price on more crap that they don't need.<br />
<br />
Recently someone I know posted that he found the prices on-line to be lower than the prices at local retailers, so he was swearing off retail shopping because he must have the lowest price on everything he buys. I was saddened to see several people who I know to be Christians weigh in, declaring their own allegiance to <em><span style="color: yellow;">the god of the lowest price</span></em>. Why did this sadden me? Because it's ungodly. Put another way, Jesus would never go out of His way to insist on the lowest price all the time on everything.<br />
<br />
In the Bible, <span style="color: yellow;">1 Timothy 5:18</span> says, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"... The worker deserves his wages."</span></em> How should we understand this? The worker deserves to be paid for his work. This is true even if it's expensive to pay him. Now before you decide to rise up against me, let me say that price gauging would be equally ungodly. I'm not talking about letting someone take advantage of you. But let's say that there is quite a margin between the lowest price and a <em>fair price</em>. <br />
<br />
What's godly is good stewardship of the financial resources that God gives us, minus the greed and selfishness, plus a fair price. This allows us to meet our needs, and the other guy to make an honest living. All in all, not a bad way to do business really. I remember when I was in college and sold new cars. People would walk into the dealership and brutally bludgeon us on price. I even sold some cars by giving up some of my own commission. Let me tell you, I didn't feel very good about those sales. Instead I felt resentment and bitterness that the customer was so focused on the lowest price that they would obtain at my own personal expense. <br />
<br />
In <span style="color: yellow;">Matthew 22:39</span> and <span style="color: yellow;">Mark 12:31</span> Jesus told us to, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"Love your neighbor as yourself."</span></em> What does this mean? It means to love your neighbor as you would yourself like to be loved. We've culturally taken those verses to write the oft quoted Golden Rule, which says simply that we should treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated. So here's the question, how would you like to be abused, mistreated and discarded like some piece of trash for your hard work? Just so someone could get the lowest price?<br />
<br />
If you're a Christ-follower, and you're ready to get serious about walking the talk, then maybe you could start by tossing that <span style="color: yellow;"><em>god of the lowest price</em></span> out to the curb this holiday season. Keep being a good steward of the money that God gives you. But I promise you, the Lord will be pleased when you start paying fair prices for goods and services that you buy. He will be well pleased when your commerce empowers and provides for other people. <br />
<br />
You may never have considered this before, but when we set that false god aside, we can actually honor the one true God with our shopping!Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-31416832922640616562012-11-25T21:19:00.003-06:002012-12-18T07:26:36.940-06:00Angry God?It happens almost every time there's some sort of natural disaster. Some loud-mouthed evangelist will declare that the tsunami struck Japan, for example, because God is angry. Or they'll say that soldiers were killed in Iraq or Afghanistan because God is mad at Americans for our posture toward homosexuals. Maybe the recent recession was caused by God's anger over American greed. I could go on listing examples, but you probably get the picture. <br />
<br />
There seems to be a temptation on the part of the few to try and link the most recent calamity of the day to an angry God. There's an even greater temptation on the part of the masses to completely dismiss such claims. We write them off as "loud-mouthed evangelists." Or we just say that they're crazy. Some of us just roll our eyes and look away in disgust. Perhaps just a few of us wonder for a brief moment about whether or not it could be true.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to take any specific event in human history and try to explain how God has reacted to it. The truth is I just don't know. But I find it useful to look at the character and nature of God, and the history of how He has related to mankind throughout the centuries. Such a look reveals much to me about the range of possibilities.<br />
<br />
Throughout the Old Testament, we have example after example of people (usually the Israelites) sinning against God. More often than not, God would display unfathomable patience. But eventually God would respond with some sort of unbelievable wrath. When Egypt refused to release the Jews (at Moses' request), for example, God unleashed a series of calamities designed to not only punish the Egyptians for their sin, but to cause them to lose their will to hold the Jews as slaves. One of His final acts against Egypt was to part the Red Sea so the Jews could cross, but then "unpart" it as the Egyptian army chased after them --- drowning all who were (sinfully) in pursuit of the Jews.<br />
<br />
There are also many occasions where the Jews themselves sinned against God and He responded with all sorts of calamities. <em>I don't know if they used the term "natural disasters" back then, but much of what we read about in the Old Testament would certainly fit that modern day definition --- even though God's wrath is specifically attached to it</em>. When I read of these incidents and consider that fact, I wonder if I'm the only one who notices.<br />
<br />
Perhaps one of the most salient aspects of the stories of sin met by God's wrath in the Old Testament are the places where <em>God speaks in first person</em>. Many, many times, God goes on rather lengthy tirades, ranting and raving at the Israelites for their sinful ways. He threatens severe punishment if they don't repent --- and then He often delivers on that promise when they don't (repent). For example, <span style="color: yellow;"><em>"The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight ... nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made ... this city has so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove it from my sight."</em></span> (<span style="color: yellow;">Jeremiah 32:30-31</span>)<br />
<br />
Can you just imagine if it was God speaking, and you knew it was God speaking. Maybe He might say something similar about us. <em>"The people of New York and Washington have done nothing but evil in my sight ... nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made ... these cities have so aroused my anger and wrath that I must remove them from my sight!"</em> It's hard to imagine that God would ever even feel that way, much less say something like that. But folks, that <u>IS</u> the character and nature of God. It <u>IS</u> who God is.<br />
<br />
One of the stories that impresses me most is the story of Lot's wife being turned into a pillar of salt. God told them not to look back as she and her family fled the city that He was destroying for its sin. But she couldn't resist, and looked out the back window of the mini van as her husband drove away. It seemed like such an innocent act. I mean, what could be wrong with looking back? Nevertheless, it was <em>disobedience</em>. And God moved swiftly to punish it. She was instantly transformed into a pillar of salt!<br />
<br />
Folks, I'm as embarrassed as anyone by the loud-mouthed religious fanatics who don't look at all like Jesus when they're spewing their hatred and judgment instead of offering a loving response to those who are suffering from a tragedy of any sort. But there is that matter of <em>the character and nature of God</em>. He simply cannot tolerate sin. Oh sure, He may display patience for a season. But ultimately God must respond to sin. And it can never be pretty when He does.<br />
<br />
The book of Joshua gives us another illustration of God's nature and character. <span style="color: yellow;"> <em>"For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might destroy them utterly, and that He might destroy them, as the Lord commanded Moses."</em></span> (<span style="color: yellow;">Joshua 11:20</span>) God had commanded Moses to destroy all of the Canaanites. He even said when to do it, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"When the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them."</span></em> (<span style="color: yellow;">Deuteronomy 7:2</span>) This seems more harsh than ever when we consider the fact that God Himself hardened the hearts of the Canaanites so that they would engage in a battle where they were pre-destined to be destroyed!<br />
<br />
But let's look at the facts. God had given those Canaanites about 400 years to repent and turn from their sinful ways. (<span style="color: yellow;">Genesis 15:13-16</span>) And each new generation of them had sinned even more than the previous ones. They were practicing every form of sin known to mankind thus far. They had already irrevocably hardened their hearts toward God. So now God just hardened their hearts against Israel - whom He would use to put them out of their misery. Moreover, some would consider it an act of mercy that God would destroy these evil people before they had a chance to defile or offend anyone else. <br />
<br />
Somehow we have this notion that God is merely a kind old grandfatherly type of figure. But honestly, that kind of thinking is self serving and sinful in itself. Most of us would much rather submit ourselves to, serve, and worship the God that we want instead of the God who actually is. But to do so would be sin. He's loving and merciful. But He's just as much mighty and powerful. And we can see clearly from this example, that He can use even our own sinfulness to serve His purposes.<br />
<br />
The New Testament tells us that God <em><span style="color: yellow;">"our God is a consuming fire."</span></em> (<span style="color: yellow;">Hebrews 12:29</span>) Have you ever seen a raging fire consume the fuel? Next time you're huddled around the camp fire or the fireplace, notice how intentional and unrelenting the flames are. And relate that to God's nature.<br />
<br />
The Bible is also clear about the fact that God has already decided what sin's repercussions must be. The <em><span style="color: yellow;">"wages of sin are death."</span></em> (<span style="color: yellow;">Romans 6:23</span>) That's pretty deliberate, don't you think? So this anger issue of God's when it comes to sin? He can't help it. His character and nature are so perfectly holy and righteous that He cannot tolerate the presence of sin. The price (wages) simply must be paid. There is no alternative.<br />
<br />
Some people would say that that's just the God of the Old Testament, and that "God isn't like that anymore." But those people would be wrong. For God doesn't change. Ever. (<span style="color: yellow;">Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalm 102:24-27, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17</span>) It has been said that God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And that is exactly how the Bible wants us to understand it.<br />
<br />
If you needed any more proof that this so-called 'angry God' never changes, consider the future. The book of Revelation has much to tell us about the 'wrath of God.' It lists a whole series of events that make contemporary notions of 'natural distasters' and 'acts of God' pale in comparison. If you've never read it, they are more than sobering. But even before we get to the end of the Bible, consider that, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."</span></em> (<span style="color: yellow;">2 Thessalonians 1:7-8</span>)<br />
<br />
So I started this piece by bad-mouthing the loud-mouthed religious zealots who are so quick to proclaim God's judgment in the midst of a crisis. For sure, I condemn them. Why? Because when God spoke, when God threatened ... He also promised. God promised forgiveness. He promised restoration. A bout of God's wrath would end with God restoring His people and proclaiming that <em>"they will be my people and I will be their God."</em> This too is who God is. This too is God's character and nature. I'm confident that if God were going to appoint a modern day prophet to pronounce His judgment for our sin, He would include the promise of restoration in the face of repentance.<br />
<br />
The thing is that I don't know if the latest natural disaster or other calamity is a case of God's wrath being poured out for our sin. But I do know two things. First, we are sinful. The sinfulness of our modern society alarms me. My own sinfulness alarms me. Second, sin is always met with God's judgment and wrath. There is no alternative. <br />
<br />
So perhaps we would all do well to ask ourselves if God might have any reason to judge us and pour out His wrath on us. And if He does, then repentance is the only appropriate response. There is no alternative.Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-11257595353054344402012-10-09T16:17:00.000-05:002012-10-09T16:19:07.484-05:00A Surprising Cause of Poverty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3iogdLPw-s/UHSPsGzTIuI/AAAAAAAABqg/vUzakIU76bw/s1600/Top+1%2525+Share+of+Income.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3iogdLPw-s/UHSPsGzTIuI/AAAAAAAABqg/vUzakIU76bw/s200/Top+1%2525+Share+of+Income.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why are there so many more poor people in America?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And why are the rich making so much more
money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems, as some say, to be a
classic case (whatever that means) of “the rich getting richer, and the poor getting
poorer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly looking around in my
own community it appears that there are some very rich people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just today I heard that a man in my old
church made a net profit of about $3 million in just three years … doing
something part-time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I actually know quite a few people who work part time
(most of them not by choice).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I don’t
know any that even make a decent living wage, let along six figures or
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, this man was already
wealthy, living in a gated community on a golf course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the adage seems true enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean there is always plenty of
circumstantial evidence to support this claim that the rich are getting
richer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America’s wealth is getting more
and more concentrated at the top of the economic food chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And poverty in our country is expanding like
some kind of a mushroom cloud.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be honest, I haven’t questioned the claims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just accepted them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My own family is definitely worse off
financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can see that my money
went into someone else’s pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the reasons for this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What keeps Americans – who live in the
richest country on earth - trapped in poverty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What facilitates the transfers of wealth from the poor and middle class
to the rich?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many years now, I’ve
observed the world around me and drawn my own conclusions about why this might
be. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Executives in major corporations outsource jobs
to third world countries like India & China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This puts the people who used to do those
jobs in the unemployment line or in the ranks of the underemployed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Retailers, such as Wal Mart or Albertson’s, and
restaurant chains, among others, refuse to give their employees more than 32
hours a week --- so that they can avoid paying for benefits for those
employees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hire more people than
they would typically need … but don’t give any of them enough hours to make a
living wage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they are the working
poor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(It’s been widely reported that
many Wal Mart employees qualify for food stamps!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Automation has made process lines, among other
things, more efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone from auto
workers to bakers, even when their jobs aren’t sent offshore, still experiences
reduced employment because technology eliminates many of their jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Internet is changing everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>E-mail is wiping out the postal service (and
its workers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On-line shopping is wiping
out sales clerks, inventory clerks, and other retail support jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On-line delivery of movies has decimated
Blockbuster video rental stores across the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve quietly seethed about the injustice of it all, but
smugly considered myself so clever to at least have all of this insight and
understanding of the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times,
I’ve day-dreamed about how I might fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, I considered running for mayor and passing municipal laws
that would require retailers and restaurants in my city to give every employee
at least 40 hours per week (and have clean bathrooms).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also considered applying to be the CEO
of a major corporation and moving jobs back to the U.S. from India.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as it turns out, I really haven’t had
time to do either of those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
just smugly seethed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Presidential election campaigns may have finally “moved
the needle for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, I’ve been listening
to people (other than me) rant and rave about the injustice of the plight of
the poor and rich in our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, most of them blame Obama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(They
seem to blame him for everything.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
a verse in the Bible that admonishes God’s people to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">examine and test our ways</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The point is to examine our thoughts and test them against what’s really
true and right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So was my motive to
examine my thinking on this subject and test it to see if I’m as wise as I
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been doing some digging see if my thinking about
that is correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ve been surprised
to learn that it wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very wrong, it seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, one of the leading causes of the
exponential growth of poverty in America has not been what most of us have been
making so much noise about (i.e., shipping jobs overseas, tax policy favoring
the rich).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, perhaps the single
biggest factor has been the huge surge of <u>low-wage immigration</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now in my part of the country, we’re all used to seeing
skilled Asians in top technology and financial services jobs, engineering, and
even medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in a meeting just
last week and observed the number Asians in charge of the Americans even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it turns out that they don’t actually represent
the majority of immigrants to the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most don’t arrive on our shores with the engineering MBA in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most don’t graduate from our medical schools
and decide to stay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since 1970, there’ve been almost 30 million immigrants
welcomed to America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An enormous
percentage of them arrived here without any professional skills at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, many lack even a basic
education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Statistically, they are three
times more likely than native-born Americans to lack a high school
diploma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This is despite the fact that
about 25% of all Americans drop out of high school without a diploma.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even before our most recent recession, they were 50% more
likely to be poor than native-born Americans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, the best data available seems to indicate that even the
great-grandchildren of low-skilled Latino immigrants continue to struggle
economically --- three generations after immigrating to the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Sources:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Study, U.S. Dept. of
Education, CNN)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This isn’t Obama’s fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not Bush’s fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
Clinton’s fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a trend that’s
been consistent for more than 40 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
case you aren’t aware of it, 30 million immigrants represent about 10% of the
entire population of the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m starting
to understand the size of the problem a little more clearly. Now if I could just come up with some solutions ... I could run for President!</span></div>
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sources: U.S. Immigration Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Education, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg)</span></em>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-89439192302838358042012-09-13T21:26:00.000-05:002012-10-06T03:37:10.684-05:00Letter To IslamDear-Muslims-who-are-ignorant-when-it-comes-to-how-democracy-works: Neither the U.S.A. or its people have insulted your prophet. We are a democratic society, and enjoy certain freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. <br />
<br />
When you have freedom of speech and freedom of religion, those freedoms come at a cost. One of those costs is the ability of others to say what they want, and to practice any religion that they want. Sometimes that speech and that religion (or lack thereof) can be offensive to others.<br />
<br />
It's unfortunate that one of the more than 300 million people who live in our country legally is so rude, hateful, and stupid as to record what he did that you took offense too. It's even more unfortunate that modern technology enabled his hatred to spread around the world. But it's most unfortunate that you respond with your own vicious brand of violence and hatred.<br />
<br />
By the way, did you notice that we've arrested him and are currently holding him in prison? And did you get that he was already a criminal in American terms --- who violated the terms of his probation in making that stupid movie? Rest assured that if there's a way to prosecute him and stop his criminal behavior - without curtailing the freedom of more than 300 million other Americans - we will do so. But I digress.<br />
<br />
Let's talk about those Americans that you condemn and wish death for? They include over 7 million Muslims, who worship in more than 1,200 Islamic mosques ... 25% of which have been built in the last 8 years. Did you know that Islam is the fastest growing religion in America? Did you know that America has had peaceful, mutually beneficial relations with many Islamic countries for decades? Have you taken the time to get even a clue about how America really views Islam?<br />
<br />
You see, we welcome Muslims to America and guarantee their right to free speech and freedom to be as Muslim as they want to be. And we've welcomed them here for more than 150 years. You just attacked THEIR embassy and killed THEIR ambassador. And now you protest against them and call for their death.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBUwrV_xhV8/UFKTtkhn06I/AAAAAAAABqQ/zjSXb9nWg2s/s1600/girlflag.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBUwrV_xhV8/UFKTtkhn06I/AAAAAAAABqQ/zjSXb9nWg2s/s200/girlflag.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You've offended and hurt them. But then again, maybe that isn't so surprising. We're sadly getting used to seeing Muslims killing even Muslims throughout the world. And you know, those are some of the places, like Iraq and Afghanistan, are where Americans are laying down our lives and spending billions to <em>make Muslims free</em>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here's the thing. We Americans are happy to stand side-by-side with you and respect your right to be as Muslim as you want to be. We'll fight for your freedom just as hard as we've fought for our own. But unless you lay down your swords and stop the infernal war between Islam and the west, no one is free. Is that what you really want?</div>
Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-16225244979762398162012-09-11T17:42:00.000-05:002012-09-11T17:42:23.165-05:00Real Faith: How It WorksLast December, a man that I'd been counseling introduced me to a former colleague of his. He said he "knew that the two of us would like each other." So I met this gentleman for lunch and we did indeed find much in common. It was quite a pleasure to meet him, and I left the lunch thinking that this is someone I'd like to stay networked with from now on.<br />
<br />
A few days after my blind date, a package arrived in the mail from my new friend. It was a brand new book, with a note that said he felt led to send it to me. I have to admit that I found that rather odd. I mean, why would someone I just met go out and buy a book, much less go to the trouble of mailing it to me? It didn't make sense. At any rate, I put the book on the nightstand by my bed, in the pile of other things I want to read when I have time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3QWcm_W38Y/UE-7PhV9RkI/AAAAAAAABqA/g8Az23BRdWw/s1600/zmuller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3QWcm_W38Y/UE-7PhV9RkI/AAAAAAAABqA/g8Az23BRdWw/s320/zmuller.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
A few months later, I finally got to read this particular book. It was mostly a story of George Muller's ministry and his faith. Overall the book was a good read. But one aspect of it was truly riveting for me. It was the fact that throughout his entire life, George Muller never did any fund raising for his ministries or the multiple orphanages he'd set up and ran. Mind you, Muller was a man with a big vision for ministry, a big heart, and expensive ministries to run. So the fact that prayer was his only method for fund raising seemed quite remarkable indeed.<br />
<br />
I can honestly say that I hadn't known George Muller's story ... at least not that particular aspect of it it. And as I completed reading, it turned out to be the most helpful book I've ever read in terms of casting vision for my <em>personal faith</em>. Let me explain about that.<br />
<br />
This year (2012) has been our worst financial year ever. My wife and I have large commitments to ministry, and whatever could go wrong financially did. It seems like we've taken one (financial) blow after another --- with money just gushing from our home. So it was rather timely that I'd read a book which shifted my paradigm with regard to funding ministry commitments.<br />
<br />
God showed me, through the book on George Muller, that I've mostly leaned on myself for our needs. It would be fair to say that I've treated prayer more like insurance in case my own efforts might fail. That would be - in case you're not clear - sin. Seriously. It smacks of pride, and lack of faith in God's provision and timing. At the very least.<br />
<br />
Through reading this one little book, I've got a new perspective. It's one that I very much needed to acquire. I'm busy now repenting of my sin, and trying to quiet the noise of my financially demanding life ... so that I can focus on God and His provision ... which has always been perfect. <br />
<br />
As I look back now, I see that perhaps the blind date lunch with the stranger in December was not so ironic after all. Instead, it was pretty providential --- with the apparent anointing from God. The Lord knew that we were fixing to walk through the stormiest financial period of our lives. And He knew that if I tried to go through that on my own power, I'd fail and become very overwhelmed. So in his perfect provision, God used this stranger to bring me the story that would help me find amazing peace in the midst of the (financial) storms.<br />
<br />
The Lord's Prayer says, "Give us this day our daily bread ..." I've come to understand that this is precisely what I can expect from God. Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-67949932725698546702012-09-09T03:33:00.000-05:002016-01-31T17:14:34.840-06:00Seasons of the LordIt's been said that there is a time and place for everything. Not only is that good sense from a human perspective, but it's Biblical. <span style="color: yellow;">Ecclesiastes 3:1</span> tells us that, <span style="color: yellow;">"For everything there is a season, and a time for every activity under heaven." (NLT)</span> And my own experience tells me that this is so.<br />
<br />
A few years ago, I started writing a blog. I didn't do it with my own name, but used this "pen name," which really exemplified what I saw as my character at the time. So I wrote and I wrote. Another blog spun off of it and soon a third blog. I blogged several times a week, and often took on important, controversial, and sometimes theological issues to blog about. <br />
<br />
While I blogged, people that read my blogging seemed to like it. I got many compliments. One of the blogs that spun off actually was the product of people writing to me to get my perspective on their individual dilemmas. I began to see that perhaps they like my thinking and were looking for an opportunity to have my thinking applied to their circumstance. <br />
<br />
But one day, it all came to a screeching halt. I still cannot explain it today. But I clearly heard God telling me it was time to stop. I didn't know why. Frankly, it felt like I was at the "top of my game," and that fame and fortune (a la Huntington Post) were possibly just around the corner. But God said, "Enough." And I knew that I must obey Him. Even if I didn't understand Him. <br />
<br />
Quite honestly, I haven't missed blogging. Some days I look back at all I wrote and wonder how I found time for all of that writing. Some days I also wonder why I didn't write books and get paid for such writing! There are even days when I will be dealing with something and remember that I researched and then blogged about it a long time ago. So I'll go to the search feature and look it up in my blog. <br />
<br />
Well, the seasons change. I see now, as I mature, that God is in charge of all the seasons. And I'm not just talking about the seasons of the weather. Lately, I've sensed God telling me to get back into the blogging game. Thoughts and ideas are stirring in my head again. I can see it coming. I begin to wonder if there's an external stimulus --- such as the political elections --- that could be stirring my thinking. But wait ... my thinking isn't necessarily political. Rather it's a voice of reason, intent on cutting through the rhetoric - to see practical application of Biblical principles in our everyday lives. <br />
<br />
So it would appear that this particular season of silence is longer than I may have thought. I'm never sure what will move me to blog. In fact, I know that there are people who blog daily, or regularly. I wonder if they always have something truly relevant to talk about. Maybe it's just that some people are moved daily, or are so constantly moved that they never run out of fodder for their blogging. <br />
<br />
Me? I'm not sure. Like I said in the beginning, I'm not sure why I started blogging in the first place It seemed to be something born of circumstance. So it will be interesting to see where this goes now!Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-39516760150076454402012-04-24T14:48:00.002-05:002012-04-24T14:51:35.226-05:00Theology of Adoption<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've blogged before about my kids. At last count, twelve other human beings now call me "Dad." I serve in parental-type roles in the lives of even more than that. But one of my friends on Facebook the other asked a question about the notion of theology in adoption. It got me to thinking about my own spiritual journey and how the Holy Spirit has led me in my thinking about adoption. Let me tell you about what He's taught me.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In July 2007 I was teaching at Kyambogo University in Kampala, Uganda (East Africa). I'd heard of a scenario they call "child head families" - where the children are raising themselves. (This is usually because the orphanages are full.) One Sunday afternoon, a local pastor took me into a slum to introduce me to some of them and show me how they live. We met a few, but one "family" particularly struck me. They were eight children, six siblings and two cousins of those siblings. We gave them some money and prayed with them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I came home, I continued praying for them. Over the coming weeks and months, as I would pray for them, God would take us to Scripture that says <em>"Love your neighbor as yourself."</em> (<span style="color: #3333ff;">Matthew 22:39, etc.</span>) One night my wife and I were discussing what God might be saying to us, and my wife said, <em>"Well, if I were dead I'd want someone to take care of my kids. And if I were an orphan on the street, I'd want someone to take care of me."</em> We wrestled with that a bit, but by November 2007 we were ready to obey. We took all eight of them on.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People wonder if Christians are obligated to adopt. I think we are. <span style="color: #3333ff;">James 4:17</span> tells us that it is sin if we know the good we ought to do and we don't do it. So I put those two basic Biblical principles together ... and I get an obligation to parent as many children as I have resources for. I've heard some add <span style="color: #3333ff;">Matthew 25:40</span> to that, where Jesus said that caring for the "least of these" is the same as caring for Him. In fact, He said in <span style="color: #3333ff;">John 21:15-17</span> that if we love Him, we are to "feed His sheep." These are at least these four Bible verses that help me conclude that <em>Christians should adopt</em>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adopting all our kids has been incredibly painful and hard. It's also expensive and has nearly wiped us out financially more than once. But we don't think we have a choice. Beyond the obedience issue is simply the love issue. There are said to be some 30 million orphans in the world right now. I just don't have the ability to look any of them in the eye and say <em>"I won't love you, and I won't take care of you."</em> But in general terms, Christians in today's western society are doing just that.</span><br />
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTwg_CAc5VU/T5cDe3aqnBI/AAAAAAAABjE/QDIJG3NneX8/s1600/AdoptionRocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTwg_CAc5VU/T5cDe3aqnBI/AAAAAAAABjE/QDIJG3NneX8/s320/AdoptionRocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider this. There are usually over 2,000 kids "in inventory" with Texas' Child Protective Services at any given time. You can shop on-line for a child (or sibling group) to adopt. Go to </span><a href="http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/application/TARE/Search.aspx/Children" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/<wbr></wbr>application/TARE/Search.aspx/<wbr></wbr>Children</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and browse what's in the state's inventory right now. As you scroll through these kids, think about the fact that <em>nobody wants them</em>. <em>Nobody loves them</em>. Nobody - not even the Christians, will care for them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These kids are "wards of the state." If nobody stands in the gap for these kids, they will "age out of the system" --- meaning that when they turn 18, the state will give them three months worth of living expenses and set them out on the street. A shocking proportion of them will end up in prostitution, homelessness, in mental hospitals, committing crimes, in jail, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To my way of thinking, there is definitely a <em>theology of adoption</em>. Unfortunately, it's a theology that I don't think very many Christians even imagine. I'm most troubled by it when I drive around my own community and see how many people have large homes with extra bedrooms. They're still in reasonably good health and have the financial resources to support more children. Maybe their own children are grown. Maybe they never had children. Even if they do still have children at home, many of them are still with sufficient resources to take on more. And yet they don't.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t's as if they're looking at these thousands and millions of kids who need parents and literally saying, <em>"Nobody wants you. Nobody will love you. Not even me."</em> I wonder how God will judge us for this.</span> </div>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-14731619090879668632011-09-12T10:14:00.001-05:002011-09-21T12:03:53.677-05:00Persecuted ChristiansI've blogged before about the values-based buying that I think we should all embrace. It would mean buying and doing business preferentially with people who share our values. Moreover, after reading how God told the Israelites to make no treaties with people who didn't share their values ... I'm convinced the consequences of such laxness are sure and dire in the end.<br />
<br />
So two of our country's biggest trading partners are India and China. I was stunned recently to read a report that <em><u>Christians are attacked in India more frequenty than in any other country of the world!</u></em> (Source: Voice of the Martyrs) Really. Still, we send our call centers and software development happily to India. Never mind that it's a Hindu nation where the vast majority of people don't recognize our God. They have to go on and actually physically attack those who serve the one true God.<br />
<br />
Of course, then there's China. We've set them to manufacturing nearly everything we use - from computers to clothes and toys, plastics and steel, even food. And American companies are investing in China like there's no tomorrow. We see it as an enormous market potential to be tapped. But let's look at some key facts about China.<br />
<br />
In China, a woman recently received a 15-year prison sentence for publishing a Christian magazine. The only Christian publications allowed are those of the state Protest Church (TSPM) and the state Catholic Church (CPCA).<br />
<br />
In China, someone recently received a 3-year prison sentence for printing and selling Bibles. The Chinese government permits only one Bible printing company ... which doesn't produce enough Bibles and cannot distribute them in the rural areas where no state churches exist (and house churches aren't allowed).<br />
<br />
There are about 50 nations in the world now that are openly hostile to Christianity and/or severely restrict its practice. Does anyone but me think it would be a good idea for us to "no make treaties" with such people?Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-8832181278508730252011-08-13T19:14:00.013-05:002011-08-13T20:02:10.149-05:00Lord Reign in Me<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you ever have one of those days when you feel like you've been completely undone ... by Jesus? I tend to think of following Christ as this orderly kind of movement. I read my Bible every day and pray every day. But there's something about getting older in Christ that just seems to make the circumstances that I'm in not quite so relevant to my spiritual state. I had one of those days this past week, on Wednesday. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've just started reading through the New Testament, and was in Matthew 14 and beyond. This is where Jesus learns that John the Baptist - who had baptized him - was beheaded. In itself it's a grizzly story. Herod had arrested John the Baptist and had him in prison. But on Herod's birthday, his wife's daughter danced for him and it so pleased him that he offered to give her anything she wanted. The little tart that she was, was coached by her mother and asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter! Having no spine, Herod was unable to decline such a request - so he granted her that wish.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Jesus found out, He was naturally very saddened by this awful news. John's disciples went and got the headless body to bury it. Then they went to tell Jesus what had happened. <span style="color: yellow;">Matthew 14:13</span> says that, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place."</span></em> I can just imagine Jesus' sadness. Most likely, He needed to grieve and pour out His broken heart to His Father in prayer. But it was not to be. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: yellow;">Matthew 14:13-14</span> continues, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"Hearing of this (Jesus withdrawing by boat to be alone), the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick."</span></em> Did you catch that? Jesus is going by boat to a place of quiet solitude to grieve and pray. He needed to be alone. But when He got there, He was again confronted with a crowd of people who wanted Him to deal with all of <em>their</em> pain and misery instead. And Jesus had compassion on them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now if you're familiar with this story, you know that the next thing that happened is that evening approached and there was no food for the crowd. The disciples wanted to send the crowds away so they could buy food in the villages. But Jesus said no. Instead He took the five loaves of bread and two fish, blessed them and fed 5,000 men, plus the women and children that accompanied them ... with 12 baskets of leftovers!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But again, Jesus needed to be alone. The death of John the Baptist still grieved Him. So <span style="color: yellow;">Matthew 14:22-23</span> says that, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He dismissed them, Jesus went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray."</span></em> Now I can just imagine what that looked like. As I said earlier, I've no doubt that Jesus probably wept with grief and poured His heart out to God in prayer. But again Jesus would be interrupted.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the night wore on, Jesus was alone, but the boat with the disciples was in considerable trouble. They were far from land and the wind had blown up some pretty choppy waves. So Jesus went to them ... out in the middle of the water! This is the place where another miracle is recorded ... as Jesus walked on water. And of course it's the story where Peter gets out of the boat and walks on water too.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's the part that shook me this past Wednesday. I'm reading this account and I'm picturing Jesus. I can just imagine how I would feel if I had just heard that one of my dearest friends had been beheaded like that. I would be consumed with grief. So I was picturing Jesus ... trying to get away from the demanding crowds just so He could deal with His own grief. But no matter how hard Jesus tried to take care of Himself, the crowds demanded that He take care of them instead. And then there were those disciples He had to care for as well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is who Jesus is though. It is His character and nature. You see, sacrificing His life on the cross for us was not the first act of sacrifice that Jesus made. Throughout His entire life, we see stories like this, where Jesus was laying aside His own human needs to care for pitiful people like you and me. Even as I type this blog now, my eyes are getting watery, considering how such a great man, such a great God, could love such a man as me like this. And truly He does. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I think about who I was before I gave my life to Christ, I realize how far I have come. Frankly raising someone from the dead wouldn't seem any more miraculous to me than where Jesus has brought me. He raised me from something that seemed worse than dead. And it's because of Jesus that I truly have hope. But I started this blog today telling you how I was undone this past Wednesday. It wasn't while I was reading this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later Wednesday morning, I had a meeting to attend and as I was driving to that meeting, I was listening to some of my favorite Christian music in the car. And there it was, one of my favorite songs. Lord, Reign in Me (by Benton Brown). If you don't know it, here are the words:</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Lord Reign In Me</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Over all the earth You reign on high</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">every mountain stream, every sunset sky</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">But my one request, Lord my only aim</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Is that You reign in me again</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">(chorus)</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Lord reign in me, reign in Your power</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">You are the Lord of all I am</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">So won't You reign in me again?</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">Over every though, over every word</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">may my life reflect the beauty of my Lord</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">You mean more to me than any earthly thing</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;">So won't You reign in me again?</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">(chorus)</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So picture me driving down the road in heavy traffic, singing this song at the top of my lungs. And then it happened. The mental imagery that I'd been through that morning with Jesus in Matthew 14, combined with my love for Him and my desire to honor and glorify Him with my life. And the tears started to well up in my eyes. Then they started to roll down my cheeks ... just as I arrived at my meeting place. I had to pull the car over and just sit there, singing this song from the depths of my heart. He had done it again. Through Jesus, and because of Jesus, I was completely undone.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pss6nsMZyOA/TkccqRW9-LI/AAAAAAAABac/qbU-eiUkUew/s1600/274808_medium160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pss6nsMZyOA/TkccqRW9-LI/AAAAAAAABac/qbU-eiUkUew/s1600/274808_medium160.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're reading this blog, my prayer is that you too can be completely undone by none other than Jesus Himself. I have to tell you, there's no joy on earth that even comes close to that moment when I am in Him ... and He is in me ... and we both know it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over all my dreams and in my darkest hour - Lord reign in me!</span>Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37430402.post-29853047756732072002011-08-10T03:00:00.061-05:002011-08-10T14:40:39.851-05:00Parable of SoilsThis past weekend, Texas governor Rick Perry hosted a national prayer & fasting conference in Houston. News reports were that thousands came from all over the country. Some were there to protest - because they think that government and religion shouldn't mix. Others refused to attend because they don't believe Gov. Perry is sincere about his faith. If nothing else, it made for some drama in national political and religious circles.<br />
<br />
I must confess that I'm one who fell into the camp of questioning Rick Perry's faith. I mean, he's been our governor (I live in Texas) for years now. In fact, he's the longest serving governor in our nation's history! But I've never known much about his faith. He's never played the Christianity card before. And when he releases his finances, we see that his charitable giving falls well below that of the average American ... and certainly excludes any obedience to the Biblical requirement for tithing. Is Mr. Perry a Christian? Is he a God-fearing man of prayer? I guess we don't really know.<br />
<br />
In all honesty, I think Rick Perry is a good representation of a lot of so-called Christians in America. There are a shocking number of people who will gladly tell you that they "believe in God." I long ago stopped being impressed by that --- when I found out that the demons believe in God too! All kidding aside, I've learned that in order to be a true Christian, one must go considerably further than just believing in God. And I find myself puzzled ... wondering why that seems to be such a mystery for so many people.<br />
<br />
Jesus minced no words when it came to dealing with hypocrisy. He looked at religious leaders and called them out for their lack of sincerity. In trying to understand how extremely religious people could actually get it so wrong, I've found it's helpful to look at Jesus' parable of the soils (Matthew 13:1-23). Jesus provided this parable and then later explained it to His disciples. But before He started that explanation, He said something that all of us should be aware of.<br />
<br />
In <span style="color: yellow;">Matthew 13:11-12</span>, Jesus said, <em><span style="color: yellow;">"The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."</span></em> So what was Jesus saying here?<br />
<br />
He was saying that the understanding of Biblical, spiritual matters is a gift. It's a privilege that we dare not squander. Those who acquire spiritual understanding and make good use of it will get more. But those who don't will find that the wisdom and knowledge that they have acquired will be taken away from them because they squander it. Really!<br />
<br />
So there are four (4) different things that happen when the Holy Spirit reveals Biblical truth, heavenly secrets and the will of God to us:<br />
<br />
1. Some hear, but don't understand. And the devil snatches away "what was sown in his heart."<br />
2. Some hear and understand, but never go deep. So in adversity, their faith fails them.<br />
3. Some hear and could understand - if they weren't so focused on worldly matters. So their faith is useless.<br />
4. Some hear and understand, and they obey. Their faith is fruitful and strong.<br />
<br />
There are many places in the Bible where a certain type of statement is made. Generally it goes something like this: <em>"Let those who have ears, hear. And let those who have eyes, see."</em> Just because you read something, see something, or hear something --- does NOT mean that you understand it. The fact that you have understanding, knowledge or wisdom does not mean that you'll take it to heart and act on it.<br />
<br />
So here's the thing. Wisdom and understanding are gifts from our heavenly Father. They're a privilege. And with them come sobering responsibilities. It really boils down to this what you know and what you're doing with what you know!Victorious Conquerorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15421384764145898367noreply@blogger.com0