Recently I was back east for a wedding and I had the chance to spend time with relatives. There was one conversation of particular interest in the "political" climate in which we live. I have said elsewhere that I believe the church in America knows nothing of honest persecution, like other believers around the globe. But we may be on the road.
Here is what one of my aunts related to me. A certain church in her town is celebrating it's 50th anniversary. They sent out invitations to some of the residents of that town. As my aunt was standing in the driveway a neighbor came running over holding up their copy of the invitation and was saying things along the lines of, "These people are the problem. These evangelicals are the real enemy" and so forth. Then the neighbor stated to my aunt, "You're not one of them are you?" To which my aunt answered, "Yes I am." The response from the neighbor, "Oh, I'm sorry." My aunt followed with, "I'm not." Upon hearing my aunt's answer I began to smile and thought, "Well bless God."
I purposely have left out names and places because those aren't the point. If you have been reading closely there are many columnists in the semi-mainstream media who are taking up the torch and defending "evangelicals." I'm not so sure about their motives nor their intent but the God I know is big enough to handle it. Maybe He is using these reporters or maybe He is working in these reporters. But I tend to think that the neighbor had a point. I seem to recall that Christ said the world would hate us because it hated Him. My aunt didn't go looking to be hated or to be the real enemy but let's face it we are. And while we're at it let's practice answering like my aunt did and not be sorry for it.
Peace
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Hal Lindsay said it first
I remember reading Hal Lindsay many years ago and thinking, "Wow that sounds so possible." Then I began to read others and the Bible itself and thought, "Hmmm, maybe not quite." But I sort of stand corrected. What I am referring to is the idea that Lindsay et. al. have postulated would always happen during the "end times." Based upon a certain understanding of the passage in the Bible that discusses the mark of the Beast certain end times thinkers have linked the mark of the beast with some kind of identification.
In the movie series of the late 70's it was a bar code on the hand or forehead. This mark has undergone many changes as technology changes. World data bases of fingerprints, sub-dermal [under the skin] computer chips, etc. have all been ideas. I never gave much credibility to such conspiracy type of identification systems. What I would reason was that the mark of the beast was more like a "spiritual" mark. Whether that is correct or not remains a matter for serious theological chatting. But here is an article that raises the bar just enough for me to raise an eyebrow.
US wants to be able to access Britons' ID cards
I understand that in the name of National Security in the world we live in many "freedoms" have been, shall we say, willingly forfeited but I'm not sure they have all been necessary. Especially of note are those that relate to travel. It seems to me that none of this excessiveness would be necessary if plane doors were more secure, and pilots had guns. But that is old thinking. And has been said much better by Ann Coulter anyways. My point in bringing it up is simply to raise the point. Could Hal have been somewhat right?
Feel free to file this one under humorous rants?
Peace
In the movie series of the late 70's it was a bar code on the hand or forehead. This mark has undergone many changes as technology changes. World data bases of fingerprints, sub-dermal [under the skin] computer chips, etc. have all been ideas. I never gave much credibility to such conspiracy type of identification systems. What I would reason was that the mark of the beast was more like a "spiritual" mark. Whether that is correct or not remains a matter for serious theological chatting. But here is an article that raises the bar just enough for me to raise an eyebrow.
US wants to be able to access Britons' ID cards
I understand that in the name of National Security in the world we live in many "freedoms" have been, shall we say, willingly forfeited but I'm not sure they have all been necessary. Especially of note are those that relate to travel. It seems to me that none of this excessiveness would be necessary if plane doors were more secure, and pilots had guns. But that is old thinking. And has been said much better by Ann Coulter anyways. My point in bringing it up is simply to raise the point. Could Hal have been somewhat right?
Feel free to file this one under humorous rants?
Peace
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Vacation Time
I just realized that I never posted and let you, the faithful readers, all 3 of you...tee hee, that I was on vacation recently. Went back east for a wedding...it was a great time. Seeing friends and family alike. It was a restful time and good for the soul. Hope you all have been well and once I get caught up with the unpacking and such I'll be right back at blogging. Sorry for the inconvenience. Next vacation I will let you know up front.
Peace
Peace
Friday, May 06, 2005
Passion [a.k.a. a post for mom]
I would suspect that if you aren’t my mother you will not think that this article will mean anything to you but I would encourage reading it all the way through and then deciding.
You see this article isn’t really about my mother it is about God. That having been said let me tell you about a day in the life of a son.
During my senior year in high school I was elected as the vice president of the class. One of my responsibilities in that role was to deliver a speech on what we knew as “Class Night.” The speech was to center around a rose ceremony. As I spoke each student was to deliver a rose to their parents, their mother’s in particular. I did my duty but my speech centered more upon the nature of being parents than it did upon the symbolism of the rose. Stuff like; mom getting up at 6 am just to pack a lunch, and dad handing over 5 bucks every time I asked for it. Smarmy stuff like that. I have never been accused of being too emotional. I meant every word of it. I appreciate my folks and I love my mother. Well after I delivered my rose to my mom she hugged me. Read that again, she hugged me. You would have to be related to my mother to understand what that means but let me try and explain it to you.
My mom is all of five foot two inches tall. She is a small Italian woman who is passionate about her family. That passion most often translates into the average regular stuff that mom’s do. Washing and ironing, transporting kids to sports events, cooking and cleaning…you know mom stuff. But whenever my mom gets the chance to hug you and she’s feeling that passion you better be prepared. The only way I can explain it in words, for those of you who haven’t experienced it, you better have taken a deep breath because she’s going to hold on for a long time and it’s going to be tighter than you can possibly imagine. I have a picture of that “Class Night” hug and I can still feel it. And that’s a good thing. Like I said before, I love my mother. [And right about now she’s probably reading this and crying]
Now here is the God thing. I just want to ask a simple question. Actually a few simple questions. Do you love God? Do you tell Him? When? How often? Do you show Him? How? Are you passionate about your relationship with God? Are you sure? Have you been hugged by God today? John 3:16
Last question…when was the last time you hugged God?
Peace
You see this article isn’t really about my mother it is about God. That having been said let me tell you about a day in the life of a son.
During my senior year in high school I was elected as the vice president of the class. One of my responsibilities in that role was to deliver a speech on what we knew as “Class Night.” The speech was to center around a rose ceremony. As I spoke each student was to deliver a rose to their parents, their mother’s in particular. I did my duty but my speech centered more upon the nature of being parents than it did upon the symbolism of the rose. Stuff like; mom getting up at 6 am just to pack a lunch, and dad handing over 5 bucks every time I asked for it. Smarmy stuff like that. I have never been accused of being too emotional. I meant every word of it. I appreciate my folks and I love my mother. Well after I delivered my rose to my mom she hugged me. Read that again, she hugged me. You would have to be related to my mother to understand what that means but let me try and explain it to you.
My mom is all of five foot two inches tall. She is a small Italian woman who is passionate about her family. That passion most often translates into the average regular stuff that mom’s do. Washing and ironing, transporting kids to sports events, cooking and cleaning…you know mom stuff. But whenever my mom gets the chance to hug you and she’s feeling that passion you better be prepared. The only way I can explain it in words, for those of you who haven’t experienced it, you better have taken a deep breath because she’s going to hold on for a long time and it’s going to be tighter than you can possibly imagine. I have a picture of that “Class Night” hug and I can still feel it. And that’s a good thing. Like I said before, I love my mother. [And right about now she’s probably reading this and crying]
Now here is the God thing. I just want to ask a simple question. Actually a few simple questions. Do you love God? Do you tell Him? When? How often? Do you show Him? How? Are you passionate about your relationship with God? Are you sure? Have you been hugged by God today? John 3:16
Last question…when was the last time you hugged God?
Peace
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Thinkin' bout moving to Florida???
Maybe you wanna think again. Abortion pushes my button...no secret there.
Peace
Florida's Abortion Ruling
Peace
Florida's Abortion Ruling
Monday, May 02, 2005
Suffering??? American Style
Stanley Kurtz, a self proclaimed secularist, wrote an article last week that touches on the issue of how "basic Christianity" is under attack in American culture and politics. He sites a recent edition of Harper's Magazine. His article is worth the read. Scary Stuff I would also direct your attention to blogger Keith Plummer's treatment of the same article Christians and the Left: Who's Warring Against Whom?
My take on the issue of persecution is a bit different. In general I applaud Mr. Kurtz for putting himself out there at this point in time. I have searched his archives at NRO to see if any other articles by Mr. Kurtz have dealt with the topic in a similar vein as this one because I wondered if his coming to the party was as a herald or if he might be a little behind the curve. I shan't be too critical of this point it was just a musing of mine.
This kind of "incrimination" of Christianity isn't anything new, historically speaking, but even further than that it isn't exactly new in American History nor recent American cultural/political history. Ask Rachel Scott and others who have given their lives for no other reason than they believe or consider their "Christianity" as something to be lived. Please do not get me wrong Christianity in this country knows nothing of real discrimination or criminalization of its practice and beliefs. But maybe, just maybe, if God were so inclined to increase the pressure on the church in the US we will soon. Once again, please don't misunderstand I am not looking for torture and martyrdom for the body of Christ here in America. But maybe if the "heat" was turned up just a bit, maybe the church would actually seek God and His glory rather than be more preoccupied with trivialities such as which version is more "Godly." Like a friend of mine once said, and I repeat to myself often, "I don't have time to doink around."
In all honesty I do fully expect it to get much worse Mr. Kurtz. Laws are already on record in Canada where certain texts of the Bible cannot be preached without risking being charged with a hate crime. Much like the one that is mentioned in the article. Once again, nothing new. Do I think I would ever be arrested for preaching the Bible as God intended it to be preached? Not this Sunday, but hey who knows what tomorrow brings. I've thought about this for quite some time and I actually believed that persecution of an increased sort would surround the issue of abortion but maybe it will be homosexuality. Either way, by His grace, I think I'm ready, maybe not to have my fingernails pulled out, or my children to be skewered while I watched but I am ready to go to jail for what I believe. Mr. Kurtz? Reader?
Peace
My take on the issue of persecution is a bit different. In general I applaud Mr. Kurtz for putting himself out there at this point in time. I have searched his archives at NRO to see if any other articles by Mr. Kurtz have dealt with the topic in a similar vein as this one because I wondered if his coming to the party was as a herald or if he might be a little behind the curve. I shan't be too critical of this point it was just a musing of mine.
This kind of "incrimination" of Christianity isn't anything new, historically speaking, but even further than that it isn't exactly new in American History nor recent American cultural/political history. Ask Rachel Scott and others who have given their lives for no other reason than they believe or consider their "Christianity" as something to be lived. Please do not get me wrong Christianity in this country knows nothing of real discrimination or criminalization of its practice and beliefs. But maybe, just maybe, if God were so inclined to increase the pressure on the church in the US we will soon. Once again, please don't misunderstand I am not looking for torture and martyrdom for the body of Christ here in America. But maybe if the "heat" was turned up just a bit, maybe the church would actually seek God and His glory rather than be more preoccupied with trivialities such as which version is more "Godly." Like a friend of mine once said, and I repeat to myself often, "I don't have time to doink around."
In all honesty I do fully expect it to get much worse Mr. Kurtz. Laws are already on record in Canada where certain texts of the Bible cannot be preached without risking being charged with a hate crime. Much like the one that is mentioned in the article. Once again, nothing new. Do I think I would ever be arrested for preaching the Bible as God intended it to be preached? Not this Sunday, but hey who knows what tomorrow brings. I've thought about this for quite some time and I actually believed that persecution of an increased sort would surround the issue of abortion but maybe it will be homosexuality. Either way, by His grace, I think I'm ready, maybe not to have my fingernails pulled out, or my children to be skewered while I watched but I am ready to go to jail for what I believe. Mr. Kurtz? Reader?
Peace
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