Tag Archives: god

Now Here’s a Novel Idea

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I can’t say it’s Biblical. I’m not even sure that it something that God wants us to teach. However, I can’t help but think that, if any nation followed this one thing, it would be a very big profit to that nation and it’s people. As an aside, I can’t help but believe that it would help the world as well.

God gave Israel the ten commandments. They were a gift. Those people that follow The Ten Commandments will prosper, even if they refuse to believe in God. It sounds ridiculous, but I have given the matter a great deal of thought. Consider, if all Americans stopped lying, killing, robbing, or even seeking after that which is owned by another.

However, putting that aside for a moment, and what makes my suggestion unique, what if the national government sought to follow the Commandments diligently. I mean, do we really want a government that mistreats our citizens, such as killing the innocent, like unborn babies. Do we really want a government that steals from the citizens, such as exorbitant taxation for the benefit of those that are part of the government. Do we really want a government that is dishonest that lies to us and diligently hides pertinent information from us.

Perhaps, most of all, do we want a greedy government that provides lavishly for itself while taking from those who put in an honest 40 or 45 hour week without valid reason. Do we really want a government that denies the existence of God and instead worships evolution, a baseless, unproved theory. Do we want a government that viciously endeavors to hide and deny the existence of the one true God.

It does make me ask, how and why is it that God would ever want to bless such a nation.

And feeble men ask why we have troubles and trials.

Come to think of it, maybe it is about time to rethink the way that businesses are ran as well. Is it really such a novel idea? Seems that that was kind of the way we ran things after the Revolutionary War, or at least tried. Have we actually been improving things since then?

I wonder, just what would kind of report card would George Washington and Abe Lincoln give our current day government. I have the suspicion they would be more than a little embarrassed by what we today call the United States of America. That, by the way, is true of those on both sides of that theoretical line that is in Congress.

Not Appropriate

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When a man stands behind a pulpit and preaches the word of God, he should be careful to teach the truth according to the Bible. As I was going through channels a couple of days ago, I heard a person who claimed to be teaching the Bible who implied that eating meat was Biblically wrong. He was very proud of himself that he had been a vegetarian for all these many years and he is healthier because of it.

Fact is, if he wishes to preach not to eat meat, he should be careful to say that it is his personal feelings. It is not Biblical. Throughout the Old and the New testament eating Meat is directed. Indeed, it is required in the first Passover. Jesus cooked fish for the disciples. Indeed, it is part of the requirements of the rituals of the Temple.

I do understand the concepts of not eating meat. Many are are healthier when they don’t eat meat. Most of us do eat too much meat leading to many health problems. However, just because a vegetarian is healthy, it does not mean that he owes it completely to his diet. Moreover, we have not one bit of proof that he might not be healthier if he had ate some meat.

The thing is, if a person wants to preach not eating meat, they ought not try to say it is biblical, because it’s not. When you try to make the Bible say things it doesn’t, it undermines the truth that you do preach. The one speaking should precede it with something saying it is personal opinions based on facts outside the Bible.

Understand, I am not saying that it is wrong to teach eating only fruits and vegetables. It’s up to you. I am just saying it should not be taught as Biblical.

The Rapture Is Near

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First a quick word about the rapture so you know what I’m writing about. In the Bible, in I Thessalonians 4, it is made clear. Quickly, in the twinkling of an eye, Jesus will return for His Church. Suddenly every person who was saved and is dead, will be brought to life and they will go up to meet Jesus. Then, quickly, those who are saved and remain alive, will be changed and also will go to be with Jesus.

Those who remain will go through the tribulation, a time of great misery, which will last for 7 years.

Now, read for yourself and it will become clear to you, all the signs are met. However, there is one more thing. The more we hear people scoff that it is not near, the more likely it is near. Some say it may yet be another two thousand years. Actually, that is true. It could be another four thousand years. I simply don’t know. No one knows but God.

However, it might also be in the next 2 minutes. If that be the case, it would be a wise thing not to put salvation off for 5 minutes. Indeed, even the scoffing is predicted as Jesus compared it to the way those of Noah’s time mocked Noah about the ark.

Once God sealed the door on ark and all but Noah and his family perished; once the rapture is over, all who remain will face the tribulation.

Sometimes, I Wish the Bible Spoke More Plainly

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Since my teens, I knew that God spoke against astrology. I’m not going to argue the point. God makes it very clear in a number places in the Bible. As I read, I saw them. I cannot call them out right now other than Daniel condemned the King of Babylon for following stargazers. Naturally, that is in Daniel.

I was well into adulthood when I saw something that floored me. Truly, I can only speculate. While archeologist were digging around the Temple, they discovered a copy of what appeared to be the astrological signs, arranged in a circle, right out in the middle of one of the porches.

I can’t explain that and I will not try. However, God is very clear. We are to go to Him and his Word for wisdom and not the stars. It does appear to be a very stark contradiction. Of course, in a year or two, I’ll know. For now, however, I’m going to have to plead ignorance.

Maybe, possibly, I can bring a small amount of light if I am allowed a wild guess. Bear in mind, it is just a guess. First, in Genesis, God tells us that He gave us the constellations as guide to tell when to plant and when to harvest; a sign for the seasons. I suspect that it is something that has followed mankind through history. It would also make it easy to turn the constellations into gods or messages from gods. How easy it is to start worshiping the created instead of the creator.

Nonetheless, God did provide them for guidance. They were gifts from God, not gods.

I found another interesting fact. Each of the twelve tribes of Israel had it’s its own flag, standard which God told them to carry before the tribe whenever they moved from one place to another. I think you will find that in Exodus, though I am not sure.

Try as I might, I could not find what was on each of the flags. It has caused me a little curiosity. It is one of those questions I will have for God, though I really wished he’d tell me sooner.

Now, this is where I go out on a limb, maybe the proverbial plank. I hope God will forgive me for a little conjecture, but it does fit. The flags might have each had a constellation on it. It makes sense, but, as I said, it is a guess. If each constellation represented one of the tribes, twelve in all, it would not at all be remarkable to find the constellations to be on the porch. It would in no way imply that they were used for worship or guidance.

If wrong, then you will have to wait like me. That is, unless those archeologists find something else that explains it, like maybe those banners.

Stupid Doesn’t Get It

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Just how many times have you seen a baseball player do something and you ask, “Why did he do a stupid thing like that?”

I once heard a coach on TV say that when he looked for players, he said that we looked for speed. Hitting, catching, and throwing we can teach. Fast is not learned.” Before I heard him say that, I never understood why I never became a famous baseball player. Now I know.

Regardless of my shortcomings, over the years, I have leaned that another thing is needed to be a good baseball player, intelligence. Stupid doesn’t get it. When the player throws to first when he should have thrown to second, it is learned, but not totally. For sure, some players pick it up on the fly very well. Even so, occasionally, even the pros do things that are really stupid. After it’s all over, they will usually be the first to admit it.

The thing is, regardless of the talent, regardless of the speed, when a player continually does stupid things, the coach starts looking elsewhere. And here’s something else. The same thing is true of football, basketball, golf and tennis. Indeed, it is, to some degree true of most every sport.

You ever notice, quarterbacks have a tendency to be the most intelligent guys on the gridiron? I’m sure no one had to tell you. You likely figured it out by yourself. On the other hand, besides their speed and skill, the linebackers and and safeties are likely pretty smart too. Otherwise, they are likely to hear if from their coach on occasion, “Why did you do a stupid thing like that?” Actually, I suspect my remark cleans it up some.

Most sports have more than physical skills, but also strategies. Of course, from time to time, occasionally, someone slips up and they realize they have been out strategized. I know. I’ve been there. I have found myself wishing I didn’t do the stupid thing.

This is not restricted to sorts. Ask the lawyers. They’ll tell you. Most that have been at it a while have been taught a lesson or two in the courtroom. Ask the businessmen. They know it. Yup. They made a mistake or two. Ask the politicians. I have seen some of those first hand. I am sure that all of them wish they could have taken a step or two back. I’m sure you’ve seen it.

However, when a person takes the leadership of a nation in his hands, it gets serious. Old Joe opened the border. Now Kamala is stuck trying to explain it. Try is the operable word because she can’t. She won’t even try. She realizes any attempt will just make it worse. The fact is, it was one of Old Joe’s stupid things and she knows it.

Old Joe permitted, even took part in driving the prices of oil up. I don’t care what the reason. However, it allowed the Russians and the Iranians to gain great financial gains and power. It allowed them to finance the HAMAS which allowed them to attack Israel. That was stupid. It allowed Russia to attack Ukraine. I believe that most of the Israelis and Ukrainians will say that was a stupid move by Old Joe.

Now my question. After 4 years of stupid, do we really want another 4 years of it? As far as I am concerned, stupid doesn’t get it. I’m ready for someone to take over who actually knows what is going on. I mean, we’re not playing games here. We are talking thousands of lives already lost under Old Joe. It means more lives lost by Kamala, who said she’d not change a thing.

Political Parties and Jesus

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Just happened to be listening to Allen Jackson, the preacher, not the singer, though I do listen to the singer from time to time too. Though it was not his primary subject of his sermon, he did, in an aside speak to the claim that Jesus was never a member of a political party. However, He did speak to power and he did speak to the powerful.

Incidentally, if I were a multi-millionaire, I would never contribute a penny to either party. They have been far too weak on abortion and border matters. It would be my way of speaking to power. Republicans have come out weak on gambling. Indeed, in some cases, some republicans have fought for it. You can come out with you logic why why I am making my mistakes. If I give any money to anyone, it is to the individual and only to the individual that shares my beliefs.

Looking back over things, you might have a tendency go along with me. The Republican party selected a senator who was a thief and another man who was a wimp rino. It is no wonder they both lost.

Sometimes these preachers say more as an aside than they say as their main subject. I think this is one of those cases. Every time we vote, we speak to the powerful. Every time we send a note to representative, we are speaking to the powerful. And, of course, this is regardless of political party.

Moreover, God does caution us not to call good evil, or evil good. It is not idle advice but a warning. There are threats of punishments for that.

Given these two little factors, maybe it would be a good idea not to vote for a political party that is in favor of causing death, you know, like abortion. Like causing wars. Like causing rumors about viruses and virus treatments that resulted in large amounts of death and then denying it. Do you really think He would want any of us to be in favor of a party that doesn’t punish the lawless and looks the other way in mass theft and rioting.

If and when you voted for Old Joe, you spoke to power and you told them that killing is perfectly okay. The doctors that do it should be respected instead of put in prison. As a voter, you have said that we cannot use a gun for defense, but the lawless can use them to steal and and murder. You have told the powerful to stop locking up the lawless and be sure to arrest Trump and anyone who supports him. This though you know he never did anything to deserve it.

Before you vote for Kamala, just remember, in essence you are speaking to power and saying good is evil and evil is good. That is true, regardless of any party affiliation.

Jesus might not be a Republican, but he is pro life. He still is in favor of the truth. As dems speak their lies, they may and do deceive some people. They may and sometimes do deceive themselves. However, they never deceive Jesus. And it is true; He is neither Republican or Democrat. So pretending to be one or the other will not impress Him one bit. For Him, those that deceive are guilty no matter if he has an R or a D after his name.

80,000 Year Comet

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I keep hearing about it on the news. They say we can see it, but we won’t be able to see it for another 80,000 years. That is a long time. As I sit here, I try to think of a comparison. I can’t really think of any.

None the less, I think I’ll pass on looking for it. Astronomy was never one of my bigger interest. Besides, if I want to see it latter, it won’t be a problem. Jesus has promised me forever. That makes 80,000 years look short. Indeed I will be able to see it 80,000 times as it goes passing by.

My suggestion, if you are going to spend forever somewhere, you might want to make sure it is the right place. Nowadays, people so casually say things like, “See you in hell.”

First, there is no way I would want to spend one day in hell, certainly not 80,000 years, or forever. Secondly, if I am right, you’ll not see anyone in hell. Though there will be many there, part of the punishment is that it will be lonely. You won’t see the 80,000 year comet there. I suspect it will be so dark that you will see nothing. For God is light and hell will be a place without God and without light. If you go there, I don’t even think you will be able to see the stars.

Better that you accept Jesus as your savior and spend eternity in the light, in Heaven with Jesus.

A Common Religious Lie

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If I heard it once, I heard it a hundred times that we are all children of God. I have even heard it from behind the pulpit. Either it is a lie or Jesus lied. I am going to believe Jesus.

When Jesus was being confronted by the pharisees, (John 8:40 to 48) He said that their father was the devil and that they did the will of the devil.

While all men and women are created by God, not all men chose to be his children. Instead they chose to follow Satan. When a person chooses to not follow God, then he follows Satan and Jesus, according to this passage, says that their father is the devil.

Only when a person accepts Jesus as his savior and master does a person become the child of God. Once a person becomes a child of God, that is permanent. It is irreversible. Argue with me if you like. First read the passage. Read what Jesus has to say on the matter. Read John 3:16 and 17. (Note, if eternal life might be reversed, then it is not eternal.)

Winning & Losing

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When I was a lad, I played a lot of chess. I was pretty good, though I’m pretty rusty today. Okay. I am very rusty today.

Back in the day, I did play a lot, I really liked it when I won, as I did frequently. You might find this odd, but also felt badly when I won. Okay. That doesn’t make an ounce of sense.

Let me explain. Mostly, when I played, my opponent, was a relative or friend. I knew how it made me feel when I lost so I hated to see my opponent lose. I never threw a game. It would not be right to do that. It would be disrespectful. Still, especially as I grew older, it did kind of spoil the win.

Then they came out with computers and they came out with computer chess. I didn’t have to feel bad about beating the computer. It has no feelings. Besides, unless I kept it on he lowest level, I usually lost. What an ego buster.

I watched the professional sports, in which of course, there were also winners and losers. I really liked it when the Dodgers won. When the Rams lost won, I was unhappy, for a while anyway.

And so it is, there seems to always be those who win. Then too, there is also a loser. The winners always loves it. The losers always feel dejected. I think that was true more at the college level than at the pros. Think about it. Loyalty really isn’t so important in the pros. While it is always still good to win. While it always feels bad to lose. The player might actually end up playing for that team they just beat so greatly last season.

If we go back to the chess for a while. The loyalty thing isn’t an aspect there. I don’t know of too many cases where chess is a teem event, though I suppose it is possible. It might even make things interesting.

I think most realize that chess is actually a game based on real war. If nothing else, the names of the pieces makes that plain, right? Actually, many board games are base on wars, though I guess one of the most popular is based on business and real estate.

In chess, each player sets his pieces in array. Then while following the rules, the player tries to capture the opponents king. In many ways, it is the way battles of old were fought.

You wonder why the soldiers back then wore bright uniforms. It was so the officer, the one moving the pieces, could tell his men from his enemy’s soldiers. While the men charged each other, the officers sat on their horses on a high place so they could see what was happening and issue their commands.

When it comes to real war, for sure, no one wanted to lose. All the soldiers, from the private to the generals wanted to win. Rarely did they feel bad for the loser. Those that might, often lost. To be sure, if it is decided that war is a must, then it is imperative that you fight all out to win. As loose quote- it is not good to give your life for your country. It is far better that you make sure the enemy soldier gives his life for his. (Thank you General Patton for making sure we get the right perspective.)

I was a marine. I never faced an enemy face-to-face. Though I hate killing, if I were ever put in the position where I were on a battlefield, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger, over and over. I wouldn’t like it but I would.

Sargent York didn’t want to go to war during the first big war. He tried to be a coconscious objector. Yet, when it came down to it, he killed several Germans and took many more captive. When his CO asked why? York basically said it was to protect those he was fighting with.

In most cases, soldiers don’t fight against men but monsters. During their training they are taught those that they are fighting are subhuman. It helps to avoid feeling bad about pulling the trigger. Truth be told, I don’t think York ever thought as his enemy sub-human. He might not have ever shot at the Germans if it were just him. However, they were killing his friends and fellow soldiers. He felt he had to stop them. Moreover, he never felt like a hero for doing it.

Not all wars are fought on the battle field. Some would say we are in a battle of ideas. A few decades ago, maybe I would agree. Nowadays, it is a battle of deception. I am convinced that if people really knew Trump they would vote for him. If people really knew Kamala and her liberal friends, very few would vote for her.

And so it is, Trump is trying to expose the truth. He knows if he does, he will win. On the other hand, Kamala is trying to hide the truth. She knows if you learn who she is, she will lose. Personalities aside, if you vote for someone that is two bits different than a communist, you are helping the deceit. The hitch is that this is real. If the dems win this battle, all future votes will likely be nothing more, nothing less than a show. The outcome will always be predetermined as it was in the Soviet Union. It will be as it today in China. And our Constitution will become nothing more than old paper and ink. No one will respect it. Actually, not many respect it now. Many have no idea what it means.

I found it thoughtful that Jesus said that wars must be. He said there will be wars and rumors of wars. No atheist will ever be able to deny this little bit of prophecy. Speaking of wars, he said that these must be. He could see the end from the beginning. He knew what would happen.

But why did he say that about wars, as something of an afterthought, that the wars must be? I know it is not because He liked war. It is simply because, Jesus, knowing what He knew, saw that there would be wars, not in general, but specifically. He knew every man that would die and how.

Occasionally, He would intervene. Had he not helped us during the Revolutionary war, our primary monetary amount would be the pound. Hitler slept through the landing at Normandy and the Nazi’s reserve tanks could not be used to repulse the allied troops. By the way, even the weather helped. It was stormy before the landing, but cleared just in time for the successful landing.

Millions of Arabs surrounded Israel with their planes and tanks. Yet, greatly outnumbered, the Israelis sent them all running. God has his hand on the Jews. Better all take note. I can’t speak for God, as I am not a prophet. But this one thing I know for sure. No mater your weapons. No matter the size of your army. Unless God permits it, no foreigner will put one foot in Israel. If you decide to attack Israel, you might as well figure on being on the losing side.

Then too, I know I am on the victorious side. It has been foretold. It is there for all to read. I am not talking about chess or Monopoly. When it is time, Jesus will ride His white horse and he will destroy evil, all of it.

All battles on earth are temporary at best. When Jesus comes, the outcome will be permanent and complete. Jesus and those He has saved will will live with Him forever. Those that refuse to take Jesus as their savior will spend eternity in hell. They will be the losers.

For sure, I will feel bad for those losers, but I assure you, I don’t want to have any part with them. Those who fight against God, deceive themselves. They will be on the wrong side.

Remember these two things. If you do become one of those on the losing team, it will be permanent and it will be horrid. No one is going to be trading you to another team, unless it is before you die. Up until that point, there will always be room on on

God’s team. It just is, you must accept His payment in full. You cannot make any effort to pay in full or even in part. You must have faith in Jesus as your savior. If you take any other stance, you will spend eternity on the wrong side. You will be the eternal loser.

Just a Little Speculation

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We are cautioned about speculation. If it isn’t in the Bible, we shouldn’t try to answer the question. So, we are left hanging without answers. I certainly don’t have the answers. The fact is, I don’t even have all the questions. Nonetheless, lets look at a few questions and some facts associated them.

Perhaps the two most asked questions are interrelated. Why did God permits someone like Hitler to live while he He permits the death of some innocent two or three year old? You might want to remember, Hitler and all those like him were at one time innocent one-year-olds.

Yeah. That one causes me confusion too. I have seen many wonderful men die in the prime of their life. On the other hand, I have seen some survive well into old age that should have never survived their teens. We are given something of a peek into this. The king of the Jews was going to die and God told him he would. The king pointed out all the good that he did and asked to live a little while longer. God granted his prayer and he lived longer. During this time, in his pride the king showed the treasures of silver and gold to the king of Babylon. God’s judgment was that Judah would be captured by Babylon.

The Bible makes it reasonably clear that if the king had died when he was originally going to die, he would have not shown the treasures to the king of Babylon and Judah would not have had the judgment pronounced on them.

Sometimes, people are taken early to keep them from doing something bad. Don’t jump to conclusions. I am not saying if someone dies early, he or she was going to do something bad. If God always took people early before they did bad things, Hitler would not have ever started WW II. God would have taken him 6 or 7 years earlier. The irony, several attempts were made to kill Hitler and failed.

However, let’s speculate what might have happened if God caused the death of Hitler, perhaps right after WW I? Hitler would have never started WW II and the world would have been far better off, or at least that is the way it appears. That is only speculation and we need to be careful about speculating.

However, we can look at a fact. If Hitler died 20 years earlier, he would have been thought of as, perhaps a good man. Then they would have wondered why God permitted the death of such a good man. If I might, sometimes the difference between a man being good or bad is a matter of time, perhaps just a few years.

It can happen the other way. Paul, in the Bible, was a murderer. He coordinated the murders of many Christians to the point that the Christians were very much afraid of him. Then, Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus and we benefited with one of the great writers of the Bible.

God knew He did not want to kill Paul for his sin. He had plans for him. If you had asked the Christians of the time, they would have likely wanted to say God made really bad mistake.

I don’t know why God takes those he takes early. I don’t know why he allows others to live into old age. There are many that I wish God had let them live. My mother died at 49. Three of my brothers died while in their early forties. Two died of brain cancer. Certainly, why cancer. I don’t have a clue. I don’t even have a speculation.

If it had been my decision, they would have lived much longer.

About ten or twelve years after we moved in here, a couple moved in next door. They seemed the ideal young couple. They had a baby that appeared to be walking in a month or so. One day I heard some yelling and screaming out front. I went out and looked and the woman was in the street yelling. Her baby died, a crib death.

Do I go to her and tell her that God had a good reason to take him? The question is ludicrous. So much, I wished I could say or do something to comfort her. I just stood there helpless. Anything I did or said would just make things worse.

A short time later, the couple moved out. I hated to see that but I could understand. She was asking why? and she was finding no answer. I didn’t see the man much, but I’m sure he was hurting too.

Invariably, people go to preachers thinking they can say the right things. They can’t. I was five when my mother died and the only thing I heard from everyone was, I’m so sorry. I really wished they would stop it. It just made it worse.

The thing about death is that it doesn’t just hurt the dying, but the living too.

It makes me wonder. If Hitler had died as a two or three year old, do you suppose his mother would have understood it was for the good of the world?

I don’t think I answered any questions. Maybe I raised some new ones. These two things I do know though. The only thing we can take with us to heaven is our children. It would be a good idea to make sure they know they are saved. By the way, it would be a good idea to know you are saved too. How horrible would it be for them to go to heaven and find out their mother or father isn’t there.