Commands in the Christian life
Sing
Love
Obey
Serve
Praise
Thank
Endure
Rejoice
Encourage
Then, what about
Peace
+ not a command
+ not a decision
+ not an effort
+ not earned
+ essential
+ a gift
COMMANDS
October 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment
TRAVESTY
October 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment
TRAVESTY
Of justice
Of logic
Of honesty
Of intellect
Of the soul—of America
Of the soul—of Americans
Travesty—Tragedy of losing foundational standards for stable interaction.
– – –
When you lose sight of the above, and cannot engage in decent conversation about where we are politically and spiritually, you must resort to the following, and make guilty those who disagree with you, instead of owning your flawed strategy.
GASLIGHTING
By political leaders
By democrats
By media
By leftists
By socialists
By marxists
By lgbt
By woke-ists
By D E I-ists
Gaslighting—Guilt successfully deflected from the guilty accuser to the fictitiously accused.
SCAPEGOAT
When one’s argument is weak, you need someone to blame and rail against relentlessly, until accusations become ‘facts’, believed by many.
Those who don’t believe, and try to present truth and facts, are likewise hounded severely for identifying with the named scapegoat.
WANTING TO BE RICH
October 19, 2024 By Leave a Comment
“Want to be rich” ?
Not good—not good results—according to Jesus.
Wanting to be rich makes you poor in the parts that are for keeps.
“Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts.” —–Jesus
– – –
– – –
How many Americans,
How many American financial advisors,
How many American preachers,
would feel compelled to add some disclaimer, some comment to make Jesus’ words fit better in our affluent culture ?
The statement straight on might offend people and drive some away.
And that is exactly what happened when Jesus said it, and many other warnings about money.
“HALF SLAVE – – – HALF FREE” ?
October 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment
It is inconceivable that anyone in America today could live with slavery legal in some states and illegal in other states.
It was the absolute conclusion of Abraham Lincoln for the country, that “the union cannot survive half slave and half free.”
He was absolutely right—slavery or its abolition had to be decided one way or another, at all cost.
And it was decided, at all cost ! ! !
Black people are humans equal to all other people, with equal rights—and our Constitution was amended to guarantee all rights to all Americans.
– – –
Now, this same union of The United States of America cannot survive half death and half life.
Abortion* or its abolition has to be decided one way or another, at all cost.
And it will be decided, at all cost ! ! !
That cost will not be postponed or ignored, by talking about it.
It is inconceivable that anyone in America today could live with death to babies legal in some states and illegal in other states.
*Abortion
Killing fellow human beings—babies, helpless, innocent, babies—infinitely more horrific in God’s sight than enslaving fellow human beings.
The Bible calls for capital punishment for murder.
But for crimes against children, the Bible adds graphically to the execution:
“a millstone hanged about his neck and he be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
“I HAVE A FAMILY”* – – – I CAN’T AFFORD. . . .
October 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment
I’ve got a job,
I’ve got a family,
I can’t afford to say anything about the wrong things going on in America, around me.
I can’t afford the time,
I can’t afford the risk,
I can’t afford the lost job,
I can’t afford the lost reputation,
if I speak up and get involved.
Is it too soon to get involved ?
Is it too late to get involved ?
Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor in Germany, gave the following confession numerous times in speeches after WWII, remembering the silence of German intellectuals and clergy, including himself, during the Nazis’ rise to power and purging of their chosen targets, group after group.
“First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me.”
* A week after American Family Association initiated a boycott of Target stores because of their policy allowing men in women’s private spaces, over one million signatures were included, and growing.
Soon after, I participated with a group picketing in front of the Target store in Temple, Texas.
I had the opportunity for a few words with the store manager.
When I asked him if he personally agreed with the company policy, he said,
“I have a family.”
That says it all, for millions of Americans, who think they can’t do anything or say anything against the evils taking over this country.
And so far, most of us can still say, “They have not come for me.”
But they will, just as surely as Niemoller exerienced.
“WHY, GOD ?”
October 12, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Got a list of “Why, God ?” to ask Him ?
Consider this, now, about then—good possibility, when we see Jesus, we’ll forget our questions, and most everything else on earth.
But for now:
“My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into all kinds of trouble; know that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, so you will be perfectly complete and lack nothing.”
I agree, this doesn’t make sense—until we follow Jesus and give Him control of everything.
And even then we often ask “Why?”—until we get to heaven and find out it was all much more than worth it all.
Until then we have His promises in the Bible that guarantee both our outcome and our strength for today.
PROSPERITY – – – OR – – – “SOUL PROSPER”
October 12, 2024 By Leave a Comment
One of the greatest confusions, the greatest hazard, for Christians, especially in America is this:
Material Prosperity vs. Spiritual Prosperity
Material Prosperity is usually marked by comfort.
Spiritual Prosperity is often marked by discomfort.
Material Prosperity is usually marked by commendation.
Spiritual Prosperity is often marked by condemnation.
Material Prosperity is usually marked by easy times.
Spiritual Prosperity is often marked by hard times.
Material Prosperity is usually marked by wanting more.
Spiritual Prosperity is often marked by wanting less.
Material Prosperity is usually marked by more to hold your heart.
Spiritual Prosperity is often marked by less to hold your heart.
Material Prosperity is marked by greater focus on what you have stored here on earth.
Spiritual Prosperity is marked by greater focus on what you have stored in heaven.
PRIORITIES—first things first—Material Prosperity or Spiritual Prosperity.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
Spiritual Prosperity—prayed for and promised—we can have it !
Material Prosperity—prayed for but not promised—many warnings, especially for wanting it !
As America makes the tragic transition from a Christian nation to a Godless nation that is hostile to Christianity, two things will happen spiritually.
ONE–
Some will repent and turn to God, or turn back to Him.
TWO–
Many will turn against God for taking their good life, and for sending His judgment.
History always was and remains His-Story, including The United States of America.
The great American experiment showed and will show His hand in the affairs of man.
In God We Trust
God Bless America
In God We Trusted
God Blessed America
God Judged America
editorial—historical note.
–ed—America really did trust God.
–ed—God really did bless America.
–ed—God really did judge America—the sentence has only begun.
American exceptionalism above measure—indeed !
American exceptionalism above accountability—indeed not !
IS YOUR BIBLE TEACHER’S ‘BIBLE’ TEACHING BIBLICAL ?
October 12, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Anyone who talks (teaches) for any length of time without the Bible—BEWARE !
WAITING ON GOD – – – OR . . .
October 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Waiting on God is legitimate, Biblical.
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength—
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not grow weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”
As I get older and less capable of many things in my past, I realize a special application of this verse for seniors.
I’m actually surprised I haven’t heard this from anyone.
The three promises seem to be a regression to less impressive action.
Then I saw the comfort of renewing strength, through the stages of life, including the times of flying high for God (like an eagle), the times of running full speed for God (without tiring), and now walking with Jesus (without giving up).
“As your days, so shall your strength be.”
“Teach me, Lord, to wait.”
– – –
What about the “OR” ?
“Can’t wait on God forever . . .”
“Some things you just have to do yourself . . .”
“God helps those that help themselves . . .”
“God can’t steer a parked car . . .”
“God expects us to figure some things out ourselves . . .”
“We must plan and provide for our future . . .”
“What must I DO to be saved (what I must do) . . .”
“Don’t want God waiting on me . . .”
“Waited long enough—got to do something . . .”
Catchy, persuasive, compelling, guilt-ridden, urgent, pressing, responsible, accountable—
Yes, just not Biblical.
Waiting on God means you first tell Him all about your situation, your trouble—“Call upon Me in the day of trouble, . . .”, and then WAIT…..period…..
While You wait, get to work on whatever He puts in front of you.
Don’t think twice (or even once) on the thing you’re waiting about.
If you call on Him about the situation, He wants all the credit for . . . the rest of the verse.
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble [your part], and I will deliver you [His part], and you will glorify Me [your part, His glory—don’t forget].
ALL-TIME OXYMORON – – – MODIFIED FOR SENIORS
October 9, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Occasional Outbursts of Reality