Flaming Liberals Should Get Out of the Republican Party
The Republican party is filled with flamin’ liberals.
These people are also flamin’ cowards!
OR……
They are intentionally secret agents for the opposition.
If they are cowards, they are afraid of not getting re-elected by telling the truth about their ‘political orientation’.
If the are intentionally working for the opposition, then they are worse than cowards. They are despicable elitists.
In either case, they are not worthy of sweeping out the barn, much less serving in congress.
Those who call themselves ‘Republican’ have done a good job of getting out and voting.
Those who are in leadership roles in the Republican party are failing miserably at doing their jobs.
Republican Leaders are also either COWARDS afraid of losing elections; or, they are intentionally taking the Republican party down the road of the dinosaur.
The current Republican National Chairman - Michael Steele says:
abortion is a choice,
homosexuality is not
These tenets are the stated holy grail of the Democratic Party.
Michael Steel is definitely a liberal democrat in his ideology.
Whether he is a coward afraid of losing an election, or an intentional evil agent who calls himself ‘republican’ when he knows full well he is a ‘democrat’ is hard to tell.
Either way, I’m sick of his face.
I want him out.
Email the GOP and let them know how YOU feel.
In fact, I strongly suggest that you put these email addresses in a folder and use them to let the GOP know EVERY TIME they make decisions based on liberal ideology or political expediency instead of conservative values.
Office of the Chairman
Chairman@gop.com
Office of the Co=chair
info@gop.com
Administration
Administration@gop.com
Communications
RNCommunicications@gop.com
Political
Political@gop.com
Finance
Finance@gop.com
National Committee Member Services
Membershipservices@gop.com
National Committee Member Relations
MemberRalations@gop.com
eCampaign
ecampaign@gop.com
Strategy
202 863 8889
Government Affairs
202 863 8809
Email was not given for the last two offices. For full contact information go to the following web site.
http://www.gop.com/Connect/ContactUs.htm
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Most Amazing Ballad of all Time is Amazing Grace
My favorite songs are ballads. They tell an entire story in a song. If the story is important, then it is easily taught and remembered through a ballad.
Certainly, songs cannot replace the Bible as the chief learning tool for Bible believers.
However, second in line of importance as a means of teaching, preaching, and hiding the Word of God in one’s heart is memorization of Christ centered songs.
There is no story that is more important the saving Grace of Jesus Christ.
There is no story that should be remembered and often repeated than the amazing grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Crucified One.
Of all the songs of all Christendom, there is no song that tells of the journey of a believer than ‘Amazing Grace’.
Most people who speak English know the first verse of the song; but few people know all seven verses. Here they are in order, with my comments on each verse.
Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
that saveda wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
was blind but now I see
This verse tells the story of someone who was lost, and how amazing that God opened his eyes to see a way out of his wretched state. While the song’s writer, John Newton, a slave trader, was obviously a wretched human being, everyone is a ‘wretched human being’ when compared to the perfection of God.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed
In the writers lost and wretched state, the Grace of God came to who him and caused him to realize his fallen state and separation from God because of his sin. He KNEW he was headed for hell. BUT, then the Champion of Grace, Jesus Christ, saved his soul and relieved him of his fears of a future in hell. No wonder Newton describes this grace as precious.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come
Twas grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
Newton had gone through more obvious dangers, toils, and snares than most of face today. However, we also face rough and uncertain times. It is the grace of God that takes us through whatever we face, just like grace carried John Newton through.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and protion be
As long as life endures
I just love this verse. I don’t know what nut case edited it out of the hymnal. As long as we live, God has promised good to His children. God Almighty is the one who takes us through the battlefield of life.
Yea, when this fleash and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the vail
A life of joy ane peace
Now I really love this verse.
When we die we go to heaven. It is as simple as that.
In the place Jesus Christ calls heaven, we will have joy and peace for eternity.
We will be reunited with loved ones who died in the Lord.
We will work at things we love.
No more war, no more striving among the nations, nothing bad will be there.
Did I mention we will see our loved ones there?
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me hwere below
Will be forever mine
Are you worried about destroying the earth? Don’t waste your time. You are required to be a good steward of the things that God puts under your control, but saving the planet is not your job. God has a plan that provides you with a secure future in a wonderful place.
2 Peter chapter 3:10-14 says:
10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Pay special attention to verse 14. Citizens of this world are prone to say that Christians tend to dismiss worries about the environment because we are looking for a new heaven and new earth. We are not excused from being responsible in how we treat where we live. We should be careful that we are not wasteful, as our Jesus was not wasteful.
An example is when Jesus fed the 5,000. At the end of the meal, he had the disciples gather up the leftover food. Jesus did not leave a mess to ruin on the grounds of that supernatural event. He did not waste the leftover food.
Just use common sense. Of course the MAIN thing to watch is your Christian walk and testimony.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than we first begun
How wonderful! The ballad ends with an eternal happy ending.
The end of every human being will either be eternally happy, or eternally sorrowful. Those who accept the offer of the ‘Amazing Grace’ of Jesus Christ are assured of a very happy ending.
Those who reject His grace have doomed themselves to sorrow.
Tell the world that Jesus saves.
Tell the world about His ‘Amazing Grace’.
If I had five minutes to speak to a million people about the way into heaven, I would:
1. Quote Genesis 1:1. – explaining were we came from.
2. Quote John 3:16 – explaining how to reconcile with God.
3. Sing all the verses of Amazing Grace – giving the story of how the life a Christian goes from start to finish.
Because of His grace, God seeks the lost and saves them when they ask Him.
God takes His adopted children through everything to the eternal safety of heaven.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/m/a/amazing_grace.htm
Certainly, songs cannot replace the Bible as the chief learning tool for Bible believers.
However, second in line of importance as a means of teaching, preaching, and hiding the Word of God in one’s heart is memorization of Christ centered songs.
There is no story that is more important the saving Grace of Jesus Christ.
There is no story that should be remembered and often repeated than the amazing grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Crucified One.
Of all the songs of all Christendom, there is no song that tells of the journey of a believer than ‘Amazing Grace’.
Most people who speak English know the first verse of the song; but few people know all seven verses. Here they are in order, with my comments on each verse.
Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
that saveda wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
was blind but now I see
This verse tells the story of someone who was lost, and how amazing that God opened his eyes to see a way out of his wretched state. While the song’s writer, John Newton, a slave trader, was obviously a wretched human being, everyone is a ‘wretched human being’ when compared to the perfection of God.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed
In the writers lost and wretched state, the Grace of God came to who him and caused him to realize his fallen state and separation from God because of his sin. He KNEW he was headed for hell. BUT, then the Champion of Grace, Jesus Christ, saved his soul and relieved him of his fears of a future in hell. No wonder Newton describes this grace as precious.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come
Twas grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
Newton had gone through more obvious dangers, toils, and snares than most of face today. However, we also face rough and uncertain times. It is the grace of God that takes us through whatever we face, just like grace carried John Newton through.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and protion be
As long as life endures
I just love this verse. I don’t know what nut case edited it out of the hymnal. As long as we live, God has promised good to His children. God Almighty is the one who takes us through the battlefield of life.
Yea, when this fleash and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the vail
A life of joy ane peace
Now I really love this verse.
When we die we go to heaven. It is as simple as that.
In the place Jesus Christ calls heaven, we will have joy and peace for eternity.
We will be reunited with loved ones who died in the Lord.
We will work at things we love.
No more war, no more striving among the nations, nothing bad will be there.
Did I mention we will see our loved ones there?
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me hwere below
Will be forever mine
Are you worried about destroying the earth? Don’t waste your time. You are required to be a good steward of the things that God puts under your control, but saving the planet is not your job. God has a plan that provides you with a secure future in a wonderful place.
2 Peter chapter 3:10-14 says:
10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Pay special attention to verse 14. Citizens of this world are prone to say that Christians tend to dismiss worries about the environment because we are looking for a new heaven and new earth. We are not excused from being responsible in how we treat where we live. We should be careful that we are not wasteful, as our Jesus was not wasteful.
An example is when Jesus fed the 5,000. At the end of the meal, he had the disciples gather up the leftover food. Jesus did not leave a mess to ruin on the grounds of that supernatural event. He did not waste the leftover food.
Just use common sense. Of course the MAIN thing to watch is your Christian walk and testimony.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than we first begun
How wonderful! The ballad ends with an eternal happy ending.
The end of every human being will either be eternally happy, or eternally sorrowful. Those who accept the offer of the ‘Amazing Grace’ of Jesus Christ are assured of a very happy ending.
Those who reject His grace have doomed themselves to sorrow.
Tell the world that Jesus saves.
Tell the world about His ‘Amazing Grace’.
If I had five minutes to speak to a million people about the way into heaven, I would:
1. Quote Genesis 1:1. – explaining were we came from.
2. Quote John 3:16 – explaining how to reconcile with God.
3. Sing all the verses of Amazing Grace – giving the story of how the life a Christian goes from start to finish.
Because of His grace, God seeks the lost and saves them when they ask Him.
God takes His adopted children through everything to the eternal safety of heaven.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/m/a/amazing_grace.htm
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Are You Looking For a Faithful Spouse? Here's Some Advice.
My husband works with a younger crowd. He is probably as about 30 years older than the average person who works there.
Jerry is appalled at the lack of normal family relationships within the large group that he sees daily. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it is a woman or a man. They all have one thing in common; and that is a lengthy and sorrow filled string of ‘relationships’ that didn’t work out.
One day a woman asked Jerry if he had ever ‘strayed’.
Jerry replied; ‘Nope!’
She replied, ‘I can’t even get a boyfriend to be faithful; much less a husband.’
Jerry just walked away. He had no idea of what to say. He told me, ‘She needs more help than anyone can give her in one session.’
I will be honest that there is no ‘sure fire way’ to guarantee that you can choose a spouse that will be a faithful, caring, helpful, supportive person.
However, there are some actions that will help put the odds in your favor.
There are also some actions that will definitely guarantee a failed ‘relationship’ or marriage.
To be ‘marriage material’ requires that the person contemplating marriage be the sort of spouse he or she would want personally.
That means living like you were already married.
That means being faithful to your potential spouse before you even meet them.
That means abstinence from s-e-x (sex) until you are married.
If you have been living the casual life, today is the day to start a new way of life. Abstinence should start for you today.
If your old friends don’t accept your decision – then it is time to get some new friends.
The idea of living together to see how it works is garbage.
Marriage is COMMITMENT.
There is nothing ‘casual’ about it.
What you want to find out about a person is not ‘how you will get along living together’.
You do want to know if your potential spouse can commit to something that is difficult.
You also need to be realistic.
My husband is faithful to me not because of who I am; but, because of who he is.
He decided long before I met him that he would live within the boundaries of behavior defined by God in the Bible.
There is nothing that anyone can do to ensure faithfulness in a spouse.
All you can do is be faithful yourself.
To think otherwise is to set yourself up for a big fall.
Mr. or Miss ‘sleeps around’ is not going to be ‘caught’ or ‘tamed’ by anyone.
This sort of person will always be looking for a reason to cheat. You cannot change his or her heart.
If you are married to a serial cheater, your option is probably divorce.
It comes down to the question, ‘Do I want to live the rest of my life like this?’
Living with a cheater could be compared to someone on one football team who goes out sneaks out and plays for a different team every now and then. Can you imagine if the Cowboys’ quarterback got up one day and decided to play for the Patriots?
I’m afraid that a majority of the people, all the way from the very young, to senior citizens, now see s-e-x (sex) as a casual activity that somehow validates ones personal attractiveness, personal power of persuasion, or as something so casual as to have no significance at all.
THAT attitude is definitely the beginning of a failed ‘relationship’. Stay away from people with that attitude.
Unfortunately, casual relationships are also the beginning of failed family units;
Failed churches,
Failed businesses and economy; and
Failed nations.
The importance of establishing a relationship leading to marriage inside the boundaries set by God cannot be overstated.
People tend to think of past generations as couples stuck in a marriage that provided nothing but frustration for everyone involved, and especially oppression for the women.
That is a false premises promoted by Hollywood and a bunch of bitter women who probably stepped outside the boundaries of a Godly relationships BEFORE they became feminists.
I have seen MANY lengthy marriages. They are not perfect. There is conflict in the marriage. But the couple is better equipped to face the world as a team than as one alone.
Talk about teamwork! A functioning marriage is teamwork at its best.
And they have something in common; the spouses are faithful to God and to each other.
Here’s the way it works to a great extent.
If you want to live within a faithful ‘relationship’, then that relationship must be within the boundaries of a MARRIAGE! Marriage should be your goal. Corporations don’t work without commitment contracts. Neither should you!
The best way to check for a potential spouse’s ability to be faithful in marriage is to demand they are faithful before marriage.
Faithfulness before marriage should be in the context of ABSTINANCE.
This shows respect for you personally, and for the rules by which God tells us to live.
Faithfulness begins with you.
Be faithful to God.
Be faithful to the standards which you have set for yourself.
Demand faithfulnes in return.
Memorize Pslam 37:1-3 which says:
3. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
God has someone special for you.
Wait on God to bring that person to you.
Jerry is appalled at the lack of normal family relationships within the large group that he sees daily. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it is a woman or a man. They all have one thing in common; and that is a lengthy and sorrow filled string of ‘relationships’ that didn’t work out.
One day a woman asked Jerry if he had ever ‘strayed’.
Jerry replied; ‘Nope!’
She replied, ‘I can’t even get a boyfriend to be faithful; much less a husband.’
Jerry just walked away. He had no idea of what to say. He told me, ‘She needs more help than anyone can give her in one session.’
I will be honest that there is no ‘sure fire way’ to guarantee that you can choose a spouse that will be a faithful, caring, helpful, supportive person.
However, there are some actions that will help put the odds in your favor.
There are also some actions that will definitely guarantee a failed ‘relationship’ or marriage.
To be ‘marriage material’ requires that the person contemplating marriage be the sort of spouse he or she would want personally.
That means living like you were already married.
That means being faithful to your potential spouse before you even meet them.
That means abstinence from s-e-x (sex) until you are married.
If you have been living the casual life, today is the day to start a new way of life. Abstinence should start for you today.
If your old friends don’t accept your decision – then it is time to get some new friends.
The idea of living together to see how it works is garbage.
Marriage is COMMITMENT.
There is nothing ‘casual’ about it.
What you want to find out about a person is not ‘how you will get along living together’.
You do want to know if your potential spouse can commit to something that is difficult.
You also need to be realistic.
My husband is faithful to me not because of who I am; but, because of who he is.
He decided long before I met him that he would live within the boundaries of behavior defined by God in the Bible.
There is nothing that anyone can do to ensure faithfulness in a spouse.
All you can do is be faithful yourself.
To think otherwise is to set yourself up for a big fall.
Mr. or Miss ‘sleeps around’ is not going to be ‘caught’ or ‘tamed’ by anyone.
This sort of person will always be looking for a reason to cheat. You cannot change his or her heart.
If you are married to a serial cheater, your option is probably divorce.
It comes down to the question, ‘Do I want to live the rest of my life like this?’
Living with a cheater could be compared to someone on one football team who goes out sneaks out and plays for a different team every now and then. Can you imagine if the Cowboys’ quarterback got up one day and decided to play for the Patriots?
I’m afraid that a majority of the people, all the way from the very young, to senior citizens, now see s-e-x (sex) as a casual activity that somehow validates ones personal attractiveness, personal power of persuasion, or as something so casual as to have no significance at all.
THAT attitude is definitely the beginning of a failed ‘relationship’. Stay away from people with that attitude.
Unfortunately, casual relationships are also the beginning of failed family units;
Failed churches,
Failed businesses and economy; and
Failed nations.
The importance of establishing a relationship leading to marriage inside the boundaries set by God cannot be overstated.
People tend to think of past generations as couples stuck in a marriage that provided nothing but frustration for everyone involved, and especially oppression for the women.
That is a false premises promoted by Hollywood and a bunch of bitter women who probably stepped outside the boundaries of a Godly relationships BEFORE they became feminists.
I have seen MANY lengthy marriages. They are not perfect. There is conflict in the marriage. But the couple is better equipped to face the world as a team than as one alone.
Talk about teamwork! A functioning marriage is teamwork at its best.
And they have something in common; the spouses are faithful to God and to each other.
Here’s the way it works to a great extent.
If you want to live within a faithful ‘relationship’, then that relationship must be within the boundaries of a MARRIAGE! Marriage should be your goal. Corporations don’t work without commitment contracts. Neither should you!
The best way to check for a potential spouse’s ability to be faithful in marriage is to demand they are faithful before marriage.
Faithfulness before marriage should be in the context of ABSTINANCE.
This shows respect for you personally, and for the rules by which God tells us to live.
Faithfulness begins with you.
Be faithful to God.
Be faithful to the standards which you have set for yourself.
Demand faithfulnes in return.
Memorize Pslam 37:1-3 which says:
3. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
God has someone special for you.
Wait on God to bring that person to you.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Love My Enemies? Not Likely!
OK Christian. Admit it. Someone close to you ‘done you wrong’!
You are having a hard time forgiving them.
If you still have to be around them, they are probably continually treating you like a pile of garbage.
You are probably thinking, ‘OK Barbara, give me ONE (just one) good reason that I should forgive the creep!
You are probably thinking that you already know the Bible verses regarding forgiveness. I listed many of the verses at the end of this blog post. You need to read them just as a reminder.
Unfortunately, the verses on forgiveness are easy to read, but they are much harder to actually do.
It becomes easier to at least begin with forgiveness when you figure out:
‘what’s in it for me?’
‘What am I going to get out of this?
That rat-fink done me wrong.
They walked away scot free.
And, I am left dealing with the mess they made.
I was the one who was hurt.
I was the one was innocent.
Or, possibly even worse, I’m the one who has to deal with the selfish pig on a daily basis.
They are continuing in their self centered world without even considering what they are doing to me and everyone else they touch.
Or, maybe you are trying to forgive someone who is hurting, or has hurt, someone you love. That may be even harder than forgiving someone who has hurt you personally.
Thankfully, I can give you good reasons to forgive.
First, forgive in obedience to God.
Trust Him.
God asks us to forgive otheres for our very own benefit.
There is something in it for you.
It is to our benefit to forgive others.
Anger and hurt, no matter how justified, are stumbling blocks between the Christian and his or her Lord.
THAT is the true motivation to forgive.
It comes down to this:
‘Do I love my hurt and anger MORE than I love the God of my salvation?’
‘Would I rather hang onto my hurt feelings than gain a closer walk with God?”
Sadly, many people will decide to hang onto their hurt and anger.
There is another good reason to forgive.
If you fail to forgive, you WILL become bitter and angry.
That root of bitterness will spring up in surprising places.
Bitterness cannot be contained or pointed at just one person.
It seeps out all around you.
It slowly poisons all your relationships.
You wind up being the one who hurts the people you love.
You become the person you despised.
Forgiveness, as already mentioned, is something that can be pretty nearly impossible to pull off. You think you have forgiven someone.
Then something reminds you of them, and you are hurt and angry all over again.
I think that is one reason Jesus said to forgive 70 X 7.
You may not be forgiving a different hurt every time. You may just be re-forgiving the same hurt, or the same type of hurt.
The reason to keep forgiving is of course obedience to Christ, but also to find the blessings that come from forgiveness.
I don't think this means you must continue to live with or put up with vicious and hurtful behavior. Regardless of whether you decide to live with something or remove yourself from the situation as much as possible, you MUST forgive.
Forgiveness seems to be a state of mind that you must work at continually. It becomes easier over time, but you still have to keep working at it.
That is done through prayer.
Truly, ‘pray for those that despitefully use you’ is written for YOUR benefit. (Matthew 5:44)
To be an effective Christian, nothing is more important than your personal walk with Jesus Christ.
You must pray for your enemies.
Don’t let hurt and bitterness ruin your future.
Forgive others and walk into a better future.
Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.Ephesians 4:31-32 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Matthew 5:43-45 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 6:27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,Luke 6:26-28 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.Luke 6:34-36 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.John 13:33-35 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
John 15:12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.John 15:11-13 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
(Compliments of biblegateway.com )
You are having a hard time forgiving them.
If you still have to be around them, they are probably continually treating you like a pile of garbage.
You are probably thinking, ‘OK Barbara, give me ONE (just one) good reason that I should forgive the creep!
You are probably thinking that you already know the Bible verses regarding forgiveness. I listed many of the verses at the end of this blog post. You need to read them just as a reminder.
Unfortunately, the verses on forgiveness are easy to read, but they are much harder to actually do.
It becomes easier to at least begin with forgiveness when you figure out:
‘what’s in it for me?’
‘What am I going to get out of this?
That rat-fink done me wrong.
They walked away scot free.
And, I am left dealing with the mess they made.
I was the one who was hurt.
I was the one was innocent.
Or, possibly even worse, I’m the one who has to deal with the selfish pig on a daily basis.
They are continuing in their self centered world without even considering what they are doing to me and everyone else they touch.
Or, maybe you are trying to forgive someone who is hurting, or has hurt, someone you love. That may be even harder than forgiving someone who has hurt you personally.
Thankfully, I can give you good reasons to forgive.
First, forgive in obedience to God.
Trust Him.
God asks us to forgive otheres for our very own benefit.
There is something in it for you.
It is to our benefit to forgive others.
Anger and hurt, no matter how justified, are stumbling blocks between the Christian and his or her Lord.
THAT is the true motivation to forgive.
It comes down to this:
‘Do I love my hurt and anger MORE than I love the God of my salvation?’
‘Would I rather hang onto my hurt feelings than gain a closer walk with God?”
Sadly, many people will decide to hang onto their hurt and anger.
There is another good reason to forgive.
If you fail to forgive, you WILL become bitter and angry.
That root of bitterness will spring up in surprising places.
Bitterness cannot be contained or pointed at just one person.
It seeps out all around you.
It slowly poisons all your relationships.
You wind up being the one who hurts the people you love.
You become the person you despised.
Forgiveness, as already mentioned, is something that can be pretty nearly impossible to pull off. You think you have forgiven someone.
Then something reminds you of them, and you are hurt and angry all over again.
I think that is one reason Jesus said to forgive 70 X 7.
You may not be forgiving a different hurt every time. You may just be re-forgiving the same hurt, or the same type of hurt.
The reason to keep forgiving is of course obedience to Christ, but also to find the blessings that come from forgiveness.
I don't think this means you must continue to live with or put up with vicious and hurtful behavior. Regardless of whether you decide to live with something or remove yourself from the situation as much as possible, you MUST forgive.
Forgiveness seems to be a state of mind that you must work at continually. It becomes easier over time, but you still have to keep working at it.
That is done through prayer.
Truly, ‘pray for those that despitefully use you’ is written for YOUR benefit. (Matthew 5:44)
To be an effective Christian, nothing is more important than your personal walk with Jesus Christ.
You must pray for your enemies.
Don’t let hurt and bitterness ruin your future.
Forgive others and walk into a better future.
Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.Ephesians 4:31-32 (in Context) Ephesians 4 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Matthew 5:43-45 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 6:27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,Luke 6:26-28 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.Luke 6:34-36 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
John 13:34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.John 13:33-35 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
John 15:12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.John 15:11-13 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
(Compliments of biblegateway.com )
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ideas Cause War
Ideas Cause War
Yep, that’s right. Ideas cause war.
Let me explain.
People have blamed many things for war; and they have many solutions regarding bringing about world peace.
You know the drill.
A new world order is just around the corner.
We have to band together as one people in order to stop war, and save the planet.
If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
Blah, blah, blah.
Oh really? I have news for the one worlder’s and their idea of a global community that is going to save the world – as my daddy used to say, ‘It ain’t a gonna work.’
Here’s why.
It is impossible to force all people to stop thinking at the same time.
It is even more impossible to force all people to think exactly the same thing at the same time.
Even the most thinking challenged among us has an idea occasionally.
These ideas translate into a set of core values.
The core values control how the person reacts and acts to the world and events in their lives.
For those who prefer not to think, they can always find ideas someone else has already thought up and just use those as their own set of core values.
Core values translate into RELIGION.
That’s right. RELIGION.
Deeply held beliefs ARE religion.
That’s all religion is.
It is just something someone believes.
We can name a lot of ‘religions’ such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and more.
These are commonly known as religions.
However, there are other deeply help beliefs such as humanism, communism, socialism, collectivism, fascism, Nazism, and more. The ideas that make up collectivist groups become religions.
Judaism and Christianity began with TRUTH as revealed by God Almighty.
Throughout the ages, many people have taken the truth in the Bible and based their own core values and deeply help beliefs on the truth of God.
Reason leads thinking people to the conclusion that design proves a designer.
The Designer is God, who has revealed Himself to the world in many way, but specifically through His written word.
Other ideas begin with some false premise, or from ‘the seat of their pants’. (Another saying from my dad)
That means they just made it up from a whim,
or from reasoning from a human view point,
or from an ego the size of Dallas,
or from a greedy heart,
or from a jealous heart.
All these have one thing in common.
They rebellious ideas, because they are in opposition to the Truth of God.
These false religions have something in common.
They have a basic belief that you can force someone to have the same set of core values that you have.
This is impossible.
It is possible to make someone pretend to believe something in order to stay out of trouble, but there is no way of actually reaching into the heart of the individual and ‘making’ him or her believe anything.
These false religions also have a lack of patience in common.
They will only have the patience to persuade others of the correctness of their core values as long as they have no might to force others into their belief system.
As soon as they gain enough military power or political clout, they will begin to force people into their belief system.
Look around you. Where ever you find a war, you will find a clash of ideas that have become core beliefs. These beliefs or values may or may not be called religion, but that is what they are. Whether it is a form of collectivism or something specifically called a religion, the core values or beliefs of different sects or nations is exactly the place from which comes war.
To seek to bring about world peace through a new world order is a vain attempt to take the focus off the real problem, which is separation from God because of the sin nature of mankind.
This means any ideas apart from God’s truth are doomed to failure.
They are also destined to bring additional pain and suffering upon the human race as a whole as well as the individual.
The only idea that will bring some relief to the suffering of mankind now, and provide an eternal solution, is the truth that is found in the teaching of the Bible.
If you want to bring about a better world, your efforts must begin with Jesus Christ.
You are free to accept Jesus or reject Him.
Those to whom you preach are also free to accept Him or reject Him.
Forced conversions are no conversion at all.
Imagine a world in which everyone really does love one another the way Christ loves us.
Imagine a world in which everyone is willing to lay down their lives for their friends. Consider this as a figurative sacrifice where the individual is willing to lay down his or her own desires in order to better care for their families and loved ones. That takes such a sacrifice out of the realm of the unlikely area of physically dying into the daily sacrifice of living for the good of someone else.
This sort of personal sacrifice cannot be forced.
It must come from the heart.
But, THAT is the idea that can change the world.
A truly ‘perfect world’ cannot be built by our efforts, or even the efforts of the most Godly and dedicated people. True perfection can only come when Jesus Christ Himself comes as the King.
However, the world CAN be improved by working to see that the Gospel is preached in all parts of the world. This is done through preaching the Gospel by how you live your life, and by global missionary support.
The ‘idea’ of a world savior was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Christ is superior to an idea conceived in the mind of a man.
He is reality.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
In Jesus Christ, peace between God and the individual is possible.
This allows peace in the heart of the believer.
Yep, that’s right. Ideas cause war.
Let me explain.
People have blamed many things for war; and they have many solutions regarding bringing about world peace.
You know the drill.
A new world order is just around the corner.
We have to band together as one people in order to stop war, and save the planet.
If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
Blah, blah, blah.
Oh really? I have news for the one worlder’s and their idea of a global community that is going to save the world – as my daddy used to say, ‘It ain’t a gonna work.’
Here’s why.
It is impossible to force all people to stop thinking at the same time.
It is even more impossible to force all people to think exactly the same thing at the same time.
Even the most thinking challenged among us has an idea occasionally.
These ideas translate into a set of core values.
The core values control how the person reacts and acts to the world and events in their lives.
For those who prefer not to think, they can always find ideas someone else has already thought up and just use those as their own set of core values.
Core values translate into RELIGION.
That’s right. RELIGION.
Deeply held beliefs ARE religion.
That’s all religion is.
It is just something someone believes.
We can name a lot of ‘religions’ such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and more.
These are commonly known as religions.
However, there are other deeply help beliefs such as humanism, communism, socialism, collectivism, fascism, Nazism, and more. The ideas that make up collectivist groups become religions.
Judaism and Christianity began with TRUTH as revealed by God Almighty.
Throughout the ages, many people have taken the truth in the Bible and based their own core values and deeply help beliefs on the truth of God.
Reason leads thinking people to the conclusion that design proves a designer.
The Designer is God, who has revealed Himself to the world in many way, but specifically through His written word.
Other ideas begin with some false premise, or from ‘the seat of their pants’. (Another saying from my dad)
That means they just made it up from a whim,
or from reasoning from a human view point,
or from an ego the size of Dallas,
or from a greedy heart,
or from a jealous heart.
All these have one thing in common.
They rebellious ideas, because they are in opposition to the Truth of God.
These false religions have something in common.
They have a basic belief that you can force someone to have the same set of core values that you have.
This is impossible.
It is possible to make someone pretend to believe something in order to stay out of trouble, but there is no way of actually reaching into the heart of the individual and ‘making’ him or her believe anything.
These false religions also have a lack of patience in common.
They will only have the patience to persuade others of the correctness of their core values as long as they have no might to force others into their belief system.
As soon as they gain enough military power or political clout, they will begin to force people into their belief system.
Look around you. Where ever you find a war, you will find a clash of ideas that have become core beliefs. These beliefs or values may or may not be called religion, but that is what they are. Whether it is a form of collectivism or something specifically called a religion, the core values or beliefs of different sects or nations is exactly the place from which comes war.
To seek to bring about world peace through a new world order is a vain attempt to take the focus off the real problem, which is separation from God because of the sin nature of mankind.
This means any ideas apart from God’s truth are doomed to failure.
They are also destined to bring additional pain and suffering upon the human race as a whole as well as the individual.
The only idea that will bring some relief to the suffering of mankind now, and provide an eternal solution, is the truth that is found in the teaching of the Bible.
If you want to bring about a better world, your efforts must begin with Jesus Christ.
You are free to accept Jesus or reject Him.
Those to whom you preach are also free to accept Him or reject Him.
Forced conversions are no conversion at all.
Imagine a world in which everyone really does love one another the way Christ loves us.
Imagine a world in which everyone is willing to lay down their lives for their friends. Consider this as a figurative sacrifice where the individual is willing to lay down his or her own desires in order to better care for their families and loved ones. That takes such a sacrifice out of the realm of the unlikely area of physically dying into the daily sacrifice of living for the good of someone else.
This sort of personal sacrifice cannot be forced.
It must come from the heart.
But, THAT is the idea that can change the world.
A truly ‘perfect world’ cannot be built by our efforts, or even the efforts of the most Godly and dedicated people. True perfection can only come when Jesus Christ Himself comes as the King.
However, the world CAN be improved by working to see that the Gospel is preached in all parts of the world. This is done through preaching the Gospel by how you live your life, and by global missionary support.
The ‘idea’ of a world savior was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Christ is superior to an idea conceived in the mind of a man.
He is reality.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
In Jesus Christ, peace between God and the individual is possible.
This allows peace in the heart of the believer.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Secret Societies - Real or Imaginary?
Ray Gano and I are working on a series on secret societies for PZ Radio. This is the basic transcript for the first broadcast.
Barbara
--------
Today, I wanted to take a few minutes to consider the likely hood of secret societies conspiring to rule the world.
It seems isn’t really a case of ‘are they here’ but that secret societies conspiring to bring about a New World Order MUST be here.
Now, bear with me on this – it may seem like I’m going off track, but stick with me here.
I want to point out that if you are a Christian living on planet earth, you are facing three constant battles.
Most Christians realize they are facing a battle with the devil. They pray to God for protection and help; then they go out and face the day.
What they often don’t realize is that they are really facing three battles:
The battle with one’s own sin nature, which by the way does not go away when you get saved.
The world system, that means society and government are out to get you! Yes, they really are. They will put you in situations daily where you are forced to make a decision to do the right thing, or ‘fit in’, ‘make a profit’, ‘be popular’, and so on.
And, number three - the devil. Yes, he is real, and yes he wants to cause you trouble in your life, the lives of your family, friends, country, and the entire world.
It is natural for these three things to form a dreadful and fearsome alliance because they are in opposition to God at their very core.
On the other side of this evil alliance we find Christians and their God.
Everyone on the planet IS in the war. Those who have not specifically joined the battle on God’s side are definitely on the side of the ‘the big three’ – the devil, the flesh, and the world system.
The alliance between God and His children is an overt operation. There is nothing secret about it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. You are adopted into the family of God and are on HIS side. God Himself becomes the Champion of the believer.
On the other hand – the alliance between Satan, the world, and the sin nature is quite covert. It is a secret to all but a few.
It works like this.
Satan is the power source and main adversary of God.
He is at war with God continually.
His goal is to rule the world.
To do that Satan needs to control world government.
To do that, Satan needs human beings who do his bidding.
Some who are in league with Satan are just ego maniacs who believe they are better able to manage your life and your business than you can manage it yourself. There may be a few who people communicate directly with Satan through one means or another, or more likely with some of Satan’s high ranking demon followers.
Here’s the deal, no matter how lofty and self sacrificing the goals of any powerful organization may have been in the beginning, the devil will find a way to creep in unawares and lead silly ego maniacs captive.
Eventually, these organizations WILL be controlled by and led by human beings who are controlled either knowingly or unknowingly by Satan and his demonic followers. Some organizations may be controlled by Satan from their beginning.
This is just a natural occurrence given the fallen world in which we live.
Now that is where we are today. The world is full of ‘secret societies’ plotting ways to ‘improve the world’, ‘save the world’, ‘bring world peace’, and so on.
All these improvements wind up requiring a one world government or a New World Order.
They feel justified in keeping their true agenda’s secret from the global population because of their superior intellect, or beneficial intentions.
In identifying these secret societies, it is important to remember that there may be many people in the societies whose intent is just to ‘do good’.
They really are not aware of any conspiracy.
They usually do have something in common though.
They are willing to do something wrong in order to bring about something they think is right. If they think bigger government is better, they are willing to skew fair and honest elections in order to bring about bigger government.
So, willing accomplices, or ignorant buffoons, they are part of the conspiracy.
They don’t know any more about the strategy or ultimate goals of their organization’s hierarchy than the stock boy knows about upper management of the company he works for. They just want the company to do well.
So, I am not suggesting that EVERYONE in a secret society is an out and out devil worshipers, or in cahoots with the devil, or even dabbles in the occult.
However, reason tells us that because of the Satan’s global ambitions, his presence will be found in every place where there is the least semblance of power, much less in places of real power. Of course Satan is not omnipresent – so what is usually associated with different secret societies would be some of Satan’s angels who followed him in the rebellion against God Almighty.
Some people in these secret societies are aware of exactly what they are doing. Others are delusional in thinking that they are in charge of invisible powers that are helping them achieve their goals.
The point of this news brief is to get you to consider the possibility and even the likelihood of secret societies, or societies that work within the umbrella of a society that has stated goals and agendas that are separate from the true goals and agendas of the inner circle of members. These societies are global in scope. They are satisfied to make small strides in the direction they want to go. Over years, decades, and even centuries, these small steps bring a great shift in the direction that the world as a whole is taking.
Today, we see many groups that have been labeled as a ‘secret society’, such as the free masons, Illuminati, Knights Templar, Bilderburgers, Club of Rome, and so on. Some are new on the scene; others are centuries old. As their agenda is exposed, they simply attach themselves to a different name. Their inner workings and agenda of world dominion remain the same. They want to control the world and everything in it. The power behind these societies is Satan.
Over the coming weeks we are considering giving a history of different ‘secret societies’
Such as the Illuminati, free masons, Knights Templar, and others.
I am currently researching secret societies. You can email me with questions or information about specific secret societies. tosergeant@gmail.com
Have a good day.
Barbara
--------
Today, I wanted to take a few minutes to consider the likely hood of secret societies conspiring to rule the world.
It seems isn’t really a case of ‘are they here’ but that secret societies conspiring to bring about a New World Order MUST be here.
Now, bear with me on this – it may seem like I’m going off track, but stick with me here.
I want to point out that if you are a Christian living on planet earth, you are facing three constant battles.
Most Christians realize they are facing a battle with the devil. They pray to God for protection and help; then they go out and face the day.
What they often don’t realize is that they are really facing three battles:
The battle with one’s own sin nature, which by the way does not go away when you get saved.
The world system, that means society and government are out to get you! Yes, they really are. They will put you in situations daily where you are forced to make a decision to do the right thing, or ‘fit in’, ‘make a profit’, ‘be popular’, and so on.
And, number three - the devil. Yes, he is real, and yes he wants to cause you trouble in your life, the lives of your family, friends, country, and the entire world.
It is natural for these three things to form a dreadful and fearsome alliance because they are in opposition to God at their very core.
On the other side of this evil alliance we find Christians and their God.
Everyone on the planet IS in the war. Those who have not specifically joined the battle on God’s side are definitely on the side of the ‘the big three’ – the devil, the flesh, and the world system.
The alliance between God and His children is an overt operation. There is nothing secret about it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. You are adopted into the family of God and are on HIS side. God Himself becomes the Champion of the believer.
On the other hand – the alliance between Satan, the world, and the sin nature is quite covert. It is a secret to all but a few.
It works like this.
Satan is the power source and main adversary of God.
He is at war with God continually.
His goal is to rule the world.
To do that Satan needs to control world government.
To do that, Satan needs human beings who do his bidding.
Some who are in league with Satan are just ego maniacs who believe they are better able to manage your life and your business than you can manage it yourself. There may be a few who people communicate directly with Satan through one means or another, or more likely with some of Satan’s high ranking demon followers.
Here’s the deal, no matter how lofty and self sacrificing the goals of any powerful organization may have been in the beginning, the devil will find a way to creep in unawares and lead silly ego maniacs captive.
Eventually, these organizations WILL be controlled by and led by human beings who are controlled either knowingly or unknowingly by Satan and his demonic followers. Some organizations may be controlled by Satan from their beginning.
This is just a natural occurrence given the fallen world in which we live.
Now that is where we are today. The world is full of ‘secret societies’ plotting ways to ‘improve the world’, ‘save the world’, ‘bring world peace’, and so on.
All these improvements wind up requiring a one world government or a New World Order.
They feel justified in keeping their true agenda’s secret from the global population because of their superior intellect, or beneficial intentions.
In identifying these secret societies, it is important to remember that there may be many people in the societies whose intent is just to ‘do good’.
They really are not aware of any conspiracy.
They usually do have something in common though.
They are willing to do something wrong in order to bring about something they think is right. If they think bigger government is better, they are willing to skew fair and honest elections in order to bring about bigger government.
So, willing accomplices, or ignorant buffoons, they are part of the conspiracy.
They don’t know any more about the strategy or ultimate goals of their organization’s hierarchy than the stock boy knows about upper management of the company he works for. They just want the company to do well.
So, I am not suggesting that EVERYONE in a secret society is an out and out devil worshipers, or in cahoots with the devil, or even dabbles in the occult.
However, reason tells us that because of the Satan’s global ambitions, his presence will be found in every place where there is the least semblance of power, much less in places of real power. Of course Satan is not omnipresent – so what is usually associated with different secret societies would be some of Satan’s angels who followed him in the rebellion against God Almighty.
Some people in these secret societies are aware of exactly what they are doing. Others are delusional in thinking that they are in charge of invisible powers that are helping them achieve their goals.
The point of this news brief is to get you to consider the possibility and even the likelihood of secret societies, or societies that work within the umbrella of a society that has stated goals and agendas that are separate from the true goals and agendas of the inner circle of members. These societies are global in scope. They are satisfied to make small strides in the direction they want to go. Over years, decades, and even centuries, these small steps bring a great shift in the direction that the world as a whole is taking.
Today, we see many groups that have been labeled as a ‘secret society’, such as the free masons, Illuminati, Knights Templar, Bilderburgers, Club of Rome, and so on. Some are new on the scene; others are centuries old. As their agenda is exposed, they simply attach themselves to a different name. Their inner workings and agenda of world dominion remain the same. They want to control the world and everything in it. The power behind these societies is Satan.
Over the coming weeks we are considering giving a history of different ‘secret societies’
Such as the Illuminati, free masons, Knights Templar, and others.
I am currently researching secret societies. You can email me with questions or information about specific secret societies. tosergeant@gmail.com
Have a good day.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Defining Your Job Description
Dear Christian,
These are trying times in which we live. There are very few people in the United States or the world who have not already been affected by the economic down spiral of economies and social structure around the world.
Whether employed or unemployed, the Christian still has a job to do. God knows we need an help in determining exactly what to do. He does not leave us clueless in what our personal job description is.
First, the individual Christian is supposed to actually live like a Christian, They are to practice what the Bible preaches. There are no exceptions, regardless of financial hardships, and fearsome times.
Second, the Christian is supposed to tell their families about Jesus Christ.
Your family, your extended family, and all relatives are in the area of your responsibility.
It is your responsibility to tell them about Jesus.
It is your responsibility to set an example for them in how you live your life.
It is ultimately their choice as to whether they accept or reject Jesus.
But, their ultimate decision does not lessen your responsibility to at least tell them about Jesus, and personally live like a practicing Christian.
Third, it is in the job description of all Christians to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ beyond their own families. Branch out to friends, co-workers, and the whole world through missionary support.
These duties are not lessened by:
Economic hardship,
Tyranny,
Danger,
Social Stigma,
Personal timidness,
Or any other thing.
I know that is hard. I personally fail at least fifteen times a day at doing what is right. On a bad day, I can fail that many times well before lunch.
Still, that is the job description of a Christian.
We are to live like Christ instructs us to live.
We are to stay focused on winning our families and friends.
We are to help take the Gospel into all the world.
We are to disciple new Christians both by how we live, and in seeing that they have sound teachings in the church.
It isn't that hard to explain it.
It is much harder to actually do it.
I can do better at doing a good job as a Christian today than I did yesterday.
So can you.
Our Christian walk with God can be dramatically improved by following the instructions in the Bible to:
Hide the Word of God in our hearts to help us avoid sin.
Fear not because God is with us always.
Be steadfast and unwavering in our faith.
God bless you.
These are trying times in which we live. There are very few people in the United States or the world who have not already been affected by the economic down spiral of economies and social structure around the world.
Whether employed or unemployed, the Christian still has a job to do. God knows we need an help in determining exactly what to do. He does not leave us clueless in what our personal job description is.
First, the individual Christian is supposed to actually live like a Christian, They are to practice what the Bible preaches. There are no exceptions, regardless of financial hardships, and fearsome times.
Second, the Christian is supposed to tell their families about Jesus Christ.
Your family, your extended family, and all relatives are in the area of your responsibility.
It is your responsibility to tell them about Jesus.
It is your responsibility to set an example for them in how you live your life.
It is ultimately their choice as to whether they accept or reject Jesus.
But, their ultimate decision does not lessen your responsibility to at least tell them about Jesus, and personally live like a practicing Christian.
Third, it is in the job description of all Christians to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ beyond their own families. Branch out to friends, co-workers, and the whole world through missionary support.
These duties are not lessened by:
Economic hardship,
Tyranny,
Danger,
Social Stigma,
Personal timidness,
Or any other thing.
I know that is hard. I personally fail at least fifteen times a day at doing what is right. On a bad day, I can fail that many times well before lunch.
Still, that is the job description of a Christian.
We are to live like Christ instructs us to live.
We are to stay focused on winning our families and friends.
We are to help take the Gospel into all the world.
We are to disciple new Christians both by how we live, and in seeing that they have sound teachings in the church.
It isn't that hard to explain it.
It is much harder to actually do it.
I can do better at doing a good job as a Christian today than I did yesterday.
So can you.
Our Christian walk with God can be dramatically improved by following the instructions in the Bible to:
Hide the Word of God in our hearts to help us avoid sin.
Fear not because God is with us always.
Be steadfast and unwavering in our faith.
God bless you.
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