A Word For Thought

HISTORY TODAY

December 6, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

Seventy years and six days after Israel officially became a country again, the United States is set to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel today.

This is confirmed to be the right action by several facts:

-Historically, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel.

-The Jewish people know that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

-The opposition in the Arab world to Jerusalem being the capital of Israel, is actually confirmation that this is the right thing to do.

-God said He will bless those who bless Israel, and He will curse those who curse Israel.

-This action puts America on the right side with God, by blessing Israel.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Political---Cultural

“ANDY’S RAINBOW”

December 4, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

“You don’t have to be smart to know God’s love.” —– Andy

Brace yourself to be touched.

This movie covers the good, the bad, and the ugly—and beauty comes out of it.

And it tends to all the loose ends at the end, so you’re left feeling complete.

Filed Under: Inspirational, Movie Review

“SACRED VOW”

December 2, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

This movie is very powerful, to move all married persons to guard their marriage in every way they can.

It shows the subtle, and not so subtle, ways that a precious relationship can be undermined.

And it shows the amazing ways a dying marriage can come back to life.

Not just another movie, not just another love story in trouble—this one can change your life, whether your marriage is in bad shape or in great shape.

Please watch it—a must watch—it could prompt a milestone marker in your life.

Filed Under: Family, Inspirational, Movie Review

JUSTICE vs COMPASSION – – – BY GOD ?

November 29, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

Whenever we run into ants in our yard or house, we immediately proceed to eliminate them, without a second thought or feeling about their welfare—justified.

Now consider the story of a colony of ants making a path across a busy wagon trail.

Every time a wagon passed, dozens of ants were wiped out, and they had to repair their path across the new track.

Imagine a person stopping to watch, and feeling sorry for the ants’ situation.

He wanted to explain to the ants that they needed a better plan, for survival.

He realized the only way to communicate with the ants and help them, was to become an ant.

There were two major risks in becoming an ant.

One, they might not listen to his plan.

Two, as an ant his very life would be in danger from the wagons.

It turns out, both happened, ending in disaster.

The ants did not want to listen, and they threw him under the next wagon.

Justice—you don’t care

Sympathy—you care

Compassion—you act

Sacrifice—you suffer

God Cared

God Acted

God Suffered

God Died

All for you, and me.

“God so loved . . .”

Filed Under: Faith Based, Inspirational

GOD, WHAT DO YOU WANT ?

November 29, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

“God does not need our success.

He wants our surrender.”

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Inspirational

(4) REFORMATION REQUIRED AGAIN – – – AND AGAIN, and . . .

November 29, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

(please read these Reformation articles in numbered order)

Pick any of the dozens of “doctrines” that separate Christians and churches, and you will find stacks of “proof texts” that are supposed to absolutely prove the particular view or belief.

And you will find stacks of “proof texts” that are supposed to absolutely prove the opposite view or belief.

At the very least, this is a huge turnoff for many people looking in, considering Christianity.

And those who do sign up for following Jesus are expected to also endorse the positions that make that church different.

Some churches keep Jesus the main thing, but most emphasize their distinctives and become known for what makes them different.

Many claim exclusive rights to the truth, and think they alone are destined to protect the pure Word of God.

When a church or organization locks in to a position on an issue, it usually becomes necessary to hold on to that view more tightly and spend more time and energy defending it than telling people about Jesus.

For individuals and for groups, it is so easy to focus on what makes them different from other Christians, more than what is supposed to make all Christians different from the world.

Churches need to be aware of the actual message they are sending to the outsider, who needs Jesus.

Churches need to encourage their people to read and study their Bibles, to find all the passages impacting their lives on any issue.

The purpose of Bible Study is for Christians to find out if what they are being taught is true, and then find out what they are supposed to do with it.

The purpose of Bible Study is not to defend and maintain any organization.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based

(3) REFORMATION REQUIRED AGAIN – – – AND AGAIN, and . . .

November 25, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

(please read these Reformation articles in numbered order)

Theological merry-go-round vocabulary is invented for control and job security.

People join and get on the merry-go-round because it’s different, unique, makes them feel special.

Everyone on the merry-go-round gets to speak the same special language.

They understand each other, even if they don’t really understand what they’re talking about.

A few people in charge of inventing the theological vocabulary may have once understood their meaning, and those later in charge of teaching such vocabulary understand how well it works to maintain control of the people who sign up for their brand of church.

And as long as the merry-go-round keeps spinning, the leaders have job security.

What gets lost is the plain, simple teaching that the “members” are supposed to get directly from the Bible for themselves.

No theological language is worth a dime if it can’t communicate to the person who doesn’t know Jesus.

Words from the Bible are true and trustworthy—words invented by man are suspect.

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Inspirational

JUDGMENT ON AMERICA – – – WHEN ?

November 25, 2017 By Larry Michalk Leave a Comment

How can God withhold judgment on America?

The current insanity spreading like a plague is His judgment.

After all, He has used several options to bring His wandering people back to Him.

“When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” —His Book

“So God gave them up . . .” —His Book

“God gave them over . . .” —His Book

It’s not pretty when God gives up on people and gives them over to their own devices and desires.

Read it for yourself: His Book—Romans chapter 1, verses 21-32.

Pray that God giving America up to the rampant evil we wanted, is not God giving up on us, but using it as a means to bring us back to Him. (Reread that last line, very slowly.)

Filed Under: Educational, Faith Based, Political---Cultural, Time