Common Sense Commentary: Can you imagine a Gentile German soldier standing up, in a Concentration Camp, for Jews in Hitler's Nazi Germany? Can you imagine a Russian speaking out for Liberty and Free Enterprise, in Moscow's Lenin Square, during Joseph Stalin's Communist Dictatorship? Can you imagine a Christian Arab preaching over a megaphone, at Mecca, in the middle of a crowd of 50,000 Muslims? Can you imagine Jesus standing in the midst of a crowd of Jewish, religious leaders, their followers, and City Leaders, in Jerusalem, and calling them hypocrites and a grave full of the remains of a rotting corpse? "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matt.23:27.
If you can't imagine someone with such courage and dedication to the truth, here is another example of such courage and commitment, to the truth, which is seldom equaled. The Christian courage demonstrated by this group of American Patriots is so rare as to be almost unbelievable. My love and appreciation for such people is indescribable. These are my Christian Brothers and Sisters, and are examples for all Americans, who sincerely love and live for the truth. Pray for them ... they will need God's help in today's America. RB
Click on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/9RABZq5IoaQ?feature=player_embedded
May 10, 2014
Dennis Prager: One Great American You Must Hear
Common Sense Commentary: Mrs Blair and I have long admired and listened to Dennis Prager. Though he is a devout Jew, he has higher principles than most professing Christians and all professing, Liberal, Democrat "Christians". I often suspect Dennis of being a closet Christian, a "Completed Jew". This is the kind of President we need in Washington ... a patriotic American with honesty, character and courage. Thanks for sending it Fred. RB
Click here: Dennis Prager Q & A At University of Denver - YouTube
Click here: Dennis Prager Q & A At University of Denver - YouTube
May 7, 2014
America's Decadence Signals End Of An Empire
Common Sense Commentary: "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana's famous observation.
But Georg Hagel responded that we do learn one thing from history ...."We learn from history that we do not learn from history".
America has been given literally thousands of warning signs ... but alas, we, as a nation, ignored them all and proceeded full speed ahead ... and over the precipice.... another empire lost. RB
Sir John Glubb, a British author and lecturer, argued that most empires generally don’t last longer than 250 years.
Greek Empire? 231 years. Roman Empire? 207 years. Ottoman Empire? 250 years. Romanov Russian Empire? 234 years. British Empire? 250 years.
The United States of America?
Well, we’re sitting at a ripe old age of 237 and deep in the midst of what Glubb called the Age of Decadence — the final stage of an empire that is marked by defensiveness, pessimism, materialism, frivolity, and the Welfare State.
But we’re too big and powerful to fail! This is America, the land of freedom and opportunity.
I’m sure the Greeks and the Romans felt much the same way.
The fall of the Greek empire is, among other things, a story of a top-heavy government that could not tax enough producers to sustain a growing number of bureaucrats. Conflict and competition between city-states destroyed a sense of national unity. And the citizens were more interested in living the good life than in nurturing their culture.
The demise of ancient Rome has been assigned to many culprits. The empire became a dictatorship, with the citizens removed from the act of governing. Heavy taxes were paid by the provinces to support the luxuries of Rome. To pay for their excesses, emperors devalued the currency. And a generous welfare state, manipulated by elites to gain power, eventually bankrupted the empire.
But that was hundreds of years ago. Things are different now.
Really? Let’s see …
But Georg Hagel responded that we do learn one thing from history ...."We learn from history that we do not learn from history".
America has been given literally thousands of warning signs ... but alas, we, as a nation, ignored them all and proceeded full speed ahead ... and over the precipice.... another empire lost. RB
America’s Decadence Signals End of an Empire
By Erika Nolan, Executive Publisher of The Sovereign Society
Sir John Glubb, a British author and lecturer, argued that most empires generally don’t last longer than 250 years.
Greek Empire? 231 years. Roman Empire? 207 years. Ottoman Empire? 250 years. Romanov Russian Empire? 234 years. British Empire? 250 years.
The United States of America?
Well, we’re sitting at a ripe old age of 237 and deep in the midst of what Glubb called the Age of Decadence — the final stage of an empire that is marked by defensiveness, pessimism, materialism, frivolity, and the Welfare State.
But we’re too big and powerful to fail! This is America, the land of freedom and opportunity.
I’m sure the Greeks and the Romans felt much the same way.
The fall of the Greek empire is, among other things, a story of a top-heavy government that could not tax enough producers to sustain a growing number of bureaucrats. Conflict and competition between city-states destroyed a sense of national unity. And the citizens were more interested in living the good life than in nurturing their culture.
The demise of ancient Rome has been assigned to many culprits. The empire became a dictatorship, with the citizens removed from the act of governing. Heavy taxes were paid by the provinces to support the luxuries of Rome. To pay for their excesses, emperors devalued the currency. And a generous welfare state, manipulated by elites to gain power, eventually bankrupted the empire.
But that was hundreds of years ago. Things are different now.
Really? Let’s see …
|
May 5, 2014
Mother's Day & Father's Day ... Too Late
Common Sense Commentary:
Even as I grew up, in West Texas, during the hard scrabble days of the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and then World War II, when many kids were unloved or not shown much love, I never doubted that my mother was the most loving mother in the world ... and she told us often. My dad didn't say it much, in words, but no man ever worked harder or sacrificed more than he, and he constantly showed us his deep, fatherly love by his actions. My mother's strength was love and hard work, whereas, my father's strength was integrity and hard work. How I do thank you, Dear Lord, for giving me such parents during those difficult years of crop failures and dust, hunger and dust, dead farm animals and dust, dry wells and dust, and no water for baths ... and dust. And Oh did mention the dust? I don't know how my mother took the stifling hot summers of West Texas without air conditioning or a refrigerator; or how she endured the terribly cold winter winds, of which old folks said, "There ain't nothin between Texas and the North Pole but a barbed wire fence." We had one little wood stove in the middle of a 10X10 ft. living room, and ancient, hand made, hand-me-down quilts on the beds that weighed a ton. That was it ... except for two lamps, and one light bulb hanging from an electric wire. But Mom and Dad brought us through it with love, integrity, hard word and frugality ... backed up by their faith in God. I wouldn't say they were spiritual giants but they were moral giants and they both had an abiding consciousness of God and knew He was always present with us. They grew in grace from a work focused young couple, to solid, bed-rock, committed Christians in their old age. Dad was a deacon and Mother was constantly serving others.
My greatest regret in life was taking them for granted and not being more attentive to them in their old age ... and dying years, when I was a pastor in Florida ... looking out for someone else's parents and children. That is a scar I will bear to my own grave. You too may not give your parents much thought now, while they are living, but I promise you ... you will when they are gone. It is a bitter pill that neglectful children must take every night in their own waning years. You only have one Mother and one Father, so love them, and honor them, not so much for their sake and who they are ... as for your own sake, and who you are. You will one day wish you had, but then ... it is too late. Honor them while you can, it will do you more good than them. There is a double promise to those who honor their parents. RB
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Eph.6:1-3.
Even as I grew up, in West Texas, during the hard scrabble days of the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and then World War II, when many kids were unloved or not shown much love, I never doubted that my mother was the most loving mother in the world ... and she told us often. My dad didn't say it much, in words, but no man ever worked harder or sacrificed more than he, and he constantly showed us his deep, fatherly love by his actions. My mother's strength was love and hard work, whereas, my father's strength was integrity and hard work. How I do thank you, Dear Lord, for giving me such parents during those difficult years of crop failures and dust, hunger and dust, dead farm animals and dust, dry wells and dust, and no water for baths ... and dust. And Oh did mention the dust? I don't know how my mother took the stifling hot summers of West Texas without air conditioning or a refrigerator; or how she endured the terribly cold winter winds, of which old folks said, "There ain't nothin between Texas and the North Pole but a barbed wire fence." We had one little wood stove in the middle of a 10X10 ft. living room, and ancient, hand made, hand-me-down quilts on the beds that weighed a ton. That was it ... except for two lamps, and one light bulb hanging from an electric wire. But Mom and Dad brought us through it with love, integrity, hard word and frugality ... backed up by their faith in God. I wouldn't say they were spiritual giants but they were moral giants and they both had an abiding consciousness of God and knew He was always present with us. They grew in grace from a work focused young couple, to solid, bed-rock, committed Christians in their old age. Dad was a deacon and Mother was constantly serving others.
My greatest regret in life was taking them for granted and not being more attentive to them in their old age ... and dying years, when I was a pastor in Florida ... looking out for someone else's parents and children. That is a scar I will bear to my own grave. You too may not give your parents much thought now, while they are living, but I promise you ... you will when they are gone. It is a bitter pill that neglectful children must take every night in their own waning years. You only have one Mother and one Father, so love them, and honor them, not so much for their sake and who they are ... as for your own sake, and who you are. You will one day wish you had, but then ... it is too late. Honor them while you can, it will do you more good than them. There is a double promise to those who honor their parents. RB
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Eph.6:1-3.
May 4, 2014
That Heavenly Reunion .... In The Temple Section
Common Sense Commentary: Let me dream a little ...
"For a dream cometh (true) through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecc.5:3.
In God's all knowing plan for our life's journey, though unseen and unknown in our own hearts, is far more glorious than we are able to conceive. We who have turned aside from the "broad way", and entered that high, though narrow way that leads to life ... in His heaven. Of all the wonderful Christian highways, on this earth, which we have traveled, with our old friends, in Tallahassee, the one I see ahead is far too marvelous to describe. My eighty three years are full of shared, precious memories of our Lord's immeasurable love and grace, but the ascending road ahead surpasses them all. I can see thousands of saints in righteous, white robes ... all gathered around our LORD .... in the "Temple Section". There, finally, in His glorious light forever, celebrating His holiness, love and grace in that Heavenly, Family Reunion. I see Jesus, next to our Father, and over there, Joe, Temple's first baptized member with his dear Fredda ... and next to them, Fred and Eloise, who joined us about that time, in 1963s. And all around are the thousands who followed the seed we sowed, as His Church ... all the way to glory ... into the presence of our Creator and Savor. Yes, there is our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the center of Heavenly, Universal and Eternal activity and worship. He is our Father, the founder and head of our Holy Family.
"Well", you say, "I read of no 'Temple Section' in God's word." Oh, I know, it isn't there ... we just all happened to be standing together, shaking hands and giving God the glory ... in my thoughts.
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." Psm.115:1 ...... Your Old, long ago Pastor ... RB
"For a dream cometh (true) through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecc.5:3.
In God's all knowing plan for our life's journey, though unseen and unknown in our own hearts, is far more glorious than we are able to conceive. We who have turned aside from the "broad way", and entered that high, though narrow way that leads to life ... in His heaven. Of all the wonderful Christian highways, on this earth, which we have traveled, with our old friends, in Tallahassee, the one I see ahead is far too marvelous to describe. My eighty three years are full of shared, precious memories of our Lord's immeasurable love and grace, but the ascending road ahead surpasses them all. I can see thousands of saints in righteous, white robes ... all gathered around our LORD .... in the "Temple Section". There, finally, in His glorious light forever, celebrating His holiness, love and grace in that Heavenly, Family Reunion. I see Jesus, next to our Father, and over there, Joe, Temple's first baptized member with his dear Fredda ... and next to them, Fred and Eloise, who joined us about that time, in 1963s. And all around are the thousands who followed the seed we sowed, as His Church ... all the way to glory ... into the presence of our Creator and Savor. Yes, there is our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the center of Heavenly, Universal and Eternal activity and worship. He is our Father, the founder and head of our Holy Family.
"Well", you say, "I read of no 'Temple Section' in God's word." Oh, I know, it isn't there ... we just all happened to be standing together, shaking hands and giving God the glory ... in my thoughts.
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." Psm.115:1 ...... Your Old, long ago Pastor ... RB
May 3, 2014
The Tie That Binds Us Is Becoming A Scaffold's Noose
Common Sense Commentary:
Our country has slowly increased and tightened the rules, laws and restrictions of men, and loosened those of God. In contrast to the freedoms of our fathers guaranteed by God's word and the U.S. Constitution, we are now herded like cattle, funneled like sand and warned like criminals ... with severe consequences, if we do not bow to the secular powers that be. Individual initiative is restricted and intimidated to "stay in line", not with God's word and will or even our Constitution, but with "Acceptable Standards, Public Policy, Federal Regulations and Executive Orders". Our entire population of citizens are in a narrow channel on a narrow track ... all headed to the same ignominious dead end. Co-operation, Obedience and Conformity are demanded by the "Powers Of Darkness". The Majority Party decides abortion (killing babies) is a "right" and capital punishment is a wrong, and we all have to agree, even though God's Bible condemns taking innocent life in Gen.9:5-6, and demands Capital Punishment, for murder, in Exodus 21:12. Those in Power decide homosexual marriage is equal to a Biblical union and it becomes a crime to voice disagreement ... or even to quote, in public, chapter one of Romans in the Bible. Illegal drug abuse, called "sorcery" in Rev.9:21, Rev.18:23, Rev.21:8 (Greek word for sorcery is pharmakia) becomes legal and you are a self-righteous, fanatical, religious hypocrite if you are opposed to majority opinion.
Even the lawless, frontier days of the old West had more individual liberty and justice than we have today. Immediate justice was forthcoming when I was a boy in the 1930's and 1940's. But most of younger Americans, living today, think our country has always been as it is now ... and don't seem to know the difference. There is a thing called "Normalcy Bias" which means people are inclined to think everything has always been or always shall be as it has always been ... in their lifetime. Taint so. It has been better in America and it will get worse. Our job as Christians is " Having done all to stand ... stand therefore." Eph.6:13-14. Be consistent, constant, maintain integrity, be an anchor of stability, a pillar of truth, a voice in the wilderness ... no matter which way the wind blows ... or how contrary moral and spiritual standards become. You be faithful to God's will and His word ... at all costs. Be that small but bright light in the darkness ... for Jesus. Any other stance will be regretted ..... but not this one. RB
Our country has slowly increased and tightened the rules, laws and restrictions of men, and loosened those of God. In contrast to the freedoms of our fathers guaranteed by God's word and the U.S. Constitution, we are now herded like cattle, funneled like sand and warned like criminals ... with severe consequences, if we do not bow to the secular powers that be. Individual initiative is restricted and intimidated to "stay in line", not with God's word and will or even our Constitution, but with "Acceptable Standards, Public Policy, Federal Regulations and Executive Orders". Our entire population of citizens are in a narrow channel on a narrow track ... all headed to the same ignominious dead end. Co-operation, Obedience and Conformity are demanded by the "Powers Of Darkness". The Majority Party decides abortion (killing babies) is a "right" and capital punishment is a wrong, and we all have to agree, even though God's Bible condemns taking innocent life in Gen.9:5-6, and demands Capital Punishment, for murder, in Exodus 21:12. Those in Power decide homosexual marriage is equal to a Biblical union and it becomes a crime to voice disagreement ... or even to quote, in public, chapter one of Romans in the Bible. Illegal drug abuse, called "sorcery" in Rev.9:21, Rev.18:23, Rev.21:8 (Greek word for sorcery is pharmakia) becomes legal and you are a self-righteous, fanatical, religious hypocrite if you are opposed to majority opinion.
Even the lawless, frontier days of the old West had more individual liberty and justice than we have today. Immediate justice was forthcoming when I was a boy in the 1930's and 1940's. But most of younger Americans, living today, think our country has always been as it is now ... and don't seem to know the difference. There is a thing called "Normalcy Bias" which means people are inclined to think everything has always been or always shall be as it has always been ... in their lifetime. Taint so. It has been better in America and it will get worse. Our job as Christians is " Having done all to stand ... stand therefore." Eph.6:13-14. Be consistent, constant, maintain integrity, be an anchor of stability, a pillar of truth, a voice in the wilderness ... no matter which way the wind blows ... or how contrary moral and spiritual standards become. You be faithful to God's will and His word ... at all costs. Be that small but bright light in the darkness ... for Jesus. Any other stance will be regretted ..... but not this one. RB
May 2, 2014
Every True Minister Is Compelled To Openly Admit He is A Sinner
Common Sense Commentary: Honest reality of ourselves, though uncomplimentary, is ten thousand times more acceptable in eternity than pretended perfection which is a unspiritual detriment to seeking sinners around us.,
I do not deny that I am a flesh and blood sinner ... saved by God's grace, and not by my good works. The reason I do not mind admitting it is that I cannot deny it or pretend I am not what I am without offending my Lord, who knows the truth. To pretend otherwise is a lie, and to lie about my imperfect, human reality would compound my naturally sinful state ...sin upon sin, guilt upon guilt. Sin is strong, aggressive and motivated by the flesh and the devil, and builds its own sinful Tower Of Babel, brick upon brick ... and plants its own Roman cross on Golgotha. The seed of sin's own destruction is within itself and will rot away the soul of its host.
If I consistently pretend to be what I am not and if a few deluded souls think that because I "appear" to be sinless, that they too should strive to be perfect, as well ...Thus my pretension of sinlessness has misled them into a dead-end street. They will seek perfection, agonize in failure, try and try again, and fail and fail again, and eventually grow weary and disillusioned with trying to be perfect ... but can't. In the end they must either join the "Pretend to be Perfect" club, and be a pretentious hypocrite ... or simply give up trying and turn their back on Christianity all together. So then, it becomes I who has led them astray from Christ and I become a stumbling block in their life... which God will severely judge me for. Being a preacher is no excuse for a "pretended", Perfect Christian life. Honest reality, though uncomplimentary, is ten thousand times more acceptable in eternity than pretended perfection which is a sinful detriment to seeking sinners.
Only Christ, on the cross, crucified, tortured to death, buried and resurrected ... in my place, for my sin, has the power within it to separate me from my sin, from my guilt and draw me unto Jesus in sincere repentance and eternal salvation. Living a sinless life is impossible, and you know it. If it were possible, Christ would not have had do die to save us; we could have saved ourselves by a sinless life. Whatever you may be or pretend to be, honest openness to your human shortcomings and imperfections is more powerful in influencing others to Christ than unrealistic pretension, which is a lie. And more than that, God knows the truth and will not bless the lie or the liar. So herein is the necessity, the requirement of Christ's death. There simply was no other way for our Creator to cleanse and regenerate us. Sin had to be paid for and Jesus paid the full price and bailed us out of our "death row" prison cell. You can accept God's remedy and sacrifice of Jesus to pardon your guilt of sin or you can turn away and pay for your own sins ... in hell ... for eternity. Your Choice. RB
Here is the Apostle Paul confessing the whole truth about
himself, as a Christian, an Apostle and an honest man:
Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
If I consistently pretend to be what I am not and if a few deluded souls think that because I "appear" to be sinless, that they too should strive to be perfect, as well ...Thus my pretension of sinlessness has misled them into a dead-end street. They will seek perfection, agonize in failure, try and try again, and fail and fail again, and eventually grow weary and disillusioned with trying to be perfect ... but can't. In the end they must either join the "Pretend to be Perfect" club, and be a pretentious hypocrite ... or simply give up trying and turn their back on Christianity all together. So then, it becomes I who has led them astray from Christ and I become a stumbling block in their life... which God will severely judge me for. Being a preacher is no excuse for a "pretended", Perfect Christian life. Honest reality, though uncomplimentary, is ten thousand times more acceptable in eternity than pretended perfection which is a sinful detriment to seeking sinners.
Only Christ, on the cross, crucified, tortured to death, buried and resurrected ... in my place, for my sin, has the power within it to separate me from my sin, from my guilt and draw me unto Jesus in sincere repentance and eternal salvation. Living a sinless life is impossible, and you know it. If it were possible, Christ would not have had do die to save us; we could have saved ourselves by a sinless life. Whatever you may be or pretend to be, honest openness to your human shortcomings and imperfections is more powerful in influencing others to Christ than unrealistic pretension, which is a lie. And more than that, God knows the truth and will not bless the lie or the liar. So herein is the necessity, the requirement of Christ's death. There simply was no other way for our Creator to cleanse and regenerate us. Sin had to be paid for and Jesus paid the full price and bailed us out of our "death row" prison cell. You can accept God's remedy and sacrifice of Jesus to pardon your guilt of sin or you can turn away and pay for your own sins ... in hell ... for eternity. Your Choice. RB
Here is the Apostle Paul confessing the whole truth about
himself, as a Christian, an Apostle and an honest man:
Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
May 1, 2014
Charlie McCarthy Kerry Sitting On Edgar Bergen Obama's Knee
Common Sense Commentary: So if Obama and Kerry really are sincerely "committed" to Israel, and love the Jewish people, as they say, let's change the question and ask it another way ... Mr Canary Kerry and Presidenta Obama, are you more "committed" to the survival of the Jewish nation or to the pacifying of the Muslim nations? Your answer will tell us where your heart is and where you are leading America and the world. I fear it is into another dark, dead-end alleyway in the slums of Benghazi. RB
THE ANTI-SEMITISM OF OBAMA
Borrowed from The Patriot Update
Read the rest of this Patriot Update article here: http://patriotupdate.com/2014/04/anti-semitism-obama/#66dGwoO27ETCsCfr.99
THE ANTI-SEMITISM OF OBAMA
Borrowed from The Patriot Update
On Friday, Secretary of State John Kerry told the Trilateral Commission that Israel would turn into “an apartheid state” unless it made concessions to the Palestinians – the same Palestinians who just signed a peace deal between the Palestinian Authority and internationally recognized terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The same Palestinians who have stated time and again that they will not accept the existence of a Jewish state.
Kerry went on to state that Israel risked more violence if it didn’t make concessions, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was an impediment to peace, and that he would attempt his own two-state solution. Both sides, he said, would have to “take it or leave it.”
This is pure anti-Semitism. Blaming Israel for its incapacity to make peace with people whose stated goal is to murder Jews cannot be construed as anything other than Jew-hatred. Likening the Jewish state to South Africa, despite the fact that there are well over a million Arab citizens with full voting rights, and despite the fact that the Palestinian territories are completely Judenrein, is more of the same.
Upon tape of his remarks hitting the press, Kerry immediately backtracked, stating, “I will not allow my commitment to Israel to be questioned by anyone, particularly for partisan, political purposes…” He then disclaimed that he ever said Israel was an apartheid state, and said, “if I could rewind the tape, I would have chosen a different word to describe my firm belief that the only way in the long term to have a Jewish state and two nations and two people is through a two state solution.”
Read the rest of this Patriot Update article here: http://patriotupdate.com/2014/04/anti-semitism-obama/#66dGwoO27ETCsCfr.99
Apr 29, 2014
Two Different Geneologies Of Jesus, In The Bible... Which Is Right?
Common Sense Commentary:
Approximately 2000 years after the Creation in Genesis 1, and another 2000 years before the birth of Jesus, the human race had just failed, at Babel, in its contradiction of God's command, and He destroyed their works and effort to unite the entire human race under one government and one proud name. So God scattered them to the four winds. It was then, that God called out from among the scattered nations a single human being, and told him, Abram, to leave his people and go to a distant location which God appointed and where God would build an entire nation through this one man. "Abram's name meant, "Father Of Many", but God changed and expanded it to "Abraham".... "Father Of Many Multitudes". God promised Abraham that He would make of him a "great nation" and his name would be great, and that God would "bless" Abraham and, "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Gen.12:3. This promise was a prophecy of the world-wide blessing of the "seed" of Abraham ... Jesus. This O.T. verse is quoted to the Jews 2000 years later by the Apostle Peter in Acts 3:25.
There are two genealogies of Jesus in the New Testament. The first is in Chapter 1 of the gospel according to Matthew. The second begins in Luke 3:23. Matthew presents Jesus to the Jews as the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. Luke presents Jesus to the Gentiles as the crucified Savior. The Genealogy in Matt.1 begins with Abraham, father of the Jews, and goes forward up to and through King David and then to his son, Solomon, by Bathsheba, and continues through a total of 39 "begats" (births) or generations, the last of which is "Joseph, the husband of Mary", and then ends with one virgin birth ... Jesus, who is number 40, the number of testing. This is Joseph's genealogy and is the Jewish, legal, Kingly lineage, and placed Jesus as the "legal", Jewish rightful heir to the throne of King David. Because of Roman, occupational rule, Joseph was disallowed to the throne of David, but the right to it passed on to Joseph's "legal", though not biological, son ... Jesus. He was considered, by the Jews, to be the son of Joseph. "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?" Jn.6:42. Jesus grew up in Joseph and Mary's home and was known locally as Joseph's son. But he was not Jesus' biological father. Read carefully Matt.1:18, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise; when his mother was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
The genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 which begins with Jesus and works backward through Nathan, another son of King David, then on through David back to Abraham ... but doesn't stop there. It continues all the way back to Adam and ends with Adam's Father ... God. If you number these generations with God as number 1, Jesus is number 77 ... the number of perfection. This genealogy is the true, natural, biological lineage of Jesus. These two genealogies cross paths twice. They cross at Salathiel (Matt.1:12 / Luke 3:27) and again at King David (Matt.1:6 / Lk.3:31). So King David was the Great Grandson of Ruth and Boaz and a common, distant Grandfather of both Mary and Joseph. So Jesus had a double claim to the throne of King David.
Notice Matt.1:16, "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom (Mary) was born Jesus." Every other generation in this genealogy was a "begat". Not so with Joseph and Jesus. Also notice Luke 3:23, "And Jesus ... being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was ... of Heli...." The words preceding ".... of Heli" are "the son of Heli", but these two words, "the son" are in italics which means they were not in the original manuscripts but were added, supposedly for clarity. But Matt.1:16 says someone named "Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary." Joseph's being "of Heli" was a Jewish, legal relationship to his father-in-law, Mary's father. Women did not have the same legal standing as men, at that time, in that country, but their rights passed through their husbands. Also notice that even in these genealogies of Jesus, both legal and biological, there were no perfect people ... including Abraham and King David. Abraham lied to the Pharaoh and said his wife was his sister. David took another man's wife and when she became pregnant, David sent the husband to be killed. The first child born to them was illegitimately conceived and died under the cloud of David's sin. And though judgement fell upon David and Bathsheba, God had mercy in the midst of His judgement and gave them another son ... Solomon. There was also Thamar, the woman who prostituted herself with Judah ... and Judah paid for her services. Within those genealogies is a Moabiteish (not Jewish) woman, Ruth, and many very sinful people in Jesus' genealogy. So what am I saying? There are no perfect or deserving people among Jesus' ancestors or among ours either who deserve to be saved.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9
Jesus who did not need saving but was Himself the Saviour, was perfect. He was the extension of God from heaven and came, in His holy perfection to become a sin offering for us, crucified, nailed to that cross .... in our place. RB
Approximately 2000 years after the Creation in Genesis 1, and another 2000 years before the birth of Jesus, the human race had just failed, at Babel, in its contradiction of God's command, and He destroyed their works and effort to unite the entire human race under one government and one proud name. So God scattered them to the four winds. It was then, that God called out from among the scattered nations a single human being, and told him, Abram, to leave his people and go to a distant location which God appointed and where God would build an entire nation through this one man. "Abram's name meant, "Father Of Many", but God changed and expanded it to "Abraham".... "Father Of Many Multitudes". God promised Abraham that He would make of him a "great nation" and his name would be great, and that God would "bless" Abraham and, "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Gen.12:3. This promise was a prophecy of the world-wide blessing of the "seed" of Abraham ... Jesus. This O.T. verse is quoted to the Jews 2000 years later by the Apostle Peter in Acts 3:25.
There are two genealogies of Jesus in the New Testament. The first is in Chapter 1 of the gospel according to Matthew. The second begins in Luke 3:23. Matthew presents Jesus to the Jews as the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. Luke presents Jesus to the Gentiles as the crucified Savior. The Genealogy in Matt.1 begins with Abraham, father of the Jews, and goes forward up to and through King David and then to his son, Solomon, by Bathsheba, and continues through a total of 39 "begats" (births) or generations, the last of which is "Joseph, the husband of Mary", and then ends with one virgin birth ... Jesus, who is number 40, the number of testing. This is Joseph's genealogy and is the Jewish, legal, Kingly lineage, and placed Jesus as the "legal", Jewish rightful heir to the throne of King David. Because of Roman, occupational rule, Joseph was disallowed to the throne of David, but the right to it passed on to Joseph's "legal", though not biological, son ... Jesus. He was considered, by the Jews, to be the son of Joseph. "And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?" Jn.6:42. Jesus grew up in Joseph and Mary's home and was known locally as Joseph's son. But he was not Jesus' biological father. Read carefully Matt.1:18, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise; when his mother was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
The genealogy in Luke 3:23-38 which begins with Jesus and works backward through Nathan, another son of King David, then on through David back to Abraham ... but doesn't stop there. It continues all the way back to Adam and ends with Adam's Father ... God. If you number these generations with God as number 1, Jesus is number 77 ... the number of perfection. This genealogy is the true, natural, biological lineage of Jesus. These two genealogies cross paths twice. They cross at Salathiel (Matt.1:12 / Luke 3:27) and again at King David (Matt.1:6 / Lk.3:31). So King David was the Great Grandson of Ruth and Boaz and a common, distant Grandfather of both Mary and Joseph. So Jesus had a double claim to the throne of King David.
Notice Matt.1:16, "And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom (Mary) was born Jesus." Every other generation in this genealogy was a "begat". Not so with Joseph and Jesus. Also notice Luke 3:23, "And Jesus ... being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was ... of Heli...." The words preceding ".... of Heli" are "the son of Heli", but these two words, "the son" are in italics which means they were not in the original manuscripts but were added, supposedly for clarity. But Matt.1:16 says someone named "Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary." Joseph's being "of Heli" was a Jewish, legal relationship to his father-in-law, Mary's father. Women did not have the same legal standing as men, at that time, in that country, but their rights passed through their husbands. Also notice that even in these genealogies of Jesus, both legal and biological, there were no perfect people ... including Abraham and King David. Abraham lied to the Pharaoh and said his wife was his sister. David took another man's wife and when she became pregnant, David sent the husband to be killed. The first child born to them was illegitimately conceived and died under the cloud of David's sin. And though judgement fell upon David and Bathsheba, God had mercy in the midst of His judgement and gave them another son ... Solomon. There was also Thamar, the woman who prostituted herself with Judah ... and Judah paid for her services. Within those genealogies is a Moabiteish (not Jewish) woman, Ruth, and many very sinful people in Jesus' genealogy. So what am I saying? There are no perfect or deserving people among Jesus' ancestors or among ours either who deserve to be saved.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9
Jesus who did not need saving but was Himself the Saviour, was perfect. He was the extension of God from heaven and came, in His holy perfection to become a sin offering for us, crucified, nailed to that cross .... in our place. RB
Apr 28, 2014
Another Old Marine Has Received His Orders: "Depart The Battle Field And Fly On Home"
Common Sense Commentary: This blog is dedicated to my Korean War Buddy, Jim (Leroy) Storey's brother-in-law, Earl Flat, Jim's sister, Darlene's husband. Earl was a WWII Marine, in which some of the most ferocious battles in the history of war were fought. Earl has earned his globe and anchor with lifetime scars to his body, mind and heart. He has thereby won his right to "Hero" status before the citizens of the United States and it's government. Neither Earl, nor I, nor you, nor any other soul has "earned" the right to redemption's salvation through Jesus Christ's willful and sacrificial death on the old rugged cross, for our sins. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph.2:8-9. And though it is impossible that neither Earl nor any other Christian can "earn" eternal salvation, by good works, he and every other person who sincerely repents and trusts Christ as Savior, is accepted by our Creator, God, into heaven. Earl has acknowledged his faith in Christ and did so again in his phone conversation with Bob, quoted below. These are hard days for Earl and Darlene. Please pray for them both. Here is my email exchange with Jim's brother Bob. RB
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From: Bob Storey To: Rayburn Blair - Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2014 6:20 PM Subject: "Glorious Obsession:
I've just finished reading Fred Good's book on the life and times of you! I hardly know how to respond except to say that when a person hears and obeys the Holy Spirit great things happen for God. What a moving story. God bless you and Bette. The Storey family loves you both. Bob
On Sun, Apr 20, 2014 at 9:19 PM, Rayburn Blair wrote:
Thanks Bob. My experience with Jim, in Hell Fire Valley (Chosin), was a pivot point in my life. I can't believe I am so old. But God is good and the best is ahead. Wish I could make one more round and visit all my old friends ... including you.
Psm.115:1, Rayburn
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From: Bob Storey To: Rayburn Blair - Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 3:16 PM Subject: Re: "Glorious Obsession:
God has a lot of blogs for you to write yet! You can't go. Rob, our son, and I went to visit Darlene and Earl last Friday. Earl is not doing well at all and the Hospice nurse told the family last night that he could go any time. He is under heavy sedation and has frequent WWII battles Darlene told us. Last week-end he was alert, eating well, and happy to see us. To involve him (not knowing what to expect) I took Jim's dress blue jacket along with all his metals and ribbons to get Earl to show us how they should be placed. Being the true Marine that he has always been, when I took the cover off Jim's blouse Earl got to his feet and gave a tearful salute. It's a moment we shall always remember. The chaplain for the Marine group came over, which was nice, and he and Earl showed just where each metal goes. Rob and I left Sunday evening for home, but before we said our goodbyes Earl said he wanted to have a prayer, and he offered the sweetest prayer asking God to protect Rob and me on our trip home. I called him Monday night when I got home to tell him God heard his prayer as we had had no trouble getting home. His response was,"good, and he also forgives". Love you, Brother. Bob
No wounds, pain or suffering I have every experienced is anywhere near equal, in my heart, to the eternal magnitude of Earl's profession of faith and Bob's sharing it with me. What an enormous blessing. RB
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From: Bob Storey To: Rayburn Blair - Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2014 6:20 PM Subject: "Glorious Obsession:
I've just finished reading Fred Good's book on the life and times of you! I hardly know how to respond except to say that when a person hears and obeys the Holy Spirit great things happen for God. What a moving story. God bless you and Bette. The Storey family loves you both. Bob
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On Sun, Apr 20, 2014 at 9:19 PM, Rayburn Blair wrote:
Thanks Bob. My experience with Jim, in Hell Fire Valley (Chosin), was a pivot point in my life. I can't believe I am so old. But God is good and the best is ahead. Wish I could make one more round and visit all my old friends ... including you.
Psm.115:1, Rayburn
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From: Bob Storey To: Rayburn Blair - Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 3:16 PM Subject: Re: "Glorious Obsession:
God has a lot of blogs for you to write yet! You can't go. Rob, our son, and I went to visit Darlene and Earl last Friday. Earl is not doing well at all and the Hospice nurse told the family last night that he could go any time. He is under heavy sedation and has frequent WWII battles Darlene told us. Last week-end he was alert, eating well, and happy to see us. To involve him (not knowing what to expect) I took Jim's dress blue jacket along with all his metals and ribbons to get Earl to show us how they should be placed. Being the true Marine that he has always been, when I took the cover off Jim's blouse Earl got to his feet and gave a tearful salute. It's a moment we shall always remember. The chaplain for the Marine group came over, which was nice, and he and Earl showed just where each metal goes. Rob and I left Sunday evening for home, but before we said our goodbyes Earl said he wanted to have a prayer, and he offered the sweetest prayer asking God to protect Rob and me on our trip home. I called him Monday night when I got home to tell him God heard his prayer as we had had no trouble getting home. His response was,"good, and he also forgives". Love you, Brother. Bob
Wanted to let you know that Earl got his orders at 9:05 PM tonight, and left at once to be with the Lord. A Marine and a patriot and most important by his own witness a born again Christian, faces no more pain and who will one day answer roll call in a new body around the throne of God. Bob
_________________________________________________No wounds, pain or suffering I have every experienced is anywhere near equal, in my heart, to the eternal magnitude of Earl's profession of faith and Bob's sharing it with me. What an enormous blessing. RB
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Recapturing the spirit of 1945
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Event seeks to stoke sense of American unity at WWII’s end
REBEKAH ALLEN
Advocate staff writer
Aug. 17, 2011
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Earl Flatt remembers that 66 years ago the assault on the small island of Iwo Jima was expected to last less than a week.
“We thought it would last four to five days,” Flatt said Tuesday.
The 36-day battle resulted in more than 23,000 U.S. casualties, including 6,503 killed, and is known as one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
Having survived that battle, Flatt told an audience in the House Chambers of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol that he considers himself one of the luckiest people in the world.
“Folks, it wasn’t easy,” said Flatt, who served with the 26th Regiment, 5th Division. “We learned nothing is easy in war.”
Flatt said more than 60,000 Marines invaded the tiny volcanic island of about 8 square miles — “smaller than some of the subdivisions in Baton Rouge” — on Feb. 19, 1945.
Though outnumbered, the 22,000 Japanese soldiers, in deep bunkers in a complex network of underground tunnels, put up a fight that resulted in more Marine casualties than enemy soldiers occupying the island.
All but 262 of those Japanese soldiers either died in battle or by their own hands.
Flatt proudly recalled his experience at the second annual “Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive” event, honoring the 66th anniversary of Japan’s surrender on Aug. 14, 1945, bringing an end to World War II.
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