Forty-five years ago Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States. Art Buchwald wrote the following:
“As soon as the President finished his State of the Union speech, I was ordered to get some public reaction. So I immediately called my father in Forest Hills, New York, and asked him what he thought of all the things the President wanted to do (The Great Society).
“If he’s got the money,” my father said, “let him go ahead.”
“I don’t think he has the money, Pop.”
“I knew there was a catch to it.”
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Monday, November 02, 2009
Politicians don't change
Here is a description of a politician between 900 and 1000 BC. It is in 2 Samuel 15:1-6.
Absalom was not a good guy. He used promises and flattery. Sometimes this happens in the church too. People are bought with promises, lies and flattery.
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31
For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
In the world and in the church, stay awake!
Absalom was not a good guy. He used promises and flattery. Sometimes this happens in the church too. People are bought with promises, lies and flattery.
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31
For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.
1 Thessalonians 2:3-6
In the world and in the church, stay awake!
Glory
If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:9-11, 18
This glory is a glory which is given to men. The one glory faded; in fact it looks as if it had no glory at all in comparison with the surpassing glory, a glory which lasts. This glory which lasts is ever increasing.
We as believers have more glory than Moses as long as we keep our hearts and faces unveiled to reflect God’s glory.
2 Corinthians 3:9-11, 18
This glory is a glory which is given to men. The one glory faded; in fact it looks as if it had no glory at all in comparison with the surpassing glory, a glory which lasts. This glory which lasts is ever increasing.
We as believers have more glory than Moses as long as we keep our hearts and faces unveiled to reflect God’s glory.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Deceiving and being Deceived
These two words both describe one who is following Satan.
Yes we know that lying is following Satan. We did not know that being lied to was following Satan.
Eve was lied to; she followed Satan. We know we are not lie. We are not to believe lies that are told to us. If we do believe a lie, we are in sin.
The liar says that he is telling the truth. The truth teller says that he is telling the truth. It is up to the listener to know the difference.
Here are a few ways to discern lying:
1. smooth talk
2. flattery
3. suggestion
4. subtlety
5. involved explanations
6. know the truth very well
7. know the enemy’s tactics well
Yes we know that lying is following Satan. We did not know that being lied to was following Satan.
Eve was lied to; she followed Satan. We know we are not lie. We are not to believe lies that are told to us. If we do believe a lie, we are in sin.
The liar says that he is telling the truth. The truth teller says that he is telling the truth. It is up to the listener to know the difference.
Here are a few ways to discern lying:
1. smooth talk
2. flattery
3. suggestion
4. subtlety
5. involved explanations
6. know the truth very well
7. know the enemy’s tactics well
Thursday, September 10, 2009
More on the Stimulus Bill
In the August 27, 2009, Wall Street Journal there was a note on the front page with no story attached.
“The Federal Government sent about 3900 stimulus payments of $250 each this spring to prison inmates.”
I am assuming that these inmates are old enough to be on Social Security. I can thank of no other reason. That is why we received the $250 each. It certainly could not be intended to buy future “votes” because a conviction of a felony deprives the felon the right to vote.
Even if this package was not intended to buy votes, it demonstrates moral irresponsibilty.
Our returned checks to the Secretary of the Treasury still has not cleared.
“The Federal Government sent about 3900 stimulus payments of $250 each this spring to prison inmates.”
I am assuming that these inmates are old enough to be on Social Security. I can thank of no other reason. That is why we received the $250 each. It certainly could not be intended to buy future “votes” because a conviction of a felony deprives the felon the right to vote.
Even if this package was not intended to buy votes, it demonstrates moral irresponsibilty.
Our returned checks to the Secretary of the Treasury still has not cleared.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Questions about Sin
Yesterday I wrote down 35 different questions or statements that have been given to me over the 61 years I have been a Christian. These short sentences and questions were why the questioner was not a Christian. While I was thinking about these reasons I wrote down a Biblical answer to each of them.
Although the questions were different there were only a few different real reasons.
1. The person loved sin.
2. He did not want to repent to change.
3. He was afraid God would change him.
4. In other words he did not want an answer to his question.
Are there people who ask questions who really want an answer? Yes, but the questions sound different in content and manner. They sound more like this:
• God be merciful to me a sinner!
• What must I do to be saved?
• I am afraid to die.
• I am sick of sin.
The questions that I wrote down do not sound like this!
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26
Although the questions were different there were only a few different real reasons.
1. The person loved sin.
2. He did not want to repent to change.
3. He was afraid God would change him.
4. In other words he did not want an answer to his question.
Are there people who ask questions who really want an answer? Yes, but the questions sound different in content and manner. They sound more like this:
• God be merciful to me a sinner!
• What must I do to be saved?
• I am afraid to die.
• I am sick of sin.
The questions that I wrote down do not sound like this!
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Stimulus Bill
For those who may be interested, a few months ago, I related how I had returned the $250 stimulus money from Social Security which was electronically deposited in each of our accounts on May 7, 2009.
I sent the $500 check made out to the Secretary of the Treasury to our state senator with a letter. This was with the advice of his office. I sent it in April upon the receipt of the announcement from Social Security that we were going to receive the $250 deposits.
On 7 May I received the check back from the senator with a letter that it was against Senate rule to handle things associated with the Executive branch of the government. He suggested I get in touch with I.R.S. The I.R.S. said that they could not touch it because it was Social Security money. I got no personal response from Social Security.
On 6 June I sent the check directly to the Secretary of the Treasury with a letter. I sent it certified mail. It was signed for on 24 June, 15 days later. It is now 17 August. The check has not cleared nor have I received an answer from the department.
I sent the $500 check made out to the Secretary of the Treasury to our state senator with a letter. This was with the advice of his office. I sent it in April upon the receipt of the announcement from Social Security that we were going to receive the $250 deposits.
On 7 May I received the check back from the senator with a letter that it was against Senate rule to handle things associated with the Executive branch of the government. He suggested I get in touch with I.R.S. The I.R.S. said that they could not touch it because it was Social Security money. I got no personal response from Social Security.
On 6 June I sent the check directly to the Secretary of the Treasury with a letter. I sent it certified mail. It was signed for on 24 June, 15 days later. It is now 17 August. The check has not cleared nor have I received an answer from the department.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Casualties
We are greatly concerned about civilian fatalities in Iran and Iraq. We are also very concerned about every American serviceman who is killed in these wars.
In a war area it is more dangerous to be a civilian than a soldier.
In World War II in addition to the 5, 752,400 Jews killed in the Holocaust, 42,168,000 civilians were killed as opposed to 25,282,100 military personnel.
In the Viet Nam war South Viet Nam military fatalities were 220,357. Civilian deaths were 1, 177,446.
Let me throw in a few other facts of sin and death. According to John McCardell in the July 2009 Atlantic Monthly, “each year underage drinking kills some 5000 young people, 600,000 injuries and 100,000 cases of sexual assault among college students.” Another 8000 deaths are from legal age drinking. Center for Disease Control says alcohol related deaths not including accidents and homicides are 22,073 a year. Planned Parenthood says that there are 42 million abortions a year, 1.37 million of which are in the United States. There are approximately 15,000 murders a year in the United States.
Are we as concerned about civilian deaths in this country as we are about Afghanistan?
In a war area it is more dangerous to be a civilian than a soldier.
In World War II in addition to the 5, 752,400 Jews killed in the Holocaust, 42,168,000 civilians were killed as opposed to 25,282,100 military personnel.
In the Viet Nam war South Viet Nam military fatalities were 220,357. Civilian deaths were 1, 177,446.
Let me throw in a few other facts of sin and death. According to John McCardell in the July 2009 Atlantic Monthly, “each year underage drinking kills some 5000 young people, 600,000 injuries and 100,000 cases of sexual assault among college students.” Another 8000 deaths are from legal age drinking. Center for Disease Control says alcohol related deaths not including accidents and homicides are 22,073 a year. Planned Parenthood says that there are 42 million abortions a year, 1.37 million of which are in the United States. There are approximately 15,000 murders a year in the United States.
Are we as concerned about civilian deaths in this country as we are about Afghanistan?
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