Seems that more and more, your ideas and contributions get overruled.
You can get in trouble, easily get depressed, if you let that get to you.
Phase out the relationships with people that negate what you say, that negate what you have to offer, that negate who you are, intentionally or not.
Make a goal to find people, young and old, who respect you and what you have to say—who appreciate your wisdom.
Remember that the tsunami of stuff coming at us faster and faster—information, entertainment, animation, sales, invitations, instant gratification, high pressure presentations, hidden agendas, dangerous ploys, traps, . . .—is not what counts, really—and you have what does count—what you learned slowly over a lifetime.
That gives you sanity as well as sadness when you see others settling for less, for nothing but sensory overload—so they can’t even live.
Others need to see you content, not competing with “stuff”.
And when you do have a chance, share your wisdom.
SENIOR MOMENT/OXYMORONS (5)
DO POLITICS AND RELIGION MIX ?
DO politics and religion mix ?
CAN politics and religion mix ?
Yes, politics and religion can mix !
Yes, politics and religion do mix !
Politics influences religion.
Religion influences politics.
Facts of history show both,
unmistakably, for good, for bad (evil).
Say whatever you want about avoiding religion and politics,
not mixing politics and religion.
It is a different story—to observe, talk, apply Christianity and politics.
Christians are called, commissioned to “go into all the world with influence, with the gospel.”
“Light not hidden” is not, cannot be, selective in its involvement, its reach, its impact.
Salt as well—presence is felt wherever it is (except inside the salt shaker).
The Christian church, from its beginning, influenced politics, locally and worldwide.
The people of the city (Thessalonica, in Greece) were extremely concerned that “these who have turned the world upside down have come here.”
In a few centuries, when the momentum, the pendulum, of politics swung with the growing church—in favor of the church—the church had the support of the government—with amazing developments.
Politics and religion not only mixed, they merged.
And that was good.
And that was bad.
And that was ugly.
Good—more people heard the gospel, the good news about Jesus, and joined the church.
Bad—the church grew, and grew powerful, and church leaders gained power, and wanted more power.
Ugly—the church, the church leaders with this power got control, absolute control of the people.
“Power corrupts—absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
The church leaders used their power to do anything they wanted to anyone who disagreed with them—ugly—deadly.
The worst, the ugliest, part of this:
This absolute power, this absolute control over the people, included absolute power and control of their spiritual lives.
X – The church prevented the people from reading the Bible in their own language, by limiting it to Latin only, in the church building only.
X – The church made up their own rules about sin and salvation, adding to the Bible, changing the Bible, against the teaching of the Bible.
X – The church made the people poor—deceiving, manipulating, blackmailing them with selling forgiveness for money—and this made the church rich, and the leaders very rich.
X – The church teachings and practices endangered more people’s souls than they saved.
Martin Luther became restless in his soul over the misguided teachings in the church—teachings from the devil, because he could not find peace, until he re-discovered grace alone through faith alone from the Bible alone.
The church does not save anyone.
The church does not set the rules to save anyone.
The church tells what the Bible says to get saved.
The church tells the people to read, study, obey what the Bible says.
Sad to say, much of the dangerous, misguided control over people by the church still runs rampant today.
Teaching and style and ritual and show and emotion and volume and belonging to something big, promise people they are okay with God—outright or implied.
Some churches get it right—they use the Bible for every teaching, every service, every message to their people, in every home, and to the community.
Many churches compromise the Bible—they do not clearly base everything on the Bible, and entertain a little of cultural ideas, and then a little more, until they fit in with the world around them.
So—Politics and Christianity ?
For Christians there is plenty in the Bible to convict us of our sin, for repentance from our sin, to power over our sin, to judging sin around us, to bringing others to Jesus, to “striving against sin” wherever we are, even “resisting to the point of shedding blood.”
“The Christian is to show the prince how to bear the sword.”—–Luther
SERIOUS TURBULENCE AHEAD
Another ‘day after election reflection’.
I wrote most of this a few days ago, and thought it would be outdated after the election results from yesterday.
Then, we must remember the sobering, or scary, reality that the present government ‘leadership’ is still in power another two and a half months.
And, that gives all our enemies a window for the perfect storm—I cannot imagine they will all pass up the opportunity.
– – –
AMERICA—VERY SERIOUS TURBULENCE STRAIGHT AHEAD—GRAB YOUR OXYGEN MASKS ! ! !
Actually, there is a better warning, that will do more good, make more difference.
AMERICANS—VERY SERIOUS TURBULENCE STRAIGHT AHEAD—GRAB YOUR OXYGEN MASKS ! ! !
Actually, there is an even better warning, that will do more good, make more difference.
AMERICAN CHRISTIANS—VERY SERIOUS TURBULENCE STRAIGHT AHEAD—GRAB YOUR OXYGEN MASKS* ! ! !
– – –
The first warning above might not make any difference.
America and its leadership probably wouldn’t recognize the oxygen masks, even if they dangled in their face.
Americans—some Americans who still believe in America might remember the oxygen masks in previous encounters with serious turbulence, when they seriously depended on the oxygen masks, temporarily, until we got past the turbulence.
Hmmm.
Most turbulence catches everyone by surprise.
If the pilots and weathermen are alert, they may be able to give a short notice warning.
What if the warning above is based on special inside information—like weather intelligence—and the turbulence is the worst ever—and survival is marginal ?
– – –
What’s with the third warning above ?
The country is about to encounter the worst turbulence ever experienced.
The pilots are sleeping or laughing with the crew.
The emergency safety measures on the plane designed to deal with turbulence are not turned on—haven’t been for some time, for many flights.
The oxygen masks have not been activated for years.
And, the warning alarm for the message about serious turbulence has not been sounded.
– – –
Okay, the truth is, America as a country, and all Americans, are about to encounter serious trouble from terrorists and from our enemies and from our government—all working together to take down the United States.
It could likely start with an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse bomb) and/or a surprise terrorist attack in a hundred places simultaneously.
The present government will be unable or unwilling to deal with it.
– – –
It remains a reality, and a cause for elevated anxiety for many Americans.
You could see it on the faces of nearly everyone before the election.
The relief, and promise of reprieve, is enormous—and we are very thankful.
But it may also explain why the enemies have waited to do the unthinkable.
The United States government is now in lame-duck session, with unknown options for nefarious action without accountability.
The United States citizens are now in sitting-duck session, with our own government AWOL for defending against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Seems very much like we’re in deep trouble—worried sick about what is about to happen.
– – –
*Except for one thing—grab our oxygen masks now—OUR BIBLES.
How do we operate them—OPEN AND READ AS LONG AS NEEDED.
And how long might that be—ALWAYS, THROUGH TURBULENCE AND AFTER.
ELECTION RESULTS – – – THE TRUTH
MAGA victory – – – “. . . the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”
The Trump victory in 2016 and the turnaround of the next four years was a reprieve from the dangerous, downward spiral of America into evil socialism and government control and loss of freedom.
We thank God for the prayers answered and the mercy shown to this God-inspired and God-blessed country.
But the rebuilding that made America great again was not complete, and it was dismantled again in the following four years, which have not yet ended.
We desperately needed the election results of yesterday, and we thank God for the miracle, that many Americans are now awake and aware of the dangers, the evils, that we face.
– – –
ELECTION RESULTS 2024 – – – THE TRUTH
The election results do not equal or include repentance.
– – –
The 2024 election campaign was the wildest, the most expensive, the most vigorous, the most divisive, the most decisive for this country.
The results are the most amazing, miraculous, providential relief imaginable.
The easiest mistake Americans can make now is to relax in the election victory, enjoy the restoration of hope for normalcy, and return to our everyday lives the way they were – – – – – without addressing the wrongs that only Christians can right, with God.
– – –
Restoring truth was not complete in 2017-2021.
Making America Great Again did not include a call to national repentance before God and national revival then.
It did not include a call from leadership to national prayer and fasting—an example set by past leaders of this country in times of serious need for God’s help—which God honored !
– – –
The 2024 election results do not equal or include repentance.
This may be the most elusive campaign in American history, to enlist and engage national leaders and pastors and committed Christians in prayer and fasting over our sins, for which God will carry out His judgment without our repentance.
This morning on American Family Radio (afr.net “Real Truth for Today”), Jeff Shreve’s guest focused directly on the verse below, and I will passionately reinforce this truth.
– – –
And now the complete Bible verse we must take to heart and not forget:
“Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
OUT OF STYLE
(Note the date—day before election in America)
Styles—come and go like a pendulum
Faith, Freedom, History—come and go, repeat like a pendulum
Some pendulums swing back quickly, where things we don’t like don’t last, and good returns soon enough that we see it in our lifetime.
Then we exercise wishful thinking that bigger, ‘badder’ things getting bigger and ‘badder’ all around us will automatically get better because “everything always works out eventually.”
NOT ! ! !
What if we die watching evil grow and grow worse and worse—pendulum of life and justice still swinging hard left with no sign or effort to stop it or even slow it down.
[Israel in slavery four hundred years—six million Jews killed in the holocaust—10-7-23]
“Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne.”
Is life just a pendulum ?
Is history just a pendulum ?
Good wins—Good people win.
Bad wins—Bad people win.
Repeat.
Repeat.
And that’s all, folks ?
Good and Evil—two forces battling it out forever, and we’re stuck between in the middle of their perpetual fight ?
Some things that are less important that go out of style are just facts of life that don’t cause much trouble (except for businesses that counted on selling something after its prime).
Some things that are more important seem to simply come and go without regard to our effort or well-being.
We want to see things turn out right, and then we have to deal with it when they don’t.
But if we have historical perspective—and not spoiled by ease and comfort we have come to expect—we can consider sacrifice for the future and future generations, for our children and grandchildren.
Throughout history faith-full people have given everything and their lives for better lives for those living after them.
Price of freedom—done deal—handed to us on a silver platter (with a silver spoon, if you will)—price paid by millions before us.
Most of us have not paid much for freedom—some have.
Most do not want to pay to keep freedom.
Many in power seek to steal freedom from us.
Many are willing to surrender freedom.
We were handed freedom on a silver platter.
Now, willingness to surrender freedom is handing it over on a copper platter melted down from what was our means to protect it from evil power.
SACRIFICING ALL, FOR FREEDOM, IS OUT OF STYLE TODAY !
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood, striving against sin.”—–Jesus Christ
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. If they have called the master of the house satan, how much more shall they call them of his household?”—–Jesus Christ
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”—–Jesus Christ
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“You will be hated by all people for My Name’s sake.”—–Jesus Christ
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“ Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”—–Jesus Christ
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”—–Jesus Christ
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”—–Paul
“Freedom will look easy when we don’t have to die to get it.”—–George Washington
“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”—–Paul and Barnabas
– – –
Considering the words of George Washington and the words of Jesus Christ, reminds us that we live in two kingdoms at the same time.
The temporary kingdom of this world is opposed to the eternal kingdom of God.
Followers of Jesus will be citizens in heaven forever.
Citizens of the United States have this once-in-history gift of freedom, and the opportunity and responsibility to keep it.
Watching freedom wane and America be destroyed, and accepting that without a fight, is not what God had in mind when He created this continent and inspired the creation of this country.
If we engage in the fight, and if we lose in the fight, and if we are faithful to Jesus and His Word, He will be with us to the end, through persecution and martyrdom.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—–Jesus Christ
“He who kills you will think He is doing God’s service.”—–Jesus Christ
“Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne,—Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.”—–James Russell Lowell
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”—–Jesus Christ
PRO-CHOICE IS A LIE, AND MORE !
Pro-choice is a lie !
Pro-choice is wrong grammar !
Pro-choice is discrimination !
Pro-choice is nonscience !
Pro-choice is nonsense !
Pro-choice is dishonest !
Pro-choice is criminal !
Pro-choice is sinful !
Pro-choice is a lie !
Pro-choice is a lie !
— many lies, just tissue, won’t hurt, forget it
Pro-choice is wrong grammar !
— it’s not a choice, without choices
Pro-choice is discrimination !
— against baby human beings
Pro-choice is nonscience !
— claims, against science, “it’s not a baby”
Pro-choice is nonsense !
— every woman knows better, it’s a baby
Pro-choice is dishonest !
— withholds the truth, to make money
Pro-choice is criminal !
— propaganda promoting coverup for murder
Pro-choice is sinful !
— “you shall not murder”
Pro-choice is a lie !
— all lies, built on lies, feeds on lies
‘RELIGIOUS’ RITUALS
Rituals—acts performed to reflect and reinforce commitment to deeply held beliefs.
Religious rituals—acts performed to reflect and reinforce commitment to deeply held beliefs about God (gods), including how to approach Him, how to appease Him, and how to be right with Him when we die.
There are many other categories of rituals that people engage in—shall I say ‘religiously’—that may add meaning to their life, or may rob them of meaningful life.
There are things we do, things we spend time and money on, things we sacrifice for, that we believe will make our life better, or even make someone else’s life better.
– – –
Stop for a minute.
Think of rituals in your life.
Are some good ?
Are some bad ?
Are some ugly ?
Good–
+ holidays
+ with family
+ with friends
+ with like-minded believers
+ with God
+ with yourself for health, fitness
+ funerals—knew Jesus?—YES
Bad–
— working for unpleasant person
— fixing others’ mistakes, again
— fixing your own mistakes, again
— cleaning up after another disaster
— sin, consequences, repentance
— funerals—knew Jesus?—? ? ?
Ugly–
X losing job (not your fault), looking for another
X obeying bad government
X paying taxes for abortion
X bearing others’ intentional attacks, hurts
X cancer, chemo
X funerals—knew Jesus?—NO
– – –
I live in Central Texas, fifteen miles from I-35.
Every time I watch the traffic on I-35, it feels like everybody’s doing a ritual.
It’s a ritual developed over time, simple at first, to a massive lifeline for our survival, that we can’t do without.
Well, that’s nothing new.
– – –
We recently completed a major expansion of this artery, and now the nation’s lifeblood flows much better (for the most part).
– – –
Then I think of how fragile this system of transportation really is.
No one talks about it, because no one can deal with it, if I-35 (etc) goes down.
– – –
We deal with accidents and delays fairly well, and accept the cost.
But someone is waiting to shut down our life-sustaining system that keeps our transportation system alive—electricity.
– – –
Oh, we know all about that, and we know we can’t do anything about it.
SO, . . . ? ? ?
– – –
– – –
Religious rituals invoke God to help—performed at all times, so we can count on His help when disaster strikes, hopefully.
Frankly, I don’t see any religious rituals now that would count with God when electricity is out permanently.
The ritual poured into I-35 (24/7) has no provision, no recourse for the day it fails.
Question—
DOES ANYBODY REALLY THINK IT WON’T FAIL ?
Question—
Does anybody have provisions for when it fails ?
Question—
Does anybody know any leader talking about this ?
Question—
Does anybody know how we’re going to eat when we can’t buy food ?
– – –
The only religious ?’ritual’? I ever observe is a comment when this subject is raised—
We just have to trust God when that happens.
Hmmm.
Noah comes to mind.
We like the Bible story.
We know there was wickedness, like we have today.
They knew there was impending judgment—Noah told them.
Who in their right mind would spend a hundred years PREPPING ?
Nobody
NOBODY
N O B O B Y
considered repentance.
So, not a chance for revival.
So, not a chance for survival.
Is it really any different in America today, really ?
I only hear about hope—if only Christians would just vote.
1- Rituals, especially religious rituals without repentance, make God sick.
2- Sacramental abominations on children make God angry.
3- Anyone who curses Israel guarantees God’s promised curse.
America is full of all three.
America is judged.
The Judge’s sentence is underway.
We need preaching, teaching, instruction now for survival in Babylon.
SOON ENOUGH
I sent the information below to friends and family, encouraging them to watch the finale of Little House on the Prairie.
One friend responded with this—
“Birthpangs are stronger moment by moment.
It seems the Lord will come back any minute and as far as I’m concerned, it can’t be soon enough!”
My response—
“Indeed !
And, Faithfulness for the evil days ahead, if He doesn’t come back ‘soon enough’.”
– – –
Little House on the Prairie finale 1hr35min
s09b pe 202302 – Special – Little House – Finale (The Last Farewell)_3
– – –
I watched it for the first time last night.
ASTOUNDING
Earthshaking impact for the evils we face today.
SLOW – SLOWER – S_ _ _ ? ? ?
Severe slowing down – – – Is that a warning or caution sign that the stop sign of life is close ?
Or
Accepting the slowing down of life – – – Could it mean it will take longer to reach the stop sign ?
– – –
The best way to reduce the risk of prematurely approaching the stop sign of life—
+ “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”
+ “Don’t depend on your own mental capacity.” (or physical capacity)
+ “My flesh and my heart fail, but the Lord is my strength and my portion forever.”
(strength and portion L O N G after flesh and heart fail)
+ “For me to live is Christ—to die is gain.” (live this life, but don’t hold onto it at all cost)
+ “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
+ “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
+ “As your days, so shall your strength be.” (God gives another day, He gives another day’s strength)
+ “Whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”
+ “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
+ “The fear of man brings a snare.” (fear of medical motives and mistakes and money)
+ “Whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe.”
+ “Be a faithful steward.” (of life, time, strength, health, wealth)
+ “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” (shadow of death, reality of LIFE)
+ “Well done, good and faithful servant—you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (‘few things’ is everything in this life, faithful to the end—‘many things’ is everything He has planned for us TO DO after this life)
— Keep going.
— Don’t quit.
— Don’t start thinking about deciding to quit.
— God decides when it’s quitting time.
— Stop watching the clock.
— Don’t shortchange the Boss the last hour of the day.
— Don’t cheat Him out of what He assigned you.
— He gave you enough hours in advance to do the job, if you keep going.
— If you need something to make it to quitting time, go over the above again.
— When life itself becomes painful, or painfully unfair—
“Consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
ERRORS IN THE BIBLE
If you are a believer, a follower of Jesus, and you read and appreciate the Bible, you may encounter others who want to disprove or disregard the Bible.
1- Ask the person why they are raising their question about the Bible.
A helpful quote, “Remember that every time you are answering a question, you are answering a person.”
The well-being of the person behind the question—and their soul—is most important.
Something in their life may be their real question, their biggest need.
2- While you may or may not have the answer to their question (and you may get the answer), ask the person if their question was answered, would they believe in the Bible and in Jesus.
That could make the conversation more real and honest and productive.
3- When someone brings up something they say is an error in the Bible, the best first step is to get a Bible and let them show you what they are referring to.
If they don’t know, then do not be critical or demeaning.
Take the opportunity to share something from the Bible that shows the singular message about sin and salvation.
You can also invite them to another conversation where they can show you from the Bible why they have the question.
A precious product of this—they had to open the Bible and study, even if with the wrong motive—many have come to faith in Jesus while trying to disprove the Bible.
4- Tell them you take their concern seriously.
Then refer to history filled with all kinds of mistaken ideas that were later corrected by additional information or discoveries.
There have been many disputed facts in the Bible that were proven true by archeology or literary technology.
At any point in time, we might not know everything to make conclusions about what the Bible says.
Have them consider how the Bible was recorded by 40 people over 1500 years, with astounding accuracy and continuity—consistent because it is God’s Word, inspired to be written down by people, to tell us what we need to know.
5- Try to shift the concern from less-important matters—questions that keep us from God—to all-important matters—our sin and our need for a Savior.
Consider the conversation with a person seeking answers, to be the hand of God putting you together to plant a seed in their life, for eternity.
Be honest and real about trying to answer their questions, or get the answers, while showing the greatest questions of life and death and eternity that the Bible answers.