Tag Archives: christianity

Sometimes, There Are Real Benefits to Surrendering

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Strange as it might seem, sometimes defeat has its advantages. Consider Nazi Germany’s defeat. While for the short time, Germany suffered badly after WWII, it was not long before they benefited greatly. The German nation is now a great nation and the people greatly benefited from their loss. Naturally, this is even more so since it was reunified. As a side note, the east side ruled under did not truly benefit until it shook the shackles of evil communism.

If Japan had won its battle in WWII, it would be far worse today. It is only after their surrender that they began enjoying the life of liberty and freedom.

North Korea did not surrender and look where they are now.

By now, isn’t it obvious that when the nations remain under communism suffer until they surrender to us capitalists. So why is that that people in this very country try to bring us under communism. I will answer in one word, power.

Indeed, it is not truly communism they want but a dictatorship and they are not shy about the loss of life to get there. Communism is simply the carrot they dangle in front of us in hopes we don’t see the deceit and distractions.

So, after looking at the past, doesn’t it become obvious about the future. If HAMUS were to surrender to Israel, don’t you think it would be better for Gaza to have peace for a change. Will not be better than living in world of physical shambles. All they need do is put down their guns and surrender. In less than a year, the people would be far better off. They would wonder why they ever listened to those who gain their power from lies and the deaths of others. However, instead, they prefer to fight. Why? Is it truly because they hate Jews?

Partly. However, if you take the time to really study it and look at the real leaders, they seek power and they don’t care how many Palestinians suffer or die paying for it. Take away the chances of gaining power, the desire to fight would quickly go away.

Thinking back over it, there is one more place where surrender is greatly to our benefit. We as humans have a natural adversarial tendency with God. It is only when we surrender and make him Lord over our lives that we are truly free. Until then, we are enslaved to sin and Satan.

Again, it is about power. The question is, do we let Satan or God rule over us? When we Surrender to to God, we win and Satan loses.

Let’s not permit evil to rule over us, neither physically under tyrants nor spiritually under Satan.

It Would Seem God Is Inconvenient

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And so it is that when a person wants to do this, or he wants to do that, he is hindered from doing it because God does not want him to do that. “It seems God keeps me from doing what I like to do.”

I suppose that it sounds ridiculous, maybe a little sacrilegious. And yet most have had such thoughts. I heard a pastor say it a little different way. He was talking about how hard it is to make decisions. He said that it is easy to know what the right decision is. It’s doing it that is so difficult.

You think, I know this is right, but I really, really want to do that. It is inconvenient to tell this truth to my best friend, but…. The teen says “I really would like to go to that big party. That new girl in town will be there, but I don’t think God wants me to go there. There will be drinking and maybe drugs. And now I might not ever get to meet that girl.”

There was a certain dem, a liar, that produced a movie, “The Inconvenient Truth.” The hitch, history has proven that he lied. It was a prophecy that never came true. He said that Florida would be covered by the ocean. He said that most of Washington DC would be under water. It would appear that the inconvenient truth was really a big lie that made a bundle, not only for the producer of the movie but also for many of his cohorts.

Now if he had been a real Christian man, he might have had to think about producing that movie. He would have wanted to produce “The Inconvenient Truth,” but he’d have known it to be a lie from the beginning. God would have been an inconvenience to his desire to make the movie. Then again, knowing it was wrong, maybe as a Christian, it does make me wonder if the man had some incredible way of justifying it. Maybe, when he went to confession, he told the priest, “Well, how was I to know. I thought it was going to rain, a lot.”

The fact is, there are many others who would have us believe the lie of the going green outfit. They are able to make money from it. They are able to gain power from it. However, to borrow the title of the movie, There is an inconvenient truth. It’s all part of a big lie. And, by the way, here is another inconvenient truth. There is a God. We all shall one day meet him face to face. Those who love the lie will realize they got it wrong. Those who love the abortions, will realize, they were on the wrong side of that idea. Those who love to call good evil and evil good, will realize they really got that wrong. Moreover, they will have eternity to think about it all.

Blaise Pascal’s Wager

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Among other things, Pascal has lent his name to perhaps the best high level programming language ever. I have become pretty good at it, which is easy. It is so similar to English that it is easy to pick up in an afternoon.

Moreover, it is very modular. I can write a module for one program and use it with any other program it is useful for. It sort of means I don’t have to keep re-inventing the wheel every time I write a program. Another benefit is that the programs can be very easy to read and or modify. That becomes important when modifications need to be made 3 or 4 years later, after the guy who wrote it has moved out of the state.

If I had to say it lacked one thing, it is an interface to audio, especially text-to-speech and speech-to-text. That aspect of it did cause me a little frustration. It would have been nice to write programs that would be able respond to voice commands and or provide audio alerts.

I am sure there are such interfaces that are available for a price. Given I am living on Social Security, I figured I’d not have the asking price. Still, it would have been nice to make a spreadsheet that would not require a mouse or keyboard.

Actually, I started this post completely on a rabbit trail. I didn’t get off on one. What I wanted to write about is something called Pascal’s Wager.

First, a short word about Pascal. He was a mathematician and theologian who lived during the 1600s. Also, he was a pretty a confirmed Catholic, and pretty much believed that Catholicism was the one true way to God, which is one of the things he and I would have disagreed with, should we speak face-to-face.

Nonetheless, he did come up with an interesting concept, which is called Pascal’s Wager. Hopefully, at the least will cause the atheist to reconsider his position a little. It is a very long article and it is worth a person’s time to take a look at it. However, I will attempt to give you the short version with some of my own personal views.

Let’s consider the flip of a coin. When it comes down, it will either land on heads or tails. I have heard of cases where they come down on their edge but let’s ignore that. Before the coin is flipped, we have three choices, heads, tails or no choice at all. We have the option of not participating.

Let’s change the rules. You must participate. We have just taken that choice away from you. You must chose heads or tails. If you are right, you live forever. If you’re wrong you die, though maybe not immediately.

Such is the way it is in real life, with a few variations. The Christian has chosen the one way. By choice or by default, the atheist has chosen, no God. The choices are exclusive. At least one of the choices has to be wrong. If there is no God, the Christian is wrong. If there is a God, the atheist must be wrong.

So, it would appear we are looking at the proverbial coin toss, right. Wrong. According to Blaise Pascal, the Christian has the least to lose. He will have given up smoking drinking and wild women. He might even lose that fortune that he gave to that church. Then look at all the time and work he provided for the church. Nonetheless, it is finite. The losses are tolerable.

On the other hand, if the atheist is wrong, he will lose everything, throughout infinity. There would be no do overs, no Mulligans. Invariably, there would be pleas for a second chance but there would be none. The punishment for not accepting Jesus doesn’t last just a lifetime, but forever.

So, that is the thumb-nail sketch of Pascal’s wager, based loosely on the toss of a coin. I’m just trying to get you to think about it. We are talking eternity here, not just flip of a coin. As I’ve said many times. I cannot ever make the decision for anyone. All I can present is the truth. Everyone must make their own choice.

I’d like to add just one more little thing. Maybe Bill Cosby has fallen from the graces of most, but he did say something that is very likely true, though it is not exactly biblical. The Bible does say that when Jesus returns, every eye will see Him and every knee shall bow. (Philippians 2:10)

Bill Cosby said there ain’t no such thing as an atheist. On my copy of the routine, he repeated it 4 or 5 times, each time more emphatically. Then, finally he said, “The difference between the Christian and the so-called atheist is that the atheist will be the first ones on their knees when Jesus returns.”

I think maybe Mr. Cosby is right.

Define Religion

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Not a fan of even the word religion. I am a Christian. That is to say, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion is for people who like to follow rituals. Many times, God has scolded the Israelite people for mindlessly following rituals, for being religious while leaving God out of it.

When Jesus set up His church, He left but two rituals, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Even so, people have made this into a ritual and they leave Jesus out of it. Many of those who go through the ritual have no relation with God. They do not love Jesus nor do they desire to do his his will.

They call themselves religious but they love not his children, but rather kill them before they are born. Some would go so far as to kill them after they are born. They look at God’s children as an inconvenience to be gotten rid of as a wart or something cancerous. However, many show up on Sunday and chant the words without even considering them.

Old Joe calls himself a Catholic, but he has intentionally said and done things that result in the deaths of thousands. Truth be told, I don’t think the man has any relationship with Jesus. He might call himself Catholic but I can’t see any proof of him being a Christian.

Such can be said of many. They have their faith in their church, their religion and or their preacher. When they see Jesus face-to-face, they will realize they should have had their faith in Jesus. Only, it will be too late. Some with have decades to accept Jesus as their Savior. They will have no excuse. There is simply no religion that will save them and it will be too late for any extensions or revisions of their remarks.

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I Had a Dream

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I knew it had to be a dream, cause I was doing things I knew I couldn’t do. I dreamed I was playing baseball as well as I ever did.

I was running and jumping, throwing and catching, and I was hitting the ball like a pro. Now let me tell you, that is one of those dreams that I would just as soon never end.

It does make me wish I had some control over my dreaming. Maybe before going to sleep I could set my mind on what I want to dream and I would dream it.

I suppose it is a good thing I can’t. I would likely sleep as much as I could. I guess I would spend entirely too much time dreaming that I was playing first base professionally.

It does cause me to speculate. Could it possibly be better in heaven than my little dream? I mean I did so love to play baseball. I wonder how it could possibly be better in heaven. I have not the answer but the Bible does. And God does assure me that it is better than my dream. Even better, I’ll never have to wake up.

As a side note, I will have something to say about it. Because I have accepted Jesus as my savior I will spend eternity with him. It is far better than what the alternative would have been.

And here’s the neat part. There will be no pain, no suffering, and I will be able to run better than my high school days. That, in itself would make it heaven. However, it is just a small part of it.

What Do You Want to Believe?

Posted in Christian values, Important things, Lawyers and Representation, Religion by

I am something of an observer. Over the past few years it has occurred to me, maybe most people believe what they want to believe, regardless.

In spite of any proof otherwise, they hold steadfast to that which suits him or her. I find it utterly amazing the hopeless things that folks will hang onto, simply because they want to.

It does help to understand why the theory of evolution caught on, even though not one person has ever come up with one fact to back it up, only speculations, suppositions and more theory.

I am convinced Darwin, himself, tried to prove that which he knew to be true wasn’t, even to the day he died. It was as if, if he could prove evolution, it would disprove God and the Bible.

He never proved evolution. It is still only a theory, but one presented everywhere as fact. I suspect as Darwin’s death grew near, he feared he was going to be facing real judgment from God.

Even so, he never had any idea how he had set the world upside down. And now, very much of the world believes his theory, not because of any proof but because it is what the world wants to believe.

For if evolution is true, then there is no God, there is no 10 Commandments, and mankind is just another animal. It becomes a world where the laws are all from man and murder is the same as killing any other animal.

Indeed, the scopes monkey trial was the next step in proving we all came from the apes. And they have tossed God out of our classrooms, not because of what is believed, but because of what they want to believe.

It does make evolution something to believe in. That is to say, because there is no proof, it’s not science but religion.

We Call It Easter

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Many say we shouldn’t. Wasn’t Easter a pagan holiday? When I was a little boy, Easter was dying eggs and looking for boiled eggs not so well hidden. It was big chocolate Easter bunnies and little marshmallow eggs. And of course lifeless, colorful, plastic grass.

Of course, back then I didn’t know much about anything. To tell the truth, I don’t know much more now. I do know this. Had it not been for the eggs and the bunnies, I likely would have never have known about Jesus and I would likely have never known about salvation.

The Roman Empire was a huge brutal civilization. There was very little good about it. Yet, within about 300 years, the plan of salvation was known almost worldwide. The great news spread so fast that it virtually took over Rome.

I can’t say for sure, but it seems to me Christianity spread about as fast or faster than any religion. It likely would not have spread so rapidly in a land of many languages and separate nations. Just maybe God planned it that way. I can only guess.

I would much prefer the day be called reserection day, or maybe empty tomb day. Sorry, best I can think of at the moment.

Guess the main thing is, as long as Easter keeps filling churches, as long as people continue to learn the plan of salvation because of it, as long as people continue to accept Jesus as their savior, who am I to complain. If God chooses to use Easter, who am I to complain?

Besides, I do like chocolate Easter bunnies. It does help to remind me, the day we call Easter is the day Jesus had victory over death so that I will live, forever.

A Side Effect of Pride

Posted in Christian values, Crazy Nuts, Pride, Religion, Salvation by

1st, let me speak of the well known. Of all sin, pride is one that angers God most. I can easily reason why. It does frequently stand in the way of a man’s salvation. The man that believes himself good, also believes that he has no need of salvation.

Ludacris as this sounds, it is a common stance by many. How many times have you heard, I am far better than most. Why shouldn’t I be allowed into heaven.

I suppose, this means anyone better than Hitler will have to be permitted in.

Another problem with pride is that it causes us to have a distorted view of things. It causes one race to think of themselves as being superior to another. I am xyz, so WE are better than them. WE always will be and God has said so. Some think that was how Hitler thought, this even though he consiered himself superior to God’s chosen people, this even though he was half Jew. ( That’s crazy nuts) This is what happens when you let Satan use pride to twist your mind.

Then of course, there are the atheist who plant their feeble 2 feet and say to the world, there is no God. It is the ultimate pride. He believes that, poof, the whole Universe just exploded out of thin air.

Oops. That would be impossible, right. there was no air, thin or otherwise.

To get to my point, finally. Jesus, while walking this planet was born a Jew. That is to say, He very probably appeared to be Jewish. His hair was likely dark brown black or even red, unlike painted by the Europeans. His skin might have had an olive overtone or maybe pale. I will be the first to admit, I don’t know. He was a decendant of David, who was pale and red headed.

On the other hand, the possibilities of His skin being black are very remote. I won’t plant my feet and defiantly say his skin was not dark, but I am just going by the hints in the Bible.

I know there are those who prefer to buy manger scenes with black characters. The only thing I add. Be careful that you don’t turn the figureines into idols. The is the first step in idolotry is pride.

Difficult as it is to Believe

Posted in Abuse of Power, Being woke, Biden, Cancel Culture, Christian values, Communism, Crazy Nuts, Education by

Harvard and Yale have their early roots in Christianity. Just goes to show what can happen when you permit Satan to take control little bits at a time.

I suspect many of the universities have Christian origins. You will find little trace of it today. Government influences have seen to it that residuals have been removed, oddly using the 1st amendment. Christian colleges cannot accept federal funds, including for research.

One of the Most Asked Questions

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I suppose it has at some time been asked by millions, perhaps billions. If God has all this power, why does he permit satan to continue live on planet earth.

First, let me say, I don’t know. I have considered the question considerably, though likely from a little different view. Most ask why doesn’t God just kill Satan? I have asked what is it that stops Him from destroying the devil?

What’s the difference? Well, we all know God can destroy Satan. That’s a given. It really breaks into 2 questions, doesn’t it? First, He can utterly destroy the devil. On the other hand God can confine him and make him pay forever for all he has done. Obviously, God has decided on the second. This is not conjecture. The, Bible makes this clear in the book of Revelation. The fact is, Satan knows his destiny, all the while fighting to stop it.

So. Just what stops God from doing it right here and now? The Bible cautions us from speculation. Certainly I have no inside track. No one has spoken to me from mountain tops. However, I do have the ability to reason, as we all do.

Therefore, let’s look at some things that are Biblical and do some some sound reasoning. First, the Bible calls Satan the Prince of the Air. What does that mean? Well, as any prince, he has power and he has authority. Remember, for sure, power and authority are two different things.

Before man’s fall, Satan had power. However, he had no authority on this earth. In Genesis, we are told that Adam had the authority, as given to him by God.

Suddenly, once Adam ate the fruit, Satan had the authority. Something happened. There was a transfer of authority. Perhaps it is as a transfer of a deed. I don’t know. Maybe I am oversteping it. It is partially conjecture.

However, one thing is indisputable. Satan has authority that he did not have before. He is the prince and God, being of perfect righteousness, recognized this authority. If He simply took the kingdom back, that wouldn’t be right.

It shows a difference between our thinking and God’s thinking. We, in a similar situation, would simply destroy Satan. Instead God’s plan is different. He bought back the authority, that is He purchased the authority with a price.

That price was His only son, a sacrifice slain from before time.

Then, at a time of God’s choosing, He will use his power and He will do it with full authority. He will not destroy Satan, his demons or any of those who have rejected Him. Instead, they will suffer an eternal punishment for all the wrong they have done and for every evil thought they had.

Regardless, if I be completely right or not, just maybe if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, it is now the time to change that.

To Jesus, the Son of the living God, all authority has been given. Hence, he has the the power and authority to save everyone. However, Jesus is righteous. He will not force you to accept Him. You have the choice. You have the right to reject his gift of salvation. It is the power of Satan to give you false reasons to deny Him. No one will force salvation on anyone.