News Roundup Follow-up

Isn't it odd that Rosie has turned off comments completely over at her sorry excuse for a blog? She even took off the email option! She has closed off all sources of replies to her ridiculous rantings of untruth and her spewing of hatred.

Dictator!

Yeah...she's for "free speech" only when it's her own! She cuts off Elizabeth Hasselbeck every day on "The Spew."

Bully!

G.Beck: Rosie O'Donnell, The Only Loon Allowed an Opinion

Even her minnions of gushing trogolodyte (using dictionary.com's definition #4: a person unacquainted with affairs of the world; although some over there might even fit into the categorical "troglodyte" meaning of "cave-dwellers," or an "animal living underground," too...heh heh) followers can't respond. O'Dimbat must have gotten lots of objections to her rantings.

Chicken!

Just goes to prove the point that when a person is as hopelessly wrong as Rosie, the only option left is to shut off the rest of the world...

Sanjaya isn't the only one, (as Simon quipped on American Idol) living in his own universe!

Cave-dweller!

No wait...Rosie fits the second definition of "troglodyte" better:

2. a person of degraded, primitive, or brutal character.

Some readers may wonder why what Rosie says matters and what harm it does. A great friend of mine who currently resides in Israel often says, "words are powerful."

They certainly are!

I chose mine carefully here. I could have used many different kinds of insults, but they would have been said out of anger and not accurate to the points I was attempting to make.

One of the saddest things that I heard about as a result of Rosie's blathering came from the father of a soldier killed in Iraq. He said that Rosie's lies were hurting the troops, his daughter-in-law, and his grandchild. I'm sure that there are people across America who feel exactly the same way about this. Rosie is giving aide and comfort to our enemies: al Qaida, Iraqi insurgents, Iran, and terrorists in general.

This is not just a "free speech issue." I think that because of the huge forum that she has been given by ABC at The Spew, she should be held accountable for bashing our troops, our government, our country, our people and the efforts being waged against the war on Islamofascism. The nuclear ambitions of Iran don't seem to matter to this woman. People like her and Sean Penn and Harry Belafonte don't see how their inexcusable, ignorant rantings are dangerous for the security of our country.

Yes. We have free speech here. But the liberty to speak doesn't mean lies, distortions and licentiousness should reign and go unchallenged. The opposite view, or views, should be given the fair and balanced chance to counter such lies. ABC executives, including Barbara Walters, should be ashamed of themselves! Their liberal left lunatic bias is showing...big time! As a result, they are endangering our troops as well as our nation. They are traitors and cowards...the entire bunch of them!!

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One correction from yesterday's Roundup. Regarding the JAY LENO..." HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD" post, Jaded was kind enough to share a link that tells us that Jay Leno did not say all of what was originally posted. Only the last quote is his.

Whomever did say, or write the rest of it certainly made several excellent points!

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Update: 8:45 a.m. PT

The following video link is probably one of the most important videos you will see today.

Please, Please view it RIGHT NOW!

Glenn Beck Uncovers Muslim Plot to Silence Dissent in America

People, if you viewed the video and have a blog, please do your small part and post a link at your blog. This needs to be sent around the blogosphere because the MSM just won't do it!!!

HT: Little Green Footballs

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A great quote from a great, historical American leader:

"In this and like communities, public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently, he who molds public sentiment, goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions. He makes statutes and decisions possible or impossible to be executed." - Abrahan Lincoln, Ottawa, Ill., 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates

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Update: 9:24 a.m. PT

I'm in YouTube heaven!

There is an entire library of Glenn Beck videos to see!

Just loved the following:

Glenn Beck Destroys MSNBC's Kool-Aid Drinker Keith Olbermann

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Update: 10:16 a.m. PT

An unfortunate, but true letter that was posted in the letters-to-the-editor section on WorldNetDaily describing the raging hatred of the radical left:

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007

Leftist hatred akin to Islamic fanaticism

One benefit of the Internet is that the general public gets to be the "fly on the wall" to hear and read the discussions among the compassionate, tolerant liberals when they're among themselves and feeling free to be open about what they truly believe.

Only then do they allow the pure, raw, visceral hatred to flow out. Such were the cases with Vice President Cheney and now Tony Snow. Merely because of political disagreement with these two men, the liberals are foaming at the mouth at the prospect of them suffering and dying. What about the Snow and Cheney families? Do the liberals consider the impact to these two families due to the loss of a husband, a father, a grandfather? Of course not. With the left, the message is clear: "Either you agree with us or die."

It is sick beyond description and is eerily similar to the Islamic fascists who kill other people and each other over political and religious disagreements. The way I see it, the only difference between the Islamic terrorists and these "tolerant" liberals is that the terrorists actually act on what they say instead of hiding anonymously behind a keyboard. The hatred and intolerance is absolutely the same.

Mike Michaelian

News Roundup 3/30/07

Haven't posted a News Roundup in quite a while, however, usually you can get most of the news that the MSM biased sources ignore at blogs like Michele Malkin's, Little Green Footballs, HotAir, WorldNetDaily, and Drudge. All of these excellent websites are bookmarked either in my blogroll or website links here at Talkwisdom.

There are so many outrageous things to report today. I will start with the one that has already been cancelled due to Christian outrage. See? It pays to speak up!

1. Display of Controversial 'Chocolate Jesus' Sculpture Cancelled. This is certainly good news. When I heard a report about this licentious and repugnant display of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I was outraged! This is beyond the pale, people. Regardless of what the "sculpture" claims that he, "didn't do it to insult anyone," the truth is that it is highly insulting, blasphemous and disrespectful (to say the least!) to Christians everywhere.

Unfortunately, this is typical. Every Easter, the usual news magazine culprits print their annual, anti-Christian "articles" questioning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This incident is yet another attempt for spiritually lost people to mock our Lord and Savior.

Christians make up 70% of this country. It's not appropriate for those who choose not believe in Jesus to mock him. Just because they choose to ignore the fact that Jesus is who he says he is, namely, the Son of God, Lord and Savior of mankind, does not mean that they should have the liberty to abuse our country's freedom of speech in such a derogatory and despicable way as this.

Liberty does not mean licentiousness! Immoral license implies: "a freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom". That is exactly what this sculpture was, and I am so glad that the hotel manager had the common sense (finally!) to reject it from display.

2. Speaking of licentiousness, how about the admitted pedophile who created a website designed to give these creeps access to photos of young girls? What's worse, he wants to "mainstream" the morally reprehensible desire to have sex with young girls. So UGLY!! DISGUSTING!

Free speech was never intended to be used for such a purpose! This is why we have laws and restraints against such awful compulsions!

There is an epidemic of child predators and abusers in our nation today. Thank God that Bill O'Reilly has pushed for most states to pass Jessica's Law. Sexually abuse a child? Put any first time offender away for 25 years to life! That is appropriate justice for a crime which negatively and horribly affects a child for the rest of their lives. A pedophile should forfeit at least 25 years of his life in prison. When a child is abused and killed as horribly as Jessica was, then the perp deserves the death penalty...exactly what that murderous slimeball Couey deserved.

3. Hot Air has already covered the Rosie O'Dimwitt debacle quite thoroughly.

Intro over there:

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is the video against which all future Rosie clips will be compared. Never has so much useful idiocy about so many subjects been compressed into so little time.

It’s her finest hour.

To the best of my knowledge this is the first time she’s used the show to advance Trutherism, which would seem to present a bit of a quandary for the resident “serious journalist.” Will she continue to lend her prestige to too-nutty-for-the-nutroots anti-Americanism? Or is it time to cut Big Mama loose and preserve whatever shred of credibility the show still has left?

Go see the video of Rosie's rant... that is, if you can stand it!

Commenter ibmkeyboard #89
over at LGF quipped, "The View should be re-named "The Spew!"

How apropos!!

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Update: 3/31/07

P.S. Isn't it odd that Rosie has turned off comments completely over at her sorry excuse for a blog? She even took off the email option! She has closed off all sources of replies to her ridiculous rantings of untruth and her spewing of hatred.

Dictator!

Yeah...she's for "free speech" only when it's her own! She cuts off Elizabeth Hasselbeck every day on "The Spew."

Bully!

Even her minnions of gushing trogolodyte (using definition #4:
a person unacquainted with affairs of the world; although some might even fit into the category of "cavedwellers," or an "animal living underground" too) followers can't respond.

4. I'm so glad and grateful that we have a President of the United States who doesn't do his business based on the latest liberal left lunatic poll. My hubby emailed the following article to me today. It certainly "hits the nail on the head" as far as the liberal left's ad nauseum complaints are concerned. The entire article was credited to Jay Leno, but at the moment, I was only able to confirm that the last statement was genuinely said by him. If anyone has proof that all of it was stated by Leno, please provide the link.

Whoever said all of this, whether or not it was Leno, absolutely made a great observation about the ungrateful whiners and complainers in our nation today!!

I've never heard Leno saying anything like this...but this is what got sent to me.....


JAY LENO..." HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD"
[Note: Update 3/31/07 Jaded was kind enough to share a link that tells us that Jay Leno did not say all of the following. Only the last quote is his.]

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it -- are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a "general" discharge, an "other than honorable" discharge or, worst case scenario, a "dishonorable" discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way -- Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" - Jay Leno

Hat tips:

Fox News
Hot Air
LGF

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Update: Be sure to read Doug's post:

Rosie O'Pennafonte: Hollywood Morphing Into One Gigantic Idiot

My comment there:

Love this post!
Doug, you always demonstrate the greatest ability to share some serious truth, masterfully showing what village idiots these three people really are…and at the same time…making it all quite hilarious!

HT: The Powers That Be

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Second Update at 2:36 p.m.: Speaking of Hollyweird, there is a fire burning up behind the hill which is dangerously close to the famous "Hollywood" sign in Los Angeles, CA.

Hmmm....could this be a sign (pun intended!) of some sort? Could this be a sign against The Spew?
I wonder...

Galatians 6 and a Panhandler

Before I share my post on Galatians chapter 6, I want to share an incident that happened yesterday.

My friend Kelly and I were sitting at a table at a lovely tourist area called "The Grove" in Santa Monica. We were grabbing a quick bite to eat before getting in line at the studio entrance to be in front of the line for audience seating at the show Dancing With the Stars.

We were eating pizza and drinking lemonade. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an old, African American man going from table to table asking for money. When he came to our table, he asked Kelly for a dollar. She only had larger bills, so he came over to me and asked if I could spare a dollar.

His clothes were clean, but looked like the clothing of a very different era. He had a tweed jacket, brown pants, and worn-looking shoes on his feet. His hair and beard were long and unkempt, but didn't appear to be dirty. After seeing him being turned down by people at three other tables, I took out my wallet and gave him four dollars. He looked at me, said "thanks," and quickly walked away.

I must tell you that I often have conflicting emotions when people beg for money. In the past, I have been burned. One time, an African American lady who appeared to be in her twenties, came up to my car in a parking lot and asked for money so that she could buy her two kids (who I saw sitting in her old, beat up car) some McDonalds hamburgers. I gave her a five dollar bill. She said thank you and left.

I drove out of that parking lot with the intention of heading to the mall. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling well so I made a u-turn to go back home. As I was passing the strip mall parking lot where the woman asked for money, I saw her walk into the liquor store! I was so angry!! I pulled back into the parking lot, waited for her to come out and yelled at her for buying liquor with the money that she told me she would use for hamburgers for her children. She completely ignored me, got in her car and drove away.

One New Years Eve day, I was coming out of a Walgreen's store after buying some noisemakers, hats, and poppers for our party that night at the house. A man came up to me and asked for four dollars to buy some chicken. I told him that all that I have belongs to the Lord and that the money I was giving him was from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His bounty. I asked him to promise me that he would not use the money for liquor or drugs. He promised me. When I gave him the five dollars, he said, "Thank you, God bless you miss." I wondered whether or not he was a Christian.

The next several persons who solicited money from me also got a Biblical tract.

With this recent experience, I didn't say anything to the person as he walked away. I wondered what his spiritual condition might be? I didn't have any tracts with me. I didn't mention Jesus Christ. I didn't even say, "you're welcome." I don't know why I was silent. Perhaps I was feeling convicted because the last three people who previously asked for money were either ignored or turned down by me? I don't know.

My attitudes about giving money to panhandlers have often been conflicting. As you will notice, my attitude has changed over the years. I went from an "attitude of bitter anger" towards that woman several years back who I caught using the money for liquor to an attitude of "giving in silence" yesterday.

After finishing my pizza, I thought that I should have used that opportunity to at least mention the name of Jesus Christ to that man. I don't quite know why I was silent, but God knows. Maybe the Holy Spirit led me to hold my tongue for a change? (Yeah...I know...it's a miracle!)

But when I read Galatians 6:1-10 this morning, it taught me a lesson about such matters.


Gal 6:1
BRETHREN, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Gal 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal 6:3
For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Gal 6:4
But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Gal 6:5
For each one shall bear his own load.

Gal 6:6
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Gal 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Gal 6:8
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Gal 6:9
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Gal 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

In Galatians 6:1-3, we are told that no Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn't need help from others. No one should feel excused from the task of helping others. That is why when we see someone who needs help, and we are able to help, we should do so. When there is a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement, we should humbly and gently reach out to that person (see John 13:34,35).

Verse 4 tells us to feel good about ourselves when we do our best. We shouldn't compare ourselves to others. Think about it. People compare themselves for many reasons. When tempted to compare, we should look at Jesus as an example. He inspires us to do our best, while at the same time, his loving acceptance comforts us when we fall short.

Fall short? Been there...done that...a lot!

The New Living Translation (NLT) form of Galatians 6:5 says:

Gal 6:5
For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

That speaks to every one of us!

The next several verses (NLT version) use modern language to describe what the NKJV says about "reaping" and "sowing."


Gal 6:7
Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!

Gal 6:8
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Gal 6:9
So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Gal 6:10
Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.

Sometimes, it can be discouraging to continue to do right and receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results. But Paul challenged the Galatians and he challenges me (us) to keep on doing good and to trust God for the results. In due time, we will reap a harvest of blessing.

Thank you Jesus! I needed to read that today!

Action Against Bad Bills Needed Today

Anti-Christian & Assisted Suicide Bills Up for Votes
Tuesday, March 27, 2007!!!
Phone Calls Needed Today!!
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TAKE ACTION!!

Assembly Bill 14 and Assembly Bill 374 are set for hearing and votes by the Assembly Judiciary Committee Tuesday, March 27th.

Please call all members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee TODAY ask that they vote NO on AB 14 & AB 374!! Votes on AB 14 and AB 374 can happen anytime after 9:00 AM.

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ASSEMBLY BILL 14 (by Laird (D)): Anti-Christian Discrimination
AB 14 aims to incorporate full protection for homosexuality, bisexuality and transgender all under the guise of “sexual orientation” in 50 different sections of California law, while at the same time discriminating against people of faith, churches and Christian businesses.

Here are some of the provisions targeting people of faith and Christianity:

•Would prohibit a college campus that receives state funds from using any of those funds to participate with a private organization that does not accept homosexuality.

•Would prohibit the state from getting involved with or using facilities owned by private organizations if they do not accept homosexuality.

•All hospitals in the state, even private religious hospitals, would be forced to explicitly adopt non-discrimination treatment policies listing “sexual orientation” and accepting homosexuality.

•The beliefs of contractors and businesses must be compromised to accept homosexuality in order to receive state contracts under AB 14.

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ASSEMBLY BILL 374 (by Berg (D)): Assisted Suicide
This bill would allow doctors to give their terminal patients, if they request it, medication that would end their lives. This bill cheapens life and would encourage patients to end their lives. This bill also makes the elderly vulnerable to being pressured into ending their lives.

AB 374 would establish the so-called California Compassionate Choices Act, ensuring that

“…an adult who meets certain qualifications…suffering from a terminal disease would be able to make a request for medication prescribed pursuant to this bill to provide comfort with an assurance of peaceful dying if suffering becomes unbearable.”

It would also “…provide that action taken in accordance with the act shall not constitute suicide or homicide.” And, the bill would […provide immunity from civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action for participating in good faith compliance with this act.”

AB 374 is a despicable and misleading effort to make the reprehensible practice of physician-assisted legal. It should be opposed because it is a dishonest and contradictory attempt to establish active physician-assisted suicide and it perpetuates dangerous lies about euthanasia and tries to enshrine them in law.

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CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE
ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TODAY!!
Ask them to VOTE NO on AB 14 & AB 374!!
Vote Can Happen Anytime After 9:00 AM!!
Legislator Name Phone Fax

Dave Jones, Chair (D) 916 319-2009 916 319 2109
Van Tran, Vice Chair (R) 916 319-2068 916 319 2168
Noreen Evans (D) 916 319-2007 916 319 2107
Mike Feuer (D) 916 319-2042 916 319 2142
Paul Krekorian (D) 916 319-2043 916 319 2143
John Laird (D) author of AB 14 916 319-2027 916 319 2127
Lloyd Levine (D) 916 319-2040 916 319 2140
Sally Lieber (D) 916 319-2022 916 319 2122
Anthony Adams (R) 916 319-2059 916 319 2159
Rick Keene (R) 916 319-2003 916 319 2103

For Assembly Judiciary Committee Members Websites and Emails please go to:
Websites

To find your State Assembly member directly click this link and then enter your zip code:
State Assembly member link

For State Assembly Member’s websites, to find local contact numbers, faxes and emails please go to:
State Assembly members websites

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Update: 3/28/07
This is the national bill:

ACTION ALERT

Pro-Homosexual/Drag Queen Hate Crimes Bill Will Move Quickly!
Begins to Lay the Legal Framework Whereby Bible-believing Pastors, Business Owners and Individuals can be Persecuted and Prosecuted.

It is vital that Bible-believing people immediately contact their U.S. Representative and Two (2) U.S. Senators.

We must defeat H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, by Congressman John Conyers, Democrat from Michigan, who is Judiciary Committee Chairman! Also, it is expected that Senator Ted Kennedy, Democrat from Massachusetts, will soon introduce similar legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Without your action, this anti-Christian legislation will pass -- under the guise of hate-crime prevention -- and accomplish the following homosexual goals:

Silence the Bible-believing Churches, Pastors and Christians
Criminalize so-called “hate speech,” – which is any speech that is critical of homosexuality or cross-dressing behaviors. The suppression of free speech will be justified by the claim that such speech “incites” individuals to commit violence against homosexuals, cross-dressers etc. Any remarks about homosexuality, such as reading Bible passages, preaching on these passages, telling a person they can come out of the homosexual lifestyle, etc. will be deemed critical remarks and will be ruled to be outside the bounds of First Amendment protections for pastors, business owners and individuals.

Elevate homosexuality and cross-dressing behaviors such as drag queens, transsexualism, she-males, etc. to the status of federally-protected minorities. These behaviors will be considered equal to race under the federal law.

Interfere with local law enforcement by elevating every alleged incident of “hate” against a homosexual or cross-dresser into a federal crime.
Fund anti-Christian curriculum for children K-12, through the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice to promote homosexuality and cross-dressing as normal behaviors.

The passage of H.R. 1592 will be a serious threat to free speech and freedom of religion. This so-called Hate Crimes Bill begins to lay the legal framework to persecute and prosecute those who refuse, for moral and religious reasons, to agree or teach their children that homosexuality, transgender, cross-dressing etc is normal and desirable.

Ultimately, a pastor’s sermon concerning homosexuality could be considered an incitement to violence and punished with a fine or prison.
This has already occurred in Sweden, Canada, and England and efforts are underway in Brazil to punish any person who speaks out against homosexuality.

Galatians 5

After reading Prather's post for a third time, I was lead to seek out several verses in Galatians. I have already discussed Galatians chapters 1-4 and you can access them here. This will be a study and commentary on Galatians 5.

This chapter contains some of my most favorite verses in the Bible. These include verses 17, 18 and 22.

Another thing that I really like about this chapter is the huge contrast that is depicted between living and walking according to sinful, fleshly desires vs. living and walking in the Spirit of God.

The very first verse turns what is perceived by men as "freedom" (meaning the freedom to sin and being unrepentant) and describes that lie as a "yoke of slavery" that burdens our souls. What an accurate description! Being set free from sin and the consequences thereof, of that sin, demonstrates the freedom we have in Christ! It is far better than the "yoke of slavery" that we would be bonded to without Jesus and the salvation he offers!

As always, comments, questions and additional information about this chapter are always welcome.

For now, here are the Scripture verses that will be discussed in detail when I return later today.



Gal 5:1 STAND fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,* and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Study notes: Christ came to set us free - not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before - to live unselfishly. Those who would want to use such freedom so that they can have their own way are falling back into sin. Once free in Christ, we see sin as what it truly is...a yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

Gal 5:3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Gal 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Study notes: Circumcision was an outward sign of religion. What these verses tell us is that trying to save ourselves by our own merits or by deeds of service in order to try and earn God's love or favor doesn't work. As verse 6 below tells us, we are saved by faith, not by deeds. But love for others and for God comes through as a response of those whom God has forgiven.

Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Gal 5:7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Gal 5:8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Study notes: A little yeast (leaven) causes a whole lump of dough to rise. What Paul was saying in this word picture is that it only takes one wrong person to infect all the others.

Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

Study notes: Paul was telling his brethren in the faith that he was being persecuted because he was sharing the true gospel. If he had taught what the false teachers were teaching, no one would be offended!

Doesn't this sound just like the liberal churches today? The "political correctness" of secular humanism doesn't allow anyone to be offended at such churches. That "anything goes" attitude may bring in people, but how many are truly being saved?

Back to Paul. He was being persecuted by both Jews and Judaizers.

Jesus said not to be surprised if the world hates you, because it hated him (John 15:18,19). Dear Christians, have you noticed the ratcheting up of persecution being leveled at believers in Christ today? In comparison, we have it easy here. The hate is spewed on T.V., in the newspapers and magazines, and every Easter we get the usual questioning about Jesus' resurrection. But in China and throughout the Muslim countries in the Middle East, it's a totally different story. People are systematically imprisoned, beaten and killed because they are found out to be Christians! But even under the threat of death, these faithful Christians will not deny their faith in Jesus.

Just as Paul continued to faithfully proclaim the message about Christ in his day, we should continue doing the ministry God has given to each of us - in spite of the obstacles others may put in your way!

Gal 5:12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Study notes: Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all! Why? Because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."*

Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Study notes: It is better to confront others in love, than to gossip. It helps to remind ourselves of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39). It makes a huge difference when we are motivated by love, rather than being critical of another's shortcomings.

Want some motivation for sharing the gospel with others? I received a newsletter today that informed me that it is a fact that in a fallen world, lost souls who are following false beliefs about God are perishing without Christ by the second. The newsletter stated:

Indeed, 106 human beings will ide in the next minute. Gone forever. That is more than 152,000 this very day. And most will enter eternity stained with the guilt of their sins...facing unthinkable judgment. But Christians have been given the ability to bring them the only message of hope that exists!

On a more local level, the ACLU and other opponents of the Gospel in our own nation of America, which was founded upon the Bible - have continued their vigorous campaign to legally close the doors to preaching the Gospel in case after case across America...distorting the role of government in order to block that sole message of hope.

Have you heard about the "Hate Crimes" bill that has, as it's underlying goal, the silencing of Christians regarding the call for the need to repent of the sin of homosexual behavior? Also see 'Hate Crime' Laws Threaten Religious Freedom.

There's much more going on in our culture today that has the goal of silencing the true gospel of Christ. Don't let them silence you!

Gal 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Study notes: Paul describes the two forces conflicting within us - the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (our evil desires or inclinations that stem from our bodies; see also 5;16, 19, 24). Paul is not saying that these forces are equal - the Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger. But if we rely on our own wisdom, we will make wrong choices. If we try to follow the Spirit by our own human effort, we will fail. Our only way to freedom from our evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:23,24; Colossians 3:3-8).

Gal 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,* fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Gal 5:20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Gal 5:21
envy, murders,* drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Study Notes: We all have evil desires, and we can't ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we must deal with them decisively (crucify them - 5:24). These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality and witchcraft. They also include less obvious sins such as selfish ambition, hatred, and jealousy. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Study Notes: The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ's control - we can't obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (see John 15:4,5). We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love God and our neighbors.

Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Study Notes: In order to accept Christ as Savior, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn't mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians, we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin's power over us and no longer have to give in to it. WE must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God's control, daily crucify themn, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit's power to overcome them (see 2:20; 6:14).

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Footnotes:
5:1 NU-Text reads For freedom Christ has made us free; stand fast therefore.
5:14 Leviticus 19:18
5:19 NU-Text omits adultery.
5:21 NU-Text omits murders.

Laws of Men

It's been a while, but I finally had another "Britney" moment...that "oops...I did it again" kind. I goofed up the html within my post and when I tried to "save as draft, " the entire post was deleted! I didn't back up my work, so all was lost in just one press of a key! Hate when that happens.

Now, I don't have time to re-type it all, so I went searching for something similar to my post within the archives I have at my message board.

I found a really good post written by a member of my original message board (years ago) who had the screen name of "Prather." Unfortunately, I have since lost touch with him. However, this post that he had written several years ago is certainly still applicable to today's culture and definitely worth sharing with my blogging friends!

Enjoy!

Christine

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Laws of Men

God gave His laws that man might know His righteousness and our own iniquities. He gave penalty that we might know due recompense and teach our hearts mercy to those we've harmed. Man took this law and perverted it to his own devices that he might measure his own end. Then, God knowing not righteousness alone, but also true justice and unbounded mercy, put the law into its intended place yielding to all of mankind grace and mercy in His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In doing so, God has made it plain to even the simple heart, He is a God of love and righteousness, full of mercy and judgment. All one needs do is look upon the Cross of His Son and believe - nothing more. Yet, the depth of our iniquity blinds us to such love - we do not seek it because it is not ours in our own eyes. We seek self love, we seek self gratification, we seek self edification, we seek self reward, we seek self defense, we seek self.

The Lord had an overriding principle that so many have missed. He came not to serve Himself, He came not to do His own will, He came not to magnify Himself, He came to do the will of the Father, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob - our Heavenly Father and Creator. If there be a victim ever known to this world it would be the one sacrificed for the sins of others. We see this in the ram, the bull, the doves, the grain, in the martyrs . . . so many things burned up to settle the debt of our sins. Yet, we continue because there are plenty to burn.

Psa 51:16-17 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

God has had His fill, not in the numbers, but in the perfection of the One Sacrifice that was able to set aside all sin - Jesus Christ, His Own Son. There is no more to burn not because of supply, but because of demand - the price has been paid in full. God has filled the cup of sacrifice through His Son and concluded in perfection the payment required for our sins. Let our hearts know this one thing:

John 3:14-21 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Christ did not come to condemn the world, He came to bring eternal life. He took into Himself the law and bound it forever fulfilled at His feet and brought for all mankind grace. This is the message - He came to bring eternal life. Since the beginning, it has always been a choice for man - God or death. Oh that we would learn to die to self and live to God!

A sacrifice given to God in death to ourselves is the right to not be a victim anymore. We see this in the life Christ lived, the life of Stephen, the life of all the prophets and the saints, the life of the martyrs, the life of the apostles. When we suffer, we can suffer at our own hand because we repent not, but we can also suffer to the hand of God that His judgment upon the wicked be just! We must needs suffer patiently because our suffering is only for a little while and our reward be great before the Father. We must also needs suffer the iniquities of others as without which, how shall God be just in their condemnation? We must suffer this patiently, showing Christ in our ways, that they may see His glory and know that it is He that fills our hearts to His purpose. Not all suffering in our lives has to do with chastisement, but ALL things work together for good to His glory and His purpose. How shallow of us to think that this is only for here on this earth!!

Heb 4:9-13 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Isa 57:1-2 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

How shall the righteous be judged righteous if they be not tried? How shall the wicked be judged wicked if they be not tried? The righteous have no fear of the judgment as they are already justified in Him by His righteousness. The wicked have no hope in their wickedness and it be the righteous that show the way they chose not. This is the way of the Cross. He was righteous, without fault, yet condemned to die by the wicked. They were measured in their own actions, the line was set according to their own works. When we bear His Cross, such will be the way for us as for so many before us.

I've heard the words, "I'm sorry is no defense." We must realize that if we hold these words true, then there is no salvation, no hope; for how shall one repent before the Lord?

Eze 33:11-20 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.

I pray we all learn to examine our own hearts diligently and mind our own salvation with great fear and trembling. When tried by fire, I pray we be found as gold, silver, and precious stones lest we be surely found wood, hay, and stubble. Be it the laws of men or the laws of God, we are all most certainly convicted.

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1Pe 5:8-11 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Jam 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Contributed by Prather

Friday Night Funnie

I've been out and about for most of the day! So, here's a Friday night funnie for ya!

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ATTENTION ON DECK!

One sunny day in 2009, an old man approached the White
House from across
Pennsylvania Avenue where he'd been sitting on a park
bench. He spoke
to the Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to
go in and meet
with President Hillary Clinton."

The Marine replied, "Sir, Mrs. Clinton is not President
and doesn't
reside here."

The old man said, "Okay," and walked away.

The following day the same man aproached the White House
and said to the
same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with
President Hillary
Clinton."

The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said
yesterday, Mrs. Clinton
is not President and doesn't reside here."

The man thanked him again and walked away.

The third day the same man approached the White House
and spoke to the
very same Marine, saying, "I would like to go in and
meet with President
Hillary Clinton."

The Marine, undestandably agitated at this point, looked
at the man and
said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been
here asking to
speak to Mrs. Clinton. I've told you already several
times that Mrs.
Clinton is not the President and doesn't reside here.
Don't you
understand?"

The old man answered, "Oh, I understand you just fine.
I just love
hearing your answer!"

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See
you tomorrow,
Sir!"

The Lord Reigns

Thursday, March 22

The Lord Reigns

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns."1 Chronicles 16:31

Recommended Reading
Psalm 97:1-6

Five times the Bible declares: "The Lord reigns!" When we really believe that, our thinking changes about every situation in life. Take the way people treat us, for example. It's easy to fly off the handle, harbor bitterness, and let resentment eat away at our souls. Humanly speaking, such reactions may seem justified, for people can do terrible things to us.

But when we recognize the absolute rule of God over even the smallest matters, we can trust Him to use even those injuries for glorious good. Think of Joseph, who forgave His brothers for their horrible mistreatment. He understood they meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
Think of the hymnist, Fanny Crosby. Once when asked about the doctor who had blinded her in infancy, she said, "If I could meet him, I would tell him that he unwittingly did me the greatest favor in the world . . . . How in the world could I have lived such a helpful life as I have lived had I not been blind?"

Because He reigns, we can forgive others and trust God with the hurts.

The sin of unforgiveness is a cancer that destroys relationships, eats away at one's own psyche, and—worst of all—shuts us off from God's grace.
Robertson McQuilkin

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 4:1 - 8:22

Turning Point Online

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Praise You In This Storm (click on link to see music video)
by Casting Crowns


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An email I received today:

Dear Chris,

May you be blessed by a few notable quotes to see you through the week -

- Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it!

- You can't hang out with negative people and hope to live a positive life.

- Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of
how much you already have.

There are many great quotes about life, but nobody put it quite the way Jesus
did:

Victory Verse of the Week
"Never did a man speak, the way this man (Jesus) spoke" John 7:46

Listed are some of the great words from our Lord - that'll make your day!

"I am with you always" (Mt. 28:20); "All things are possible to him who
believes" (Mk. 9:23); "Everyone who believes in Me will never die" (Jn.11:26).

What words! What a Saviour!! Keep discovering more of His Words, in God's Word -
the Bible.

Until the weekend.

Be blessed,

Pastor Shawn

Despicable Actions by Cowardly Islamic Terrorists

If anyone still had any doubt about the despicable, awful, disgusting, wretched and cowardly methods that these evil Islamic terrorists would stoop to, the murder-sacrifice of these two children in the recent homicide car bomb incident should remove all doubt.

Remember this horrific incident?

Let's take a look at what God has to say about despicable actions such as child murder-sacrifice:

Lev 20:1 THEN the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 20:2 "Again, you shall say to the children of Israel: 'Whoever of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who gives any of his descendants to Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Lev 20:3 'I will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given some of his descendants to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name.

History tells us that the awful practice of sacrificing children to the gods was a common thing in ancient religions. The Ammonites, Israel's neighbore, made child sacrifice to Molech (their national false god)a vital part of their religion. They saw this as the greatest gift they could offer to ward off evil or appease angry gods.

Do you still have any doubt that the so-called god "allah" is a false god? This should remove all doubt, people.

The God of the Bible made it clear that this practice was detestable and strictly forbidden. In Old Testament times as well as New, his character made human sacrifice unthinkable. (This includes, BTW, the detestable practice of abortion too) .

Allah is not God.

Christians and Muslims do not worship the same God. For more proof of this fact, you can read an article written by Hal Lindsey here and a comparison article here.

The one and only True God of the Universe who is revealed in the Bible as well as through the Person of Jesus Christ differs, like night and day, from the god called "allah."

Allah is just another pagan god.

Now, I realize that in our "politically correct" culture, my statements are considered "intolerant".

Well, so be it.

I speak the truth and those who don't like it can keep their heads in the sand and continue believing whatever they choose. But I am telling you what is true, according to the Bible, my friends.

The following is a brief list about the differences between the type of god that allah followers worship and the God of the Bible.

1. Unlike the pagan gods, our God is a God of love, who does not need to be appeased (Exodus 34:6).

2. He is a God of life, who prohibits murder and encourages practices that lead to health and happiness (Deuteronomy 30:15, 16).

3. He is God of the helpless, who shows special concern for children (Psalm 72:4).

4. He is a God of unselfishness, who instead of demanding blood gives his life for others (Isaiah 53:4, 5).

Let's look at what Jesus had to say about hindering children from coming to Him:


Mat 19:13
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

Mat 19:14
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Mat 19:15
And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

(See also Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16)

Jesus is God the Son! He is the God of Love, and also the Judge of the universe. Look at the judgment he makes upon anyone who would hurt little children:

Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luk 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Quite harsh, isn't it? That is the perilous end of perpetrators such as these cowardly Islamic terrorist adults who fled from the car and then detonated the bomb. Justice will one day be served; whether it be leveled against them in this world or in eternity...

Do we even need to question why Jesus' words included such severe judgment?

The answer is because of the nature of children. They are very trusting of the adults in their lives and through the trust of adults, their capacity to trust God grows. God holds parents and other adults who influence young children accountable. Why? Precisely because the adults in a child's life affect each individual child's ability to trust. Period. Jesus warned that anyone who turns little children away from faith will receive severe punishment.

Matthew 18:7-9 describes Jesus' disgust towards any adult who would cause children to sin. Because we are made in the image and likeness of God, we see child molestation as horrendous, too.

As I have stated in previous posts (and the documentary "Obsession" clearly shows) the radical Islamist teachings that are going on in mosques and schools in the Middle East are hell-bent on steering even the youngest of children towards sinful beliefs. By affecting their minds and hearts in such a terrible way, they are taught to strap suicide belts on themselves and be brainwashed into believing that blowing themselves up in the name of "allah" is a worthy cause. It's an detestable abomination!!

Still don't believe this is happening? See Newsbusters blog with photo of a child wearing a suicide bombing vest.

In Mark 9:42:47,48, we find out how seriously Jesus views sin.


Mar 9:43
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--

Mar 9:44
"where
'Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.'

Mar 9:45
"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--

Mar 9:46
"where
'Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.'

Mar 9:47
"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire--

Mar 9:48
"where
'Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.'

These may appear to be strange words to us. However, when we learn what the Jews at that time knew them to mean, we get a horrifying, yet accurate picture of why Jesus tells us to avoid hell. To the Jews, "worms and fire" represented both internal and external pain. Jesus gave us a word picture of the seriousness and eternal consequences of sin.

Isa 66:24
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Jesus emphasizes the need to be converted through him:

Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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HT: Fox News
Newsbusters

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Update at 4:17 p.m. Charles over at LGF said in a comment about the car bombing story, “There are no words.” Apparently, saying such a thing about this horrific incident is another example of the "hate" mantra of the loonie left. Does this just prove the point that they would label absolutely anything as "hate" in their minds??

Charles:

"If that’s “hate,” then I’m guilty. I do hate people who murder children to serve a twisted Islamic supremacist ideology. String me up."

...because they don’t want their leftist echo chamber exposed to any uncomfortable realities.

Poignant words...to say the least!

Indoctrinate U

Inside Indoctrinate U

Excerpt:

Speech codes. Censorship. Enforced political conformity. Hostility to diversity of opinion. Sensitivity training. We usually associate such things with the worst excesses of fascism and communism, not with the American universities that nurtured the free speech movement. But American higher education bears a disturbing resemblance to the totalitarian societies that are anathema to our nation’s ideal of liberty.

Evan Coyne Maloney’s documentary film, Indoctrinate U, reveals the breathtaking institutional intolerance you won't read about in the glossy marketing brochures of Harvard, Berkeley, Michigan, Yale, and hundreds of other American colleges and universities.

"When we think of going to college, we think of intellectual freedom. We imagine four years of exploring ideas through energetic, ongoing, critical thinking and debate," Maloney said. "But the reality is very far from the ideal. What most of us don't know is that American college students check their First Amendment rights and individual freedom at the door."

The Trailer clip is a must see!!

[Note: When you click on the links above, be sure to scroll down the page a bit.]

HT: Little Green Footballs

News Roundup 3/20/07

What a great article by Mychal Massie at WND!


Clinton and Obama: The Immoralists

I'm still not even certain whether or not Obama is a Christian or Muslim believer! Anyone know for sure out there?

HT: World Net Daily

Ha! This is a great Letter-to-the-Editor (Yay! My blogging friend Doug is mentioned!)

WND TV?

[Joseph Farah:] You and Doug Powers have Hollywood down.

We now know that Hollywood is just a place for mediocre talent to get maximum pay for spewing out liberal agenda.

Most conservatives are too busy working and spending time with their family – they don't contribute to Hollywood's source of funds. A conservative boycott would have little effect.

However, if you came up with WorldNetDaily on the web, you could get your own cable channel. Then a movie studio. etc.

Fox TV has the libs screaming like maniacs. WND TV would have them jumping off buildings.

Long Beach

What a great idea! WorldNetDaily T.V.!!

Doug...I nominate you as the top candidate for host of the first WND T.V. news analyst show! Can I be a guest on your show? ;-)

...more to come tomorrow...

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It's Tuesday!

Oh my gosh!!!!

The Election of '08 is doomed to be the nastiest....EVER!

The Herald attacks Mitt Romney.

Obamanation Abomination?

This is just too good to pass up. There is so much flap over this incident and the series of events that followed are just...well...quite shocking! But I'll let each of you decide if you want to venture in the disgusting part of the whole scene.

No butts about it, irony can be pretty ironic.

A Chicago radio host who tried to trademark the phrase "It's an Obamanation" in connection with the presidential campaign of Barack Obama has not only been turned down for being "offensive," the federal government mysteriously sent him "disgusting" sexual photos and text as part of its rejection.

"I can't get over it," said Cisco Cotto, co-host of the morning show on WIND-AM. "I don't get it. I almost had to do a double take.

It all started a few months ago when Cotto and his co-host, John Howell, were thinking about ways to raise money for local charities. They noticed national media giving plenty of attention to Sen. Barack Obama, D- Ill., so they brainstormed possible slogans. They finally agreed on "It's an Obamanation," and created a patriotic-looking logo with the word "nation" consisting of an American flag.

"I didn't mean this to be mean toward Obama," Cisco told WND. "If you like Obama, you can use it, or if you don't like Obama, you can use it."

The application was made in the name of Cotto's wife, Anna, and on Feb. 6, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office sent a notice of refusal "because the proposed mark consists or comprises matter that may disparage or bring into contempt or disrepute Barack Obama. Consumers reasonably would understand that the 'Obama' in 'Obamanation' refers to the disparaged party. A reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities would consider this reference offensive or objectionable."

According to the correspondence, the trademark examining attorney handling the application was Karen K. Bush, who included a dictionary definition of the word "abomination" – a cause of abhorrence or disgust – and number of screenshots of websites as background material to justify her decision.

Strangely though, while Bush rejected the "Obamanation" slogan for being "offensive or objectionable," she also attached a screenshot that absolutely stunned Cotto.

"It is a Wikipedia entry for a pretty disgusting, unorthodox sexual device," said Cotto, struggling to find a way to politely describe what he received. "I was at work, and my jaw dropped open. I literally screamed for my co-workers. They freaked out just as I did."

He says the first thing that crossed his mind was, "Why in the world is this [graphic material] in here?"

Editor's note: WIND Radio has posted the complete federal refusal on its website, with a link to the graphic, sexual screenshot from Wikipedia.com. Viewer discretion is strongly advised, as some of the images and text may be disturbing to readers of all ages.

This is just so bizarre...people!!

I couldn't even bring myself to vote in the poll!

HT: World Net Daily

*******

Here's the poll associated with the article:

Is the phrase 'It's an Obamanation' too offensive to be trademarked?

No, and I suspect the government attorney handling this case is an Obama fan 35.81% (1194)


No, the federal government has become too politically correct 28.40% (947)


It can be taken both positively and negatively, but the government did wrong by rejecting it 8.34% (278)


No, there is nothing inherently bad about the word 'Obamanation' 7.14% (238)


Other 5.37% (179)


It can be taken both positively and negatively, so the government did right by rejecting it 4.50% (150)


Yes, the government made the right decision in rejecting the application 4.26% (142)


Yes, it clearly is making Barack sound like an abomination 3.36% (112)


No, I see it as a positive slogan, an Obama-Nation! 2.82% (94)



-------------------------
TOTAL VOTES: 3334

Don't Let Sin Have Dominion Over You

Monday, March 19

The Ugliness of Sin

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Psalm 19:13

Recommended Reading
Isaiah 38:17-20

Sin has ruined men, ruined women, ruined angels. Sin has occasioned every tear of sorrow, every sigh of grief, every pang of agony. Sin has withered everything that is fair, blasted everything that is good, made bitter everything that is sweet, dried up springs of comfort, rolled far and wide tides of sorrow. Sin has digged every grave, built every coffin, woven every shroud, enlarged every cemetery that the world has ever seen.

So wrote evangelist Robert G. Lee in his old book, Heart to Heart. His assessment reminds us of why God hates sin and why we should, too. Our nation has so neglected God's standards that sin is the norm. We've become acclimatized to it. We can't single-handedly clean up all the graft of our political system or all the filth of our entertainment industry. But we can live in consistent victory over known sin in our own hearts.

Sin keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings in our lives. Don't give in to sin; fight it in the name of Him who died to deliver us from its effects. Through the blood of Christ, sin shall not have dominion over you.

Lord, keep me from the sins that can keep me away from Your blessings.
Anonymous

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Judges 18:1 - 20:48


HT: Turning Point Online

Good Advice:

Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

A Marine's Poem

Doing my small part to send this around the U.S.A.

Much thanks to SaltnLight for sharing this with me via email today!

Christine

*******



FRIENDS ARE BORN, NOT MADE

This is a poem being sent from a Marine to his Dad.
For those who take the time to read it,

you'll see a letter from him to his Dad at the bottom.

It makes you truly thankful

for not only the Marines,

but ALL of our troops.

*******

THE MARINE

We all came together,
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.



In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around



Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.



I give you the right
To talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups,
and protest in our streets.



But still I fight on,
I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.



I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. MARINE!


So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young.
So they all may have,
The greatest freedom you've won



Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.


But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand when the fight's done

By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

*******

March 23, 2003

Hey Dad,

Do me a favor and label this "The Marine"

and send it to
everybody on your email list.

Even leave this letter in it.

I want this rolling all over the US;

I want every home reading it.

Every eye seeing it.

And every heart to feel it.

So can you please send this for me?

I would but my email time isn't that long

and I don't have much time anyway.

You know what Dad?

I wondered what it would be like to truly understand

what JFK said in His inaugural speech.

"When the time comes to lay down my life for my country,
I do not cower from this responsibility.

I welcome it."

Well, now I know.

And I do. Dad, I welcome the opportunity to do what I do.

Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife,

and I will miss the birth of our first born child,

I would do it 70 times over to fight for

the place that God has made for my home.

I love you all and I miss you very much.

I wish I could be there when Sandi has our baby,

but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing,

I will be coming home soon.

Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.

Aaron

*******

Please let this marine (and all our military)

know we care by passing his poem onto your friends

even if you don't usually take time to forward mail...do it this time!

Thanks,


If this touched you as much as it touched me,

please forward it on.
Let's help Aaron's dad spread the word ..

FREEDOM isn't FREE
someone pays for you and me.


May God Bless You All
(I pray Cindy Sheehan will get a copy.)

Understanding the Trinity

At another blogsite, a commenter named Bob said:

"Now, for the Holy Trinity. As I understand it, the Trinity refers to God the Father, God the Son, and God of the Holy Spirit. I realize the importance of it from the standpoint of the Christian Teaching. What I cannot understand is the concept of three persons being ONE."

Bob is certainly not alone in his difficulty to understand the concept. Many people have felt that way too.

I would like to encourage fellow Christians to post comments that might help in the understanding of the Trinity.

I have done a lot of study on it and have read several books and pamphlets that I have found to be quite helpful. Maybe what I (and other participating Christians here) share will give a better understanding of the concept. Of course, it is a matter of faith, first and foremost.

I have gotten into discussions about this with Jehovah Witnesses. The one portion of scripture that I refer them to is:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Mat 28:20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.


Notice the singular of "name" used in the Mat. 28:20 verse.

Plus, how could Jesus be with us always? Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the heart of each believer.

Plus, where does Jesus' authority come from? God the Father.

Now, keeping this in mind, I will share one of the most intriguing analogies of the Trinity (Triune nature of God) that I have read so far.

The following essay is a portion of a booklet called "Understanding the Trinity: Evidence for God in Three Persons" from Coral Ridge Ministries. Most of the booklet is written by D. James Kennedy. He uses lots of Scripture to back up the evidence. However, there was a portion that contained an excerpt from a book written by Dr. Nathan Wood.

The first few pages of the booklet discusses various Biblical references to the "God in Three Persons" nature of God. I can post this later if anyone here is interested in a more detailed explanation. [Bob - If you venture over here, perhaps that portion of the booklet might more specifically answer your questions. Please let me know if you would like me to include it in this post.] For now, I will just share a few brief points:

1. The first verse of the Bible we read, "In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). In Hebrew the word for "God" is Elohim. That word is plural. El is singular, but Elohim is plural. We know it is plural because it contains within it the personalities of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2. We also read where God said, "Let us make man in our image....and in the image of God created he him"...in his own image (Genesis 1:26-27). "Us," "Our," "His." And so over and over again, even in the Old Testament, when God speaks, He goes back and forth between the singular and the plural, the plural to singular, because He is the singular-plural God.

3. The facts of the Triunity of God are clearly seen in these four facts within the Bible:

* The Father is God, said thousands of times.
* The Son is God, said hundreds and hundreds of times.
* And the Holy Spirit is God (Spirit of God in OT) is said dozens of times.
* Finally, there is but one God.

In Dr. D. James Kennedy's booklet entitled "Understanding the Trinity; Evidence for God in Three Persons," Dr. Kennedy describes that the universe itself explains the Trinity.

Dr. Nathan Wood, formerly president of Gordon College of Theology and Missions, wrote a magnificent book called, "The Secret of the Universe." In it he spells out for us the result of years of searching in the natural realm for some kind of analogy that was correct for the Trinity. He finally came up with the universe itself.

It is so simple. It is right there in front of us. We can never get away from it. It is always there. We ought to see it very clearly. He points out that any man who manufactures anything or makes anything with his hands is going to inevitably leave his fingerprints upon it. If you were to create a table or chair or something in your workshop, it would contain your fingerprints.

Dr. Wood says that the universe is covered with fingerprints of the Trinity because it was made by the Triune God. The Bible says that the Father created the universe, the Son created the universe, and the Holy Spirit created the universe - the Triune God created the universe. What does Dr. Wood mean by that? Well, there are fingerprints everywhere. We just don't see them.

I would suppose that there are literally millions of fingerprints in this very sanctuary. Did you see any today? Not a one. We are blind as a bat when it comes to fingerprints. We just don't see them. First of all, we're not looking for them. Now you might see them at home on a mirror or something like that, but ordinarily, we don't see fingerprints. However, if a detective were to come in here and begin to dust the wood on the pew in front of you, he would find thousands of them. So let's put on our Sherlock Holmes cap, get out our dusting brush, and see if we can see the fingerprints of Him who made all things.

What does the universe consist of? If you were to ask a scientist, he would tell you it consists of space, time, and matter. Now amazing to tell, we find all of those three things everywhere in the universe - not that we have a universe where some of them exist sometimes and not at other times. It is also true that each of the triune parts of the universe is, in itself, triune.

SPACE

Let us look at each one of them. For example, consider space. What is space composed of? It is composed of length and breadth and height. Always. There is nothing you could name that is not composed of all three of those things. If you were to simply take a pencil and draw a line on a piece of paper, it would have length, it would have a little bit of width, and if you looked in a powerful microscope, you would discover it has quite a bit of height. You can't see it with your naked eye; however, it's always there.

Something that I think is amazing about this is that God always consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - not one or the other. It is not a piece of the pie; it's the whole thing, always. Imagine a square block that a child would play with. Draw a picture of it in three dimensions. Then you could take that picture, and with a pencil and using all length, you could make a bunch of lines and fill in that entire block with nothing but length. I have done that sometimes in fancy lettering. Maybe some of you have as well. Or you could take the same block and make the whole thing out of width, or out of height. The fact of the matter is that it is all length, it's all breadth, it's all height all of the time. That's a perfect illustration of the Trinity.

TIME

Or take the matter of time. Of what does time consist? Obviously, it consists of the past, the present, and the future - those three. Any time we have ever known in this universe always consists of those three. Usually we have the idea that we come out of the past, that that really is first, because that is where we came from. The fact of the matter is, time comes from the future, and we meet it head on.

For example, today, yesterday was called tomorrow, and now it's today. A week ago it was called next week, and now it is today. A year ago, it was called next year. So as time approaches us and we move through it, that is what always happens. Anything is first in the future, then in the present, and then it disappears into the past. That is the way time always works. That in itself is an amazing story when you examine it carefully. Past, present, and future.

Dr. Nathan R. Wood gives a fascinating quote that is so remarkable I would like to share it with you. I would challenge you to try to see if you can follow his drift.

He is going to give a long paragraph. Then he is going to give it again, only this time he is simply going to change four words. These four words are "time," "future," "present," and "past". They are going to be changed into "God," "Father," "Son," and "Holy Spirit." You are going to find out something some of you never knew before - that time, which you live by, which you look at constantly in the way of clocks you wind up every day, and which you make your lives run by, is an incredible illustration of the divine Trinity. Read carefully:

"The Future is the source. The Future is unseen, unknown, except as it continually embodies itself and makes itself visible in the Present. The Present is what we see, and hear, and know. It is ceaselessly embodying the Future, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. It is perpetually revealing the Future, hitherto invisible.

The Future is logically first, but not chronologically. For the Present exists as long as Time exists and was in the absolute beginning of Time. The Present has existed as long as Time has existed. Time acts through and in the Present. It makes itself visible only in the Present. The Future acts and reveals itself through the Present. It is through the Present that Time, that the Future, enters into union with human life. Time and humanity meet and unite in the Present. it is the Present that Time, that the Future, becomes a part of human life, and so is born and lives and dies in human life.

The Past in turn comes from the Present. We cannot say that it embodies the Present. On the contrary, Time in issuing from the Present into the Past becomes invisible again. The Past does not embody the Present. Rather it proceeds silently, endlessly, invisibly from it...

The Present therefore comes out from the invisible Future. The Present perpetually and ever-newly embodies the Future in visible, audible, livable form; and returns again into invisible Time in the Past. The Past acts invisibly. It continually influences us with regard to the Present. It casts light upon the Present. That is its great function. It helps us to live in the Present which we know, and with reference to the Future which we expect to see."

That is an exact description of the way time operates. It is a perfect analogy. I'm using "analogy" not in the common sense of the word that something is like something or a simile or metaphor, but in the mathematical meaning of the word, which means it is an exact replica as far as every line, every angle, every corner is concerned.

SUBSTITUTE FOUR WORDS

Now let us replace the words. "Time" is replaced by "God"; the "Future" by the "Father"; the "Present" by the "Son"; and the "Past" by the "Holy Spirit" (every word the same but these four). You will see that perfect analogy and you will see the divine Trinity you have been swimming in all of your life!

The Father is the source [every word the same, but those four]. The Father is unseen except as he continually embodies Himself and makes Himself visible in the Son. The Son is what we see, and hear, and know. He is ceaselessly embodying the Father, day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. He is perpetually revealing the Father, hitherto invisible.

The Father is logically first, but not chronologically, For the Son exists as long as God exists, and was in the absolute beginning of God. The Son has existed as long as God has existed.

God acts through and in the Son. He makes Himself visible only in the Son. The Father acts and reveals Himself through the Son. It is through the Son that God, that the Father, enters into union with human life. God and humanity meet and unite in the Son. It is in the Son that God, that the Father, becomes a part of human life, and so is born and lives and dies in human life.

The Spirit in turn comes from the Son. We cannot say that He embodies the Son. On the contrary God, in issuing from the Son into the Spirit, becomes invisible again. The Spirit does not embody the Son. Rather He proceeds silently, endlessly, invisibly from Him...

The Son therefore comes out from the invisible Father. The Son perpetually and ever-newly embodies the Father in visible, audible, livable form, and returns into invisible God in the Spirit. The Spirit acts invisibly. He continually influences us with regard to the Son. He casts light upon the Son. That is His great function. He helps us to live in the Son whom we know and with reference to the Father whom we expect to see.

That, my friends, is an exact mathematical analogy that each of the portions of the triunity of the universe are in themselves triune.

MATTER

What about matter? What is matter? Ask the scientist and he will tell you that matter is very simply energy in motion producing phenomena. Energy is composed of atoms which are made up of tiny electrical charges with the electrons whirling around the nucleus at speeds anywhere from one trillion to one quadrillion miles per second - at such incredible speeds we can't even imagine what they are. Of course, if you look at an atom, it's very much like the solar system, and the solar system is made up primarily of...nothing - space. And so it is with every atom.

If the chair you are sitting on could suddenly stand still and you could see with microscopic eyes what it really is made of, you would have the feeling that you are sitting on air. You see, this evergy in motion is producing phenomena, such as the hardness of the chair you are sitting on, the chair in front of you, the softness of your coat or dress, and the color of your tie. Everything we know - from aromas to colors to concrete skyscrapers - is made up of those same little atoms whirling about at tremendous speed and producing these various phenomena.

So we see that space is made up of length, breadth, and height. Time is past, present, and future, and matter also is triune in that it is energy in motion producing phenomena. Not only is the universe triune, but it is made up of three different things, which are each in themselves triune. We see that the fingerprints of God are everywhere about us.

This is my Father's world. He made it, and it bears His fingerprints, if we only have the eyes to see or to consider or to think about it. Surely the book of nature reveals in an unmistakable way to anyone who has the eyes to see that this is a divinely created world, created by the Triune God.

RELATIONSHIPS

What are some other things we can learn from that? I think one other thing the Trinity teaches us is the importance of relationships. God has not been sitting, as I said, singularly, solitarily alone forever in darkness, but rather He and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have been carrying on intimate communion among themselves forever. So we see that relationships are very important. They are important to God; they should be important to us, and thus God has set us in families. He has set the solitary in families.

We see that families are important. Marriage is important. We live in a time when there are millions of people who don't take those things to be very important. We have more unmarried people than we have ever had before in this country.

UNITY

Secondly, we see also that in that relationship there is the importance of unity. We are to reflect God in our family, in relationships, and in the unity of our family. When there is discord or strife or faultfinding or argumentation, we can see that we are, indeed, bringing discord into the picture that God would have us to know of the Triune God.

Not only relationships and unity are important, but thirdly, also, purpose. This, I think, is really astonishing. I don't think I ever really saw this as clearly as I did this week, but we don't know what God was doing before He created the universe. He didn't just come into being; He has existed eternally. For all we know, before this universe, there was another one, and before that one, another one, and before that another one and another one. We don't know. That is mere speculation.

But one thing we do know, and that is what He is doing in this universe, that His principal work, as revealed to us in Scripture, is that the Father elects and predestinates a people for Himself. This is repeated over and over again as the purpose and the task of the Father in what is called the economic Trinity. It has nothing to do with money, but about the various functions the members of the Trinity have divided up among themselves for their own purposes.

* We see that the Son has the purpose of being incarnated in human life, living a perfect life in our stead as our substitute, dying an atoning death upon the Cross to pay for our sins, rising from the dead to show that that sacrifice was accepted, and there is life beyond the grave and ascending to the Father, where He now makes intercession for us;

* And that the purpose of the Holy Spirit is not only to inspire the Scriptures for our edification, but also to regenerate and quicken us that we might be born anew by the Spirit, and to sanctify us all through the life of our Christian experience, until finally He glorifies us when the last vestiges of sin are removed and we are made perfect in the sight of God.

All of these tremendous activities occupy the time and the thought and the energy and the emotional output of the great Triune God. Astonishing as it may be, we are the center of their purpose.

What can we learn from that? Scripture tells us that "this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God" (John 17:3). God tells us that we should become more like Him. Dear friend, if you want to become more like Christ, I am going to tell you how. Apart from this, it is not possible. You can't enter into a sympathetic union with the Triune God without entering into what is the passion and purpose of that God, which is, astonishingly, the salvation of the world.