Common Sense Commentary: Everyone has a labyrinth problem from time to time. A labyrinth is a maze of intricate complexity. Many problems in our technological world fit that description .... this action hinges on that action and that on another and another and another. Its like the "links" in a chain, but each link is unique and dependent on the ones leading from it ... in all directions. Sometimes things get so complicated and frustrating that your head spins a 360, and you just give up on understanding or solving the problem. Every direction you go on a computer, you end up in a labyrinth of choices, endless tunnels, blind allies and complicated choices. I have googled words that had hundreds of thousands of references. I'm too old for that ... but you will never get where you want to go, or learn what you want to know, if you quit trying: Getting through school or college, learning a new job, nine months of pregnancy, an unhappy marriage, the devastation of divorce, stolen identity, settling and estate, old age complications, surviving a death, or a burn out and many other complex problems.
That's why I said, "Pray first and then think your way through life." Thought is next in power to prayer. We have to think with an open mind and follow through ... like in boxing ... You don't punch AT the target; you punch through the target. Don't think AT the problem, think through it. Don't be stopped by shadows, smoke and mirrors or impossibilities. Those things are all illusions and are usually the same thing... strain on the brain. Almost nothing is impossible ... unless you quit. Do what needs to be done without regard for the illusion of "impossible", unless God says it can't be done. If it needs to be done, there is a way. "All things are possible to him that believeth." Mk.9:23. How is that possible? "...With God all things are possible." Matt.19:26. RB
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 30, 2012
Waiting For Redemption In The Devil's Pawn Shop
Common Sense Commentary: "...Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation..." Rev.5:9.
The older I get, and the more I see of this old world, the greater God's grace appears to me, and the more I realize the whole world deserves to be cast into a hopeless hell. Spiritual blindness is pervasive ... "the blind lead the blind." Matt.25:14. Wickedness is to the bone. The idea of repentance is an unthinkable insult to our national "sophistication". There is nothing so holy as to be beyond the comedian's vile humor; nothing so righteous as to escape public contempt. Sin is so rampant, bloodthirsty and cruel, it calls to mind the hounds of the Baskervilles baying through the darkened hills in pursuit of a desperate, lost soul. It is as if we are all standing on the crumbling edge of time ... looking into the eternal flames ... with a sneer. This world is a hopeless, derelict, pawn under lock and key control of Satan ... Except for Jesus Christ bearing our sins to the cross, dying there in our guilty place, and rising from the dead to completely redeem us from the Devil's Pawn Shop. It is to him the world has sold it's eternal soul for one more brief moment of pleasure. And yet, the world rejects Christ's redemption with a snarl. Is there any good thing Satan has not lied about? No! Jesus said, "...There is no truth in him ... for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44.
If you have any concern at all, for your eternal destiny, you are not beyond hope. RB
The older I get, and the more I see of this old world, the greater God's grace appears to me, and the more I realize the whole world deserves to be cast into a hopeless hell. Spiritual blindness is pervasive ... "the blind lead the blind." Matt.25:14. Wickedness is to the bone. The idea of repentance is an unthinkable insult to our national "sophistication". There is nothing so holy as to be beyond the comedian's vile humor; nothing so righteous as to escape public contempt. Sin is so rampant, bloodthirsty and cruel, it calls to mind the hounds of the Baskervilles baying through the darkened hills in pursuit of a desperate, lost soul. It is as if we are all standing on the crumbling edge of time ... looking into the eternal flames ... with a sneer. This world is a hopeless, derelict, pawn under lock and key control of Satan ... Except for Jesus Christ bearing our sins to the cross, dying there in our guilty place, and rising from the dead to completely redeem us from the Devil's Pawn Shop. It is to him the world has sold it's eternal soul for one more brief moment of pleasure. And yet, the world rejects Christ's redemption with a snarl. Is there any good thing Satan has not lied about? No! Jesus said, "...There is no truth in him ... for he is a liar, and the father of it." John 8:44.
If you have any concern at all, for your eternal destiny, you are not beyond hope. RB
Dec 29, 2012
Fiscal Cliff? Oh Yes, A Remedy For The Past
Common Sense Commentary:
Today the Wall Street Journal reported, concerning our politicians' finest creation, the pseudo, financial cliff, that our esteemed president just mused that, The nation "can't afford a politically self-inflicted wound to our economy. Congress can prevent it from happening, if they act now."
The fact is, the "wounded" patient, Uncle Sam, has long since suffered that "self inflicted wound", and has been in the Intensive Care Unit for several years suffering further damage by those in charge, by their injections of experimental drugs... with constant reports of fictitious "improvement". The same "expert" nephews who put that gun in Uncle Sam's feeble, senile hands, back when, are the doctors claiming to now have the cure for Uncle's terminal illness... if only his rational relatives will agree to this new miracle medicine called ... "Silverbullet para el cranium".
To say, "congress can prevent it from happening" if they "act now" is like telling the mortician, after the evacuation of Uncle's corpse of old, dead blood, that if he will "act now", and pump in some of that new, old blood, left over from the hospital, Uncle will come alive. There are some words for what the president said....
The meat market butcher calls it.... baloney.
The church nursery keeper calls it .... twiddle twaddle.
In Iraq its known as.... ancient Babel.
The Red Light District calls it ... claptrap.
Master plumbers call it .... drivel.
The Irish call it .... malarkey.
A pig farmer calls it .... hog-wash.
Circus clowns call it .... mumbo-jumbo.
Professional equestrians call it ... horse feathers.
Flower gardeners call it .... poppycock.
An old sailor man calls it .... bilge.
Anti-magicians call it hocus-pocus.
This old West Texan calls it ... hot air. RB
Today the Wall Street Journal reported, concerning our politicians' finest creation, the pseudo, financial cliff, that our esteemed president just mused that, The nation "can't afford a politically self-inflicted wound to our economy. Congress can prevent it from happening, if they act now."
The fact is, the "wounded" patient, Uncle Sam, has long since suffered that "self inflicted wound", and has been in the Intensive Care Unit for several years suffering further damage by those in charge, by their injections of experimental drugs... with constant reports of fictitious "improvement". The same "expert" nephews who put that gun in Uncle Sam's feeble, senile hands, back when, are the doctors claiming to now have the cure for Uncle's terminal illness... if only his rational relatives will agree to this new miracle medicine called ... "Silverbullet para el cranium".
To say, "congress can prevent it from happening" if they "act now" is like telling the mortician, after the evacuation of Uncle's corpse of old, dead blood, that if he will "act now", and pump in some of that new, old blood, left over from the hospital, Uncle will come alive. There are some words for what the president said....
The meat market butcher calls it.... baloney.
The church nursery keeper calls it .... twiddle twaddle.
In Iraq its known as.... ancient Babel.
The Red Light District calls it ... claptrap.
Master plumbers call it .... drivel.
The Irish call it .... malarkey.
A pig farmer calls it .... hog-wash.
Circus clowns call it .... mumbo-jumbo.
Professional equestrians call it ... horse feathers.
Flower gardeners call it .... poppycock.
An old sailor man calls it .... bilge.
Anti-magicians call it hocus-pocus.
This old West Texan calls it ... hot air. RB
Dec 27, 2012
Hate Is Not Murder... Its Suicide
Common Sense Commentary: "And then (last days) shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Matt.24:10
"He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him..." Pr.26:24.
Hate is a cruel, relentless taskmaster. It neutralizes common sense and truth itself. Hate undermines ones own self interest. It not only rots the soul of its host but poisons his most precious relationships. Hate is a slow, terminal disease which destroys its carrier rather than its target. Hate cannot touch you unless you let it, but the hater cannot escape its ruinous effects upon himself because it originated and lurks inside his skull and gut. It is an invisible, internal plague that can only be cured by forgiveness and the agape love of God through the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. Otherwise, only death and the horrors of hell will distract it .... only to be redirected at Jesus Christ for eternity. Hate is a most dangerous, obsessive preoccupation. Give it up to God before it gives you up to Satan. Let the Holy Spirit heal you... now. RB
"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now." 1 Jn. 2:9
Reckless Was Not Careless, She Was A Heroine
Common Sense Commentary: "A righteous man regardeth the life of
his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Prov.12:10
Reckless was a pack horse during the Korean war,
and she carried recoil-less rifles, ammunition and
supplies to Marines. Nothing too unusual about that,
lots of animals got pressed into doing pack chores
in many wars. But this horse did something more….
during the battle for a location called Outpost Vegas,
this mare made 50 trips up and down the hill, on the
way up she carried ammunition, and on the way
down she carried wounded. Here’s her story and
photos to prove where she was and what she did…. HERE
Reckless was a pack horse during the Korean war,
and she carried recoil-less rifles, ammunition and
supplies to Marines. Nothing too unusual about that,
lots of animals got pressed into doing pack chores
in many wars. But this horse did something more….
during the battle for a location called Outpost Vegas,
this mare made 50 trips up and down the hill, on the
way up she carried ammunition, and on the way
down she carried wounded. Here’s her story and
photos to prove where she was and what she did…. HERE
Dec 26, 2012
Yes, I Love The Lord, But What Can I Do When ...
Common Sense Commentary: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done
all, to stand." Eph.6:13.
But what can I do when I am old and unable ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am sick and weak ? STAND!
But what can I do when I don't have a job ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am bankrupt ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am a failure ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am divorced ? STAND!
But what can I do when my mate dies ? STAND !
But what can I do when people lie about me ? STAND!
But what can I do when a loved one hates me ? STAND!
But what can I do when I want to give up ? STAND!
But what can I do when the world falls apart ? STAND!
But what can I do when our Republic dies ? STAND!
But what can I do when I lose everything? STAND!
But what can I do when I don't feel like standing ? STAND!
Rayburn Blair... still standing at 82 ... at my computer ....
in my easy chair... dozing off.
But what can I do when I am old and unable ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am sick and weak ? STAND!
But what can I do when I don't have a job ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am bankrupt ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am a failure ? STAND!
But what can I do when I am divorced ? STAND!
But what can I do when my mate dies ? STAND !
But what can I do when people lie about me ? STAND!
But what can I do when a loved one hates me ? STAND!
But what can I do when I want to give up ? STAND!
But what can I do when the world falls apart ? STAND!
But what can I do when our Republic dies ? STAND!
But what can I do when I lose everything? STAND!
But what can I do when I don't feel like standing ? STAND!
Rayburn Blair... still standing at 82 ... at my computer ....
in my easy chair... dozing off.
Dec 25, 2012
OK, Let's Use The Non-Biblical Word..."Sovereignty"
Common Sense Commentary: There are Bible versions, not the King James, which use the word "sovereign", in place of the word "God", over 300 times, but that is an erroneous translation.
Procreation and "dominion" were God's stated and primary, sovereign will, physically, for people, as given to Adam and Eve in Eden. Gen.1:28...
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." So God's "sovereign will", physically, for us was to "multiply", have children, "subdue" the earth, and have "dominion" over it. Limited "Human Sovereignty" fits quite well here and that was God's "sovereign will" for humanity.
His primary, sovereign will, spiritually, for people, was to love Him, as demonstrated by our obedience to, and worship of Him. But, He wanted us to love, obey and worship Him by our own free will choice, not by compulsion, intimidation or fear. So, immediately after the creation, the first man and woman had a world full of permission and freedom ..."every herb... and every fruit tree" for food, and to"multiply" with human sovereignty (dominion) on earth. Gen.1:26-29. But, to exercise their free will to love, obey and worship Him, God gave them just one little negative, "thou shalt not".... "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." Gen.3:3. Clearly, the choice was theirs ... to love God enough to obey His perfect will for them ... or not. It was obviously God's "sovereign will" for Adam and Eve and the entire human race that we have a free will choice to love, obey and worship Him... or to do otherwise, as we chose. That was His sovereign will.
God created the entire human race in His image and likeness ..."And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion... upon the earth." "Dominion upon the earth" (sovereignty) was a small gift of "likeness" to our Creator's Universal dominion. Another "likeness" gift He gave us was human free will choice in our decisions. We can chose to love, obey and worship Him or not to. THIS was His sovereign will for us, that we not be little, remotely controlled robots or pegs on a game board, but His children, in His image and likeness, responsible for our own thoughts, words and actions. THIS was His "sovereign will" for us.
It was God's "sovereign will" that both angels and humans have a "sovereign will" ... but limited to their own thoughts, words and actions and to be accountable to Him for those free will choices. And God called it our "dominion"... a word which means "supreme authority", similar to sovereignty. We are lowly sovereigns or stewards, under God only, of the "dominion" He assigned us ... our little autonomous part of the earth and its contents.
That same "free will" is demonstrated in angels by the Arch-angel Lucifer's thought-words, quoted by God in Isa.14:12-15, where Lucifer lustfully swore, "I will" five times, that he would take God's throne away from Him and rule the universe in God's place. Lucifer had his own, God given, dominion over one third of all the angels.
And, mystery of mysteries, that third of the free will angels of heaven followed him, of their own free will, in the rebellion. That was not God's perfect will for His angels. But it was His "sovereign will" that they have a mind of their own, a will of their own and that they be accountable for their free will choices as we are responsible for ours. You might call it God's permissive will, based on His perfect sovereign will, that we and angels have a free will. That has always been God's "sovereign will" and He has never seen fit to change it or rescind it and force the angels and every human being on earth to be good, to obey and worship Him automatically. Programed to do so. No!
Human free will was first demonstrated in Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden, at the tree of knowledge of good and evil, when they freely chose to disobey God and eat of that forbidden fruit .... and God did not stop them. They made the choice and they suffered the consequences of their free will choice, and were driven from the garden.
Human will is also seen in Noah and his family choosing to obey God in building the ark and choosing, obediently, to enter it... to their salvation. Human will is again seen at the tower of Babel.... And the LORD said, "Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." Gen.11:6. This disobedience was clearly their free will decision not God's. God's permissive will allows us to disobey Him because He, in His sovereign will, gave us a free will. God does not and cannot violate His own set will. So when He allows a heinous crime to be committed, it is not his perfect will but His permissive will, because He gave us all a free will which He will not change, because a free will is necessary if we, the human race, are to be judged for our own sins. Human will is also seen in Lot's free will choice of Sodom, as his home, instead of the pleasant, fertile plain. Gen.13:9. He paid dearly for his bad choice. At the same time, the LORD, speaking of Abraham, said, "I know him, that he will command his children ...." Gen.18:19. This verse aligns with the "Foreknowledge IS predestination" verse, Rom.8:29.. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.... Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." The divine order, and work of God, in "redemption" begins with "Foreknowledge" and progresses to "glorification", at the second coming. "...when he shall appear, we shall be like him...." 1Jn.3:2.
Listen carefully. Foreknowledge is the front part (prefix) of omniscience (past & future). As predestination is the simultaneous result of foreknowledge, election is the simultaneous result of predestination. Though they are not exactly the same things, neither precedes nor is subsequent to the other. God has always eternally foreknown everything, therefore always eternally predestined, therefore always eternally elected those He foreknew would believe on Jesus Christ. Similarly, but what is more, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all foreknew all things, past and future, at the same time, forever in the past and will, forever in the future.
Jesus understood completely God's love for the world of people He had created in His own likeness, and then gave them a free will to choose their own eternal fate by simply believing and accepting God's will ... or not. Jesus said of it, "For God so loved the world ... that whosoever believeth on him ...." Jn.3:16. We must choose to believe on Jesus, of our own free will. THAT is God's sovereign will.
Jesus is the "light" of God's remedy for man's self destructive, free will sin. Jesus said, of himself, "I am the light of the world...." Jn.8:12. And in Jn.1:9, "That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." The Holy Spirit carries that light, that motivation, that impulse to seek the true God, into every soul on earth. Some willingly respond to it and some willfully do not.
Even Jesus, the God-man, had a human will. When praying to God the Father, before his crucifixion, he prayed, "Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt.26:39.
So why would God enlighten "every man that cometh into the world" if most of those people could not be saved even if they wanted to be saved, as Calvinists believe ... solely because they were not chosen to be saved? Think! Why, if "God so loved the (whole) world" of people, "enlightened" them and "convicted" them of their need, would He not also save them if they believed??? When Jesus ascended back into heaven, he sent the Holy spirit to continue the convicting work of God in the hearts of the whole world's inhabitants. Jesus promised, "When he (Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove (convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness (the need of it), and of judgement (the certainty of it). " Jn.16:8.
Why would Jesus and God the father bother to do that if, as a result of their effort,
those convicted of their sins, who wanted rightness and forgiveness, and to escape that certainty of judgement, could not repent and be saved anyway, because God had already, by His pseudo "sovereign will", rejected them based solely on nothing but His choosing one and rejecting another, and not by His sovereign foreknowledge of their free will acceptance or rejection of Jesus?
Jesus said, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might be saved." Jn.5:40. "Ye will not!!!
God is omniscient. He knows everything about everything and everyone, past, present and future. An example of His foreknowledge is prophecy. God revealed certain things, through His prophets, that He knew would happen in the future, before the fact. Some of those things, He himself would determine and make happen. Such things as the birth of His Son, Jesus the Christ (Messiah) ... in Bethlehem ... at a time determined by Him and through a virgin determined by Him. Other things, God foretold would happen based on His foreknowledge of what Satan or men would do in their own free will, which He, in His sovereign will, gave them at creation. Things such as King Herod's determination and self-will to kill the baby Jesus by killing all the boy babies of that age, in Judea, to be sure he didn't miss Jesus. Herod did that on his own, by the free will which God, in His sovereign will, gave us all when He created man in His image and likeness. God did not dictate Adam and Eve's sin or Herod's sin or our sins, but in His sovereign will He gave us all a free will to choose our actions. And so, He lets terrible things happen because His decision was made at creation to let us decide to do good or bad, and He foreknows which we will choose, and lets it happen for that reason.... but He also determined at creation to hold us accountable for our bad choices and to reward our obedience. When people ask, "Why does God let terrible, cruel and unjust things happen?" This is the answer. There is no other answer. It was His sovereign will to give us all a free will at creation and that he would judge our free will decisions at the Judgement Seat of Christ for Christians and the Great White Throne for the unsaved, willful rejectors
Any and every person who will believe, repent and accept Christ will be saved.
And God already knows (foreknows) what your free will decision will be. He is omniscient ..... Of course He knows!
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him may have everlasting life ...." Jn.6:40 If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why isn't "every one" saved? Their own will determines it.
"Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim.2:4. If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why don't they "all" "come" and be "saved"? Their own will determines it.
"The Lord is ... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet.3:9. If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why do most of them "perish" and not "come to repentance"? Their own will determines it.
"It is not the will of the Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." Matt.18:14. If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why isn't it done?
The answer to all of the above is, that God's perfect sovereign will, since creation is, that every eternal soul have a say, yea or nay, in the matter of their acceptance or rejection of their sins, of Christ and of their salvation. Many a soul has wanted to be saved but wanted their sins more by their own free will.
"Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." Rev.22:17.
"Whosoever will do the will of God, the same is my brother and my sister...."Mk.3:35
"For whosoever will come after me, let him...." Mk. 8:34.
"That servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself ...." Lk.12:47.
Yes, I know it is long, but it is a major issue among Christians today. The sin of it is in putting upon God the responsibility for our sins and sending people to hell, not for their willful rejection or non-acceptance of Christ or anything they did or didn't do, but simply because He did not want them. That contradicts all of the above verses.
God has done all that is necessary and all He is going to do toward your salvation. The next move is up to you. He will not force you but He will accept you if you accept Him. Exercise your free will and believe on Jesus Christ as your Saviour, repent of your sins, and ask him into your heart and life. He already knows what your free will decision will be. ... but you will decide it. RB
Procreation and "dominion" were God's stated and primary, sovereign will, physically, for people, as given to Adam and Eve in Eden. Gen.1:28...
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." So God's "sovereign will", physically, for us was to "multiply", have children, "subdue" the earth, and have "dominion" over it. Limited "Human Sovereignty" fits quite well here and that was God's "sovereign will" for humanity.
His primary, sovereign will, spiritually, for people, was to love Him, as demonstrated by our obedience to, and worship of Him. But, He wanted us to love, obey and worship Him by our own free will choice, not by compulsion, intimidation or fear. So, immediately after the creation, the first man and woman had a world full of permission and freedom ..."every herb... and every fruit tree" for food, and to"multiply" with human sovereignty (dominion) on earth. Gen.1:26-29. But, to exercise their free will to love, obey and worship Him, God gave them just one little negative, "thou shalt not".... "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." Gen.3:3. Clearly, the choice was theirs ... to love God enough to obey His perfect will for them ... or not. It was obviously God's "sovereign will" for Adam and Eve and the entire human race that we have a free will choice to love, obey and worship Him... or to do otherwise, as we chose. That was His sovereign will.
God created the entire human race in His image and likeness ..."And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion... upon the earth." "Dominion upon the earth" (sovereignty) was a small gift of "likeness" to our Creator's Universal dominion. Another "likeness" gift He gave us was human free will choice in our decisions. We can chose to love, obey and worship Him or not to. THIS was His sovereign will for us, that we not be little, remotely controlled robots or pegs on a game board, but His children, in His image and likeness, responsible for our own thoughts, words and actions. THIS was His "sovereign will" for us.
It was God's "sovereign will" that both angels and humans have a "sovereign will" ... but limited to their own thoughts, words and actions and to be accountable to Him for those free will choices. And God called it our "dominion"... a word which means "supreme authority", similar to sovereignty. We are lowly sovereigns or stewards, under God only, of the "dominion" He assigned us ... our little autonomous part of the earth and its contents.
That same "free will" is demonstrated in angels by the Arch-angel Lucifer's thought-words, quoted by God in Isa.14:12-15, where Lucifer lustfully swore, "I will" five times, that he would take God's throne away from Him and rule the universe in God's place. Lucifer had his own, God given, dominion over one third of all the angels.
And, mystery of mysteries, that third of the free will angels of heaven followed him, of their own free will, in the rebellion. That was not God's perfect will for His angels. But it was His "sovereign will" that they have a mind of their own, a will of their own and that they be accountable for their free will choices as we are responsible for ours. You might call it God's permissive will, based on His perfect sovereign will, that we and angels have a free will. That has always been God's "sovereign will" and He has never seen fit to change it or rescind it and force the angels and every human being on earth to be good, to obey and worship Him automatically. Programed to do so. No!
Human free will was first demonstrated in Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden, at the tree of knowledge of good and evil, when they freely chose to disobey God and eat of that forbidden fruit .... and God did not stop them. They made the choice and they suffered the consequences of their free will choice, and were driven from the garden.
Human will is also seen in Noah and his family choosing to obey God in building the ark and choosing, obediently, to enter it... to their salvation. Human will is again seen at the tower of Babel.... And the LORD said, "Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." Gen.11:6. This disobedience was clearly their free will decision not God's. God's permissive will allows us to disobey Him because He, in His sovereign will, gave us a free will. God does not and cannot violate His own set will. So when He allows a heinous crime to be committed, it is not his perfect will but His permissive will, because He gave us all a free will which He will not change, because a free will is necessary if we, the human race, are to be judged for our own sins. Human will is also seen in Lot's free will choice of Sodom, as his home, instead of the pleasant, fertile plain. Gen.13:9. He paid dearly for his bad choice. At the same time, the LORD, speaking of Abraham, said, "I know him, that he will command his children ...." Gen.18:19. This verse aligns with the "Foreknowledge IS predestination" verse, Rom.8:29.. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.... Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." The divine order, and work of God, in "redemption" begins with "Foreknowledge" and progresses to "glorification", at the second coming. "...when he shall appear, we shall be like him...." 1Jn.3:2.
Listen carefully. Foreknowledge is the front part (prefix) of omniscience (past & future). As predestination is the simultaneous result of foreknowledge, election is the simultaneous result of predestination. Though they are not exactly the same things, neither precedes nor is subsequent to the other. God has always eternally foreknown everything, therefore always eternally predestined, therefore always eternally elected those He foreknew would believe on Jesus Christ. Similarly, but what is more, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all foreknew all things, past and future, at the same time, forever in the past and will, forever in the future.
Jesus understood completely God's love for the world of people He had created in His own likeness, and then gave them a free will to choose their own eternal fate by simply believing and accepting God's will ... or not. Jesus said of it, "For God so loved the world ... that whosoever believeth on him ...." Jn.3:16. We must choose to believe on Jesus, of our own free will. THAT is God's sovereign will.
Jesus is the "light" of God's remedy for man's self destructive, free will sin. Jesus said, of himself, "I am the light of the world...." Jn.8:12. And in Jn.1:9, "That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." The Holy Spirit carries that light, that motivation, that impulse to seek the true God, into every soul on earth. Some willingly respond to it and some willfully do not.
Even Jesus, the God-man, had a human will. When praying to God the Father, before his crucifixion, he prayed, "Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt.26:39.
So why would God enlighten "every man that cometh into the world" if most of those people could not be saved even if they wanted to be saved, as Calvinists believe ... solely because they were not chosen to be saved? Think! Why, if "God so loved the (whole) world" of people, "enlightened" them and "convicted" them of their need, would He not also save them if they believed??? When Jesus ascended back into heaven, he sent the Holy spirit to continue the convicting work of God in the hearts of the whole world's inhabitants. Jesus promised, "When he (Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove (convict) the world of sin, and of righteousness (the need of it), and of judgement (the certainty of it). " Jn.16:8.
Why would Jesus and God the father bother to do that if, as a result of their effort,
those convicted of their sins, who wanted rightness and forgiveness, and to escape that certainty of judgement, could not repent and be saved anyway, because God had already, by His pseudo "sovereign will", rejected them based solely on nothing but His choosing one and rejecting another, and not by His sovereign foreknowledge of their free will acceptance or rejection of Jesus?
Jesus said, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might be saved." Jn.5:40. "Ye will not!!!
God is omniscient. He knows everything about everything and everyone, past, present and future. An example of His foreknowledge is prophecy. God revealed certain things, through His prophets, that He knew would happen in the future, before the fact. Some of those things, He himself would determine and make happen. Such things as the birth of His Son, Jesus the Christ (Messiah) ... in Bethlehem ... at a time determined by Him and through a virgin determined by Him. Other things, God foretold would happen based on His foreknowledge of what Satan or men would do in their own free will, which He, in His sovereign will, gave them at creation. Things such as King Herod's determination and self-will to kill the baby Jesus by killing all the boy babies of that age, in Judea, to be sure he didn't miss Jesus. Herod did that on his own, by the free will which God, in His sovereign will, gave us all when He created man in His image and likeness. God did not dictate Adam and Eve's sin or Herod's sin or our sins, but in His sovereign will He gave us all a free will to choose our actions. And so, He lets terrible things happen because His decision was made at creation to let us decide to do good or bad, and He foreknows which we will choose, and lets it happen for that reason.... but He also determined at creation to hold us accountable for our bad choices and to reward our obedience. When people ask, "Why does God let terrible, cruel and unjust things happen?" This is the answer. There is no other answer. It was His sovereign will to give us all a free will at creation and that he would judge our free will decisions at the Judgement Seat of Christ for Christians and the Great White Throne for the unsaved, willful rejectors
Any and every person who will believe, repent and accept Christ will be saved.
And God already knows (foreknows) what your free will decision will be. He is omniscient ..... Of course He knows!
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him may have everlasting life ...." Jn.6:40 If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why isn't "every one" saved? Their own will determines it.
"Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim.2:4. If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why don't they "all" "come" and be "saved"? Their own will determines it.
"The Lord is ... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet.3:9. If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why do most of them "perish" and not "come to repentance"? Their own will determines it.
"It is not the will of the Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." Matt.18:14. If that is God's perfect, sovereign will, why isn't it done?
The answer to all of the above is, that God's perfect sovereign will, since creation is, that every eternal soul have a say, yea or nay, in the matter of their acceptance or rejection of their sins, of Christ and of their salvation. Many a soul has wanted to be saved but wanted their sins more by their own free will.
"Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." Rev.22:17.
"Whosoever will do the will of God, the same is my brother and my sister...."Mk.3:35
"For whosoever will come after me, let him...." Mk. 8:34.
"That servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself ...." Lk.12:47.
Yes, I know it is long, but it is a major issue among Christians today. The sin of it is in putting upon God the responsibility for our sins and sending people to hell, not for their willful rejection or non-acceptance of Christ or anything they did or didn't do, but simply because He did not want them. That contradicts all of the above verses.
God has done all that is necessary and all He is going to do toward your salvation. The next move is up to you. He will not force you but He will accept you if you accept Him. Exercise your free will and believe on Jesus Christ as your Saviour, repent of your sins, and ask him into your heart and life. He already knows what your free will decision will be. ... but you will decide it. RB
A Christmas Day Memory, When Heaven Came Down Again
Common Sense Commentary: Today is Christmas, 2012. Our 70+ children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are scattered from Florida to Washington State and from New Hampshire to California ... with Headquarters (Papa & Grandma) in Texas. Our children all have grandchildren and are celebrating Christmas with some of their own. We have had our Christmas, here, with our son Ron and Cindy and their children and grandchildren. So, Bettie and I are locked into a warm home in a snow storm. We are not envious of those traveling on the highways, airways or byways.
Checking my email this morning, I had several notices from Facebook of comments to comments addressed to me. One of them was from an old friend, out of the past, named Tucker Williams. A picture of Tucker and his dear wife, Betty, was attached. The greatest blessings I get, in these latter years, are those like this one from Tucker.
Tucker Williams wrote: "A Christmas Gift. Preacher, I will never forget the day you lead me to Christ Jesus and baptized me that night in TBC."
My response:
Tucker, what a Christmas present on this cold Christmas Day. I rejoice, in Jesus, to hear your kind words and remembrance of your salvation and baptism at wonderful old Temple, many years ago, when I was pastor there. As the years have passed, the truth of those blessed days fades in the public mind, and perception, imagination and flawed memory take it's place. But, it matters not. As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Cor.1:1-6, to paraphrase, "Do I need to commend myself or ask for letters of commendation? No, you are my letter of commendation, written in our hearts for the world to read. All of you who were saved and baptised, under our ministry, are epistles of Christ, not written with ink but by the Holy Spirit. And not written on tablets of stone, but upon the fleshly tablets of the heart. Not that we are sufficient within ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God ... who made us able ministers of the New Testament ...." I love you brother, and will in eternity. RB
Let me address this, also, to all of you who were saved and served there at Temple Baptist Church during those thirty years in Tallahassee, Florida. You were, and are still, a blessing to Mrs. Blair and me. We will love all of you for eternity. RB
Checking my email this morning, I had several notices from Facebook of comments to comments addressed to me. One of them was from an old friend, out of the past, named Tucker Williams. A picture of Tucker and his dear wife, Betty, was attached. The greatest blessings I get, in these latter years, are those like this one from Tucker.
Tucker Williams wrote: "A Christmas Gift. Preacher, I will never forget the day you lead me to Christ Jesus and baptized me that night in TBC."
My response:
Tucker, what a Christmas present on this cold Christmas Day. I rejoice, in Jesus, to hear your kind words and remembrance of your salvation and baptism at wonderful old Temple, many years ago, when I was pastor there. As the years have passed, the truth of those blessed days fades in the public mind, and perception, imagination and flawed memory take it's place. But, it matters not. As the Apostle Paul said in 2 Cor.1:1-6, to paraphrase, "Do I need to commend myself or ask for letters of commendation? No, you are my letter of commendation, written in our hearts for the world to read. All of you who were saved and baptised, under our ministry, are epistles of Christ, not written with ink but by the Holy Spirit. And not written on tablets of stone, but upon the fleshly tablets of the heart. Not that we are sufficient within ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God ... who made us able ministers of the New Testament ...." I love you brother, and will in eternity. RB
Let me address this, also, to all of you who were saved and served there at Temple Baptist Church during those thirty years in Tallahassee, Florida. You were, and are still, a blessing to Mrs. Blair and me. We will love all of you for eternity. RB
Dec 24, 2012
Christmas Gift
Common Sense Commentary:
Even if you are a billionaire, you cannot give God a gift greater than yourself. If you are a king on a throne, it is not your throne or crown or castle God wants... but you.
Your denomination or reverend may prefer those things to you ... but not God. Your wealth, titles, and all you possess are temporal and will turn to dust ... but you are dust which has became eternal. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." God created you in His own image and likeness and intended you to be His child... not by physical birth but by a born again, spiritual birth. He accepts you to be His eternal child only if you accept Him to be your eternal Father ... through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Saviour from the wages of sin.
That is why Christ came into this world as the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, lived a sinless life and gave it on Calvary as payment for the gift of life... for your sins and mine. Now, the only thing He wants from you, for Christmas.... is you. RB
Even if you are a billionaire, you cannot give God a gift greater than yourself. If you are a king on a throne, it is not your throne or crown or castle God wants... but you.
Your denomination or reverend may prefer those things to you ... but not God. Your wealth, titles, and all you possess are temporal and will turn to dust ... but you are dust which has became eternal. "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." God created you in His own image and likeness and intended you to be His child... not by physical birth but by a born again, spiritual birth. He accepts you to be His eternal child only if you accept Him to be your eternal Father ... through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Saviour from the wages of sin.
That is why Christ came into this world as the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, lived a sinless life and gave it on Calvary as payment for the gift of life... for your sins and mine. Now, the only thing He wants from you, for Christmas.... is you. RB
Dec 22, 2012
So How Does Sovereignty Relate To Predestination?
Common Sense Commentary: The "sovereignty" of God has no relationship to predestination except it flow through the "foreknowledge" of God.
The word "sovereignty" is not in the Bible (KJV), and is therefore not a Biblical word in either Hebrew or Greek. Now it could, perhaps, have a Biblical counterpart which means something similar, such as power, authority, privilege, dominion, Master, Judge or King. Soverign is a human word shared by men, in meaning, of both earthly kings and God. Neither are the words "trinity" or "rapture" in the Bible (KJV), except by their definitions, and they are used strictly in reference to the spiritual meanings, unlike "sovereign". Trinity means "three in one" and that is in the Bible. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1Jn.5:7. Rapture means, "caught up" and that is in the Bible. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" 1 Thess.4:17. But nobody can do a proper Biblical, word study, in Hebrew or Greek, of a word which is not clearly used in the Bible. Sovereign is such a word.
The English word "sovereign", as a noun, is from the Middle English word "soverain" which came from the Old French word soverain, an adjective. The English word "sovereign", as an adjective, also dates back to that same Old French word "soverain", which in turn, originated from the Vulgar (common) Latin word "superanus", which means "over or above". Any ruler or other human can be "over or above" other people and still have a higher power over him. It is an expressive word, when applied to kings and rulers, and is used, though weakly, applied to God. It was used by the English and French in reference to Kings, Queens, Royal Families, their Royal Money and Royal Government, more than to God, if to God at all. We hear the word every day on the news ..."Sovereign debt" meaning government debt. "Sovereign currency" is government currency. Sovereign wealth is tax payer's poverty. It has always related to human governments. However, Calvinists (not a Scriptural title either) have added diety to the word, over the last 500 years, which was not attached to it's original definition. Sovereign's original, root, Latin word, "superanus", mentioned above, had obvious "human" overtones. Most modern dictionaries have added diety as one of it's definitions and several modern versions of the bible substitute the word "sovereign" for the word "God" several hundred times. Nevertheless, it is not in the Bible. Sovereign is a word born in the Latin trenches but wound up on the throne.
When studying God's word, the Bible, I feel much more secure and accurate using strictly Biblical words so I can use an Analytical Concordance and Lexicon of Bible words with Hebrew and Greek meanings in all of their Scriptural usages. So, to better understand what our Christian, Calvinist friends mean when they so often refer to the "sovereignty of God", maybe you can help me find a strictly Bible word which has the closest meaning to "sovereignty".
A much better and more exact Biblical word, which references one of God's titles, as its only possessor, is "Almighty". This word means exactly what it says and is found 48 times in the Old Testament as "Shaddai" (Heb), and 10 times in the New Testament as "Pantokrator" (Gk). Nine of those 10 times in the N.T., it is translated "Almighty" and once as "omnipotent". The word is capitalized (proper name noun) in all 58 Biblical uses except the one time it is translated "omnipotent". In that one time, it is used as a descriptive adjective rather than a noun name. That one time is in Rev.19:6 ..."And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying, Alleluja: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
So here we have two extremely strong, Biblical words which cannot be applied to earthly kings, queens, their children or their kingdom's monarchical money, or to anything or anyone else. It doesn't seem proper to me to use any title of God which can be equally applied to humans or things.
I think "Almighty", Shaddai, Pantokrator, is the word I am looking for. It does not reflect "sovereignty" but omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence. Also, it says nothing in reference to predestination or election ... but then, neither does sovereignty. "Foreknowledge", which is "omniscience", says it all about predestination or election, and is a Biblical word. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Rom.8:29. Also ... "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." 1 Pet.1:2.
God's Foreknowledge IS predestination and election. Think it through. RB
The word "sovereignty" is not in the Bible (KJV), and is therefore not a Biblical word in either Hebrew or Greek. Now it could, perhaps, have a Biblical counterpart which means something similar, such as power, authority, privilege, dominion, Master, Judge or King. Soverign is a human word shared by men, in meaning, of both earthly kings and God. Neither are the words "trinity" or "rapture" in the Bible (KJV), except by their definitions, and they are used strictly in reference to the spiritual meanings, unlike "sovereign". Trinity means "three in one" and that is in the Bible. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1Jn.5:7. Rapture means, "caught up" and that is in the Bible. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" 1 Thess.4:17. But nobody can do a proper Biblical, word study, in Hebrew or Greek, of a word which is not clearly used in the Bible. Sovereign is such a word.
The English word "sovereign", as a noun, is from the Middle English word "soverain" which came from the Old French word soverain, an adjective. The English word "sovereign", as an adjective, also dates back to that same Old French word "soverain", which in turn, originated from the Vulgar (common) Latin word "superanus", which means "over or above". Any ruler or other human can be "over or above" other people and still have a higher power over him. It is an expressive word, when applied to kings and rulers, and is used, though weakly, applied to God. It was used by the English and French in reference to Kings, Queens, Royal Families, their Royal Money and Royal Government, more than to God, if to God at all. We hear the word every day on the news ..."Sovereign debt" meaning government debt. "Sovereign currency" is government currency. Sovereign wealth is tax payer's poverty. It has always related to human governments. However, Calvinists (not a Scriptural title either) have added diety to the word, over the last 500 years, which was not attached to it's original definition. Sovereign's original, root, Latin word, "superanus", mentioned above, had obvious "human" overtones. Most modern dictionaries have added diety as one of it's definitions and several modern versions of the bible substitute the word "sovereign" for the word "God" several hundred times. Nevertheless, it is not in the Bible. Sovereign is a word born in the Latin trenches but wound up on the throne.
When studying God's word, the Bible, I feel much more secure and accurate using strictly Biblical words so I can use an Analytical Concordance and Lexicon of Bible words with Hebrew and Greek meanings in all of their Scriptural usages. So, to better understand what our Christian, Calvinist friends mean when they so often refer to the "sovereignty of God", maybe you can help me find a strictly Bible word which has the closest meaning to "sovereignty".
A much better and more exact Biblical word, which references one of God's titles, as its only possessor, is "Almighty". This word means exactly what it says and is found 48 times in the Old Testament as "Shaddai" (Heb), and 10 times in the New Testament as "Pantokrator" (Gk). Nine of those 10 times in the N.T., it is translated "Almighty" and once as "omnipotent". The word is capitalized (proper name noun) in all 58 Biblical uses except the one time it is translated "omnipotent". In that one time, it is used as a descriptive adjective rather than a noun name. That one time is in Rev.19:6 ..."And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying, Alleluja: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
So here we have two extremely strong, Biblical words which cannot be applied to earthly kings, queens, their children or their kingdom's monarchical money, or to anything or anyone else. It doesn't seem proper to me to use any title of God which can be equally applied to humans or things.
I think "Almighty", Shaddai, Pantokrator, is the word I am looking for. It does not reflect "sovereignty" but omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence. Also, it says nothing in reference to predestination or election ... but then, neither does sovereignty. "Foreknowledge", which is "omniscience", says it all about predestination or election, and is a Biblical word. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." Rom.8:29. Also ... "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." 1 Pet.1:2.
God's Foreknowledge IS predestination and election. Think it through. RB
Dec 20, 2012
Old People Know How To Get Around A Problem
Common Sense Commentary: Unintended consequences, collateral damage and "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction", have never been more appropriately applied than to our president's new health care extravaganza. That is to say, take away huge parts of old people's savings interest and Medicare, which they paid for, and give it to all those who had no health insurance and then sit back and watch how those old folks solve the problem.
This is a friend of mine's rational analysis and recommendation for us oldsters.
Our plan gives anyone 65 years or older a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot four Politicians.
Of course, this means you will be sent to prison where you will get three meals a day, a roof over your head,
This is a friend of mine's rational analysis and recommendation for us oldsters.
You're a sick senior citizen and the
government says there is no nursing home available for
you.
So what do you do?
Our plan gives anyone 65 years or older a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot four Politicians.
Of course, this means you will be sent to prison where you will get three meals a day, a roof over your head,
central heating, air conditioning and all
the health care you need! Need new teeth? No problem. Need glasses? That's
great. Need a new hip, knees, kidney, lungs or heart? They're all
covered.
As an added bonus, your kids can come and visit you as often as they do now.
And who will be paying for all of this? It's the same government that just told you that they cannot afford
As an added bonus, your kids can come and visit you as often as they do now.
And who will be paying for all of this? It's the same government that just told you that they cannot afford
for you to go into a home.
And you can get rid of 4 useless politicians while you are at it.
Plus, and because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any income taxes anymore.
And you can get rid of 4 useless politicians while you are at it.
Plus, and because you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any income taxes anymore.
Is this a great country or
what?
Dec 19, 2012
Untold Heroics At Benghazi Revealed
Common Sense Commentary: The truth will out itself .....
THEY EARNED THEIR TRIDENT (Benghazi--Navy Seals) 60 dead...
THEY EARNED THEIR TRIDENT (Benghazi--Navy Seals) 60 dead...
You have read none of this, nor has it been reported in the Main Street Media, but here are some facts which have leaked out from those who were there, and they cannot keep the truth of what happened in Benghazi, hidden any longer.
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Dec 18, 2012
End Of The World This Friday Dec.21 ???
Common Sense Commentary: How strange it is that millions of people are ready to believe, or at least wonder if it is true, that the world will end Friday simply because the Mayan Long-Count Calendar had to end somewhere and the guy who made it out of a lump of clay, just ran out of space to go farther than this Friday, Dec. 21, 2012.
This sort of irrational wave of fear, in the hearts of the uninformed, emotional masses, is simply an example of Satan's preparing people, by exposing them to enough lies about the end of the world, that they will not believe the truth about it. It is like the boy who kept crying "wolf", when there was no wolf, and when a real wolf came, and he cried wolf again, no body believed him. As Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a great evangelist of the past, said, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on." Jesus, himself, alluded to this very thing when He said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He..... abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." Jn.8:44. You can count on a devil's lie to be told over and over about any and every truth of God in the Bible. So here we have an old, clay, Mayan calendar out of the jungles of Central America, ending when the lump of clay ran out of space, and it rattles the whole world. Jesus have mercy.
The world will not end until Jesus Christ returns in the air to Rapture His Believers into heaven and the Anti-Christ reigns during the Biblical Tribulation Period. Jesus said that no one knows exactly when that will happen ....
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of....
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
So, will the world end this Friday, Dec.21, 2012? Absolutely not! Rayburn Blair
This sort of irrational wave of fear, in the hearts of the uninformed, emotional masses, is simply an example of Satan's preparing people, by exposing them to enough lies about the end of the world, that they will not believe the truth about it. It is like the boy who kept crying "wolf", when there was no wolf, and when a real wolf came, and he cried wolf again, no body believed him. As Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a great evangelist of the past, said, "A lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on." Jesus, himself, alluded to this very thing when He said, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He..... abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." Jn.8:44. You can count on a devil's lie to be told over and over about any and every truth of God in the Bible. So here we have an old, clay, Mayan calendar out of the jungles of Central America, ending when the lump of clay ran out of space, and it rattles the whole world. Jesus have mercy.
The world will not end until Jesus Christ returns in the air to Rapture His Believers into heaven and the Anti-Christ reigns during the Biblical Tribulation Period. Jesus said that no one knows exactly when that will happen ....
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of....
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
So, will the world end this Friday, Dec.21, 2012? Absolutely not! Rayburn Blair
Dec 17, 2012
Follow Knowledge Not Emotions When You Give
Common Sense Commentary: If you do not know what your church, club, union, child or charity does with the money you give them, either learn it or stop giving. You are the God appointed Steward of every thing you possess and are responsible to Him for how it is spent. Your money represents that part of your time, talent, energy, and life it took you to earn it. Use it wisely; use it well and don't send it to me. RB
THINK BEFORE YOU
DONATE
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU MAKE
CONTRIBUTIONS:
As you open your pockets to do a good thing
and make yourself feel good, please keep the following facts in
mind: ----------------------------
The American Red
Cross
President and CEO Marsha J. Evans'
salary for the year was $651,957 plus
expenses
|
MARCH OF DIMES
It is called the March of Dimes because
only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to
the needy.
|
The United Way
President Brian Gallagher
receives a $375,000 base salary along with
numerous expense benefits.
|
UNICEF
CEO Caryl M. Stern receives
$1,200,000 per year (100k permonth) plus all
expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE.
Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar
goes to the cause.
|
GOODWILL
CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year. Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business.
You donate to his business and then he
sells the items for PROFIT.
He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage! Nice Guy. $0.00 goes to help anyone! Stop giving to this man. |
Instead, give it to ANY OF THE
FOLLOWINGAND
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE IT WILL DO SOME GOOD:
The Salvation Army
Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only
$13,000 per year(plus housing) for managing this $2
billion dollar organization.
96 percent of donated dollars go to the
cause.
|
The American Legion
National Commander receives a< /font>$0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth! |
The Veterans of Foreign
Wars
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their
families and youth!
|
The Disabled American
Veterans
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth! |
The Military Order of Purple
Hearts
National Commander receives a$0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth! |
The Vietnam Veterans
AssociationNational
Commander receives a$0.00
salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their
families and youth!
|
Make a Wish:For children's last
wishes.
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Dec 16, 2012
U.S. Army Manuel: Pedophilia Is Part Of Islam
Common Sense Commentary: "And judgment is turned away
backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in
the street, and equity cannot enter." Isaiah 59:14
A new Army manual that warns American soldiers in Afghanistan to avoid talking about certain topics has unwittingly acknowledged that Western taboos such as pedophilia are an inherent part of Islamic culture.
“By mentioning that pedophilia and women’s rights and saying that soldiers should not mention such things they are tacitly admitting that those things are indeed part of Islam,” said Robert Spencer, founder of Jihad Watch.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a new 75-page Army manual suggests U.S. soldiers are to blame for the large number of deadly attacks on them by Afghan security forces. The manual reportedly says the soldiers may have brought the attacks on themselves because of insensitivity towards Islamic culture.
“Many of the confrontations occur because of [coalition] ignorance of, or lack of empathy for, Muslim and/or Afghan cultural norms, resulting in a violent reaction from the [Afghan security force] member,” the draft report prepared by Army researchers and obtained by the Journal said.
Clare Lopez, a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy, said the suggestion that U.S. soldiers are to blame for the attacks on them by Afghan security forces is outrageous.
“To suggest that our troops are somehow being murdered because of our insensitivity to their culture is essentially saying it’s our own fault that the troops are being killed because we weren’t nice enough to them,” Lopez said. “The fundamental refusal to acknowledge that the enemy fights because of what he says he fight for, which is Islam, is a failure by our professional leadership from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on down. Because of this, we have no strategy.”
This year alone, more than three dozen attacks have killed 63 coalition forces. In an attempt to quell the attacks the Army report has issued a list of “taboo conversational topics.”
The topics include “making derogatory comments about the Taliban,” “advocating women’s rights” and “directing any criticism towards Afghans” or “anything related to Islam.”
The Army manual also advises soldiers to avoid “any criticism of pedophilia” or “mentioning homosexuality and homosexual conduct.”
The Army manual has drawn sharp criticism from Marine Gen. John Allen, the top military commander in Afghanistan. Allen reportedly has rejected a proposed foreword written by the Army using his name.
“Gen. Allen did not author, nor does he intend to provide, a foreword,” Col. Tom Collins, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan said. “He does not approve of its contents.”
Spencer says the ban on criticizing pedophilia has put the military in a difficult position. By attempting to show cultural sensitivity, it is forced to acknowledge that pedophilia is an inherent part of Islamic teaching.
“This draws attention to the fact that despite denials by the U.S. government and groups like CAIR, these things are a part of official Islam,” Spencer said. “However, I don’t expect them to have the honesty to acknowledge the inconsistency.”
He said that by telling soldiers not to speak against pedophilia, the military and the U.S. government is essentially endorsing the behavior.
“We are essentially sending the message that the United States endorses pedophilia by refusing to speak out against it. I don’t see any way around this.”
Clare Lopez, also a senior fellow with the Clarion Fund, said the new manual is another example of how the military is sending the message that Western culture and values are subservient to Islam.
“It’s another step in a process of submission to the appeasement of Islam that the United States leadership including military leadership has been pursuing for quite a while,” she said. “The entire program seems to be geared to appeasing the Taliban and jihadists by giving in to their world view which says Islam should not be offended and letting them decide what is offensive.”
The Army manual is in keeping with policies by the Obama administration to deliberately scrub all training materials that criticize Islam. Earlier this year, the FBI destroyed all of its materials that taught there was an Islamic connection to terrorism.
Cmdr. William Speakes, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said the Army manual sends the message to Middle Easterners that despite statements by our government, they cannot expect any help from America when it comes to fighting for basic human rights.
“Anybody in these Muslim countries that wanted to see freedom of speech, a crackdown on pedophilia, or rights for women were disappointed at the time that we endorsed the Afghan constitution which enshrined these principles in Islamic law,” Spencer said. “It sends the message to advocates of human rights and freedom that the United States is not going to help them and they are on their own.”
Army acknowledges pedophilia part of Islam
Manual warns soldiers in Afghanistan not to talk about certain subjects
“By mentioning that pedophilia and women’s rights and saying that soldiers should not mention such things they are tacitly admitting that those things are indeed part of Islam,” said Robert Spencer, founder of Jihad Watch.
According to the Wall Street Journal, a new 75-page Army manual suggests U.S. soldiers are to blame for the large number of deadly attacks on them by Afghan security forces. The manual reportedly says the soldiers may have brought the attacks on themselves because of insensitivity towards Islamic culture.
“Many of the confrontations occur because of [coalition] ignorance of, or lack of empathy for, Muslim and/or Afghan cultural norms, resulting in a violent reaction from the [Afghan security force] member,” the draft report prepared by Army researchers and obtained by the Journal said.
Clare Lopez, a senior fellow with the Center for Security Policy, said the suggestion that U.S. soldiers are to blame for the attacks on them by Afghan security forces is outrageous.
“To suggest that our troops are somehow being murdered because of our insensitivity to their culture is essentially saying it’s our own fault that the troops are being killed because we weren’t nice enough to them,” Lopez said. “The fundamental refusal to acknowledge that the enemy fights because of what he says he fight for, which is Islam, is a failure by our professional leadership from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on down. Because of this, we have no strategy.”
This year alone, more than three dozen attacks have killed 63 coalition forces. In an attempt to quell the attacks the Army report has issued a list of “taboo conversational topics.”
The topics include “making derogatory comments about the Taliban,” “advocating women’s rights” and “directing any criticism towards Afghans” or “anything related to Islam.”
The Army manual also advises soldiers to avoid “any criticism of pedophilia” or “mentioning homosexuality and homosexual conduct.”
The Army manual has drawn sharp criticism from Marine Gen. John Allen, the top military commander in Afghanistan. Allen reportedly has rejected a proposed foreword written by the Army using his name.
“Gen. Allen did not author, nor does he intend to provide, a foreword,” Col. Tom Collins, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan said. “He does not approve of its contents.”
Spencer says the ban on criticizing pedophilia has put the military in a difficult position. By attempting to show cultural sensitivity, it is forced to acknowledge that pedophilia is an inherent part of Islamic teaching.
“This draws attention to the fact that despite denials by the U.S. government and groups like CAIR, these things are a part of official Islam,” Spencer said. “However, I don’t expect them to have the honesty to acknowledge the inconsistency.”
He said that by telling soldiers not to speak against pedophilia, the military and the U.S. government is essentially endorsing the behavior.
“We are essentially sending the message that the United States endorses pedophilia by refusing to speak out against it. I don’t see any way around this.”
Clare Lopez, also a senior fellow with the Clarion Fund, said the new manual is another example of how the military is sending the message that Western culture and values are subservient to Islam.
“It’s another step in a process of submission to the appeasement of Islam that the United States leadership including military leadership has been pursuing for quite a while,” she said. “The entire program seems to be geared to appeasing the Taliban and jihadists by giving in to their world view which says Islam should not be offended and letting them decide what is offensive.”
The Army manual is in keeping with policies by the Obama administration to deliberately scrub all training materials that criticize Islam. Earlier this year, the FBI destroyed all of its materials that taught there was an Islamic connection to terrorism.
Cmdr. William Speakes, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said the Army manual sends the message to Middle Easterners that despite statements by our government, they cannot expect any help from America when it comes to fighting for basic human rights.
“Anybody in these Muslim countries that wanted to see freedom of speech, a crackdown on pedophilia, or rights for women were disappointed at the time that we endorsed the Afghan constitution which enshrined these principles in Islamic law,” Spencer said. “It sends the message to advocates of human rights and freedom that the United States is not going to help them and they are on their own.”
Dec 15, 2012
Hearkening Back To The First Christmas....
Common Sense Commentary:
|
Dec 14, 2012
Gun Related Deaths in D.C. Greater Than Iraq Or Newtown, Conn.
Common Sense Commentary: "Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:16. "God is not the author of confusion...." 1 Cor.14:33
"O Lord, to us belongeth confusion..., to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee." Dan.9:8
Adam Lanza, Goth Loner, Mother hater, child murderer dressed in black.
"O Lord, to us belongeth confusion..., to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee." Dan.9:8
Gun Logic 101 - An interesting letter in the
Australian Shooter Magazine this week: "If you consider that there has been an
average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theater of operations during the past 22
months, and a total of 2112 deaths, that gives a firearm death rate of 60 per
100,000 soldiers. The firearm death rate in Washington, DC is 80.6 per 100,000
for the same period. That means you are about 25 per cent more likely to be shot
and killed in the U.S. capitol, which has some of the strictest gun control laws
in the U.S., than you are in Iraq." Conclusion: The U.S. should pull out of
Washington DC ??? 99% of those D.C. guns, used in murders, were illegal and used by criminals, but were used nevertheless... illegally. On the other hand, if just one teacher, in that Conn. school, where 26 teachers and students were murdered today, had been trained and in possession of a license and one pistol, this tragedy could have been far less horrendous or prevented altogether. Good citizens do not do these crimes. This man had already murdered his mother... shot her in the face ...at her home and later killed himself. It is now known, he should already have been in jail or a mental institution. This very dangerous Psychopath, Adam Lanza, cared nothing at all about gun laws or any laws whatever, and broke six Connecticut laws in this one day. Among them were these .... He stole the guns, he murdered this mother and then those at the school. Breaking and entering.... he broke into the school through a window to circumvent a locked-door and intercom security system. He broke three gun-control statutes: Connecticut law requires a person be over 21 to possess a handgun. Lanza was 20. Connecticut requires a permit to carry a pistol on one’s person, a permit Lanza did not have. It is also unlawful in Connecticut to possess a firearm on public or private elementary or secondary school property.
The gun control laws already in existence do not stop the criminal element from getting guns, and the gun control laws proposed would simply take the guns away from the very people who could put a stop to this kind of tragedy....descent, upright citizens who have the courage and ability to deal with these situations. Police can't be everywhere on every site of a gun crime ... but capable citizens are there already.
Keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and murderers is only half the equation. Keeping guns in the hands of the well trained good guys, on the job, is the other half; because the bad guys are always going to have guns regardless of laws against them.
The unintended consequences of pseudo gun-control is to disarm the good citizens, but be unable to disarm the bad citizens, criminals, murderers and even Tyrannical, Nazi and Communist type governments which our founding fathers foresaw as a possibility in framing the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.
Where, oh where has old fashioned horse sense, common sense and rational thinking disappeared to in these United States? That simple deduction demonstrated in the old allegories, Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, Use your head for something besides a hat-rack and A stitch in time saves nine? God give us again some farmers, builders and pole climbers in government offices or at least some successful business-men who know something about balancing a budget and paying bills. Have mercy. RB
The gun control laws already in existence do not stop the criminal element from getting guns, and the gun control laws proposed would simply take the guns away from the very people who could put a stop to this kind of tragedy....descent, upright citizens who have the courage and ability to deal with these situations. Police can't be everywhere on every site of a gun crime ... but capable citizens are there already.
Keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and murderers is only half the equation. Keeping guns in the hands of the well trained good guys, on the job, is the other half; because the bad guys are always going to have guns regardless of laws against them.
The unintended consequences of pseudo gun-control is to disarm the good citizens, but be unable to disarm the bad citizens, criminals, murderers and even Tyrannical, Nazi and Communist type governments which our founding fathers foresaw as a possibility in framing the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.
Where, oh where has old fashioned horse sense, common sense and rational thinking disappeared to in these United States? That simple deduction demonstrated in the old allegories, Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, Use your head for something besides a hat-rack and A stitch in time saves nine? God give us again some farmers, builders and pole climbers in government offices or at least some successful business-men who know something about balancing a budget and paying bills. Have mercy. RB
Adam Lanza, Goth Loner, Mother hater, child murderer dressed in black.
Sandy Hook Elementary Heroine and Teacher, Victoria Soto
who saved her class.
Vicki hid her kids in closets and when the gunman came into her room she said the class was in gym. She was then murdered. Not one of her students were harmed.
Which lifestyle will your child follow? Maybe which ever one
you encourage and what you allow and disallow them to do.
Do you pray for your child and set the example of a Christian
before them each day? "Train up a child in the way he should go..." RB
who saved her class.
Vicki hid her kids in closets and when the gunman came into her room she said the class was in gym. She was then murdered. Not one of her students were harmed.
Which lifestyle will your child follow? Maybe which ever one
you encourage and what you allow and disallow them to do.
Do you pray for your child and set the example of a Christian
before them each day? "Train up a child in the way he should go..." RB
"(God) removeth kings, and setteth up kings" Dan.2:21
The fact that God allows an evil king to be set up and reign over certain nations of people does not mean He approves of that evil king but that he disapproves of those people .... what they are doing. It comes under the doctrine of "Sowing & Reaping".
Gal.6:7 - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." We, as a nation, sowed Obama type seed and reaped an Obama.
Even as Israel sowed evil seed and reaped some evil kings. God has always dealt with people and nations in basically the same way ... and still does.
In 2 Kings 17, a new king, Hoshea, began to reign over the nation of Israel.
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.... Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. .... so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt.... And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God.... And they set them up images... in every high hill, and under every green tree....For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing....Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah ... saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.....
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.".
V.20 "And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers...." The evil King and people of Assyria. It is my opinion that our nation is now exactly where Israel was at that point in their history. Rayburn Blair
The following is by By Rodney Daniels: I don't necessairly agree with every thing Rodney says but he is basically correct in my opinion.RB
Gal.6:7 - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." We, as a nation, sowed Obama type seed and reaped an Obama.
Even as Israel sowed evil seed and reaped some evil kings. God has always dealt with people and nations in basically the same way ... and still does.
In 2 Kings 17, a new king, Hoshea, began to reign over the nation of Israel.
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.... Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. .... so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt.... And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God.... And they set them up images... in every high hill, and under every green tree....For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing....Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah ... saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.....
And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.".
V.20 "And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers...." The evil King and people of Assyria. It is my opinion that our nation is now exactly where Israel was at that point in their history. Rayburn Blair
The following is by By Rodney Daniels: I don't necessairly agree with every thing Rodney says but he is basically correct in my opinion.RB
I like
many Americans was deeply saddened by the reelection of Obama on November 6th. I
was quick to be ashamed of America and the people who voted for him and also
questioned why God would allow this to happen. Today I started to reflect upon
what happened and why. Then it hit me that I wasn't trusting God and He is still
in control! Perhaps God in his wisdom knew that Romney was not the right choice
for us at this time. Perhaps God in his wisdom knew that whomever got elected
was going to face huge problems and why shouldn't Obama be the one to shoulder
that responsibility. After all he is the one who has misled, lied to the
American people, and has further plans for the destruction of our Country as we
have known and loved it. He now has to "inherit" his own mess and can't blame it
on someone else. The media would have crucified Romney over the next four years
for "ruining" Obama's hope and change plans and blamed him for all the problems.
I believe that our God will show this nation what happens when you allow Godless
people to manage the gifts this nation has to offer and He provided for us. I
believe He will expose Obama once and for all for the failure he is and our
corrupt media will not be able to save him. I also believe that Obama's attitude
and treatment of Israel is not looked upon by God as obeying his command and
Obama will have to answer for that. We have another Congressional election
coming up in two years and maybe we can get rid of some of the democratic
critters that occupy Congress today. Maybe in four years we can run a ticket for
President and Vice President like Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio. Maybe when America
again suffers serious setbacks, people will realize what a weak and corrupt
management team we have and be tired of it. I will not question God's wisdom or
plans He has for us again, because He is in control and has always done what's
best for us. We are reminded that prayer isn't always answered in the way we
would like at the time, but God does answer our prayers in His time and in a way
that is best for His children. So, let's keep the Faith, lay our worries at
His feet and trust God to take care of us!
This was on my heart today and I hope you
all don't mind my expressing these thoughts to you. I am in need of strength,
encouragement and understanding as are so many of the faithful and good
Americans in our Country today!
Dec 12, 2012
This Necessary Evil Eventually Terminates Itself
Common Sense Commentary: Human Government was established by God as a human, societal instrument for the physical protection of the human race. Like the family, a father, mother and children, government was established for the welfare of all those created in God's image and likeness, not just believers in Him. Neither the family nor the government are spiritual institutions, as is His church, unless a particular family is a believing one, and even then, all it's members are not necessarily sincere believers as is also true of the physical church. A "Christian home" is seldom "all" Christian and "Christian America" is not and never has been "all" Christian. In fact, at present, America is not even a majority Christian. Secularism has taken control of our government, our institutions and our National character.
Originally, there was just one law for humans, "Thou shalt not eat of it." Gen.2:17. The penalty for violation of that one law, the law of obedience, was that the human body began to die on that very day or original sin, plus, hard labor for survival, and pain in child birth began, as well.
Immediately after the flood, God instituted Civil Law, Civil Government for the whole human race, in Genesis 9:1-6. "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth..... And surely your blood of your lives will I require.... at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man." The purpose of Civil Government was for the physical protection of all people from each other. God put the responsibility for this "protection of life and execution of justice" into the hands of society as a whole, not the church or individuals seeking revenge, but we are all, as a race, responsible to see that justice is done and life is protected for everyone. This charge, from the Creator of Life and Justice, includes all those little people still in the womb... and they are people.
Since the vast majority of all peoples and nations, though they may have some kind of religion, are not followers of Christ, Civil Law is enforced, judged and executed by mostly unredeemed people. Therefore, the natural and eventual direction of law, it's enforcement, and of nations, is down. According to the second law of thermodynamics, everything eventually runs down. As water seeks it's own level, nations and law have a beginning, an intermediary time and an ending. Every government is headed toward the junk heap of previous nations and kingdoms.
When Jesus said, in Matt.16:18,"...Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", He was speaking of that eternal body of true believers, not all church members, who presently meet in local assemblies and will one day make up the Bride Of Christ, a Universal Church. That institution shall not run down because it is the eternal Bride of Christ.
There has been conflict between Government and worshipers of God ever since Government was established because it is mostly populated by average, human, non-worshipers. That conflict continued and even increased with the arrival of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem where Government immediately sought to kill him and harassed Him all through his life on earth, and finally crucified him, and extended to His disciples up to this very day, with increasing, intolerant momentum. Fortunately, our nation began with Christian worshipers seeking freedom from abusive government, and their influence set America on a course of freedom, justice and success which lasted until recent years when it reached a point of equilibrium between justice and injustice and swung on past that balance of power into chaos. It has now entered it's terminal years, which may last decades, but with the loss of justice and diminishing Christian influence, it is destined to spiritual termination if there is not a spiritual revival.
At any rate, we Christians are here to faithfully serve our LORD through good times and bad until we are called home or He returns in the air to rapture His true church, His Bride. Oh glorious day. RB
Final note of irony:
The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is actually proud of the fact it is distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps ever. Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, tells us "Please Do Not Feed the Animals." Their stated reason for the policy is that the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves. Thus concludes today's lesson in irony"
Click here: The Soul of America video by Dr. Lawrence White
Originally, there was just one law for humans, "Thou shalt not eat of it." Gen.2:17. The penalty for violation of that one law, the law of obedience, was that the human body began to die on that very day or original sin, plus, hard labor for survival, and pain in child birth began, as well.
Immediately after the flood, God instituted Civil Law, Civil Government for the whole human race, in Genesis 9:1-6. "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth..... And surely your blood of your lives will I require.... at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man." The purpose of Civil Government was for the physical protection of all people from each other. God put the responsibility for this "protection of life and execution of justice" into the hands of society as a whole, not the church or individuals seeking revenge, but we are all, as a race, responsible to see that justice is done and life is protected for everyone. This charge, from the Creator of Life and Justice, includes all those little people still in the womb... and they are people.
Since the vast majority of all peoples and nations, though they may have some kind of religion, are not followers of Christ, Civil Law is enforced, judged and executed by mostly unredeemed people. Therefore, the natural and eventual direction of law, it's enforcement, and of nations, is down. According to the second law of thermodynamics, everything eventually runs down. As water seeks it's own level, nations and law have a beginning, an intermediary time and an ending. Every government is headed toward the junk heap of previous nations and kingdoms.
When Jesus said, in Matt.16:18,"...Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", He was speaking of that eternal body of true believers, not all church members, who presently meet in local assemblies and will one day make up the Bride Of Christ, a Universal Church. That institution shall not run down because it is the eternal Bride of Christ.
There has been conflict between Government and worshipers of God ever since Government was established because it is mostly populated by average, human, non-worshipers. That conflict continued and even increased with the arrival of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem where Government immediately sought to kill him and harassed Him all through his life on earth, and finally crucified him, and extended to His disciples up to this very day, with increasing, intolerant momentum. Fortunately, our nation began with Christian worshipers seeking freedom from abusive government, and their influence set America on a course of freedom, justice and success which lasted until recent years when it reached a point of equilibrium between justice and injustice and swung on past that balance of power into chaos. It has now entered it's terminal years, which may last decades, but with the loss of justice and diminishing Christian influence, it is destined to spiritual termination if there is not a spiritual revival.
At any rate, we Christians are here to faithfully serve our LORD through good times and bad until we are called home or He returns in the air to rapture His true church, His Bride. Oh glorious day. RB
Final note of irony:
The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is actually proud of the fact it is distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps ever. Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, tells us "Please Do Not Feed the Animals." Their stated reason for the policy is that the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves. Thus concludes today's lesson in irony"
Click here: The Soul of America video by Dr. Lawrence White
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