Tag Archives: god

In the What if Department

Posted in Uncategorized by

Maybe, perhaps, conceivably I should start writing posts again and specialize in the strictly odd or unusual. At the current rate, that would be about one a week.

So here am I thinking the thing is settled. The thing is I keep hearing this what if thing. Silly me. I kept saying, “Not going to happen. It’s done. It’s settled. There is simply no way that they will bring that criminal by the name of Garcia back to the US.

Color me stupid. Color me wrong. The what if actually happened, you know that impossible one. So now I must consider the highly improbability of the what if.

Already we know part of it. He has a ton of indictments hung about his neck. Looks like he will go on trial, which may go on forever and a day. You know how good these lawyers are these days. One thing and the other, it could be this time next year before the trial starts.

Those barristers will love that being as they change by the hour. Altogether, the trial will cost two and a half bundles. We all know the value of just one bundle. By the way, he will also get housed and fed all this time as well. That means at least one more bundle.

Now we must consider another separation in the pathway. What if he is convicted. Well, he will go to prison, ironically in more comfort than if he found not guilty. If found not guilty, he would immediately be deported to El Salvador, where he was.

Now tell me what is more unusual than a person hoping to be found guilty and perhaps even plead for a lifetime sentence.

Better than going back to his compadres down south. I am sure they would rather be in whatever prison Garcia would go to.

I’m Afraid That Age & Reality is Catching up With Me

Posted in Uncategorized by

It’s getting more difficult for me to think of the words I want to say. Sometimes it forces me to abandon the way I want to say things. I am now 78 and even with the help of the computer, I am afraid it is getting time for me cease writing posts.

My guess is that there are those that will be glad to hear it. I am not sure exactly when I will write my last message to my readers, but I can’t imagine it will be much more than a month. Much more than that, it will likely be mandatory. It is taking me longer each time I sit down to write something.

Well, at least, for what it is worth, I did last long enough to help get another old man into the Oval Office. I likely didn’t help him that much, but I like to think I was contributing much more than I did. I also like to think I didn’t hurt the effort.

If nothing else, I would like to leave any atheist with this challenge, assuming they all have the courage. It is what I call the three prayer challenge. Three times, once a day, pray this prayer. “If you are real, God, tell me.” Of course, if the atheist is right, they have nought to fear. On the other hand, if he or she does get a reply, it just might change your life forever. That, for sure is why it takes real courage to participate in the challenge. If you receive a reply, then you will need to make a decision. Regardless of what decision you make, your atheist days will be over, which is why it is a real challenge.

I say this so that you take this challenge now, before you become to old, you know, like me. I have already made my decision. However, you really want to make sure you take the challenge before age and reality catch up with you. You don’t want to wait until you are too old to make the decision.

Don’t tell me, you don’t have the time, 2 seconds a day. I think it is the fear, not time, which stands in the way. And if you get an answer, that means there is a God. It becomes indisputable. My best guess, you won’t do it. You are afraid you will get an answer.

Well, as you read this, you can already see, I am sure that I am beginning to ramble a little. Still, you get the idea.

Casting Pearls Before Swine

Posted in Abuse of Power, Awkward Situation, Christian values, Deceit, Religion by

Although most of the American populace do not consider themselves Christian, most recognize the the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. The entire verse is “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you,” Matthew 7:6

I haven’t a clue why the words came to mind. To be sure, God could have reminded me of it. On the other hand, I just might have thought of it on my own. Regardless which way it was, God did know, even before my birth that I was going to think of it. To some degree, He just might want me to write about it. I am not saying he wants me to. However, apparently, He is going to allow me to express my thoughts on the subject.

Even if He has not told me to do it, I apparently have His permission, that is, if this gets published. He can do things like that you know. He can speak by giving me the words and He can speak by keeping me from writing the words. It is in His power.

Even so, and here is the strange part, He still gives me the choice of if I want or don’t want to write on it.

That is a sort of ultra short sermon on the theology of free will and predestination. Enough to confuse the most learned theologian, with a doctor’s degree.

At any rate, as I said, I was thinking about the verse. As in many cases, I believe that He is using His words of instruction for a multipurpose. The one most look at, the obvious one is that we should not speak His word before those who will likely treat is lightly, or worse, as if it is false.

This does prompt the question, if the guy is bad, should we never preach the word to him?

I don’t think that was the idea at all. To understand, we must look at the second meaning. To understand the second meaning, we must understand the way they looked at dogs and pigs. At that time, in that society, dogs and pigs were the worst unclean animals.

I suspect, He was talking of the pigs and dogs as much as the pearls. The pearls are highly prized. The dogs and pigs were good for nothings; bottom of the heap. It was His method of representing the worst of the worst of the human race. That is the bottom of the heap of humanity.

Now, let’s take a close look at the verse before, 7:5 which was about people who are judgmental. My guess, but do you suppose that when He is talking about the bottom of the heap, he just might be talking about those who were judgmental. Many times, Jesus spoke of two types of people, those who were sinners who sought salvation and healing, spiritually as well as physically. The others were those who were too good to need salvation. You see, the Pharisees were convinced that they didn’t need salvation. They were, by their standards without sin.

You see, he was targeting those who were “too good” to need salvation. It was they that were He was comparing with the dogs and the pigs.

To be sure, the most difficult people to lead to salvation are those who are too good to need it. Also, they are the ones who really need it the most. By Jesus’s own words, they are the dogs and the pigs. Moreover, he has warned us that if we should take care. If we try to speak the Good News to them, they just might turn on us and “rend” us, that is to say, destroy those trying to bring the Word to them.

You see, many of them have been vaccinated. They have received the vaccine of the false prophets so that they are now immune to the real word of God.

Work for Food?

Posted in Uncategorized by

Yesterday, a young man knocked on my door offering to rake the leaves in my yard. I was a bit surprised, as my yard was already mostly clear of fallen leaves. I politely informed him that his services were not needed at this time.

When he asked for food, I initially hesitated, as I generally avoid giving money to panhandlers. However, he did not seem to be begging outright, so I decided to offer him a five-dollar bill, which may not have gone far in today’s economy, but could still provide him with sustenance for a day or two.

The reason I avoid giving money to beggars is that it can become habit-forming and a way of life. It is better that I encourage people to earn their living; it is better for them than for me. The worst thing to do for someone is to teach them to beg.

Unfortunately, some individuals have resorted to begging as a means of survival. The pleas they make, while varied, often follow a similar pattern, such as requesting assistance with transportation costs to return home. It appears that even the smallest denominations of currency have become insufficient due to the effects of inflation on their circumstances.

Besides learning bad habits, it also creates problems for those who truly need help, those who are genuinely hungry, though they have made real attempts. To be sure, I say no to those in true need because of the fakes.

I noticed just a while ago on TV, they pointed out the starvation in Africa. It both angers me and pulls at my heartstrings. The reason those people are going hungry has nothing to do with the lack of generosity of Americans. It has rather been caused by the greed of some individuals, mostly dems, who have diverted the aid to themselves.

Unfortunately, it has been repeatedly proven that our government is the least effective and efficient way of distributing groceries. Indeed, much of the food and supplies never reach their intended destinations.

This has been proven again with the audits of USAID. However, it didn’t start there. Remember the aid sent to Puerto Rico. It happens every time. We send three times the aid they need, and they receive only two-thirds of what they need.

It would be great to send food to those hungry people, if it would reach them. The problem is that thieves tend to pilfer the supplies along the way.

Righteous Judgement

Posted in Uncategorized by

Knowing all I have done, all that I’ve said, and all that I’ve thought, the thought makes me shudder to think I would have to pay for it all. There are, believe it or not, some who would have more to pay for than I.

Apart from Jesus, I would have to face justice for all of it. Well, I am not alone. At some point, we all would have to face the justice of the Holy God.

Without Jesus, God would look at all we have done and all we have failed to do and pronounce judgment upon us. He would look on us and cast us all into hell. For some, the judgment would be a little less harsh. For others, a little more.

You see, God is perfectly just. When He finishes putting it all on the figurative scales of justice, everything must balance. It can’t be out in the slightest one way or the other. There is a word that would then represent our situation. That word is lost.

However, Jesus provided a way for us to avoid having to face that judgment. He has agreed to take on all that judgment, every bit of it for every person. Only He has the power to do that. If we pay any of the price, we must pay it all. If we ask Jesus to pay the price for it, he has willingly already on the cross.

However, you must ask him to save you. You must accept the gift of his salvation. You must agree to let him pay for every bit of it. You do not have the power to help even a little in your salvation.

That… is how it works, all or nothing. You must rely totally on faith in Him, or you are not satisfying His condition. Since He is paying the price for us, it only stands to reason that He can set the rules.

There is something of an unusual result from this. It mostly makes it impossible for us to tell if someone else is going to heaven. We do get a few hints. The Bible does seem to make it clear that some are eternally in punishment, such as Judas Iscariot, although it is also clear that even he could have been saved had he repented and believed. Among all those who ever walked the earth, his punishment is likely among the worst of all, as he was directly under the teachings of Jesus for three years.

It does make me wonder how such a thing can happen. It also illustrates that we all have the freedom of choice. Jesus never made anyone accept or reject Him.

Which brings me to another point. Everyone makes their decision for themselves. God has told us of His preference. He wants us all to be saved. However, He has decided to leave the decision in our hands.

So, when those of us going to heaven arrive there, we will be surprised in two ways. Some people whom we figure will be a shoo-in, won’t be there. Some whom we figure would never make it there, will be there.

The fact is, it’s not how good we are but whether we have put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone. I suspect many who consider themselves clergy may not make it. Anyone who teaches and believes that salvation must be earned, we can pretty much assume they won’t be there, regardless of what church they belong to.

It’s not that I am pronouncing judgment; he’s admitting to me that he believes a lie and refuses to accept the word in the Bible.

Still, I’m not going to judge them. God will do that. As I say, God will settle it all in the end.

How-some-ever, if you hear anyone try to tell you that you need to do anything more than accept Jesus as your savior for salvation, do not listen to anything they say. Well, you can believe the time they tell you, but you might want to be suspicious of that.

A Distortion of the Facts

Posted in Cheating, Christian values, Deceit, experience, Immigration, Liberals, News media, Our Legal Systems, Politcal Opinion, Religion by

It would seem, in order to make their point, they dims decided to distort the story. They weren’t the first and they won’t be the last. The dems and Satan are well aware that deceit is far more effective than a lie. It is also a reason I encourage people to read the Bible for themselves instead of relying on others. It is my personal opinion that the Bible is one of the most distorted books.

Consider the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” While it sounds nice, I haven’t a clue who first said it. It’s not in the Bible. Then too, their are those who will say they believe in doing as the good book says; this while ignorant of what the good book says.

Then, there are those who use the word “migrant” to describe the journey of Mary and Joseph. First, the word “migrate” or any of its forms is not in the story. Please read it for yourself in the second chapter of Luke. It is better for you to read the story directly in your copy of the Bible.

They like to use the idea of Mary and Joseph being migraters for justification of an open border.

They were not migrants, nor did they cross any national borders. Their actions were totally legal. Moreover, the travel was prompted by the most powerful human on Earth at the time. The Caesar ordered Joseph to Bethlehem, in effect. Following the orders of the Caesar is not my definition of migration. I would hope it’s not yours. Otherwise, every time I go to Memphis, I would be a migrant. While technically that might be true, I would not consider it the most accurate term.

Finally, I would not use the term migration for those illegally crossing the border. Some might be criminals. Some might be smugglers. At the least they are illegal aliens.

I realize that, in the eyes of some, it is a small technicality, but it is still an undeniable fact, which the Democrats are trying their best to get us to ignore.

The truth is, they are figuratively people cutting in line, jumping in front of those obeying the laws and the rules. No matter how you look at it, it’s not just illegal, but also morally despicable. The fact that it’s wrong is likely the reason it was made illegal.

By the way, I am not the only one who dislikes the distortion of God’s word. Better that you learn from me than from God.

Can You Lose Eternal Life?

Posted in Uncategorized by

It is a question that has been argued down through the centuries. Some say this. Some say that. As for me, I believe it can be answered with one simple question and again reinforced with a second.

If you are in danger of losing your eternal life, then was it ever truly eternal life? If you lose eternal life, can you again regain it? If so, how many times can this be repeated?

In my book, eternal life is eternal, by definition. Those who don’t have eternal life, never had it.

Eternal life is a gift given to us by God. By definition, gifts are not earned but can only be received. If you work for a gift, then what you get, cannot be a gift but a reward.

More important, earning eternal life is not in our power. To say that it is, is an attempt to negate the need for the gift. With his death and resurrection, he has paid for our eternal life. How can anyone add to that? Why would anyone turn down such a valuable gift.

Yet, people try to earn salvation. Every day, people turn their backs on the gift. So instead of the gift of eternal life, they receive the punishment of eternal death.

Thank the Lord for Discipline

Posted in Christian values, News Anchors, News media, Uncategorized by

It is a difficult thing for a child to be thankful when his hand is being slapped but he should be. That slap on the hand is far less harmful and painful than that jolt of electricity from that wall socket.

Okay. I agree. The socket should be covered. Still, a little slap on the wrist is in order when a child starts trying to put his fingers in the socket, covered or not.

To be sure, I believe there is a big difference between discipline and punishment. The object behind punishment is justice; whereas, the object behind discipline is, or at least should be love. We as parents, from time to time, cause a little harmless pain to avoid the larger pain, or perhaps harm. As parents, we need to remember that, regardless of any anger.

When God disciplines us, it is in love and we should remember that. We should always learn from it as well as be reassured. After all, in general, people normally don’t discipline the strange child in love. When God disciplines us, it is a strong indicator that He is our Father and we are His child. It tells us we are saved and we are forever his. No one can ever take us from Him, ever.

Believe me, I have felt the hand of His discipline all too often. I didn’t like it. I am sure, I have asked why me? But He was always right and I was always wrong. And I learned and I continue to learn today, to my dismay.

How-some-ever, let me say this now before the whole world, I am so very grateful to my God that he disciplines me. It is because He loves me and that is very reassuring.

God disciplines nations too. Then, you know that. Repeatedly, he disciplined Judah when they strayed. Then, they repented and God rewarded them. The last time, God disciplined them several times and Judah turned their back on God. They called the chastising a coincidence and continued in their disobedience.

So, God increased the levels. He told them in advance and raised up the nation of Babylon. As predicted, they went into captivity and to this day, they have not returned to their former greatness.

As with Israel, I believe that the US has found favour with God. How else could we get where we are. However, if we keep turning our back to God, I have to believe that the Same thing will happen to us as Judah. If we keep writing off the warnings as coincidence, or weather change! He can raise up a nation and destroy us, as he destroyed Judah. What does makes me wonder, why has He already done it. By the way, He need not raise up another nation. He can use natural disasters, or a few terrorists with a big bomb.

As I write this, I remain in hope while I can’t help but fear. I know what it is like to feel His discipline. I do have something of an idea of what can happen, faster than anyone can imagine.

If you doubt any of this read the books of kings and chronicles in the Bible. The books, true, are religious. However, they are also very accurate history books.

Regardless; with all the blessings we have received as a nation from God, why in the world would anyone want to turn our backs on Him now? Better to receive His blessings than His discipline; or worse, His judgement.

Then & Now

Posted in Uncategorized by

I was listening to a preacher one time. By the way, it is a good idea to listen to good spirit filled preachers. It is possible to learn things; things that can really help you.

At any rate, he was explaining the reason reason the Romans rejected Christianity. His explanation did make sense. I also suspect, with his education, he knew what he was talking about.

At any rate, you ever notice the Romans had no problems accepting the Greek gods. To them, the way they figured it, the more the merrier. I’m not sure anyone knows how many gods the Romans had. They had one for this and the one for that. If a person wanted to add a god, no problem. You could add your own god and your own religion and no one would complain.

The difference with Christianity was John 14: 6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” It is a quote by Jesus Himself.

You see that made Christianity different and exclusive. If a person believed in Christianity, he could no longer believe in his gods. Well, in a way, I suppose he might but for one thing. If he tries to believe in both, the above statement by Jesus requires the denouncing of all other gods or he does not believe not believe Jesus.

The Romans didn’t like that. I mean everyone was getting along really well and then Jesus comes along and tells us that if you are going to accept Jesus as your savior, you must deny all the rest.

Believe it or not, some people actually had investments in the other gods. They sold idols and I am sure that they took offerings to them. Moreover, they had their customs, some of which encouraged some very horrible rituals. Strange as it may seem, some actually offered their children as sacrifices.

So it was, if a person was to become a Christian, they had to give that all up. Moreover, those that did not accept Christianity were looked on by the Christians as godless and lost. They were always going around seeking people to convert to this new faith. It was bothersome, you see. One minute you are carrying this nice conversation with an acquaintance and then, of all things, they were talking about you being a sinner and being in danger of hell forever.

That is basically what the preacher said, though I did add a little. You can imagine how this irritated the Romans. Think about it. Sort of the way that Christian neighbor keeps trying to get you to accept Jesus as your savior. I mean, it is a bummer trying to come up with all these excuses as to why you just can’t go to church with him.

The way it was back then, is sort of the way it is now. It’s sort of why people don’t like us Christians acting like Christians.

There is one more thing that is the same. Those that die without Jesus as their savior, will spend eternity in hell. It is kind of why we Christians become so bothersome. We are only trying to provide you with some very important information. It just might save you.

One more thing that is the same now as then. Jesus is the only way to salvation. It is perfectly exclusive and there is no other way. If your faith is in another religion of any kind, it will do you no good. You call yourself Catholic or Baptist, it won’t help you. You must accept Jesus as your savior.

The tragedy is that there will be many “good men” who don’t make it to heaven. Being good does not help you at all. No one, but no one is good enough to go to heaven. If we could be good enough, Jesus would not have needed to go to the Cross. If you say you are good enough you don’t need salvation, you are calling Jesus a liar. That in itself will be enough to send you to hell.

The Law of Exclusivity

Posted in Christian values, Truth by

I don’t know if it exist yet. If not it should. I am declaring it now. It is as obvious as gravity. I mean, how can something be both true and false at the same time. Besides, the sound of it has a certain ring to it.

The fact of it is that it rings true. If it’s a hot day, it can’t be cold. If it is clear and sunny, it can’t be raining, leastwise in the same place at the same time. If a thing is good, it can’t be evil. If you’re going west, you can’t be going east. Well, that one is open to discussion. That is what Columbus tried to do.

It does seem strange, but the world’s scientist were convinced that we were going through a process of global cooling. Then, after a few years, it was global warming. Then, unable to make up their minds, they decided it was climate change. That is where it is getting hot or cold, depending on the weather of the day and where you live. And, of course, woe to the scientist that says otherwise, you know. All must accept the “fact” that the weather is getting cooler and warmer all at the same time.

The Dems are good at getting something to be good or evil at the same time. If you ask any of the leaders, they will tell you of the evils of guns. On the other hand, if your name’s Hunter Biden, the current gun laws don’t apply to you. Makes me wonder if I should change my name to Hunter Biden.

I guess the one thing that mystifies me the most though, is the way the Dems defy any effort to bring God into our public life, especially schools and courts. According to them, there is no God, you know. And then, come a disaster, natural or man made, suddenly they are asking one and all to pray for those suffering from it.

It does somewhat confuse and irk me, they don’t want us to pray to prevent the disaster, but they love so much to encourage prayer for recovery.

The fact is, God either exists or he doesn’t. He is not something to be turned on and off based on convenience. The Law of Exclusivity demands, you either believe in Him or you don’t.

The best thing, make sure you have made the right decision before you die. If you realize the truth after, you will also realize it is too late. Today is the time of your salvation. Now is your chance at eternal life. If you don’t accept it while you yet live, then you will have eternal death.

That is a fact of exclusivity. You cannot be lost and saved at the same time. If you have not been saved, then you are lost. Certainly, if you deny God and his Son, Jesus Christ, then you have committed the greatest sin of all and you will pay for it forever.