CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) continues to vacillate and pontificate about providing more troops for Afghanistan. His ‘bitter half’ (Michelle Malkin’s gift to us) is in Copenhagen pandering for her gal pal Valerie Jarrett and all the other Chicago real estate thugs to have the 2016 Olympics come to Chicago where city government is only working 3-4 days a week for official pay. Financial hard times have hit graft and corruption too I guess. Jarrett and Oprah Winfrey are going to get their share off the top and we’re going to pay for it.
Meanwhile, CINCO continues to let the troops languish in Afghanistan…feels like Vietnam all over again with Ted Kennedy decrying the fight for Dong Ap Bia while trying to interrupt needed arms and supplies to those who were fighting. Nothing has changed 40 years later with the same sick mentality toward the American soldier by the socialists in our government…this time it’s the worst example of a leftist/socialist president in our history. All the spin-doctoring and media blitzing won’t help this situation. I’ve got that bad ol’ feeling.
I hope you’re awake America. Here’s the hope and change you voted for – there is no hope for the safety and security of the world much less the USA and the change, well it is all that we’ll have left when CINCO finishes raiding everyone’s American dream.
Call, write, fax and email your Senators and Congressional representatives. This freefall into destruction has to be stopped. This isn’t about healthcare, climate change or anything other than political cronyism and converting the USA into a 3rd world country. Have you had enough yet? Or do you need to keep suffering?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Always Vigilant
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”
The reward for eternal vigilance and faith is eternal life. Paul, in his letter to the churches at Thessaloniki, pressed urgently for them to remain faithful. Many were beginning to doubt that Christ would return, unlike some churches whose members quit work and sat on the hillside awaiting the eminent return of Jesus. Paul reminds us that God has fitted us for His salvation through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ on the cross. His encouragement is simple. Let us remain rational and clearheaded. Our strength lay in our faith and abiding love for God and one another as we look toward eternal life. What beauty there is in knowing what Jesus did for us on the cross. God loved us so very much that He gave His Son for us.
Prayer: Father thank you for continuing to love us in the time of our impatience and thoughtlessness. Guide us in Your holy will that we may wait upon You, knowing that You keep Your promises. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!
The reward for eternal vigilance and faith is eternal life. Paul, in his letter to the churches at Thessaloniki, pressed urgently for them to remain faithful. Many were beginning to doubt that Christ would return, unlike some churches whose members quit work and sat on the hillside awaiting the eminent return of Jesus. Paul reminds us that God has fitted us for His salvation through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ on the cross. His encouragement is simple. Let us remain rational and clearheaded. Our strength lay in our faith and abiding love for God and one another as we look toward eternal life. What beauty there is in knowing what Jesus did for us on the cross. God loved us so very much that He gave His Son for us.
Prayer: Father thank you for continuing to love us in the time of our impatience and thoughtlessness. Guide us in Your holy will that we may wait upon You, knowing that You keep Your promises. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Revolutionary Teaching
2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” My friend and fellow veteran Ed (you’ll see his name to the left under one of the ‘no-picture boxes’), sent me an email with this scripture. I have thought and prayed upon these words of God who spoke to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. I considered what these words mean to me today. My prayer is that somewhere among these words you too will find a message of promise from God.
“Turn from their wicked ways…” has a lot of gravity spiritually and communally. We as a people must recognize that the ACLU, who does Satan’s work, is diligently striving to destroy the very foundations of our experiment in freedom by removing each support premise that gives hope to the hapless, helpless and homeless of the world who were torn and destroyed by tyranny, fleeing that oppression to live freely and to worship God. The ACLU would have you believe that our founding Fathers were secularists who didn’t let one iota or scintilla of scripture, prayer or spiritual device seep into our documents of original founding. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The Revolution in America didn’t happen in the meeting houses and town halls where the tyrannical British government watched and listened for seditious acts and words. The Revolution came in the Churches of this great land. Just as the Civil Rights movement wasn’t born in the 1960s rather in the belly of the slave ships and in the plantation slave churches across the land. Revolution came from within the spiritual being of this nation and was nurtured by prayer, worship and faithful devotion to God’s Holy Word, the greatest of all revolutionaries, Jesus Christ. Go to worship. Become a revolutionary in your community. Take God’s plea to the world. Tell Satan and his ACLU that we will no longer allow the mighty Word of God to be silent!!
Prayer: Father, hear our prayer. We come humbly before You and seek Your powerful love for our liberation from tyranny. Forgive our sins. Hear our prayers, for we offer these prayers in the powerful Name of Jesus. AMEN
“Turn from their wicked ways…” has a lot of gravity spiritually and communally. We as a people must recognize that the ACLU, who does Satan’s work, is diligently striving to destroy the very foundations of our experiment in freedom by removing each support premise that gives hope to the hapless, helpless and homeless of the world who were torn and destroyed by tyranny, fleeing that oppression to live freely and to worship God. The ACLU would have you believe that our founding Fathers were secularists who didn’t let one iota or scintilla of scripture, prayer or spiritual device seep into our documents of original founding. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The Revolution in America didn’t happen in the meeting houses and town halls where the tyrannical British government watched and listened for seditious acts and words. The Revolution came in the Churches of this great land. Just as the Civil Rights movement wasn’t born in the 1960s rather in the belly of the slave ships and in the plantation slave churches across the land. Revolution came from within the spiritual being of this nation and was nurtured by prayer, worship and faithful devotion to God’s Holy Word, the greatest of all revolutionaries, Jesus Christ. Go to worship. Become a revolutionary in your community. Take God’s plea to the world. Tell Satan and his ACLU that we will no longer allow the mighty Word of God to be silent!!
Prayer: Father, hear our prayer. We come humbly before You and seek Your powerful love for our liberation from tyranny. Forgive our sins. Hear our prayers, for we offer these prayers in the powerful Name of Jesus. AMEN
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
From my buddy Hutch who says he didn’t originate this but he willingly forwarded it to me. I claim no authorship either but I will reprint this for those who haven’t yet received the email:
“Let me get this straight, Obama’s healthcare plan will be:
1. Written by a committee whose head says he doesn’t understand it;
2. Passed by a Congress that hasn’t read it, and whose members will
be exempt from it
3. Signed by a President who smokes;
4. Funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes
5. Overseen by a surgeon general who is obese
6. Financed by a country that is broke
What could possibly go wrong?”
“Let me get this straight, Obama’s healthcare plan will be:
1. Written by a committee whose head says he doesn’t understand it;
2. Passed by a Congress that hasn’t read it, and whose members will
be exempt from it
3. Signed by a President who smokes;
4. Funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes
5. Overseen by a surgeon general who is obese
6. Financed by a country that is broke
What could possibly go wrong?”
Copenhagen and why?
I'm a little slow sometimes but in my wildest imagination I couldn’t establish a scenario where a sitting President would abandon his generals, a raging healthcare debate, a crushing economic malaise to take a junket to Copenhagen to lobby for his hometown getting the 2016 Olympics. Well Michelle Malkin nailed it dead on. In her book, Culture of Corruption (pages 48-52 especially 52), she reveals that Valerie Jarrett is the head of the Chicago Olympic Committee and directed the housing development, Grove Parc Apartments, which has been run into the ground under her watch and Grove Parc ‘sits in the shadows of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Stadium.' So the Obamas have to pay back Oprah (a Jarrett pal and confidante) and Jarrett. This story is not new it was run in the Chicago Sun Times, April 13, 2007. You can get it at this website http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/340351,CST-NWS-oly13.article . Check it out this is disgusting. Obamas once again prove that they are nothing more than the marionettes of the Chicago-political machine.
Monday, September 28, 2009
CINCO and Danish please
In the middle of an issue that Secretary of State Clinton and CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) should be working diligently to resolve, CINCO heads to Copenhagen to play with the Olympic Games. What is going on? Can some rational person fill me in on why these games are so important to Chicago, known formerly as the Hog Butcher to the World (Chicago, Carl Sandburg, 1916)? So maybe it’s just that title of butcher that we should be attuned to. Liberty is being led to the slaughter by none other than a Chicago politician, notorious in his relationships with those who would carve up the careers of their opponents just to satisfy their lust for power and their corrupt greed that feeds on itself and produces offspring which in turn propagate exponentially. Liberty and freedom for the world is at risk.
None is more obvious than CINCO calling on Zbignew Brzezinski as his foreign policy and defense advisor recently, “In a shocking development with major geopolitical implications, former National Security Advisor and current man on point for the Western Imperialists Zbignew Brzezinski has publicly stated that the United States Air Force will confront any Israeli fighter jets flying over Iraq if Israel attempts to attack Iran, "We are not exactly impotent little babies. They have to fly over our airspace in Iraq. Are we just going to sit there and watch? We have to be serious about denying them that right. That means a denial where you aren't just saying it. If they fly over, you go up and confront them. They have the choice of turning back or not. No one wishes for this but it could be a 'Liberty' in reverse." (http://www.iraq-war.ru/article/206343).
So now what? Is this just a random comment by an elitist who wishes to remain in the public eye? Or is it just a tip of the proverbial iceberg? Michelle Malkin did some exhaustive research into another character in the Obama-hates-Israel-drama. Take a look at former Obama nominee to be director of the National Intelligence Council (thanks to Michelle Malkin again, Culture of Corruption) Charles Freeman. The condensed version of his history is that he’s a hater of Israel and traditionally has bashed Jews for ‘whatever’ the topic of the day has been. Is this passing ‘thought by Brzezinski just a Freudian slip or are both of these characters part of this drama to eviscerate Israel? I think it’s the latter, they really want to do harm to Israel and aid the causes of the Muslim jihadists. So, while CINCO is enjoying Danish and coffee, healthcare founders and Israel is left to its own devices.
None is more obvious than CINCO calling on Zbignew Brzezinski as his foreign policy and defense advisor recently, “In a shocking development with major geopolitical implications, former National Security Advisor and current man on point for the Western Imperialists Zbignew Brzezinski has publicly stated that the United States Air Force will confront any Israeli fighter jets flying over Iraq if Israel attempts to attack Iran, "We are not exactly impotent little babies. They have to fly over our airspace in Iraq. Are we just going to sit there and watch? We have to be serious about denying them that right. That means a denial where you aren't just saying it. If they fly over, you go up and confront them. They have the choice of turning back or not. No one wishes for this but it could be a 'Liberty' in reverse." (http://www.iraq-war.ru/article/206343).
So now what? Is this just a random comment by an elitist who wishes to remain in the public eye? Or is it just a tip of the proverbial iceberg? Michelle Malkin did some exhaustive research into another character in the Obama-hates-Israel-drama. Take a look at former Obama nominee to be director of the National Intelligence Council (thanks to Michelle Malkin again, Culture of Corruption) Charles Freeman. The condensed version of his history is that he’s a hater of Israel and traditionally has bashed Jews for ‘whatever’ the topic of the day has been. Is this passing ‘thought by Brzezinski just a Freudian slip or are both of these characters part of this drama to eviscerate Israel? I think it’s the latter, they really want to do harm to Israel and aid the causes of the Muslim jihadists. So, while CINCO is enjoying Danish and coffee, healthcare founders and Israel is left to its own devices.
Penance
Joel 1:13-14, “Put on sackcloth and lament, you priests; wail, you ministers of the altar. Come, pass the night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God! Grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God. Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.” As the faithful Jews of the world gather in their holy sanctuaries for prayer and worship this Day of Atonement, let us pray with them the confession and cleansing of people in need of repentance and a return to holy living.
We hurry about daily without regard to what God expects of us. We rush about getting ‘things’ done on our to-do lists and we forget what God wants and needs from us. We have our agenda and our list to do. We also need to repent and to come clean with God. At a time when the world is rising against Israel and the Jewish people again, let’s take this time to come together in prayer and repentance with the Jewish people.
Prayer: Redeemer God who loves us when we are unlovable and seeks us when we are unwanted, thank you for loving and seeking us. Cleanse our hearts; make pure our ways, hear our prayers of confession and our heart rent repentance. Forgive us Father where we have failed you and failed one another. Help us to live upright and holy lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN!
We hurry about daily without regard to what God expects of us. We rush about getting ‘things’ done on our to-do lists and we forget what God wants and needs from us. We have our agenda and our list to do. We also need to repent and to come clean with God. At a time when the world is rising against Israel and the Jewish people again, let’s take this time to come together in prayer and repentance with the Jewish people.
Prayer: Redeemer God who loves us when we are unlovable and seeks us when we are unwanted, thank you for loving and seeking us. Cleanse our hearts; make pure our ways, hear our prayers of confession and our heart rent repentance. Forgive us Father where we have failed you and failed one another. Help us to live upright and holy lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN!
Shame America Continues
CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) is an apologist for and a true believer in socialism. His world tour of shame to belittle and decry the economic freedom of this nation has been at the expense of millions of patriots who have spent their lives in defense of liberty and justice for all. General McChrystal needs 40,000 more troops in Afghanistan and CINCO is thinking about it. CINCO removes the radar and missile defense shields from Poland and the Czech Republic without so much as a blink when his Soviet-style handlers glare at him. The entire war effort hangs in the balance and CINCO knows that this will be the best way to humiliate the United States is to ‘fiddle-while-U.S. troops-die’ and therefore level the same humiliation upon the United States that his Soviet handlers experienced in Afghanistan at the hands of his Muslim brothers. CINCO is determined to destroy this nation. So what does he do today?
Today we learn that CINCO is going to Copenhagen to pander for the Olympic Games to come to the epicenter of corruption – Chicago. When the citizens of Atlanta wanted the Olympic Games in Atlanta they didn’t ask for Clinton to go, the mayor, former mayors and business people went to lobby for Atlanta’s bid. CINCO, his ‘bitter half’ (thanks to Michelle Malkin for that moniker) and Oprah Winfrey the ‘drooler-in-waiting’ will be winging their way to Copenhagen on yet another junket to a place where Comrade Obama has not visited before it gets destroyed by the great destroyer for whom he is a minion.
The apologist for the ‘shame America crowd’ is on his destruction tour. We have a choice to act or to be silent. What say you? Have you had enough yet?
Today we learn that CINCO is going to Copenhagen to pander for the Olympic Games to come to the epicenter of corruption – Chicago. When the citizens of Atlanta wanted the Olympic Games in Atlanta they didn’t ask for Clinton to go, the mayor, former mayors and business people went to lobby for Atlanta’s bid. CINCO, his ‘bitter half’ (thanks to Michelle Malkin for that moniker) and Oprah Winfrey the ‘drooler-in-waiting’ will be winging their way to Copenhagen on yet another junket to a place where Comrade Obama has not visited before it gets destroyed by the great destroyer for whom he is a minion.
The apologist for the ‘shame America crowd’ is on his destruction tour. We have a choice to act or to be silent. What say you? Have you had enough yet?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Psalm 3
“O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying to me, “There is no help for you in God.”
Selah
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill.
Selah
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Rise up, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the LORD; may your blessing be on your people!
Selah”
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.” What a comfort to know that when our head goes down on the pillow that there is none but God for sustenance. When we sleep He watches over us and keeps us and when we awake He awakens us with the gentleness of God our Creator. There was a saint in a former church family whose prayer at the end of each Bible study was simple, “We go to sleep with you, please wake us again in the morning to serve you.” Sabbath rest and refreshment as God blesses our sleep to wake us again to His service.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, rock us gently to our rest and wake us gently in the morn. May we follow You with the grace and love toward others that You have shown to us. We pray this in the redeeming Name of Jesus. AMEN!
Selah
But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
I cry aloud to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill.
Selah
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Rise up, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the LORD; may your blessing be on your people!
Selah”
“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me.” What a comfort to know that when our head goes down on the pillow that there is none but God for sustenance. When we sleep He watches over us and keeps us and when we awake He awakens us with the gentleness of God our Creator. There was a saint in a former church family whose prayer at the end of each Bible study was simple, “We go to sleep with you, please wake us again in the morning to serve you.” Sabbath rest and refreshment as God blesses our sleep to wake us again to His service.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, rock us gently to our rest and wake us gently in the morn. May we follow You with the grace and love toward others that You have shown to us. We pray this in the redeeming Name of Jesus. AMEN!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
How do we do this?
Colossians 1:15-23, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He Himself is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before Him—provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.”
Our eternity is secured through Jesus Christ. As Paul systematically explains, God’s love and grace through the redeeming act of His Son Jesus Christ gave us new birth. Jesus is the New Adam. Reconciliation of our broken selves back to God is all that God has ever desired and it took God’s startling act of grace in Incarnation, suffering death and resurrection for us each to have a Way back to Him. Jesus Christ is the only Way back to God. It is our obligation to God that we remain strong in our practice of faith through prayer, Biblical study, worship, Christian conferencing, tithing and service.
What do we do each day that doesn’t bring glory to God in our practice of faith? Those things divert attention away from God and are idolatrous. We should begin our day in prayer with a thanks be to God for the day that wasn’t promised and pray for God’s guidance that this day will be a day blessed in His holy will. We must spend time each day with God’s holy history in humanity and His holy purpose for our lives as provided us in the Bible – in short we need to study God’s Word. Once even twice a week we should come together in a community of faith to worship God together. From that experience in worship our attending to small groups within the church allows us to have Christian conference or conversation with others thereby strengthening our own practices in faith and learning what others do each day. We must give the first tenth of our harvest to God – it’s His. And yes, God expects us to live and labor in His Creation doing so with a joyful and servant heart. Living our lives in service to God means that we also serve one another – minister to one another. We do all these things as a response in faith to what God has done through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, you have given us so much that our efforts to say ‘thank you’ seem inadequate. We thank you and praise you continually for what You did through Jesus Christ to reconcile us back to You. Guide us through this day. See to it that we stay Your course in Your Will and in Your love. In the redeeming Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN!
Our eternity is secured through Jesus Christ. As Paul systematically explains, God’s love and grace through the redeeming act of His Son Jesus Christ gave us new birth. Jesus is the New Adam. Reconciliation of our broken selves back to God is all that God has ever desired and it took God’s startling act of grace in Incarnation, suffering death and resurrection for us each to have a Way back to Him. Jesus Christ is the only Way back to God. It is our obligation to God that we remain strong in our practice of faith through prayer, Biblical study, worship, Christian conferencing, tithing and service.
What do we do each day that doesn’t bring glory to God in our practice of faith? Those things divert attention away from God and are idolatrous. We should begin our day in prayer with a thanks be to God for the day that wasn’t promised and pray for God’s guidance that this day will be a day blessed in His holy will. We must spend time each day with God’s holy history in humanity and His holy purpose for our lives as provided us in the Bible – in short we need to study God’s Word. Once even twice a week we should come together in a community of faith to worship God together. From that experience in worship our attending to small groups within the church allows us to have Christian conference or conversation with others thereby strengthening our own practices in faith and learning what others do each day. We must give the first tenth of our harvest to God – it’s His. And yes, God expects us to live and labor in His Creation doing so with a joyful and servant heart. Living our lives in service to God means that we also serve one another – minister to one another. We do all these things as a response in faith to what God has done through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, you have given us so much that our efforts to say ‘thank you’ seem inadequate. We thank you and praise you continually for what You did through Jesus Christ to reconcile us back to You. Guide us through this day. See to it that we stay Your course in Your Will and in Your love. In the redeeming Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Yom Kippur
Leviticus 16:29-30, “...In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD.”
Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri. The holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26ff, “The L-RD spoke to Moses, saying: Now, the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall deny yourselves and present the L-RD’S offering by fire.” The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. In Days of Awe, I mentioned the "books" in which G-d inscribes all of our names. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.
As I noted in Days of Awe, Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Talmud also specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes (Orthodox Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.
As always, any of these restrictions can be lifted where a threat to life or health is involved. In fact, children under the age of nine and women in childbirth (from the time labor begins until three days after birth) are not permitted to fast, even if they want to. Older children and women from the third to the seventh day after childbirth are permitted to fast, but are permitted to break the fast if they feel the need to do so. People with other illnesses should consult a physician and a rabbi for advice.
Most of the holiday is spent in the synagogue, in prayer. In Orthodox synagogues, services begin early in the morning (8 or 9 AM) and continue until about 3 PM. People then usually go home for an afternoon nap and return around 5 or 6 PM for the afternoon and evening services, which continue until nightfall. The services end at nightfall, with the blowing of the tekiah gedolah, a long blast on the shofar. See Rosh Hashanah for more about the shofar and its characteristic blasts. It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool"). Some people wear a kittel, the white robe in which the dead are buried.
For more on Judaism, its culture and practices, go to this website: http://www.jewfaq.org/. There is so much to be learned by each of us that resources must be shared. They have provided such a wonderful assortment of materials that I prefer to use theirs and therefore thank my brothers and sisters at Judaism 101. L’chaim and Shalom in this day of atonement - may we share this moment with you!
Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri. The holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26ff, “The L-RD spoke to Moses, saying: Now, the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you: you shall deny yourselves and present the L-RD’S offering by fire.” The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. In Days of Awe, I mentioned the "books" in which G-d inscribes all of our names. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.
As I noted in Days of Awe, Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Talmud also specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes (Orthodox Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.
As always, any of these restrictions can be lifted where a threat to life or health is involved. In fact, children under the age of nine and women in childbirth (from the time labor begins until three days after birth) are not permitted to fast, even if they want to. Older children and women from the third to the seventh day after childbirth are permitted to fast, but are permitted to break the fast if they feel the need to do so. People with other illnesses should consult a physician and a rabbi for advice.
Most of the holiday is spent in the synagogue, in prayer. In Orthodox synagogues, services begin early in the morning (8 or 9 AM) and continue until about 3 PM. People then usually go home for an afternoon nap and return around 5 or 6 PM for the afternoon and evening services, which continue until nightfall. The services end at nightfall, with the blowing of the tekiah gedolah, a long blast on the shofar. See Rosh Hashanah for more about the shofar and its characteristic blasts. It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool"). Some people wear a kittel, the white robe in which the dead are buried.
For more on Judaism, its culture and practices, go to this website: http://www.jewfaq.org/. There is so much to be learned by each of us that resources must be shared. They have provided such a wonderful assortment of materials that I prefer to use theirs and therefore thank my brothers and sisters at Judaism 101. L’chaim and Shalom in this day of atonement - may we share this moment with you!
False messiahs
Matthew 24:15-28, “So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
There is a significant amount of talk these days about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In a like manner there is a considerable discussion about false messiahs and the anti-Christ. Matthew and Mark both bear witness to Jesus’ warnings about these times. We have a president who did not deny or refute a messianic accolade during his campaigning. Remember this well, “if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out.” So many people want to believe in hope that they will leap to the first person who seems to epitomize and envisage hope. Being faithful in our study of God’s Holy Word and constant in our vigilance through prayer and Christian conference we can discern true hope and promise.
Prayer: Father help us discern Your Presence among us. We get so caught up with celebrity that we fail in our duty to You. Fill us with Your discerning Spirit and guide us to our eternal promise. In Jesus’ redeeming Name we pray. AMEN.
There is a significant amount of talk these days about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In a like manner there is a considerable discussion about false messiahs and the anti-Christ. Matthew and Mark both bear witness to Jesus’ warnings about these times. We have a president who did not deny or refute a messianic accolade during his campaigning. Remember this well, “if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out.” So many people want to believe in hope that they will leap to the first person who seems to epitomize and envisage hope. Being faithful in our study of God’s Holy Word and constant in our vigilance through prayer and Christian conference we can discern true hope and promise.
Prayer: Father help us discern Your Presence among us. We get so caught up with celebrity that we fail in our duty to You. Fill us with Your discerning Spirit and guide us to our eternal promise. In Jesus’ redeeming Name we pray. AMEN.
Animal Farm?
I’ve been reading Michelle Malkin’s book, Culture of Corruption. She reserved approximately 100 pages for her references and footnotes. Her journalistic skills and her passion for the truth are heartening. She systematically and carefully peels apart the layers of corruption that fomented CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama). Other than Lyndon Johnson and Bill Clinton I cannot think of another president who has surrounded himself and been immersed in such corrupt practices. As I read her book my thoughts turn back to another seminal work by George Orwell, Animal Farm, where the conclusion drawn is ‘that some animals are more equal than others.’
We are living in Animal Farm with its Culture of Corruption. Friends, there is much work to do before the 2010 elections. I hope that everyone who is reading this won’t just take my word for it but take responsibility for informing yourself. Don’t use just one resource. When you perform searches across the internet, beware that Google is a major contributor to CINCO’s campaign and currently provides statistical data to CINCO and his sycophants. Read Michelle Malkin’s book, it’s a great place to get started.
We are living in Animal Farm with its Culture of Corruption. Friends, there is much work to do before the 2010 elections. I hope that everyone who is reading this won’t just take my word for it but take responsibility for informing yourself. Don’t use just one resource. When you perform searches across the internet, beware that Google is a major contributor to CINCO’s campaign and currently provides statistical data to CINCO and his sycophants. Read Michelle Malkin’s book, it’s a great place to get started.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
O God, what have we done?
Ezra 4:1-4, “When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of families and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of King Esar-haddon of Assyria who brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of families in Israel said to them, “You shall have no part with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia has commanded us.” Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build, 5and they bribed officials to frustrate their plan throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.”
Political pressure, political correctness and heavy-handed rule come to mind when reading Ezra’s witness. We live in this same world we can easily be dissuaded to take one direction or other when pressure is brought to bear. Politicians refer to that as ‘political capital,’ cynics refer to ‘having negatives of incriminating photographs’ that can be used as blackmail or extortion to get their objectives or desires met.
Can you imagine or sense what God must feel when He sees us behaving this way; especially after His Incarnation, life, suffering, death and resurrection?
Prayer: Father we act so foolishly thinking that we can use You to get what we want. Correct us – straighten out our crooked paths. Grab us by our lapels. We have failed to love You and to love one another. Please forgive us and help us open our heart to everyone. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.
Political pressure, political correctness and heavy-handed rule come to mind when reading Ezra’s witness. We live in this same world we can easily be dissuaded to take one direction or other when pressure is brought to bear. Politicians refer to that as ‘political capital,’ cynics refer to ‘having negatives of incriminating photographs’ that can be used as blackmail or extortion to get their objectives or desires met.
Can you imagine or sense what God must feel when He sees us behaving this way; especially after His Incarnation, life, suffering, death and resurrection?
Prayer: Father we act so foolishly thinking that we can use You to get what we want. Correct us – straighten out our crooked paths. Grab us by our lapels. We have failed to love You and to love one another. Please forgive us and help us open our heart to everyone. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.
cui bono
Tomorrow an estimated 50,000 Muslims are going to appear in Washington D.C. to pray (jummah) on the Capitol steps as a show of patriotism. Why now? Eight years after Islamic jihadists attacked the United States as the great satan and they were silent? There’s a phrase in Latin that best describes this: cui bono. This Latin phrase, “That is used either to suggest a hidden motive or to indicate that the party responsible for a thing may not be who it appears at first to be, (http://www.babylon.com/define/112/Latin-Dictionary.html).” What is the hidden motive for this sudden desire to pray on the Capitol steps?
CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) refused to recognize a National Day of prayer or even dignify a day yet he encourages this spectacle. “The event will not include political speeches or placards, just prayer, said Hassen Abdellah, president of Dar-ul-Islam and a main organizer of the event, which is scheduled for Sept. 25, (http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/56825237.html).”
Hassen Abdellah is an attorney in Elizabeth New Jersey. Abdellah has defended al Qaeda operatives and front men and he wants to tell us that this is non-political. I’m not buying any of this. CINCO is revealing his true north by ignoring a National Day of prayer and encouraging this radical Islamist to front a jummah as patriotic. Is this patriotic like speaking out against President Bush or unpatriotic like speaking out against your radical socialist agenda Mullah Obama? Cui bono CINCO? Political payback for all that contrived support?
CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) refused to recognize a National Day of prayer or even dignify a day yet he encourages this spectacle. “The event will not include political speeches or placards, just prayer, said Hassen Abdellah, president of Dar-ul-Islam and a main organizer of the event, which is scheduled for Sept. 25, (http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/56825237.html).”
Hassen Abdellah is an attorney in Elizabeth New Jersey. Abdellah has defended al Qaeda operatives and front men and he wants to tell us that this is non-political. I’m not buying any of this. CINCO is revealing his true north by ignoring a National Day of prayer and encouraging this radical Islamist to front a jummah as patriotic. Is this patriotic like speaking out against President Bush or unpatriotic like speaking out against your radical socialist agenda Mullah Obama? Cui bono CINCO? Political payback for all that contrived support?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
National Confession
Nehemiah 9:32-37, “Now therefore, our God—the great and mighty and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love—do not treat lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings, our officials, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until today. You have been just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly; our kings, our officials, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law or heeded the commandments and the warnings that you gave them. Even in their own kingdom, and in the great goodness you bestowed on them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you and did not turn from their wicked works. Here we are, slaves to this day—slaves in the land that you gave to our ancestors to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts. Its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins; they have power also over our bodies and over our livestock at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.” Chapter 9 of Nehemiah reveals to us a national confession of Judah and Israel regarding their failure to follow God’s law. If you haven’t read chapter 9, please read it. This excerpt this morning heightens our knowledge of the behaviors that brought down the children of Abraham, of Israel and Judah.
Where are we in our own national, state, local and personal behavior? Have we confessed before God our sin? Have we faced our own ignoring of God’s law? Do we think that we will live out the age with little or no consequence? The day was spent in confession, prayer and worship led by Ezra, witnessed by Nehemiah and experienced by the faithful few, the repentant, the foreigner and the wicked. They stand starkly in recognition that others had harvested their yield because of their failures. Powerful words of warning.
Prayer: God our Creator and Redeemer we thank you for this day. We thank you for your redemption through Jesus Christ. We plead our cause with you O God, for we have failed to love you and we have failed to love our neighbor. Help us once again keep faithfully your law, returning completely to you. In the powerful Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN!
Where are we in our own national, state, local and personal behavior? Have we confessed before God our sin? Have we faced our own ignoring of God’s law? Do we think that we will live out the age with little or no consequence? The day was spent in confession, prayer and worship led by Ezra, witnessed by Nehemiah and experienced by the faithful few, the repentant, the foreigner and the wicked. They stand starkly in recognition that others had harvested their yield because of their failures. Powerful words of warning.
Prayer: God our Creator and Redeemer we thank you for this day. We thank you for your redemption through Jesus Christ. We plead our cause with you O God, for we have failed to love you and we have failed to love our neighbor. Help us once again keep faithfully your law, returning completely to you. In the powerful Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Bank of America - TRAITORS!!!!!!!
Bank of America is a traitor organization. I guess when you take $45 billion in taxpayer money at the cup of CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) there is a mandate that requires you to eschew patriotism and an American heritage.
Here’s what happened, “Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Fowlkes, 20, of Gaffney, S.C., died Sept. 10 from wounds sustained Sept. 3 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.” Wednesday, September 16, 2009 the City of Gaffney turned out to honor this native son and Marine hero with flags placed along the route.
The Branch Manager of the Bank of America in Gaffney, along the route for L/Cpl Fowlkes had the flags removed from the Bank of America property. When the lady who was putting out the flags noticed that there were no flags in front of the Bank of America location she naturally thought that she had missed them so she proceeded to place more flags. The branch manager came out and told her that it was against Bank of America policy to display any flags for fear of offending some customers. The lady who was placing the flags was shocked at what she was hearing. She was also told by the branch manager that she could go inside and get her other flags.
EXCUSE ME!!!! This company has the temerity to call itself Bank of America? It took $45 billion taxpayer dollars to fix what it broke and it doesn’t want to offend some of its customers? I’ll tell you quite bluntly that I will not do business with these people. I am writing them to complain. I urge you to write, email and call Bank of America and voice your opinion. Here’s how:
Bank of America
1602 W Floyd Baker Blvd
Gaffney, SC 29341-1206
(864) 487-3651
Email: kelly.e.sapp@bankofamerica.com
Let them know that this is wrong and unpatriotic. AND RETURN OUR MONEY TO US!!!!!
Here’s what happened, “Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Fowlkes, 20, of Gaffney, S.C., died Sept. 10 from wounds sustained Sept. 3 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.” Wednesday, September 16, 2009 the City of Gaffney turned out to honor this native son and Marine hero with flags placed along the route.
The Branch Manager of the Bank of America in Gaffney, along the route for L/Cpl Fowlkes had the flags removed from the Bank of America property. When the lady who was putting out the flags noticed that there were no flags in front of the Bank of America location she naturally thought that she had missed them so she proceeded to place more flags. The branch manager came out and told her that it was against Bank of America policy to display any flags for fear of offending some customers. The lady who was placing the flags was shocked at what she was hearing. She was also told by the branch manager that she could go inside and get her other flags.
EXCUSE ME!!!! This company has the temerity to call itself Bank of America? It took $45 billion taxpayer dollars to fix what it broke and it doesn’t want to offend some of its customers? I’ll tell you quite bluntly that I will not do business with these people. I am writing them to complain. I urge you to write, email and call Bank of America and voice your opinion. Here’s how:
Bank of America
1602 W Floyd Baker Blvd
Gaffney, SC 29341-1206
(864) 487-3651
Email: kelly.e.sapp@bankofamerica.com
Let them know that this is wrong and unpatriotic. AND RETURN OUR MONEY TO US!!!!!
Greed
Habakkuk 2:6-10, “Shall not everyone taunt such people and, with mocking riddles, say about them, “Alas for you who heap up what is not your own!” How long will you load yourselves with goods taken in pledge? Will not your own creditors suddenly rise, and those who make you tremble wake up? Then you will be booty for them. Because you have plundered many nations, all that survive of the peoples shall plunder you—because of human bloodshed, and violence to the earth, to cities and all who live in them. “Alas for you who get evil gain for your houses, setting your nest on high to be safe from the reach of harm!” You have devised shame for your house by cutting off many peoples; you have forfeited your life.” Who is Habakkuk? His writing is brief in Biblical length but the impact is powerful. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah. As you can tell from his powerful understanding of God’s desired relationship with us that Habakkuk spoke plainly and earnestly in hopes of humanity’s turn back to God and to restore our relationship with one another.
His words this morning reach into the very core of greed that has sapped the financial strength of our nation and its markets. The word overreach has been a recent development in the business world. What is really means is greed. Unfulfilled greed drives individuals to fulfill that need to possess and in Habakkuk’s words, “Alas for you who heap up what is not your own!” The warning is for today for those who disdain labor in favor of welfare, for those who feign disability in favor of dole, those who favor retreat instead of courage. There is no free lunch as the saying goes and Habakkuk reminds us today of God’s desire that we only use what is ours to use.
Prayer: Loving God, You have shown us mercy when we deserved justice, You have provided for us when we should have been chastised. Help us to be merciful, loving and faithful. Straighten us out and set us on the Way. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN!
His words this morning reach into the very core of greed that has sapped the financial strength of our nation and its markets. The word overreach has been a recent development in the business world. What is really means is greed. Unfulfilled greed drives individuals to fulfill that need to possess and in Habakkuk’s words, “Alas for you who heap up what is not your own!” The warning is for today for those who disdain labor in favor of welfare, for those who feign disability in favor of dole, those who favor retreat instead of courage. There is no free lunch as the saying goes and Habakkuk reminds us today of God’s desire that we only use what is ours to use.
Prayer: Loving God, You have shown us mercy when we deserved justice, You have provided for us when we should have been chastised. Help us to be merciful, loving and faithful. Straighten us out and set us on the Way. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN!
Chutzpah
There’s a Yiddish word that I need to translate into Southern. The word is chutzpah. In the South it translates into unmitigated gall. As I grudgingly watched David Letterman last night with CINCO (Comrade-in-Chief Obama) drooling out his socialism the word chutzpah flashed into my brain. David Letterman had the unmitigated gall to refer to town hall protesters as ‘rude’ and CINCO says we’re trying for fifteen minutes of fame. Wasn’t it David Letterman who maligned, slandered and libeled Sarah Palin and her daughter recently? And wasn’t it CINCO who thought that town hall meeting were simply the ‘best’ at getting in touch with America? What is going on with these two ‘also-rans’? CINCO is clueless about the duties of president and the desires of the nation while Letterman is a self-aggrandizing slanderer. There is a complete lack of decorum and decency and it was on public display last night.
If you need another reason to vote for someone other than CINCO in 2012 or someone other than the Demokrat from your district or senate seat chutzpah should suffice. They have the unmitigated gall to think that whatever they ram through is for ‘our own good.’
If you need another reason to vote for someone other than CINCO in 2012 or someone other than the Demokrat from your district or senate seat chutzpah should suffice. They have the unmitigated gall to think that whatever they ram through is for ‘our own good.’
Monday, September 21, 2009
Psalmody and praise
Psalm 34:1-3, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” In modern theological conversation we would refer to the metered and lyrical use of Psalm 34ff such as Stuart Dauermann’s "Let Us Exalt His Name" as psalmody. Psalmody, according Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is “1: the act, practice, or art of singing Psalms in worship or 2: a collection of Psalms.” So why is this important to us?
In our worship services as Christians and in some Jewish congregations we sing hymns. Many of these hymns are directly lifted from the Psalms or are the Psalms. The early church used a characteristic form of Psalmody. This characteristic manner of singing was usually highlighted with antiphony. Antiphony is a “responsive alternation between two groups especially of singers (op. cit. Merriam-Webster).” While in seminary I often started my day in the prayer chapel with members of the Order of St. Luke who led the prayer chapel in antiphonal recitation and singing often chanting of the Psalms, followed closely with prayer. The marble floors and the limestone and concrete walls echoed those deeply felt and quietly spoken prayers. There is a purity and holy feel to Morning Prayer when done in collect before the cacophony of the day has crowded them out.
Prayer: Loving God, we come in Holy silence before You. We praise You and thank You. You are our God and we are Your people. Help us keep the day holy, righteous and pure done entirely in Your Holy Will. We pray this in the redeeming Name of Jesus. AMEN
In our worship services as Christians and in some Jewish congregations we sing hymns. Many of these hymns are directly lifted from the Psalms or are the Psalms. The early church used a characteristic form of Psalmody. This characteristic manner of singing was usually highlighted with antiphony. Antiphony is a “responsive alternation between two groups especially of singers (op. cit. Merriam-Webster).” While in seminary I often started my day in the prayer chapel with members of the Order of St. Luke who led the prayer chapel in antiphonal recitation and singing often chanting of the Psalms, followed closely with prayer. The marble floors and the limestone and concrete walls echoed those deeply felt and quietly spoken prayers. There is a purity and holy feel to Morning Prayer when done in collect before the cacophony of the day has crowded them out.
Prayer: Loving God, we come in Holy silence before You. We praise You and thank You. You are our God and we are Your people. Help us keep the day holy, righteous and pure done entirely in Your Holy Will. We pray this in the redeeming Name of Jesus. AMEN
CINCO
I wondered how the weekend blitz by Comrade-in-Chief Obama (CINCO) would ‘reinvigorate’ his socialist dreams of a United Socialist States of America. It didn’t take long for the main stream media (MSM) to begin identifying chinks in the socialist armor of CINCO. The MSM have been willing co-conspirators in CINCO’s plan for America’s descent into socialism but suddenly they seem skeptical, even the usually amenable New York Times is questioning how CINCO’s healthcare will be revenue neutral and the conciliatory George Stephanopoulos at ABC was less than forgiving when CINCO began changing the definitions of taxes. If you haven’t heard taxes are levies, assessments, fees and fines.
Then there is the Cap and Trade legislation that is proffered as a balm to jobs and a cleaner environment – at the cost of $1800 per household. Set your thermostats lower in the winter say 60 degrees Fahrenheit or even lower to consume lower amounts of fuel and when we conserve the utilities will increase the rates to offset their increases labor costs. Oh yeah did I forget to mention the Card Check Bill that the labor thugs uh unions want rammed down our throats? No more secret ballots and every business will have to have unions…more costs.
What else? CINCO has more time to chastise Kanye West than to pay attention to the outrageous behavior of ACORN for whom he was retained as legal counsel and of whom it was he said that they shared the same values and received $800,000 in campaign funds to get out the vote for him. ACORN is getting defunded by Congress for the outrageous behaviors of their leadership and CINCO barely noticed?
Then CINCO says that town hall meetings are filled with rude people and that they have gotten out of hand. He now doesn’t like them but during the campaign he was passionate about having town hall meetings. Suddenly when America has had enough and speaks up CINCO is afraid of town hall meetings. CINCO also means Coward-in-Chief Obama.
Poland and the Czech Republic are no longer swooning over CINCO. Instead they are languishing in the shadow of Mother Russian and its KGB chief Putin. A totalitarian by any other name is still a Bolshevik. So CINCO caved in to his Bolshevik handlers and did away with the missile defenses in Poland and the Czech Republic in favor of a floating system.
General McChrystal needs more troops for Afghanistan and needs them yesterday. CINCO, during the campaign, said that Afghanistan is the war that we should be fighting is now scrambling to cover his radical left base by ‘thinking about’ the need. While he thinks American war fighters are dying.
Where are we America? Are you getting the change you thought you’d get when you voted for CINCO? Or are we getting short-changed? Every issue is a hot potato and CINCO can’t even get one right.
Then there is the Cap and Trade legislation that is proffered as a balm to jobs and a cleaner environment – at the cost of $1800 per household. Set your thermostats lower in the winter say 60 degrees Fahrenheit or even lower to consume lower amounts of fuel and when we conserve the utilities will increase the rates to offset their increases labor costs. Oh yeah did I forget to mention the Card Check Bill that the labor thugs uh unions want rammed down our throats? No more secret ballots and every business will have to have unions…more costs.
What else? CINCO has more time to chastise Kanye West than to pay attention to the outrageous behavior of ACORN for whom he was retained as legal counsel and of whom it was he said that they shared the same values and received $800,000 in campaign funds to get out the vote for him. ACORN is getting defunded by Congress for the outrageous behaviors of their leadership and CINCO barely noticed?
Then CINCO says that town hall meetings are filled with rude people and that they have gotten out of hand. He now doesn’t like them but during the campaign he was passionate about having town hall meetings. Suddenly when America has had enough and speaks up CINCO is afraid of town hall meetings. CINCO also means Coward-in-Chief Obama.
Poland and the Czech Republic are no longer swooning over CINCO. Instead they are languishing in the shadow of Mother Russian and its KGB chief Putin. A totalitarian by any other name is still a Bolshevik. So CINCO caved in to his Bolshevik handlers and did away with the missile defenses in Poland and the Czech Republic in favor of a floating system.
General McChrystal needs more troops for Afghanistan and needs them yesterday. CINCO, during the campaign, said that Afghanistan is the war that we should be fighting is now scrambling to cover his radical left base by ‘thinking about’ the need. While he thinks American war fighters are dying.
Where are we America? Are you getting the change you thought you’d get when you voted for CINCO? Or are we getting short-changed? Every issue is a hot potato and CINCO can’t even get one right.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Broken Covenant
Nehemiah 1:4-11, “When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”
Nehemiah was in captivity when he learned of the destruction of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. He was devastated. Nehemiah tells God that he knows the faithfulness of God and begs God’s mercy in sparing Jerusalem. Nehemiah also knows what God knows and that is that the people of Jerusalem nee Israel have sinned against God and that they have not kept covenant. Nehemiah in his confession of sin, doesn’t ask God for justice, rather he begs for mercy. He knows that we must first confess our sins to God, ask forgiveness and finally repent. Why are we waiting? Do we want mercy before we have to beg? We broke covenant – God didn’t.
Prayer: Hear our prayers O God. You created us in your very image but we have fallen to sin. Forgive us we pray. Guide us in Your Holy Way – through Your Son Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Nehemiah was in captivity when he learned of the destruction of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. He was devastated. Nehemiah tells God that he knows the faithfulness of God and begs God’s mercy in sparing Jerusalem. Nehemiah also knows what God knows and that is that the people of Jerusalem nee Israel have sinned against God and that they have not kept covenant. Nehemiah in his confession of sin, doesn’t ask God for justice, rather he begs for mercy. He knows that we must first confess our sins to God, ask forgiveness and finally repent. Why are we waiting? Do we want mercy before we have to beg? We broke covenant – God didn’t.
Prayer: Hear our prayers O God. You created us in your very image but we have fallen to sin. Forgive us we pray. Guide us in Your Holy Way – through Your Son Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Here I am Lord!
1 Samuel 3:1-9, “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”
Don’t you love this exchange with Eli and Samuel and Samuel and God? God was calling Samuel and he didn’t realize it. How often do we find ourselves in a similar place? Notice that the witness about Samuel’s call by God came in an age when visions and the spoken word from God were ‘rare.’ It appears as though God is remedying that lack of awareness by humans of God’s presence and intent for us. So He spoke to a very young man named Samuel. God introduces and ushers in a longevity of witness.
I knew a church member who fought against God’s call until one day she relented and she said, “Here I am Lord.” Reminiscent of Samuel. Have you responded “Here I am Lord?” It sure feels good to yield to God and no matter what else happens you will always feel known by God.
Prayer: Here I am Lord. Use me for Your Holy purpose. Direct Your will to be my will. You know the struggles and You also know that if we would but yield to You that our angst in the struggle would vanish. Please let Your will be done in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN
Don’t you love this exchange with Eli and Samuel and Samuel and God? God was calling Samuel and he didn’t realize it. How often do we find ourselves in a similar place? Notice that the witness about Samuel’s call by God came in an age when visions and the spoken word from God were ‘rare.’ It appears as though God is remedying that lack of awareness by humans of God’s presence and intent for us. So He spoke to a very young man named Samuel. God introduces and ushers in a longevity of witness.
I knew a church member who fought against God’s call until one day she relented and she said, “Here I am Lord.” Reminiscent of Samuel. Have you responded “Here I am Lord?” It sure feels good to yield to God and no matter what else happens you will always feel known by God.
Prayer: Here I am Lord. Use me for Your Holy purpose. Direct Your will to be my will. You know the struggles and You also know that if we would but yield to You that our angst in the struggle would vanish. Please let Your will be done in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN
Friday, September 18, 2009
What I expect from a President of the United States of America
What I expect from a President of the United States of America:
1. That he or she, upon rising from sleep, goes to his or her knees in prayer, thanking God for the privilege of serving, asking God to guide and direct his or her every thought and action in leading this Great City upon the Hill and to ensure that he or she upholds his or her sworn oath of office.
2. That partisan politics are set aside for the term to aspire to serving God and “We the People,” in order to form a “More perfect union.”
3. That integrity and character reflect the office in his or her person.
4. That every waking thought is about preserving the United States of America as the land of the free and the home of the brave…where those who choose to be her citizens do so willingly and defend her willingly.
5. That he or she is humbled with the duties and responsibilities of the office and projects this Nation as proud, honorable and free to the entire world.
6. That when he or she goes to bed at night prays God’s mercy and forgiveness upon confessing his or her sins, repenting seeking God’s blessing knowing full well that tomorrow is not promised.
This is the minimum.
1. That he or she, upon rising from sleep, goes to his or her knees in prayer, thanking God for the privilege of serving, asking God to guide and direct his or her every thought and action in leading this Great City upon the Hill and to ensure that he or she upholds his or her sworn oath of office.
2. That partisan politics are set aside for the term to aspire to serving God and “We the People,” in order to form a “More perfect union.”
3. That integrity and character reflect the office in his or her person.
4. That every waking thought is about preserving the United States of America as the land of the free and the home of the brave…where those who choose to be her citizens do so willingly and defend her willingly.
5. That he or she is humbled with the duties and responsibilities of the office and projects this Nation as proud, honorable and free to the entire world.
6. That when he or she goes to bed at night prays God’s mercy and forgiveness upon confessing his or her sins, repenting seeking God’s blessing knowing full well that tomorrow is not promised.
This is the minimum.
Taxachusetts
How would you like to live in Taxachusetts (Massachusetts)? During 2004 its state senators and representatives voted to change the law whereby the governor of the state (then Mitt Romney – Republican) would not be able to appoint the interim Senate replacement for what many thought would be the President-elect Senator John Kerry. So they (state senators and representatives) changed the law to having the state vote for a new senator.
Now that Senator Kennedy has died they (state senators and representatives) want Governor Deval Patrick (a Comrade Obama chum) to be able to pick the interim senator to have a voice and to preserve Massachusetts say in the Senate. Does anyone believe this rhetoric? Is there anyone in the room who thinks that the Massachusetts House of Representatives is doing anything in the interest of the people of Massachusetts? If they are really considering the people of Massachusetts, let the people speak through an election process.
I believe they (state senators and representatives) have heard the growing discontent with the political business as usual and they are worried - they can't trust to people to vote their way so they are going to control the outcome. The change the people voted for, that was promised, is not being delivered. The change the people and we are getting is a ramped up, haughty, Chicago-style, strong-arm-politics that keeps churning up the scum from the bottom of the political ocean. Even the liberal Massachusetts people are wondering why these people they elected can’t stay on task.
How about dealing with the truth for a change?
Now that Senator Kennedy has died they (state senators and representatives) want Governor Deval Patrick (a Comrade Obama chum) to be able to pick the interim senator to have a voice and to preserve Massachusetts say in the Senate. Does anyone believe this rhetoric? Is there anyone in the room who thinks that the Massachusetts House of Representatives is doing anything in the interest of the people of Massachusetts? If they are really considering the people of Massachusetts, let the people speak through an election process.
I believe they (state senators and representatives) have heard the growing discontent with the political business as usual and they are worried - they can't trust to people to vote their way so they are going to control the outcome. The change the people voted for, that was promised, is not being delivered. The change the people and we are getting is a ramped up, haughty, Chicago-style, strong-arm-politics that keeps churning up the scum from the bottom of the political ocean. Even the liberal Massachusetts people are wondering why these people they elected can’t stay on task.
How about dealing with the truth for a change?
Rosh Hashanah
Leviticus 23:23-24, “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the people of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of complete rest, a holy convocation commemorated with trumpet blasts.” Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the year for the Jewish people. As God through Moses was leading the people away from slavery He was also establishing in this commission to Sabbath that the people celebrate their new beginning – a New Year in God’s freedom. We praise God for His presence and purpose in our lives and we celebrate with the people of Israel their New Year and say God Bless You and Keep you!
Prayer: Redeemer God, you have always led your people away from trouble and slavery. We know that we haven’t always followed your desires for our wholeness. Forgive us we pray that we may return to that Holy Way with You. We pray now for those who have yet to turn their hearts to You through Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Turn their hearts. Let this year be the year of redemption. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!
Prayer: Redeemer God, you have always led your people away from trouble and slavery. We know that we haven’t always followed your desires for our wholeness. Forgive us we pray that we may return to that Holy Way with You. We pray now for those who have yet to turn their hearts to You through Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Turn their hearts. Let this year be the year of redemption. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!
NOT GUILTY!!
Federal Judge Margaret Rodgers found Frank Lay and Robert Freeman NOT GUILTY of violating her order concerning prayer at school. Praise God!! She said that they did not intend to violate the order. So the ACLU has to regroup and appeal Judge Rodgers decision. Please God, let this be the stake in the ground for a new beginning in the return to holiness. Amen.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Lies
Exodus 20:16, The Message, “No lies about your neighbor;” and the New Revised Standard Version, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Both versions of the Bible say the same thing DON’T TELL LIES. I am revisiting the issue of lies that Comrade Obama told in his speech to the joint session of Congress where Representative Joe Wilson said, “You lie!” Remember that?
Do you also remember the heart rending anecdote about the man whose health insurance was cut off in the middle of chemotherapy and he died? Guess what? That turns out to be a lie. It seems that the man, who died, Mr. Raddatz, wasn’t cut off from health insurance. In fact “Mr. Raddatz’s sister testified before Congress that Mr. Raddatz got a life saving treatment that extended his life for three years. And the insurance company covered it!
And Representative Hank Johnson said Representative Wilson’s outcry was racist. Representative Wilson was the only one being truthful. Former President Goober (Jimmah Carter) is chanting ‘racism,’ as is Newsweek magazine, the New York Times and well you see the direction that this is going. When all else fails the fall back position is to shout some emotionally charged words or phrases to get their politically correct attention.
Why aren’t we outraged at this behavior? As Christians we should be encouraging our Congressional leaders to attend to this bad behavior and call on Comrade Obama to stop lying. Representative Wilson cannot be the lone voice of our discontent.
God gave us one set of commands; the Ten Commandments. Jesus made it simple for us to understand. He summarized the first four as, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength;” and the remaining six as “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Pretty simple. Not one thing was added to what God originally said. So why do we complicate it? Why is it that Former President Carter, a professing Christian, cannot seem to get that through his head? Comrade Obama said we aren’t a Christian nation. He lied. He has no sense of history. In fact he’s a revisionist player of history. He lies.
Do you also remember the heart rending anecdote about the man whose health insurance was cut off in the middle of chemotherapy and he died? Guess what? That turns out to be a lie. It seems that the man, who died, Mr. Raddatz, wasn’t cut off from health insurance. In fact “Mr. Raddatz’s sister testified before Congress that Mr. Raddatz got a life saving treatment that extended his life for three years. And the insurance company covered it!
And Representative Hank Johnson said Representative Wilson’s outcry was racist. Representative Wilson was the only one being truthful. Former President Goober (Jimmah Carter) is chanting ‘racism,’ as is Newsweek magazine, the New York Times and well you see the direction that this is going. When all else fails the fall back position is to shout some emotionally charged words or phrases to get their politically correct attention.
Why aren’t we outraged at this behavior? As Christians we should be encouraging our Congressional leaders to attend to this bad behavior and call on Comrade Obama to stop lying. Representative Wilson cannot be the lone voice of our discontent.
God gave us one set of commands; the Ten Commandments. Jesus made it simple for us to understand. He summarized the first four as, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength;” and the remaining six as “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Pretty simple. Not one thing was added to what God originally said. So why do we complicate it? Why is it that Former President Carter, a professing Christian, cannot seem to get that through his head? Comrade Obama said we aren’t a Christian nation. He lied. He has no sense of history. In fact he’s a revisionist player of history. He lies.
Strength, courage and confidence in Christ
Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD.”
For those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior nothing raised against us shall prevail. No matter the weapon, agony, evil intent and ill-directed arguments can prevail against those who love and serve Jesus Christ. We have inherited this promise from God.
In this age when all the weapons, devices and evil seem to be aimed at those who believe in Jesus Christ we read comfort from God through Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus warned us that we will be reviled and persecuted for His Name sake. As we look backward to the prophets we encounter the powerful promise of God to the faithful remnant whose heirs in Christ we are. We inherit the covenant and promise of God made with the faithful of old. Nothing about God has ever changed. It is we humans who change away from God or toward God. We must remember that nothing can be raised or formed against us. Praise God for our salvation!
Prayer: Redeemer, Savior, Master - we love You. You strengthen us and stand with us, front and back and on each side. Nothing can claim us for You are Jesus Christ who by our faith saves us. Thank you for we pray this in Your Holy Name. AMEN.
For those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior nothing raised against us shall prevail. No matter the weapon, agony, evil intent and ill-directed arguments can prevail against those who love and serve Jesus Christ. We have inherited this promise from God.
In this age when all the weapons, devices and evil seem to be aimed at those who believe in Jesus Christ we read comfort from God through Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus warned us that we will be reviled and persecuted for His Name sake. As we look backward to the prophets we encounter the powerful promise of God to the faithful remnant whose heirs in Christ we are. We inherit the covenant and promise of God made with the faithful of old. Nothing about God has ever changed. It is we humans who change away from God or toward God. We must remember that nothing can be raised or formed against us. Praise God for our salvation!
Prayer: Redeemer, Savior, Master - we love You. You strengthen us and stand with us, front and back and on each side. Nothing can claim us for You are Jesus Christ who by our faith saves us. Thank you for we pray this in Your Holy Name. AMEN.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
From Laura Ingraham
I couldn't resist posting this from Laura Ingraham's website. I did add the Fair Tax to the mix. As a former accountant I don't like flat taxes....
This feels like 1993, the last time I recall such widespread, intense anger with Washington. Back then, Gingrich's Contract with America tacked its sail to these prevailing winds, helping a demoralized GOP coast to a stunning 54-seat congressional coup. We need a new blueprint for a new age that our fellow Americans can read and think about. I suppose we could just sit back and hope to beat Democrats by default, but that would be foolhardy. Obama is a master campaigner and loves competition. The GOP needs to outline a coherent platform of specific ideas that every Republican candidate can run on in 2010 -- that way there's a clear post-election agenda that, assuming big GOP pick-ups, brings its own mandate. Call it "10 for 2010."
1)Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR). Limit federal spending growth to the percentage in population growth plus the rate of inflation; provide taxpayers the option of filing a post-card sized return using a low, flat tax rate of 25% - better yet the FAIR TAX
2)End Tax-funded abortions. Stop federal payments to Planned Parenthood and prohibit any taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plan from covering abortion
3)Defend American Borders. Complete America's border-protection initiatives using remaining funds from the so-called stimulus bill
4)King Dollar. Preserve a strong dollar so that Americans' savings aren't wiped out by inflation and the U.S. dollar remains the world's reserve currency
5)Empower American Business. Immediately slash corporate tax rates to 15% and scrap the corporate capital-gains tax altogether
6)Defend America. Strengthen America to defend our homeland and fully fund an operational, layered missile-defense system
7)Statism Exit Plan. De-fund czars; immediately cease bailout payments to failed companies; ban future bailouts
8)End Generational Theft. As few believe America's entitlement programs will be able to pay benefits to future generations, provide younger workers the choice of diverting payroll/Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts
9)Restore America's System of Justice. Introduce British-style penalties for frivolous lawsuits, where those who launch unsuccessful lawsuits are liable for the defendants' legal bills
10)American Energy Independence. All-of-the-Above strategy that embraces alternatives, expands and accelerates exploration and production of oil and natural gas, and jumpstarts dramatic increases in nuclear power
This feels like 1993, the last time I recall such widespread, intense anger with Washington. Back then, Gingrich's Contract with America tacked its sail to these prevailing winds, helping a demoralized GOP coast to a stunning 54-seat congressional coup. We need a new blueprint for a new age that our fellow Americans can read and think about. I suppose we could just sit back and hope to beat Democrats by default, but that would be foolhardy. Obama is a master campaigner and loves competition. The GOP needs to outline a coherent platform of specific ideas that every Republican candidate can run on in 2010 -- that way there's a clear post-election agenda that, assuming big GOP pick-ups, brings its own mandate. Call it "10 for 2010."
1)Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR). Limit federal spending growth to the percentage in population growth plus the rate of inflation; provide taxpayers the option of filing a post-card sized return using a low, flat tax rate of 25% - better yet the FAIR TAX
2)End Tax-funded abortions. Stop federal payments to Planned Parenthood and prohibit any taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plan from covering abortion
3)Defend American Borders. Complete America's border-protection initiatives using remaining funds from the so-called stimulus bill
4)King Dollar. Preserve a strong dollar so that Americans' savings aren't wiped out by inflation and the U.S. dollar remains the world's reserve currency
5)Empower American Business. Immediately slash corporate tax rates to 15% and scrap the corporate capital-gains tax altogether
6)Defend America. Strengthen America to defend our homeland and fully fund an operational, layered missile-defense system
7)Statism Exit Plan. De-fund czars; immediately cease bailout payments to failed companies; ban future bailouts
8)End Generational Theft. As few believe America's entitlement programs will be able to pay benefits to future generations, provide younger workers the choice of diverting payroll/Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts
9)Restore America's System of Justice. Introduce British-style penalties for frivolous lawsuits, where those who launch unsuccessful lawsuits are liable for the defendants' legal bills
10)American Energy Independence. All-of-the-Above strategy that embraces alternatives, expands and accelerates exploration and production of oil and natural gas, and jumpstarts dramatic increases in nuclear power
Darkness or Light?
Proverbs 4:14-19, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over.”
We’re standing in the intersection of divergent paths: the path of evildoers or the path of the righteous. If we step back and allow our eyes to adjust to the situation in our Nation today we see these divergent paths that the Wisdom literature gives us. Satan is the dark. Jesus Christ is the Light. With the Light our path is easily revealed but with the dark, much danger and risk awaits the travelers whose path is dark. We can’t take both paths. What is your choice? Look at those whom you’ve elected; unrighteous or righteous?
Prayer: Redeeming God you have given us a lighted path through Jesus Christ. Help us follow His Way. Help us remain strong and faithful. Give us the courage to face down tyranny, evil and darkness. In Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN
We’re standing in the intersection of divergent paths: the path of evildoers or the path of the righteous. If we step back and allow our eyes to adjust to the situation in our Nation today we see these divergent paths that the Wisdom literature gives us. Satan is the dark. Jesus Christ is the Light. With the Light our path is easily revealed but with the dark, much danger and risk awaits the travelers whose path is dark. We can’t take both paths. What is your choice? Look at those whom you’ve elected; unrighteous or righteous?
Prayer: Redeeming God you have given us a lighted path through Jesus Christ. Help us follow His Way. Help us remain strong and faithful. Give us the courage to face down tyranny, evil and darkness. In Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN
Bed sheets and racism - when all else fails play the race card
Congressman Hank Johnson D-GA has decided that Congressman Joe Wilson R-SC fronts a move to white bed sheets and terror. He says that ‘they’ just can’t accept a black man as President. When all other arguments against the truth fail – retreat into racism. I guess you, Mr. Johnson, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the other bigots out there who capitalize on the divisive nature of race-baiting feel your power slipping away so you need to resort to libel and slander. What Representative Wilson said was accurate and since the President has chosen not to include any Republican voices in the ‘WIDE RANGE OF CHOICES’ out there for healthcare legislation then the only way to get the President’s attention is to call him out on that fact.
The President, Comrade Obama, lied. Everyone who is conscious knows he’s lying. Everyone who is conscious knows that the committees and the Demokrats on these framing committees know he’s lying but that’s okay because it’s Comrade Obama. These lap dogs who drool over Comrade Obama, panting over his every word will wake up enslaved in communism and wonder what happened. Congressman Johnson is just another lapdog who cannot and will not think for himself.
Maureen Dowd from the New York Times said that it is racism and Former President Goober (Jimmah Carter) agrees with Ms. Dowd. By the way President Goober how does it feel that Osama bin Laden, a sworn enemy (foreign) whom you took an oath to defend against, thinks your book is a must read? Courting terrorists again President Goober? I would think that you would sit down and shut up after that fiasco in the Iranian desert. Your behavior is a disgrace to this Nation.
Today Comrade Obama takes his ‘dog and pony show’ on the road. He’s going into popularity mode so that we can begin swooning all over again. Comrade Obama, enough with the campaigning. This piece of Bolshevik garbage that you’re peddling still stinks. A pig dressed up to look like a horse is still a pig dressed up to look like a horse.
Lord, please help us. We’re too feckless, round-shouldered and weak to resist Satan’s charms.
The President, Comrade Obama, lied. Everyone who is conscious knows he’s lying. Everyone who is conscious knows that the committees and the Demokrats on these framing committees know he’s lying but that’s okay because it’s Comrade Obama. These lap dogs who drool over Comrade Obama, panting over his every word will wake up enslaved in communism and wonder what happened. Congressman Johnson is just another lapdog who cannot and will not think for himself.
Maureen Dowd from the New York Times said that it is racism and Former President Goober (Jimmah Carter) agrees with Ms. Dowd. By the way President Goober how does it feel that Osama bin Laden, a sworn enemy (foreign) whom you took an oath to defend against, thinks your book is a must read? Courting terrorists again President Goober? I would think that you would sit down and shut up after that fiasco in the Iranian desert. Your behavior is a disgrace to this Nation.
Today Comrade Obama takes his ‘dog and pony show’ on the road. He’s going into popularity mode so that we can begin swooning all over again. Comrade Obama, enough with the campaigning. This piece of Bolshevik garbage that you’re peddling still stinks. A pig dressed up to look like a horse is still a pig dressed up to look like a horse.
Lord, please help us. We’re too feckless, round-shouldered and weak to resist Satan’s charms.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
COWARDS
Cowardly House of Representatives! They voted to ‘admonish’ Representative Wilson for his remark, “YOU LIE!” Obama lied and the cowardly House piled on. America, do you see what this administration and the congressional leaders think of the truth? The truth is being held hostage and bludgeoned to death. Political correctness has reached a fervor pitch in this country. Political correctness is destructive. When everyday folks cannot speak their truth and call into accountability the elected of this land then we have a totalitarian form of governance. The haughty, condescending way in which this has been handled is lowering perception of congressional performance.
This administration and its minions of ‘payback’ will reap the reward of vengeance. They are failing miserably and we are suffering for their fiddling as the country’s freedoms circle the drain. Comrade Obama seems thrilled that he gets to watch political payback.
Lord please help us. Not that we deserve help please have mercy on us.
This administration and its minions of ‘payback’ will reap the reward of vengeance. They are failing miserably and we are suffering for their fiddling as the country’s freedoms circle the drain. Comrade Obama seems thrilled that he gets to watch political payback.
Lord please help us. Not that we deserve help please have mercy on us.
Priorities
Matthew 6:30-33, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This scripture for us is about sequence. You’ve heard and maybe used the expression, “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” Jesus makes that very clear when He said, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Let's get our priorities straight. Let's get our primary relationship right before we move forward or laterally. Why do we make things so difficult for ourselves? Because God gave us the ability to multitask we forget that God also gave us the ability to place our priorities. Before we attempt to have relationships with others we need to solidify and enable our relationship with God.
That happens when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. We then must confess our sins, seek God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of those whom we have hurt and repent, that is, stand up promising to sin no more. Ah ha! Gotcha! Not really. We are humans with feet of clay and God knows that we will sin again unintentionally but He has given us a remedy. We begin our day in prayer seeking God’s blessing, influence and will then at the end of the day we confess, seek forgiveness and repent before our eyes close in sleep. Remember this: “Tomorrow is not promised.”
Prayer: Merciful and loving God you have given us a Way back to You. That Way is through Jesus Christ who promised that whatever we ask in His Name would be granted. Forgive us where we have fallen short of Your Glory and failed to be faithful followers. Guide us in Your Holy Way that we may live eternally with You. In Jesus’ Sacred Name. AMEN!
This scripture for us is about sequence. You’ve heard and maybe used the expression, “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” Jesus makes that very clear when He said, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Let's get our priorities straight. Let's get our primary relationship right before we move forward or laterally. Why do we make things so difficult for ourselves? Because God gave us the ability to multitask we forget that God also gave us the ability to place our priorities. Before we attempt to have relationships with others we need to solidify and enable our relationship with God.
That happens when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. We then must confess our sins, seek God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of those whom we have hurt and repent, that is, stand up promising to sin no more. Ah ha! Gotcha! Not really. We are humans with feet of clay and God knows that we will sin again unintentionally but He has given us a remedy. We begin our day in prayer seeking God’s blessing, influence and will then at the end of the day we confess, seek forgiveness and repent before our eyes close in sleep. Remember this: “Tomorrow is not promised.”
Prayer: Merciful and loving God you have given us a Way back to You. That Way is through Jesus Christ who promised that whatever we ask in His Name would be granted. Forgive us where we have fallen short of Your Glory and failed to be faithful followers. Guide us in Your Holy Way that we may live eternally with You. In Jesus’ Sacred Name. AMEN!
Monday, September 14, 2009
We're Just Wrong sez Axelrod
David Axelrod, the apparatchik who ‘made’ Comrade Obama, thinks that those who oppose the descent into socialism are just wrong. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.2 million Americans showed up in Washington D.C. on September 12th but we are wrong.
Mr. Axelrod what is wrong is that you and this Bolshevik apparatus that you and Emmanuel have pounded into place is corrupt, deceitful and treasonous. Your only purpose is to turn this Nation into a satellite of your Bolshevik handlers. All of the chest pounding, 400-pound gorilla antics of SEIU, HCAN and ACORN will not change how we feel. We’re Americans whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents and ourselves have fought and bled for America. You have done nothing except rape this Nation’s taxpayers. Your organizational background tells me that you are all about image and changing the rhetoric while playing the same game. You have fronted your sinister plans with a silvery-throated hisser who is reminiscent of Satan, the serpent, in the Garden of Eden.
It’s all lies Mr. Axelrod. We are not fooled. There are a few out there who believe in the ‘change’ garbage you pump out but they’ll come running this way when it starts going real sour. It’s stinking right now Mr. Axelrod. Stop lying and spinning and twisting – just leave and take your hand puppet with you – the Kenyan born pretender to the office of the President.
Mr. Axelrod what is wrong is that you and this Bolshevik apparatus that you and Emmanuel have pounded into place is corrupt, deceitful and treasonous. Your only purpose is to turn this Nation into a satellite of your Bolshevik handlers. All of the chest pounding, 400-pound gorilla antics of SEIU, HCAN and ACORN will not change how we feel. We’re Americans whose parents, grandparents and great grandparents and ourselves have fought and bled for America. You have done nothing except rape this Nation’s taxpayers. Your organizational background tells me that you are all about image and changing the rhetoric while playing the same game. You have fronted your sinister plans with a silvery-throated hisser who is reminiscent of Satan, the serpent, in the Garden of Eden.
It’s all lies Mr. Axelrod. We are not fooled. There are a few out there who believe in the ‘change’ garbage you pump out but they’ll come running this way when it starts going real sour. It’s stinking right now Mr. Axelrod. Stop lying and spinning and twisting – just leave and take your hand puppet with you – the Kenyan born pretender to the office of the President.
Leadership and Followership
Matthew 16:1-4, “The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.”
Have you ever tested God’s faithfulness to God’s Word? In this opening of chapter sixteen we see the Pharisees and Sadducees calling upon Jesus to give them a ‘sign.’ Their only purpose was to discredit Him. They wanted their authority back for they understood that people were beginning to listen to what Jesus said and that He had real credibility. The Pharisees and Sadducees were beginning to realize that when people listened to their words they had lost their authority with the people. What they didn’t grasp was that their words were empty because they did not follow what they spoke. The rules were for everyone else.
Prayer: Father thank You for this day and for the salvation Your grace and love has given us through Jesus Christ. Help us to realize that leadership comes from followership. We must be willing to follow before we can stand up to lead. Bless us with followership through Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.
Have you ever tested God’s faithfulness to God’s Word? In this opening of chapter sixteen we see the Pharisees and Sadducees calling upon Jesus to give them a ‘sign.’ Their only purpose was to discredit Him. They wanted their authority back for they understood that people were beginning to listen to what Jesus said and that He had real credibility. The Pharisees and Sadducees were beginning to realize that when people listened to their words they had lost their authority with the people. What they didn’t grasp was that their words were empty because they did not follow what they spoke. The rules were for everyone else.
Prayer: Father thank You for this day and for the salvation Your grace and love has given us through Jesus Christ. Help us to realize that leadership comes from followership. We must be willing to follow before we can stand up to lead. Bless us with followership through Your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
We Won You Lost
Two things are newsworthy:
First, Another Demokrat full face on the news stating ‘you’ lost, ‘we’ won too bad. She was yet another Demokrat strategist who called the protests just a collection of malcontents who amount to much less than a revolution. We certainly aren’t cut from the same fabric as the revolutionaries who started this country. While we believe in God first then country rarely do we stand on that principle. She’s right about the fact that we aren’t like the first patriots – their muskets were next to the front door and were ready to fight. Ours, well, probably locked away in the gun safe – hardly at the ready. Her context was simple – ‘we’ lost the White House and the Congress by such a large margin that there is nothing that can be done by us malcontents to stop the train that is leaving Demokrat Central Station so we just need to get on Comrade Obama’s Bullet Train descent into hell. No thanks, I’ll remain a remnant.
Second, we got a sneak peek at Comrade Obama’s 3rd appearance on “60 Minutes.” (Paraphrased) Comrade Obama said ‘that when the healthcare reform passes and if we don’t get relief from insurance companies for reduced premiums and improved care then it’s on him.’ He still remains clueless as to the nature of the healthcare problems. How about tort reform? How about removing the barriers to interstate trade with healthcare policies? How about the fact that physicians and medical professionals must practice defensive medicine? This completely dovetails in with the Demokrat talking head espousing ‘we won-you lost.’
America this is not about healthcare at all. This is the complete control of everyday life by a central government. ARE YOU AWAKE? The health insurance industry is just another whistle stop on the railroading of America into Amerika. Tens of thousands of protesters filled the Washington D.C. streets and all the left can say is Astroturf; not real protests; no revolt going on here; just losers cry-babying.
First, Another Demokrat full face on the news stating ‘you’ lost, ‘we’ won too bad. She was yet another Demokrat strategist who called the protests just a collection of malcontents who amount to much less than a revolution. We certainly aren’t cut from the same fabric as the revolutionaries who started this country. While we believe in God first then country rarely do we stand on that principle. She’s right about the fact that we aren’t like the first patriots – their muskets were next to the front door and were ready to fight. Ours, well, probably locked away in the gun safe – hardly at the ready. Her context was simple – ‘we’ lost the White House and the Congress by such a large margin that there is nothing that can be done by us malcontents to stop the train that is leaving Demokrat Central Station so we just need to get on Comrade Obama’s Bullet Train descent into hell. No thanks, I’ll remain a remnant.
Second, we got a sneak peek at Comrade Obama’s 3rd appearance on “60 Minutes.” (Paraphrased) Comrade Obama said ‘that when the healthcare reform passes and if we don’t get relief from insurance companies for reduced premiums and improved care then it’s on him.’ He still remains clueless as to the nature of the healthcare problems. How about tort reform? How about removing the barriers to interstate trade with healthcare policies? How about the fact that physicians and medical professionals must practice defensive medicine? This completely dovetails in with the Demokrat talking head espousing ‘we won-you lost.’
America this is not about healthcare at all. This is the complete control of everyday life by a central government. ARE YOU AWAKE? The health insurance industry is just another whistle stop on the railroading of America into Amerika. Tens of thousands of protesters filled the Washington D.C. streets and all the left can say is Astroturf; not real protests; no revolt going on here; just losers cry-babying.
Peace...not quite
Matthew 10:34-39, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” This is one of those tough teachings of Jesus. Many who read these words try to imagine how they could possibly love a family member less than God. So they may choose to ignore this. Before we take an Exacto knife to our Bibles let’s think about what Jesus is telling us. His life and teachings are so revolutionary to the Temple status quo that there will be dissent and brokenness within families because of those who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ.
Have you ever known someone in your family or in a friend’s family who behaved this way toward a loved one? I have and it doesn’t feel good. Jesus was speaking from a position of experience – recall what happened at Capernaum in His own synagogue. There may be those around you who do not want the transformed you around them and will create a hostile environment just to keep you at bay.
Don’t be alarmed or worried, “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
Prayer: Merciful God we stand before You with trembling hearts. We’re fearful sometimes that we may not be able to live up to what we think are Your expectations of us. Help us to recognize that You will love us into our ‘born again’ fitted for your service. Eliminate our fears, strengthen our resolve and make us steadfast disciples even in the face of rejection and humiliation. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN!
Have you ever known someone in your family or in a friend’s family who behaved this way toward a loved one? I have and it doesn’t feel good. Jesus was speaking from a position of experience – recall what happened at Capernaum in His own synagogue. There may be those around you who do not want the transformed you around them and will create a hostile environment just to keep you at bay.
Don’t be alarmed or worried, “Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
Prayer: Merciful God we stand before You with trembling hearts. We’re fearful sometimes that we may not be able to live up to what we think are Your expectations of us. Help us to recognize that You will love us into our ‘born again’ fitted for your service. Eliminate our fears, strengthen our resolve and make us steadfast disciples even in the face of rejection and humiliation. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Murder
Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.” Harlan James Drake was offended by anti-abortion material that the activist, Jim Pouillon, had displayed across from the school all week. Drake, 33, is accused of shooting anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon, 63. Pouillon used a walker and was on oxygen – CNN. So here we go again, Dr. Tiller, an abortion doctor, was murdered this summer and now a near invalid abortion opponent is murdered. The protests on both sides of the issue are about murder and yet murder is used in an attempt to remedy the ailment.
Abortion is murder. It is done with forethought and malice toward a blameless life. The only guilt that the murdered baby bore is that of being ill-conceived. Does that justify murder? Plaintiffs cries on the other side point to capital punishment as the dichotomy du jour declaring it to be murder. Compare the two. A blameless child versus a convicted murderer. And now we have a protester murdered by another protester.
Prayer: Creator God you didn’t form us to murder. You issued a commandment that we should not murder. Help us understand what it means to love one another as You have loved us. Forgive us for not loving You and for not loving our neighbor. Help us to repent and repair these broken relationships. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN
Abortion is murder. It is done with forethought and malice toward a blameless life. The only guilt that the murdered baby bore is that of being ill-conceived. Does that justify murder? Plaintiffs cries on the other side point to capital punishment as the dichotomy du jour declaring it to be murder. Compare the two. A blameless child versus a convicted murderer. And now we have a protester murdered by another protester.
Prayer: Creator God you didn’t form us to murder. You issued a commandment that we should not murder. Help us understand what it means to love one another as You have loved us. Forgive us for not loving You and for not loving our neighbor. Help us to repent and repair these broken relationships. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN
Joe the Congressman, Demokrat spins and the future
This was going to be a day of no nattering. That has changed. Apparently Joe Wilson’s Demokrat opponent in South Carolina has raised several million dollars as a result of Congressman Wilson’s calling out of Comrade Obama. Where did the money come from? Soros and his billionaire totalitarian club? There’s a link at the bottom of the page to contribute to Congressman Wilson’s campaign. Please help him. I will.
Then I hear a Demokrat apologist say last night that the reason Comrade Obama didn’t lie was because there was NO healthcare bill only proposals. Am I missing something here? No bill? What is H.R. 3200? Is this some pipe dream or socialist dream weaver sequence in a parallel universe? What have we been talking about all summer if not a bill? Spin, spin, spin and Comrade Obama slickly slips sideways avoiding contact with the truth yet again. These focus groups must really be getting paid well to listen to new twists on old phraseology. What is the truth? Sort of elusive isn’t it? We had promises of change and transparency and what we got was short changed and tragedy.
Today several thousand faithful Americans are marching in Washington protesting this descent into socialism. The mainstream media won’t cover it except to denigrate it. Don’t you know that we are phony protestors – not grass roots but Astroturf? I wonder if those who follow us will even care that cradle to grave government control is a crime.
Then I hear a Demokrat apologist say last night that the reason Comrade Obama didn’t lie was because there was NO healthcare bill only proposals. Am I missing something here? No bill? What is H.R. 3200? Is this some pipe dream or socialist dream weaver sequence in a parallel universe? What have we been talking about all summer if not a bill? Spin, spin, spin and Comrade Obama slickly slips sideways avoiding contact with the truth yet again. These focus groups must really be getting paid well to listen to new twists on old phraseology. What is the truth? Sort of elusive isn’t it? We had promises of change and transparency and what we got was short changed and tragedy.
Today several thousand faithful Americans are marching in Washington protesting this descent into socialism. The mainstream media won’t cover it except to denigrate it. Don’t you know that we are phony protestors – not grass roots but Astroturf? I wonder if those who follow us will even care that cradle to grave government control is a crime.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Legion
I was watching Fox News as a former public relations advisor (spin doctor) to former President Clinton spoke his political beliefs. (Side note: Fox News allowed this person to speak without interrupting and tossing him around verbally. Nice.) I cannot remember his name so I will refer to him as Legion because he came on board the Clinton team around the time Pres Cigar was caught in flagrante.
Legion was asked about his perspective on the state of health care to include legislation and the town hall meetings. His response was classically tuned to the Saul Alinsky Rules for Radicals RULE 4: "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules." He said (paraphrased) “What would Jesus do?” Ah, now that’s where you want to go. First Comrade Obama calls upon the clergy in this country to sell his KennedyKare Obammunism-style and now the PR-types (formerly known as spin doctors) come out of the woodwork to twist and spin and hawk these imitation God-inspired plans.
Since Legion (read Mark 5:1-20) asked What Would Jesus Do about healthcare let’s take a look at what Jesus DID:
FIRST, Jesus died on the cross and was raised by God from the dead so that we would live eternally with God. (Matthew 27:32-54; Mark 15:25-39; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-37). Once you read these pericopes you may then want read on to the Resurrection. Surviving death is a great healthcare reform. It means that we must be transformed by God’s redeeming act of love.
SECOND, Jesus challenged those in authority to stop hiding behind laws and rules of human design and to follow God’s commands. How so? From Matthew 22:34-40, “When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Notice the opening words of Matthew’s witness that ‘when the Pharisees gathered together and that ONE of them a lawyer…’ Hmmm a lawyer, doesn’t this sound familiar? Sort of like the crowd in Congress today that won’t do anything about tort reform and defensive medical practices? Anyway this Pharisee/lawyer decided that he would ask Jesus a question to test Him. This is a transformational response for if we take this response into our hearts and allow ourselves to be changed by the grace of God we won’t need armies, legislation or wealth, “'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” If they (Temple authorities – Congress and Comrade Obama) did these things there would be no need for healthcare reform. If they did what Jesus did they would not need to legislate morality or use our practices of faith as a vehicle to guilt Christians into submission. And then Jesus said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” In other words the only thing that God ever taught, wanted or expected was that we love Him completely and love our neighbor as we loves ourselves. Jesus didn’t tell the Temple leadership to go back and tax the citizens into submission, bludgeon us with more laws, whipsaw us with our own practices of faith – He said to do what God expects of us.
To you liberal, malappropriators of Jesus’ words if you do not walk the walk don’t talk the talk. You are running a scam on this country that amounts to treason. You do not have a right to do this.
Legion was asked about his perspective on the state of health care to include legislation and the town hall meetings. His response was classically tuned to the Saul Alinsky Rules for Radicals RULE 4: "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules." He said (paraphrased) “What would Jesus do?” Ah, now that’s where you want to go. First Comrade Obama calls upon the clergy in this country to sell his KennedyKare Obammunism-style and now the PR-types (formerly known as spin doctors) come out of the woodwork to twist and spin and hawk these imitation God-inspired plans.
Since Legion (read Mark 5:1-20) asked What Would Jesus Do about healthcare let’s take a look at what Jesus DID:
FIRST, Jesus died on the cross and was raised by God from the dead so that we would live eternally with God. (Matthew 27:32-54; Mark 15:25-39; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-37). Once you read these pericopes you may then want read on to the Resurrection. Surviving death is a great healthcare reform. It means that we must be transformed by God’s redeeming act of love.
SECOND, Jesus challenged those in authority to stop hiding behind laws and rules of human design and to follow God’s commands. How so? From Matthew 22:34-40, “When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Notice the opening words of Matthew’s witness that ‘when the Pharisees gathered together and that ONE of them a lawyer…’ Hmmm a lawyer, doesn’t this sound familiar? Sort of like the crowd in Congress today that won’t do anything about tort reform and defensive medical practices? Anyway this Pharisee/lawyer decided that he would ask Jesus a question to test Him. This is a transformational response for if we take this response into our hearts and allow ourselves to be changed by the grace of God we won’t need armies, legislation or wealth, “'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” If they (Temple authorities – Congress and Comrade Obama) did these things there would be no need for healthcare reform. If they did what Jesus did they would not need to legislate morality or use our practices of faith as a vehicle to guilt Christians into submission. And then Jesus said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” In other words the only thing that God ever taught, wanted or expected was that we love Him completely and love our neighbor as we loves ourselves. Jesus didn’t tell the Temple leadership to go back and tax the citizens into submission, bludgeon us with more laws, whipsaw us with our own practices of faith – He said to do what God expects of us.
To you liberal, malappropriators of Jesus’ words if you do not walk the walk don’t talk the talk. You are running a scam on this country that amounts to treason. You do not have a right to do this.
...we will serve the LORD
Joshua 24:14-15, “Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Ultimately, those who served other gods struck our Nation on 9-11-01. They called us the Great Satan because we are followers of Jesus Christ. Joshua stands there with his people and declares whom he and his household will serve. He speaks unashamedly about God’s importance in his life and lives of his family.
We should follow Joshua’s lead and not be dissuaded to political correctness where Jesus is reduced to some backroom whisper almost as though we’re ashamed to admit that we worship Him. Whatever my plight shall be, our home will follow and serve the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ. Wherever He leads I will follow.
Prayer: LORD fit us for Your purpose. Strengthen for Your service. Instruct us in Your Holy Way. For You are our God and we are Your people. Let us not stray from our faithfulness to You. Let us not reveal feet of clay, rather help us to be stalwart, responsive and servant in our ministry. In Jesus Redeeming Name we pray. AMEN!
We should follow Joshua’s lead and not be dissuaded to political correctness where Jesus is reduced to some backroom whisper almost as though we’re ashamed to admit that we worship Him. Whatever my plight shall be, our home will follow and serve the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ. Wherever He leads I will follow.
Prayer: LORD fit us for Your purpose. Strengthen for Your service. Instruct us in Your Holy Way. For You are our God and we are Your people. Let us not stray from our faithfulness to You. Let us not reveal feet of clay, rather help us to be stalwart, responsive and servant in our ministry. In Jesus Redeeming Name we pray. AMEN!
9-11 Again
This generation's Pearl Harbor happened in three places in the United States. It happened for many reasons but at its core is the hatred of one people who malappropriated God and was acted out on those whom they deemed to be infidels in the land of the great satan. Eight years later it is an overseas contingency operation not a war on terror. The Speaker of the House now says there's no support in Congress for providing more troops in Afghanistan to close down this sphere of Islamic fundamentalist warfare against anyone who is an American or allies itself with America. This Nation is not worth saving and protecting is what the Speaker is saying. She is not interested in upholding and protecting the citizens represented by our laws and Constitution. Perhaps Madam Speaker would best serve our Nation by going personally to speak Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, Ahmadinenjhad and the Somali warlords whose solemn vow is to destroy us. Perhaps she can resolve this without a single shot being fired ever again. What say you Madam Speaker?
I say that you are creating the fertile soil for yet another attack on this once great Nation. I say that you know you can hide behind braver women and men than you. You can fly above it all in your tax-payer provided jet. Madam Speaker there is a thing called gravity...what goes up must come down.
I say that you are creating the fertile soil for yet another attack on this once great Nation. I say that you know you can hide behind braver women and men than you. You can fly above it all in your tax-payer provided jet. Madam Speaker there is a thing called gravity...what goes up must come down.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
YOU LIE!
Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina verbally reacted to Comrade Obama last night and shouted, “You lie!” Thank you Congressman Wilson, for being bold enough to speak out. The Demokrats have been scrambling to rephrase provisions of the infamous House Healthcare (aka KennedyKare) legislation each time a provision is spotlighted. Joe Wilson was expressing our outrage at how badly this whole descent into socialism is being handled uh…railroaded…uh rammed down our throats.
Comrade Obama keeps saying that we all need to work together. His idea of working together is doing what he wants. His door is always open if you want to come in, kneel before him, lick his shoes and grovel at his feet. He’s now going to consider tort reform? He’s now going to consider the costs of defensive medicine? Come on Comrade Obama is this just another ‘bait-and-switch’ tactic? Wait I know the answer: YES IT IS! DING DING DING – the prize is $2 trillion in new debt not $7 trillion.
Just who is going to pay for this? Very simple every time you or I turn around we will be faced with euro-style ad valorem taxes. Small business taxes, that Comrade Candidate Obama said wouldn’t hurt owners like ‘Joe-the-Plumber’, are going to cascade from all directions. YOU LIE Comrade Obama! YOU LIE!
Congressman Wilson has spoken his truth and he deserves our support. The mainstream media is having a purple hissy fit because someone so ‘low and remote’ in stature as a South Carolina Congressman would speak against their messianic figurehead communist teleprompter.
The Washington Examiner uncovered this, "the Congressional Research Service (CRS) says this about H.R. 3200, the Obamacare bill approved just before the recess by the House Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-CA:
"Under H.R. 3200, a 'Health Insurance Exchange' would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option…H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens—whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently—participating in the Exchange."
CRS also notes that the bill has no provision for requiring those seeking coverage or services to provided proof of citizenship.
Really Comrade Obama?
1115 hours I just checked Joe Wilson's website -- the Demokrats have done what they said they would do. Here's the message from his Congressional website:
"Joe Wilson
Due to exceptionally high traffic, this site is temporarily unavailable.
Please come back shortly."
Comrade Obama keeps saying that we all need to work together. His idea of working together is doing what he wants. His door is always open if you want to come in, kneel before him, lick his shoes and grovel at his feet. He’s now going to consider tort reform? He’s now going to consider the costs of defensive medicine? Come on Comrade Obama is this just another ‘bait-and-switch’ tactic? Wait I know the answer: YES IT IS! DING DING DING – the prize is $2 trillion in new debt not $7 trillion.
Just who is going to pay for this? Very simple every time you or I turn around we will be faced with euro-style ad valorem taxes. Small business taxes, that Comrade Candidate Obama said wouldn’t hurt owners like ‘Joe-the-Plumber’, are going to cascade from all directions. YOU LIE Comrade Obama! YOU LIE!
Congressman Wilson has spoken his truth and he deserves our support. The mainstream media is having a purple hissy fit because someone so ‘low and remote’ in stature as a South Carolina Congressman would speak against their messianic figurehead communist teleprompter.
The Washington Examiner uncovered this, "the Congressional Research Service (CRS) says this about H.R. 3200, the Obamacare bill approved just before the recess by the House Energy and Commerce Committee chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman, D-CA:
"Under H.R. 3200, a 'Health Insurance Exchange' would begin operation in 2013 and would offer private plans alongside a public option…H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens—whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently—participating in the Exchange."
CRS also notes that the bill has no provision for requiring those seeking coverage or services to provided proof of citizenship.
Really Comrade Obama?
1115 hours I just checked Joe Wilson's website -- the Demokrats have done what they said they would do. Here's the message from his Congressional website:
"Joe Wilson
Due to exceptionally high traffic, this site is temporarily unavailable.
Please come back shortly."
Idolatry
The King James Version states this best, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). When Moses came down from Horeb he brought with him tablets of stone upon which were inscribed the commands of God. Simply, that we are to love God completely and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. How difficult is that? The most compelling problem that humanity has faced is its idolatry. Isaiah railed against it as have other prophets all speaking in behalf of God who advised them. Humanity hasn’t changed. Idolatry is still rampant we have forgotten to place God first and foremost even to the extent that we place our family before God.
Consider this: You’re seated in the airplane heading somewhere the flight attendant is giving the preflight instructions about safety. If you’ve traveled much you know it backward and forward and tend to busy yourself with what seems to be more important than your safety. The flight attendant gets to the part about changing cabin pressure where the bright yellow masks fall down in front of your face and says (paraphrased) “adults traveling with small children FIRST put the mask on your face and then put the mask on the child(ren).” Why? If you become unconscious you can’t help the child(ren).
Your relationship with God comes first. If you aren’t spiritually attuned you cannot help your children.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we have put people and things in front of our relationship with you. Please forgive us. Help us to begin at the beginning and restore our relationship with you. We know that we will begin to restore our relationships with others when we place you first in our lives. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN
Consider this: You’re seated in the airplane heading somewhere the flight attendant is giving the preflight instructions about safety. If you’ve traveled much you know it backward and forward and tend to busy yourself with what seems to be more important than your safety. The flight attendant gets to the part about changing cabin pressure where the bright yellow masks fall down in front of your face and says (paraphrased) “adults traveling with small children FIRST put the mask on your face and then put the mask on the child(ren).” Why? If you become unconscious you can’t help the child(ren).
Your relationship with God comes first. If you aren’t spiritually attuned you cannot help your children.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we have put people and things in front of our relationship with you. Please forgive us. Help us to begin at the beginning and restore our relationship with you. We know that we will begin to restore our relationships with others when we place you first in our lives. In Jesus’ Name I pray. AMEN
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Habaneros
Okay, so there’s one more thing that I must confess to…habanero peppers. Ten years ago (July 16, 1999) a group of coworkers gathered at one of the homes to ‘make’ our first batch of Hoowah Salsa. The back story of this gathering is the simple quest for a salsa that would fill the void left by the disappearance of the Stonewall Chili Pepper Company and the excellent Salsa del Diablo. I know – a pastor eating sauce of the devil. I got the theological significance. That being stated Stonewall Chili Pepper’s owner, Jeff Campbell’s wife Vicki had become too ill for Jeff to continue in the business and we all miss them very much.
After several years of trying we finally agreed upon a formula for habanero-based salsa that we thought was a satisfactory substitute. We did make one batch that was habanero heavy and truly numbed your taste buds - #2. I think AG probably still has a jar. The name Hoowah comes from two places. The first is the acknowledgement of the U.S. Army’s response to any question and the second is the sound you make when the heat of the salsa hits you…
We blend the salsa in a concrete mixer – yep that’s right. I think we washed it when we first bought it. Not important, although I should caution anyone who tries this that you should dedicate the concrete mixer to blending food stuffs.
Before you blaze off into the dawn searching the perfect habanero salsa recipe let me warn you that there are thousands of them. Also and the most important thing to remember: THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION, do NOT play with the habanero. It is hot. Just the cooking aromas of the habanero can cause your eyes to water and your sinuses to drain. Wear double gloves when chopping.
Ten years ago we began the process. Good friends, good salsa and great fun!!
After several years of trying we finally agreed upon a formula for habanero-based salsa that we thought was a satisfactory substitute. We did make one batch that was habanero heavy and truly numbed your taste buds - #2. I think AG probably still has a jar. The name Hoowah comes from two places. The first is the acknowledgement of the U.S. Army’s response to any question and the second is the sound you make when the heat of the salsa hits you…
We blend the salsa in a concrete mixer – yep that’s right. I think we washed it when we first bought it. Not important, although I should caution anyone who tries this that you should dedicate the concrete mixer to blending food stuffs.
Before you blaze off into the dawn searching the perfect habanero salsa recipe let me warn you that there are thousands of them. Also and the most important thing to remember: THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION, do NOT play with the habanero. It is hot. Just the cooking aromas of the habanero can cause your eyes to water and your sinuses to drain. Wear double gloves when chopping.
Ten years ago we began the process. Good friends, good salsa and great fun!!
What Wondrous Love is this...
Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.” You cannot read the New Covenant (Testament) without reading the Old Covenant (Testament). Though Isaiah seems so far removed from how we understand what God did through His Son Jesus Christ what we really learn is that God has always been in the midst of humanity’s suffering. Instead of observing from afar, God made Himself flesh and dwelt among us – Jesus. Isaiah spoke of God’s Incarnate self as the sin offering – the sacrifice made for our sin debt. Isaiah didn’t know Jesus the Man but he did know God for God revealed to Isaiah His purpose. Isaiah revealed to the world what God intended to do. And God did it – God allowed His only Son to pay our sin debt with His offering of Himself. God had dwelt among us and visited our suffering, sat with us and felt our troubles, wept with us in the depths of our despair and then gave His life so that we could be return to the Father. In the words of the Passion hymn, “What wondrous love is this O my soul, O my soul…what wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?”
Prayer: Lord God, Creator – Redeemer – Holy Spirit, lover of my soul who gave His very life for me I thank you! My soul trembles for you, my legs never grow tired, my hearts never gives up in my hope of your eternal promise. Forgive me where I have fallen short of your glory. Thank you Lord Jesus for I pray this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
Prayer: Lord God, Creator – Redeemer – Holy Spirit, lover of my soul who gave His very life for me I thank you! My soul trembles for you, my legs never grow tired, my hearts never gives up in my hope of your eternal promise. Forgive me where I have fallen short of your glory. Thank you Lord Jesus for I pray this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN
Character
Taking responsibility for one’s actions is how a person’s character is defined. Character is what you do when no one is watching (anonymous). Daily I am reminded of what individuals in government, elected or appointed, have been foisting upon the citizens of our great nation. In the end they always point the accusatory finger saying it’s her fault or he bribed me. I read a great book some years ago entitled, The West Point Way of Leadership by Larry Donnithorne. Colonel Donnithorne recounted words from his orientation at West Point where the Commandant stated (paraphrased), “West Point does not take boys and girls to make men and women of them, it takes young men and women of character and makes them leaders of character.” The character of the individual coming into a service academy must be beyond reproach before she or he enters. How is it that so little character is demanded of our elected and appointed officials, such as the commander in chief (CINC), when those men and women who serve in our military, who report to the CINC, must be above reproach? Imagine what would happen to a tax cheater at West Point.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sheep in the Midst of Wolves
Matthew 10:16-23, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
Today feels like this doesn’t it? Jesus warned us. Rarely do we ever feel prepared. This is the real deal; the real final exam. Everywhere we turn Satan’s forces have been dispatched. Even within families there are those who seek to destroy one another and Jesus reminds us that we are not to worry about what we should say. He tells us that we will be given the words – our intent is Holy. Our focus is on Him. Our objective isn’t the ‘here and now’ it is the ‘yet to come.’ Take comfort in knowing that as part of the remnant of the righteous that Jesus has provided for you.
Prayer: Mighty God who knows all things because You created that with which we have begun and You created us. Thank you Father! Thank for sending Jesus Christ to redeem us. Scuttle the worry and concern that shrouds our day. Shower us with Your blessings and mercy. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!
Today feels like this doesn’t it? Jesus warned us. Rarely do we ever feel prepared. This is the real deal; the real final exam. Everywhere we turn Satan’s forces have been dispatched. Even within families there are those who seek to destroy one another and Jesus reminds us that we are not to worry about what we should say. He tells us that we will be given the words – our intent is Holy. Our focus is on Him. Our objective isn’t the ‘here and now’ it is the ‘yet to come.’ Take comfort in knowing that as part of the remnant of the righteous that Jesus has provided for you.
Prayer: Mighty God who knows all things because You created that with which we have begun and You created us. Thank you Father! Thank for sending Jesus Christ to redeem us. Scuttle the worry and concern that shrouds our day. Shower us with Your blessings and mercy. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN!
Another lie from Comrade Obama
Apparently Comrade Obama doesn’t hear very well. He theatrically stuttered through a challenge yesterday in a speech to the AFL-CIO Picnic in Cincinnati for those who oppose the healthcare initiative that the Demokrat wing of the communist party has proffered. His challenge? THEY HAVEN’T OFFERED ANYTHING. So we hear ANOTHER LIE FROM COMRADE OBAMA. There are at least five separate proposals floating around about healthcare that do not originate from the Demokrat wing of the communist party. The fact is Comrade Obama you and your Demokrat sheeple will not listen. You are bent on destroying America you want it to become Amerika - land of sheeple who bow down at your name – WRONG!! Tell the truth Comrade Obama. Stop with the George Soros funded lies!! If you can’t get it right – step down. Your commissars (czars) are showing their true colors and we’ve known yours. STOP LYING COMRADE OBAMA.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Love your enemies...
Hate the sin love the sinner. Love our enemies. Turn the other cheek. Ouch, ouch ouch…how many times? Jesus said this, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45). The difficult part of these is that all are difficult. We cannot imagine why we have to love those who hate us. God loves us as sinners but hates our sin. Why should we do anything less?
Those are hard maxims especially in the face of terrible tragedies such as 9-11. Being a Christian is hard work. It requires that we labor in God’s vineyard, His Creation for the purpose of bringing others to salvation and eternal life – even those who hate us. God didn’t give up on Saul even as he stood by while Stephen was stoned to death. Why should we do anything less? He didn’t give up on the disciples who ‘ran’ from the cross. Why should we do anything less?
Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for this day and for loving us. Thank you for providing a way back to you through your Son Jesus Christ, whose very life was given for our sins. Forgive those Father who seek our destruction. Turn their hearts to you. Forgive when we fail to love you and love our neighbor. Help us reach others to offer eternal life through your Son Jesus Christ who is our Redeemer. AMEN!
Those are hard maxims especially in the face of terrible tragedies such as 9-11. Being a Christian is hard work. It requires that we labor in God’s vineyard, His Creation for the purpose of bringing others to salvation and eternal life – even those who hate us. God didn’t give up on Saul even as he stood by while Stephen was stoned to death. Why should we do anything less? He didn’t give up on the disciples who ‘ran’ from the cross. Why should we do anything less?
Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for this day and for loving us. Thank you for providing a way back to you through your Son Jesus Christ, whose very life was given for our sins. Forgive those Father who seek our destruction. Turn their hearts to you. Forgive when we fail to love you and love our neighbor. Help us reach others to offer eternal life through your Son Jesus Christ who is our Redeemer. AMEN!
L/Cpl Joshua Bernard
On August 14, 2009 L/Cpl Joshua Bernard died in an RPG attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He died a hero. Despite protests from Defense Secretary Gates and L/Cpl Bernard’s family, the Associated Press published a photograph of this brave, young Marine dying. Their motive is political. They want to destroy this Nation by destroying America’s will to fight back against Islamic extremists who seek to destroy us. The press is not a friend to America or its citizens. This young Marine gave his life not to be used as ridicule but as a safeguard to American liberty.
The Associated Press is a mouthpiece for totalitarianism. Nothing has changed about them since Vietnam. They hated the American soldier then and they hate us now.
L/Cpl Joshua Bernard I salute you. Thank you and thank you to the Bernard family for your service to our Nation. We grieve with you in Joshua’s death.
The Associated Press is a mouthpiece for totalitarianism. Nothing has changed about them since Vietnam. They hated the American soldier then and they hate us now.
L/Cpl Joshua Bernard I salute you. Thank you and thank you to the Bernard family for your service to our Nation. We grieve with you in Joshua’s death.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Green Czar Gone
Van Jones resigned and his statement, “On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in his resignation statement. "They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide." Right Mr. Jones, you’re not a communist, you didn’t say that Republicans are a dirty word and you didn’t read but signed a petition to investigate whether President Bush allowed 9-11 to happen. Is that sort of like ‘smoked but didn’t inhale?’ You know who you are, what you said, why you said it, and that Obama threw you under the bus to distract. You are the sacrificial communist eliminated to show that Obama is not a communist. Next!!
I Can Only Imagine
“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him! (Matthew 17:1-5)”
Blessed Sabbath. Have you ever wished to have been with Jesus, Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration? Imagine being there in person when Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah. Imagine hearing God saying “…listen to Him!” I can only imagine what it would be like… Being here today, reading Matthew’s witness and allowing my soul to soar in this witness allows me to imagine and to thank God for what He did. Click on the I Can Imagine link below, turn up your volume and enjoy.
Prayer: God of love and mercy thank you for this day. It is like no other. Thank you for the Transfiguration witness that allows us to imagine the experience of the disciples coming into an awareness of You and Your Son. Thank you for making a Way back to You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN
Blessed Sabbath. Have you ever wished to have been with Jesus, Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration? Imagine being there in person when Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah. Imagine hearing God saying “…listen to Him!” I can only imagine what it would be like… Being here today, reading Matthew’s witness and allowing my soul to soar in this witness allows me to imagine and to thank God for what He did. Click on the I Can Imagine link below, turn up your volume and enjoy.
Prayer: God of love and mercy thank you for this day. It is like no other. Thank you for the Transfiguration witness that allows us to imagine the experience of the disciples coming into an awareness of You and Your Son. Thank you for making a Way back to You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Children, Dogs and God
This is Sabbath Eve. It’s quiet. The pup is exhausted from our long walk. Her warm head is resting on my bare foot. When I think of dogs I think of what a preschooler asked me one day. “Pastor did you know that dog spelled backwards is God?” I told her that was a good one and thanked her and she skipped off holding her Mom’s hand heading home for the day. She made my day.
Luke 18:15-17, “People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” I think there is a perception with children of what is Holy. Why do we dismiss them as they ramble through their thoughts? Listen to them – their hearts will tell you much.
Prayer: Loving God thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for children. Thank you for dogs. You see Father all these bring joy into our lives and each comes from you. Help us to recognize the gifts of mercy and love that we receive in your Name. AMEN!!
Luke 18:15-17, “People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” I think there is a perception with children of what is Holy. Why do we dismiss them as they ramble through their thoughts? Listen to them – their hearts will tell you much.
Prayer: Loving God thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for children. Thank you for dogs. You see Father all these bring joy into our lives and each comes from you. Help us to recognize the gifts of mercy and love that we receive in your Name. AMEN!!
Palin Derangement Syndrome
A just released news article states this, “Published: 9/4/09, 7:10 PM EDT By Rachel D'Oro: ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Early estimates put the cost of Sarah Palin's midterm resignation as Alaska governor at a minimum of $40,000, not including a special legislative session partly linked to her departure.” How much did Charlie Rangel not pay in taxes because he failed to report millions of dollars in income? How much did Bill Clinton’s liaison cost the American taxpayer? How much have Barney Frank and his former lover cost the economy? How about Dodd, Pelosi, Stevens, Traficant, Jefferson and Marion Berry? And we have a headline news story about former Governor Palin’s resignation costing the taxpayers $40,000? Is there a problem here? With all the negative attention on the Governor of course it affected how she was able to work as Governor and I believe she took the better part of valor by resigning even though she was an outstanding Governor - the state couldn't afford the press costs. Why is it that seemingly every time a story comes out about Governor Palin, the author of the story is usually a woman? Are these women being used as liberal hand puppets because it is better if a woman attacks Governor Palin? Or is it because there is a rabid jealousy among the liberal elite women in this country over Governor Palin who can do anything – which includes multi-task at a high level? Do not covet what your neighbor has to include her accomplishments. You liberal people have lost your collective minds. I heard one news commentator (as they were once called) state, “Palin Derangement Syndrome (PDS).” Amazing; it is utterly amazing that every day I see covetousness abounding in parallel with wealth envy.
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