Reagan's Gone, Bachman's Here

President Ronald Reagan's 1981 Christmas Address

I just watched the Obama's Christmas Proclamation for 2011. It was disheartening. We have a president who has no problem waxing eloquent praising Ramadan but is not Christian enough to make a positive statement about the importance of the birth of Jesus. Obama is no Reagan! 

As we head into another election campaign, I think we would do well to remember that the core religious beliefs of a president matter. If we value our faith and our freedoms, we must elect a new president with a Christian worldview to lead this nation during the turbulent days ahead. Not one who just talks about "faith" but one who has a track record of standing on Christian principles. 

The United States of America was founded on Christian principles. The freedoms we hold dear originated with the God of Christmas from Whom our inalienable rights derive. He is the God in Whom we trust! He deserves reverence, appreciation and obedience.

"America is great because America is good. If she ceases to be good she will cease to be great." Alexis de Toqueville

If we want to restore our nation to its former glory and power, we need to return God to our classrooms and to the public arena. Posting the 10 Commandments should not be forbidden in our schools and the freedom to pray should not be restricted. The constitution is on the side of conservatives. We need to take our freedoms back which have been stolen by liberal judges. Christians should have at least as much freedom to publicly practice their faith as Muslims do.  

The politically correct concepts of pluralism, multiculturalism, diversity, relativism and tolerance are stifling Christian freedoms! Secular elites through academia and the media are using these terms to muzzle Christians. Only Judeo-Christian beliefs and practices are considered unacceptable in the  public forum of our country today. 

Liberal judges forbid Christians to pray in schools and at football games and graduation ceremonies while enforcing special "religious rights" for anti-Christian groups like Muslims. Shouldn't the privileges based on diversity, multiculturalism and tolerance apply to our own culture as well? This anti-Christian trend needs to be reversed. Believers should speak up and vote based on their principles rather than their pocket books or their emotions.

These diabolical, dis-ingenuous, "newspeak" terms are undercutting American patriotism and destroying the world's only true melting pot by encouraging ethnic groups to resist integration into mainstream American society.

We desperately need a change of leadership!

We need a courageous, politically incorrect president committed to enforcing the constitution.

We need a president committed to shrinking the size of government and empowering the states.

We need a president who will lead the Congress to massively cut spending.

We need a president who will abolish Obamacare.

We need a president who will deliver us from the current liberal-socialist agenda!

We need a president who will call for an overhaul of the tax system.

We need a president who will lead Congress to cut the extraneous regulations strangling the free market.

We need a president who will appoint judges to make decisions squarely based on the constitution.

We need a president who values life!!!

We need a president who will appoint impartial Department of Justice officials to enforce our laws.

We need a president who will control the borders and work on settling illegal alien issues.

We need a president who will limit immigration to those who are able to adapt to our culture.

We need a president who is not ashamed of America and her historical accomplishments.

We need a president who will support Israel publicly and privately and stand by her friends.

We need a president who leads with confidence, strength and morality.

We need a president who won't try to appease terrorists.

We need a president who will sincerely lead the nation in celebrating our Christian Holidays. 

We need a president who will promote and participate in the National Day of Prayer. 

We need a president who will work to promote unity within the country.

We need a president who will reverse Obama's economically destructive executive orders.

We need a president who does not believe in man made Global Warming.

We need a president who will resist the Green Agenda and abolish the EPA. 

We need a president who will create an energy friendly environment to lower costs and create jobs.

We need a president who will deliver us from dependence on foreign oil which funds terrorism!

Basically, as my 14 year daughter says, "We need a president who is not Obama, who is a conservative, and who will kick the country back in line."

Based on all the qualifications I desire in a president,

Michelle Bachmann is my favorite candidate so far.

JESUS: KING, SAVIOR, MESSIAH, LORD!

Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and the shepherds

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

                                                                                                       Luke 2:8-14



Star of Bethlehem

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

The poor, simple shepherds were led by the instructions of an angel to travel a short distance to find their Savior, their Messiah, their Lord!

The rich, wise men were led by a star to travel a great distance to find a new King! 

The lowly shepherds followed the angel's instructions and found Jesus! The wealthy, wise men followed the star and found Jesus!

Near or far, poor or rich: because of His love and goodwill toward mankind, all God's children are somehow made aware of their need of JESUS!  And, all who respond to Jesus in faith find what they need!

May you believe and find what you need today!

 For God so loved the world that

He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16

Merry Christmas!

Global Warming: A Heart Issue

If you are concerned about Global Warming and wondering what the Cap and Trade argument is all about, I'd like to share a few facts with you to answer some of your questions and encourage you to do your own research if you still have concerns.

First of all, let me start with some facts I found in a Wikipedia article on the "demonized" CO2 (carbon dioxide) which scares liberals "green" and makes them want to economically punish the world's industrialized countries.

"CO2 is an important component of Earth's atmosphere because it absorbs and emits infrared radiation ... thereby playing a role in the greenhouse effect."

"Natural sources of atmospheric carbon dioxide include
volcanic outgassing, the combustion of organic matter,
and the respiration processes of living aerobic organisms; (breathing)

man-made sources of carbon dioxide include
the burning of fossil fuels for heating, power generation and transport,
as well as some industrial processes such as cement making."

"Plants convert carbon dioxide to...OXYGEN... which is subsequently used for respiration by... (animals and humans), forming a cycle."

Check out this fact! "Over 95% of total CO2 emissions are natural.
For example, the natural decay of organic material in forests and grasslands, such as dead trees, results in the release of about 220 gigatons of carbon dioxide every year."

"In 1997, Indonesian peat fires were estimated to have released between 13 and 40 percent of the average carbon emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels around the world in a single year."

Note: Huge fires regularly break out around the globe which can't be prevented, predicted or controlled. What can we do about that? Should we worry about it and "carbon" tax somebody? Before we panic, we should be aware of the following God provided solution.

"These natural sources (of carbon dioxide) are nearly balanced by natural sinks, physical and biological processes which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For example, some carbon dioxide dissolves in sea water, and some is removed by plants via photosynthesis. The Earth's oceans contain a huge amount of carbon dioxide in the form of bicarbonate and carbonate ions — much more than the amount in the atmosphere."

"Ultimately, most of the CO2 emitted by human activities will dissolve in the ocean..."

That means if the carbon tax is implemented, industrialized nations will be carbon "capped and taxed" for causing a non-existent problem, and third world countries will be receiving a transfer of wealth by selling their unused "carbon credits" to industrialized nations based on a bogus premise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_in_Earth's_atmosphere

The CO2/Global Warming debate is another issue which divides liberals and conservatives. Many liberals  really believe we must take action to save the planet from global warming. And, they are, theoretically, willing to submit to economic ruin in an attempt to solve this "perceived" problem. (I say "theoretically" because I don't believe most of them really comprehend what the carbon tax system would do to our economy.) On the other hand, many conservatives believe global warming is a hoax being perpetrated on society by greedy, power hungry politicos like Al Gore.

Since 95% of CO2 is produced naturally, how can reasonable people really believe that mankind can make a difference by changing his ways? Is it likely that the 5% of CO2 produced by human activity could be the tipping point for climate change? If you were asked to devastate your family financially to pay for a cure which offered you a 5% chance of recovering from cancer, would you do it? Chances are even slimmer that the human race is causing and could, therefore, help cure a problem like Global Warming.

Even if the USA causes 25% of the 5% of emissions caused by human activity worldwide, that is only 1.25% of worldwide carbon emissions. Yes, 1.25%! And for that, the "greens" would have the middle class taxed to ruination and destroy our way of life. So far, our current economic slump has helped our Congress resist the Green Agenda, but, we need to be wise and diligent because the battle isn't over.

Please do an internet search on the Green Agenda if you haven't already. Al Gore and his ilk are behind all of this-- for financial and political reasons.

The Global Warming email leaks revealed how scientists were manipulating and falsifying data to support their global warming theory. If you get into the details, some scientists claim that the CO2 levels are increasing and causing global warming. While other scientists insist that temperature fluctuations are cyclical and there is no sustained pattern of warming. Some scientists believe solar flares are more likely causing the problem -- if there is one.  And since the sun warms the earth, that makes sense!

I have read much and listened to scientific lectures on the subject and there is no true consensus among scientists about climate change.

I think the big difference between greens politicos and conservatives on Global Warming boils down to religious beliefs. Environmentalists are more likely to believe in evolution and less likely to believe in a caring and engaged Creator God. For them, mankind is on his own, resources are limited and humans must fend for themselves in a cold, cruel world. Population growth is a serious threat. Fossil fuel use is dirty and dangerous. ETC.

On the other hand, Christian conservatives believe in a Loving Father, God, Who created the earth to be filled with His people. He created the earth with abundant and renewable resources such as water, plants and animals for the sustenance of all His creatures. He also created the earth with the capacity to produce fossil fuels to enhance our lives. And, He sustains the earth by "the Word of His power" as we gratefully and wisely make use of His provisions!

The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV 1984)

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Collosians 1:17

I'm sure it sounds simplistic to the worldly wise, but all of the world's dire problems could and would be solved if the majority of mankind would turn from their sinful, unbelieving ways and would put their trust in God. He cares for us!

The climate is under His control!

 Is your heart?

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

World Systems Fail: Put Your Hope In GOD!

Did you hear President Obama’s “Teddy Roosevelt” speech given in Kansas? He tried to gain credibility for his extreme, progressive policies by noting that a progressive Republican president’s policies were similar to his own. He disarmingly smirked as he admitted that Roosevelt was called a socialist for those policies! That was before political correctness had such a chilling affect on speaking truth. But, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…

He has the audacity to claim that he has Kansas values (deep roots in Kansas)! You think they are as deep as his roots in Kenya, or Indonesia, or perhaps Hawaii? He said he got his name from his dad and his values from his mom. Have you checked into what those values might be? His mother was a world traveling ”free thinker” whose political and religious values were outside mainstream America. His values; therefore, are not the Heartland USA values found in Kansas.

Obama, following his mother’s lead, is a socialist. He believes the government should solve all problems. He believes the promise of “cradle to grave” security (even though it is unattainable) can seduce Americans into voting for him and forfeiting their basic freedoms. He believes in using legislation and Executive Orders to redistribute wealth, which allows the government to take the hard earned wealth of some citizens and give it to others at home and abroad (mostly to Islamic nations).

As a socialist, he believes in using class warfare to promote his causes. Even though as a candidate he told us he would bring America together, he has been the most divisive president of my lifetime. For example, he encouraged racial tensions by allowing Black Panthers to intimidate white voters at the polls and his administration refused to prosecute them. He encouraged racial tensions by falsely accusing the police of mishandling a case involving a black professor trying to break into his own home. He also encouraged resentment from and toward Hispanics when he accused the State of Arizona of racial profiling for attempting to enforce Federal Immigration Laws. He has recently been encouraging class warfare by blaming those wicked wealthy people (capitalists!) for the 2008 economic downturn (which was actually caused by socialistic government interference with banks and mortgage companies). He encourages class warfare by repeatedly saying, “The rich should pay their fair share!” And, he has encouraged class warfare by supporting Occupy Wall Street!

Obama’s progressive/socialist policies are destroying our economy and robbing us of our freedoms. How many regulations can we bear and have any freedom left? The government is broke. Obama has helped take this nation to the brink of bankruptcy by: creating new government agencies, hiring more government employees, and by pushing a new, uber-expensive socialist program known generally known as Obama Care. (He can’t blame that one on Bush!)

The government’s bills are being paid with money borrowed in the name of taxpayers, and we know, ”The borrower is servant to the lender.”

In the name of recovery, he has spent us into a bottomless pit of debt without bringing new jobs into our economy. He spent a lot of the so-called stimulus money in foreign countries! He used large amounts of money to pay off unions and others who helped elect him. (That includes the money he spent on financially unsustainable and environmentally dirty “green” projects like electric cars which only benefited a handful of people and will never help the overall economy. Not to mention Solyndra!)

He has used the EPA, Executive Orders, and “proposed” regulations like Cap and Trade to block countless American jobs and prosperity for our economy. By limiting drilling for oil; formulating regulations to halt investment in new, cleaner coal based utility companies; discouraging Nuclear Power plants; and also by blocking the Canadian pipeline: he has deliberately hurt our economy!

None of these “green” measures are based on true concern for the world’s environment because he supports drilling for oil in Brazil and continuing to buy oil from the Middle East which drills for it! He supports Nuclear Power in other nations. And, he supports exporting our coal to China where it is burned and affects the atmosphere as much as it would if we burned it here. His policies are not green, they are socialistic! And, they are hurting our country.

On his fourth day in office he used an executive order to fund abortions around the world with US taxpayers money–which most Americans oppose. Combine this executive order with his Senate voting record of support for partial birth abortion, and his three votes to force medical workers to allow aborted babies accidentally born alive to die without medical care, and Obama Care, which forces taxpayers to pay for abortions; and he is the most pro-baby-killing president we’ve ever had.

He has sued Arizona and other states for trying to enforce Federal laws within their states that he refuses to enforce.

He released the 10 Russian spies arrested by the FBI in June of 2010 before they could even be debriefed to reveal their objectives and their contacts in our government. Why would he throw away the results of a successful ten year undercover investigation of Russian spies? Would they have revealed the anti-American activities of socialists and communists in his administration?

He undermined the USA and NATO security by agreeing to a treaty with Russia which cancelled our missile defense system and limited our potential for maintaining our arsenals. He has also spent us into so much debt we’ll have trouble maintaining our conventional defense over time.

He refuses to use the words terrorist, Islamic Radical, and War on Terror, even when Muslims try to blow up US targets and kill people within our borders or around the world.

He openly embraces Islam although Islam openly hates America! (They call us the Great Satan.) He bowed to the King of the Islamic nation of Saudi Arabia, a nation so exclusive and supremacist that no churches may be built within its borders, no Jews may visit the country, and non-Muslims are prohibited from visiting its sacred cities! Islam is a political/religious system seeking to dominate the world. Not something freedom lovers can embrace.

He also endangers America by wasting money having the TSA harass patriotic citizens in airports while allowing Muslims to serve in sensitive Homeland Security positions and welcoming unvetted Islamist refugees into our country! (No practicing Islamist should be in a USA security position! Duh.)

Americans cannot support Obama if they truly believe in our Constitutional Republic. I urge you to keep his past record before you. Please don’t allow yourself to be fooled by any centrist appearing policies he may pragmatically proffer. Remember, he has no problem making promises he won’t keep!

In the Kansas speech he once again pitched the idea that he and those “compassionate” Democrats just want us all to work together (collectivism) to equalize (lower) everyone’s standard of living; whereas those hard-hearted Republicans think everyone should be left to make it (prosper) on their own (individualism) and play by their own rules (have freedom under the rule of law).

He believes capitalism (the way of freedom and individualism) has been tried and failed! So, what’s left? Socialism!

If socialism is so great and capitalism is such a failure, how did America become such a wealthy nation with such a huge middle class? Try naming a wealthy socialist nation with a huge middle class! You can't.

Well, the election is over now and we are facing another 4 years of devastating social and economic  policies under this anti-American president. We have an Executive branch which undermines the rule of law (TSA, NSA, IRS, Benghazi, etc.) while it spies on law abiding American citizens, a Supreme Court which refuses to uphold the constitution, and a Congress which ignores the clear wishes of the American people on taxes, healthcare, immigration, energy policy, etc.

I am proud of all the patriot warriors trying to preserve our freedoms. I am thankful for the Tea Party Groups around the country and every other conservative organization still fighting the fight for right! I applaud them but I know our only hope is in God so I'll close with His Word which is far more important than anything we have to say.  

 In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;  guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 

Remember, O LORD (Yahweh) , your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Psalm 25:2-3-6

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13   

Broad Way to Destruction

Highway to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. 
Google Images

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

I've seen this picture of the highway to Mecca used to illustrate that Arabs practice apartheid and it clearly proclaims that message, but the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this picture was the words of Jesus about the broad way to destruction. As you can see, there is a broad way of four lanes for Muslims to get to Mecca and there is a narrow way, a one lane exit, for non-Muslims to avoid that mistake.

As the Bible says, "There is a way that seems right to a man (in this case a Muslim) but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

Mecca is the home of Islam's Kaaba which houses the ancient black stone. It is the number one religious site for those who worship Allah so all Muslim's must, if humanly possible, make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

Non-Muslims, who are classified by Muslims as unclean infidels (unbelievers) are not allowed to go to Mecca. (That's one rule most non-Muslims gladly obey!)

However, this rule reveals a major difference between Christianity and Islam. Christians welcome unbelievers into their assemblies so they can share truth with them and let them decide how they will respond to it. But, Muslims forbid unbelievers entrance into their activities unless they first confess, "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet." (Like Nancy Pelosi saying the congressmen must sign the health care bill before they could read it, that's exactly backwards!)

Only after one confesses belief in Allah can one enter the city of Mecca to see the Kaaba where Muslim pilgrims circle the interior courts of the building seven times saying rote prayers and kiss the ancient black stone before heading out to Mt Arafat to throw stones at a symbolic Satan so they can fulfill the 5th Pillar of Islam and become known as a Hajji (one who has made the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Since Islam is the anti-Christ religion, the laws of Islam are opposite the laws of the true God. 

Under the true God, Who is a God of love and freedom, everyone is free to make their own choice. Anyone can take the broad way to destruction if they choose to. They can reject the very existence of God and the need for a personal Savior, or they can follow the teachings of numerous religions like Islam which require the futile and deceptive practice of "works" to earn one's own salvation.

Then, of course, one is also free to respond to the drawing of God's Spirit and choose the narrow gate to life through Jesus Christ, Who provides salvation for all who put their trust in Him alone.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.

He will come in and go out, and find pasture." John 10:9

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; John 11:25

Do you believe the testimony and promises of Jesus? 

 You are free to believe or reject His message. But your choice has consequences.

Please choose eternal life!
 
Don't take the broad way to destruction.

Giving Thanks For The Gift of Faith!

Nothing in life is as important as one’s faith.

The Bible says “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8

The Bible says, “Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.” Romans 10:17

I believe knowledge of the Bible, God’s written Word, is extremely important for building one’s faith, but I also realize that Jesus is The Word of God Who became flesh and He is able to speak a Word into the heart which inspires or creates faith. (God’s spoken word will always line up with His written Word.)

He has spoken significant Words into my heart many times. Both His written Word and His spoken Words have drawn me in faith to the “salvation by faith in the blood of Jesus” wherein I stand.

In the following passage the Bible encourages those who have received Christ Jesus the Lord to live their lives “established in the faith… abounding in thanksgiving.” What better season to be reminded of this passage?

Colossians 2: 6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

First of all, one must receive Christ Jesus the Lord to be saved. Accepting a Jesus who is merely a human prophet who did good works will not lead you to salvation. Only Bible truth can set you free from the bondage of sin and give you faith, by the grace of God, to be born again into the kingdom of God.

Faith is available to you! God’s grace will create faith in your heart if you choose to believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth died for your sins. Jesus is, as He said He is, “The Way, The Truth and The Life.” (John 14:6) Jesus said that no one can come into relationship with His Father except through relationship with Him. They are ONE. Jesus is the Door to reach God the Father. There is One Faith, One God, One Spirit, One Body of Believers in Jesus.

If you don’t have peace with God, please turn to Him now. Jesus is as close as the mention of His name. “Those who call upon the name of the LORD will be saved,” Acts 2:21

To be rooted, built up and established in the faith, one must know the Word of God. I urge all of you who have access to the Holy Bible to spend time getting to know it. We are living in perilous times. Those without roots and foundations will not find themselves established enough in the faith to spiritually survive the last days of the era we are living in.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Many deceivers are abroad in the land today. They have believed a lie and they are peddling those lies to others. Don’t allow manmade ideas to deceive you. The traditions of men are temporal not eternal. Ideas not based in the wisdom of Jesus Christ are empty and devoid of life. Worldly principles may sound good but they will lead to death. You must guard your heart and mind to save your eternal life in Christ!

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

There is a common misconception being spread around about Jesus which I have already alluded to. Liberal theologians and Muslims alike, deny the deity of Jesus Christ. They are willing to admit He is a historical figure. They will agree that He was a good man, and a good teacher, and possibly a prophet, and maybe even a worker of miracles. But their support ends there.

They will not confess Him as God. Some deny His virgin birth. Some deny His sinless life. Some deny His death on the cross as a propitiation for sin. I believe all of those who deny His deity also deny His resurrection followed by an ascension, but I dare not refer to all liberal theologians as if all are peas in a pod.

Note: Muslims believe in the virgin birth and perhaps the sinless life of a man called Isa, son of Maryam, mentioned in the Qur’an. They refer to him as if he is the same Jesus we believe in, but they deny he was crucified for sin and that he was resurrected from the dead. They believe Allah took him to heaven in his mortal body and that he will soon return in his mortal body as an assistant to their 12th Imam (The one we know as the Anti-Christ.) The Muslim Jesus will tear down all crosses, slaughter pigs and force everyone to convert to Islam or forfeit their lives. As verse eight says, BEWARE!

Now, back to our scripture.   For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

This verse  clearly procliams that Jesus is God. Let me restate it for further clarity.

All the attributes of the Godhead dwell completely in the physical body and personality of Jesus! He is Unique! No one else possesses all the characteristics and abilities of God in a physical body. This means He alone is able to reveal the invisible God to mankind, which is why He told His disciples, "If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father also." The Son bears the image of His Father in heaven. They are ONE.

We are the limited ones, not Jesus. We lack the capacity to relate to Who God is in Himself! We could search for Him through all eternity and never find Him if He did not choose to reveal Himself to us because God is a Spirit. He Exists in Himself without a physical body!

He came as Jesus, in the flesh, to be with us! That is the meaning of His name Emmanuel! God with us! What grace! What love!

To finish up with this passage let’s look at verse 10a.  "and you are complete in Him,"

Just as the Godhead indwells the physical body of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ dwells in His people!

Just as Jesus, in the flesh, could only reveal a small portion of the Fullness of the Godhead to such limited creatures as we presently are; we can only realize a small portion of the completed perfection which will be revealed in us when we receive our immortal bodies. We are mere seeds in the womb of our experience, as it were, not yet fully formed eternal children of God.

However, this passage says we are complete in Him. Though our bodies and our actions are not perfected in this life, our salvation has been bought and fully paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. We are complete, finished, matured, born again members of the body of Christ once we have truly placed our faith in Him.

I am truly thankful for this saving faith!

To finish up with this passage let’s look at verse 10b.  "who is the head of all principality and power."

Jesus, the Son of God, in Whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells in physical form, is the Final Authority over all created authorities in the universe apart from and subject to the One and Only Creator Godhead Who eternally exists in Three Persons; namely, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

If you are complete in Jesus Christ, you are complete. There is no other authority that can stand against you. As Paul said, “If God is for us, who can stand against us?” Romans 8:31

No other religious faith is equal to the Christian faith because no other Faith embraces Jesus Christ as the only God and Savior Who loves us and gave Himself for us.

So, during this Thanksgiving season, I’m Giving Thanks For The Gift of Faith.

Dr. David Livingstone's Character



Stanley found Livingstone on 10 November 1871, in Ujiji near Lake Tanganyika in present-day Tanzania, and may have greeted him with the now-famous, "Doctor Livingstone, I presume?"  wikipedia

I recently had the pleasure of reading The Final Journals of David Livingstone by Dr. Livingstone and The Personal Life of David Livingstone by W. Garden Blaikie, D.D., LLD. Then, because of the controversy about whether Dr. Livingstone gave an accurate account of a massacre he witnessed, I decided to get another perspective on his character by reading  Henry Morton Stanley's: How I Found Livingstone In Central Africa.
                                       
Before I get into what Mr. Stanley reported about Dr. Livingstone's character, let me share with you some background information on how and why they met.

Dr. Livingstone first went to Africa as a missionary in 1840. During his years there his interests expanded far beyond the spreading of the gospel. He sought a cure for the African fever, known today as malaria, which sickened and often killed humans and domestic animals. He studied the plant and animal life, as well as, the lay of the land and its productivity.

He also named Victoria Falls and Lake Lincoln. (Dr. Livingstone honored President Lincoln for ending slavery in the United States because Dr. Livingstone longed to see the end of slavery throughout the world during his lifetime.)

Dr. Livingstone kept detailed journals covering diverse subjects. He wrote about medical treatments he found effective. He mapped his travels using astronomical instruments. His journals were a log of his many discoveries. They are filled with fascinating descriptions and drawings of previously unknown types of insects, fish and animals. His many maps helped the Victorian cartographers produce more accurate travel guides for Central Africa- especially noting the positions of many lakes and rivers. He also shared the names, customs, characteristics, languages and locations of many previously unknown tribes which eventually helped other missionaries in their endeavors to share the gospel with them.

His final mission in Africa was to discover and document the source of the Nile River. He spent many years in that endeavor and was lost to the outside world for much of that time. After a lengthy silence, Mr. Stanley, a journalist and explorer, was sent to Africa as a correspondent of the New York Herald newspaper to find Dr. David Livingstone- dead or alive- so the world might learn more of his work and know his fate.

Mr. Stanley had never met Dr. Livingstone. He had heard many things about him and actually feared that Livingstone might not want to be found. But, nothing was farther from the truth. Dr. Livingstone had suffered many setbacks, both physically and financially, and was in need of a Good Samaritan at the very time that Stanley found him. Looking back on all the problems and delays he had suffered in getting there, even Stanley believed that their meeting was indeed providential.

Mr. Stanley was on assignment. He was paid to find Dr. Livingstone and to report on his health and whereabouts. He was not required to like him. But, his comments about Dr. Livingstone reveal that he came to think very highly of him during their four months together: from November 10th, 1871 thru March 14th, 1872. (Dr. Livingstone had but 13 months to live when Mr. Stanley took leave of him in Africa.) 

Although Mr. Stanley did not profess to be a Christian, he knew one when he saw one. I'm sharing a few quotes from Mr. Stanley's book to add another perspective to the current charges against Dr. David Livingstone. Coming from the pen of one who actually knew him, I think they should be given more weight than baseless suppositions by suspicious, and possibly jaded,contemporary researchers.

Speaking of Dr. Livingstone's travels and experiences, Mr. Stanley said:

 "His lips gave me the details; lips that never lie."

"I defy anyone to be in his society long without thoroughly fathoming him, for in him there is no guile, and what is apparent on the surface is the thing that is in him."

"Livingstone was a character that I venerated, that called forth all my enthusiasm, that evoked nothing but sincerest admiration."

"I grant he is not an angel, but he approaches to that being as near as the nature of a living man will allow."

"In him, religion exhibits its loveliest features; it governs his conduct... towards his servants, ... natives, ... Mohammedans, and all who come in contact with him."

"Religion has... made him a Christian gentleman... a man whose society is pleasurable."

"His gentleness never forsakes him; his hopefulness never deserts him. No harassing anxieties, distraction of mind, long separation from home and kindred, can make him complain... he has such a faith in the goodness of Providence."

"An extreme love of truth is one of his strongest characteristics..."

"... he has, through his uniform kindness and mild, pleasant temper, won all hearts. I observed that universal respect paid to him (by all classes of the natives and the Mohammedans alike)."  

To repeat:

"An extreme love of the truth is one of his strongest characteristics..."

This is not a characteristic that one suddenly abandons after years of habit without a total collapse of the character. Mr. Stanley even recalls Mr. Livingstone sharing the cherished stories of his family history regarding honesty.

Therefore, based on David Livingstone's life and testimonials on his character, I reject the recent claims made by researchers that he lied about the Manyeuma massacre.  

If you like history or just good adventure stories, I recommend you read Mr. Stanley's book, How I Found Livingstone in Central Africa.

Hope you enjoyed this blog.

God Will Destroy Nations That Come Against Jerusalem

This blog is a combination of several comments I made on another blog about the negative observations made about Netanyahu by French leader, Nicolas Sarkozy, and President Obama. The author of the blog I read approved of the remarks made about Netanyahu.

He said the leaders of the world are "sick of Israel" and he called Israel "evil" and a "scumbag." He accuses Israel: of abusing Muslim and Christian citizens, of stealing land, of building a wall to block humanitarian aid from the Gaza strip and to cut off their water supply, and of dishonorably attacking the activists who were trying to break a blockade of Gaza. He further accuses Israel of cruelty, brutality, injustice, murder, and Nazi behavior (genocide).

I find myself unable to remain silent when faced with blatantly false and defamatory statements. I am sharing my lightly edited responses in the remainder of this blog. Some of my comments have been stated before but truth must be often restated when lies abound.

The accusations being made against Israel are totally false.

If Israel is as bad as is mentioned, there would be no need for a wall in Israel because no Muslim Arabs would even survive there. The truth is that Israel welcomes people of all faiths. Only Islamic countries regularly ban, persecute, and slaughter people of other faiths.

If you haven’t read my article on Israel’s Forever Land, I encourage you to read it.

Israel does not block humanitarian aid to the “Palestinians.” She spends millions helping support them — as we in the USA do. But, there is no appreciation from Muslims, only more attacks. Israel allows humanitarian aid from other countries to go to the Arabs in Gaza. She only tries to keep out additional weapons of destruction for use against Israeli citizens. Any rational country would do that.

The attacks on Netanyahu are shameful. What did he lie about? Sarkozy and Obama should both be ashamed of such juvenile conversation. As world leaders, they are the ones who look bad for talking about Netanyahu behind his back.

“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil...” Exodus 23:2

No matter how many nations or their leaders turn against Israel, they are wrong and will not bring her down because she is under God’s protection.

The most powerful Muslim nations surrounding her tried to destroy her in 1948, 1967 and 1973. They failed! Why? Because she is under God’s protection.

Many nations will come against her again in the not too distant future and will bring destruction on themselves. The Bible predicts this situation and the Bible’s predictions never fail!

I am not against Muslim people, or even against the Arabs trying to steal Israel's land. I truly desire their salvation, but it will not happen if they persist in persecuting Israel.

As this debate rages, there are no facts which will convince eyes which refuse to see or ears which refuse to hear. Truth seekers find truth. Truth avoiders surrender themselves to a strong delusion.

The Turkish-led attempt to break through Israel’s blockade was not to deliver humanitarian aid. It was to make Israel look bad in the eyes of the world. And, because of one-sided reporting by the media, it seems they have been successful in painting Israel in a bad light.

Israel offered to assist the liberal activists (blockade runners) in delivering any humanitarian aid they had brought with them. They only boarded the ship to inspect for possible weapons. The Israelis who boarded the ship were brutally attacked with knives and pipes by the prepared activists -- and then blamed for the outcome!

Note:   "U.N. investigation concluded that Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, and thus its intervention to stop a Turkish-led flotilla last year, was legal."  Washingston Post Sep 12, 2011 Entitled: Once Again, Israel Is Scapegoated.

Israel is the Jewel of the Middle East. No other country offers the freedoms she guarantees her population of Jews, Muslims, Christians, etc. Over a million Arabs live peacefully within her borders and have all the rights of citizenship. No Muslim country offers such benefits to non-Muslims.

It's true God cares for the oppressed and God condemns all forms of unrighteous behavior whether one is rich or poor. We do not always see clearly; but, in the end, Jesus will make all things right.

At present, however, the wicked often prosper. God does not bribe people to serve Him by always providing immediate benefits. And, God uses wicked nations to “discipline” His people. This is clearly revealed in the writings of the Old Testament prophets. The prophets lamented when God used nations more wicked than Israel to discipline her. It was hard for them to understand. But, God assured them the wicked nations would not prosper forever and would be punished in due time. And they have been, and will be.

Only a self-deluded world can see Israel as a wicked nation.The entire Middle East doesn’t automatically belong to Muslim Arabs. When the Ottoman Empire collapsed the land was divided and almost all of it was given to the Arab nations. Only a small part of the Jews original land was returned to the Jews and, even at that, they didn’t get it all for free. If anyone had a claim at all and wanted to sell it, the Jews bought the land from them. Otherwise, those living on the land stayed. Arabs were never forced out. No land was stolen from Arabs (falsely calling themselves Palestinians).

The area was a desert wasteland. The Jews who returned labored hard to restore it to a productive condition and, finally, they became a modern nation. The Arabs who lived among them were not asked to leave and many stayed– even when Israel was attacked by her Muslim neighbors in 1948 and 1967. Only about 350,000 Arabs fled the country during the war. It was their choice. And now, when most of the self-made refugees are dead, the Arab world claims that 5 million Arabs should have a Right of Return! Never in the history of the world has such an outrageous claim been made on behalf of refugees.

At least twice as many Jews were forced out of Arab nations in 1948. They fled to Israel and were accepted there. The Arabs who left Israel could have settled in Jordan, which is a “Palestinian” state, or in other Arab nations which are much larger than Israel. The Arab world created the refugee problem just to punish Israel and make her look bad. I am sorry for the problems faced by the “refugees” but they should have been absorbed by the Arab nations long ago. Even King Hussein of Jordan said that was true.

The Jews need a homeland. God gave the land of Israel to them. Trying to make them into the bad guy when all they are trying to do is survive in their own land is injustice on a very large scale. Again, over a million Arabs live peacefully in Israel. If she is so wicked, that would not be the case.

The Bible foretold that God would bring the Jews back to their homeland and He did. The Bible says it is theirs forever and they will never be forced out of it again. God will defend them! The Bible is God's Word and God does not lie. So, those who are trying to destroy Israel cannot win.

See Zechariah 12: 6-9

"In that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again dwell on their own sites in Jerusalem.  The LORD (YEHOVAH) also will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem will not be magnified above Judah.  In that day the LORD (YEHOVAH) will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD (YEHOVAH) before them. And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."

If you doubt God's Word, I pray you will open your mind and ask God to give you an understanding of the truth. 

Sensational Headline Slanders Dr. Livingstone

David Livingstone by Frederick Havill.jpg

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

      Dr. David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) was a Scottish medical missionary with the London Missionary Society and an explorer in Africa. (wickipedia)

I just finished reading Dr. David Livingstone's Final Journals. I was doing some research to learn more about his life when I came across an article in the UK based newspaper, The Telegraph. 

I was surprised to see the headline below:

Dr Livingstone 'lied in famous account of slave market massacre'



The headline was taken from the following statement from the article, which was bad enough, but look at the cheap twist accomplished by leaving out "may have." This is shoddy journalism against someone who cannot defend himself. 

"Dr David Livingstone may have lied about his famous account of a slave market massacre, a new study into a faded 140-year-old diary has suggested."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2056528/David-Livingstone-Discrepancies-explorers-account-Zanzibar-slave-massacre.html#ixzz1d4HeE2YZ

Project Director, Adrian Wisnicki of Indiana University of Pennsylvania said Livingstone's party may have been involved in the massacre. He admitted that it's just a theory and not thoroughly researched; neverthless, he proceeded to make unsubstantiated negative suppositions about Dr. Livingstone's character. 

I find this accusation disturbing. Dr. David Livingston was a follower of Jesus Christ. He came from a Christian family with a history of honesty for many generations. In The Personal Life of David Livingstone by William G. Blaikie, the author says, "the only tradition he himself felt proud of was that of the old man (his grandfather) who had never heard of any person in the family guilty of dishonesty, and who charged his children never to introduce the vice." 

Based on his sterling reputation as a Christian and the many observations he made in his journals concerning the grief he endured because of the dishonest and unethical behavior he encountered in his travels, I believe he was an honest man who would have recorded events accurately or not at all.

In addition to what's known about his character, it is also known that he personally denied that his men were involved in the massacre. So, it's not just a matter of comparing various written accounts or trying to discern if an innocent bystander could be as morally outraged and as emotionally devastated as Dr. Livingstone was by the horrific event, it's a matter of accepting or rejecting who he was and all he stood for!

Noting another inaccuracy, let me say, it wasn't even "a slave market massacre." See the complete article at the link below.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8863964/Dr-Livingstone-lied-in-famous-account-of-slave-market-massacre.html

I believe this article is very misleading. As I said, the massacre was not at a slave market. It was a village market in Nyangwe, in the Congo, where 1500-2000 Africans (mostly women) met to sell their wares.

Dr. Livingstone said he saw the Arab slavers enter the market with their guns. Shortly thereafter, he heard shots and saw the Arabs attacking the people. They were so terrified by the guns that they ran in a panic to the river, hoping to escape in their canoes. The panic and confusion increased as they fled from more Arabs who were firing on those in the water. Several canoes were overloaded and sank from trying to save those in the water. The river was crowded and Dr. Livingstone said he thought more natives drowned in the deep, rushing water than died from gunshot wounds. The scene horrified Livingstone. His inability to save the natives caused him deep remorse.

Someone read into the story that he "may have" felt guilty because some of his hired ex-slaves "may have" been involved. I saw no indication in any of his journals that his men were involved.

It was not his practice to arm his workers. He only carried guns to hunt for game for their meals. If any of his party had acquired guns, without his permission, he would not have allowed them to carry them into the market. And, it is highly unlikely they would have risked their salary by openly defying his authority.

He related in his journal that he was deeply disturbed by the slaughter and by finding himself among Muslims who engaged in such demonic behavior. He was ashamed to face the natives who survived the massacre and came to him for help. He wanted to get as far away from those Muslims as he could and still complete his geographical research.

I consider the following statement to be slander.

"Livingstone would never have published this private diary in his own lifetime. In particular his attitude to the liberated slaves in his entourage is one of disgust - an attitude greatly at odds with his public persona as a dedicated abolitionist."

His abolitionist attitudes are clearly expressed throughout his journals. In thoughts, prayers and actions, he detested slavery and longed for the day when it would be totally abolished.

His attitude toward the liberated slaves had nothing to do with their status as free men. It had to do with the disgusting behavior they had learned from the slavers and their time in slavery. Their association with their captors and captivity had ruined their characters.

The Slave Gang (relates to Livingstone) by The London Missionary Society

This article appears to be trying to rewrite history by slandering a Christian explorer who found himself in a very difficult position trying to do his work in areas overrun with Portuguese and Arab slave traders. And, by making Livingstone look bad, they apparently hope to call his reports concerning slave traders in Africa into question, possibly whitewashing such activities from history.

You may notice there is no condemnation of the Muslim slavers who carried out the massacre of the Manyema people The only criticism in the article falls on Dr. David Livingstone who witnessed the massacre, brought it to the attention of the world, and thereby helped close the Zanzibar Slave Market.

Researchers often see what they are looking for. Before you let sensational and inaccurate headlines affect your opinion of this famous and revered explorer, who literally laid down his life to open the heart of Africa to the Gospel, I hope you will read his journals for yourself!  If you are interested in the day of the massacre, I've included the link below.

http://livingstone.library.ucla.edu/1871diary/letter_massacre.htm

Prayer That Gets Results

 Icon of James
called James the Just, James the Righteous and James the brother of God
wikipedia image

The Apostle James was a very practical teacher. The book of James, which he wrote, is filled with down to earth instructions for Christian living.

He covers dealing with trials and temptations. 

He gives instructions for proper listening and speaking and controlling anger.

He forbids favoritism and promotes loving one's neighbor, extending mercy, showing one's faith through good deeds, controlling the tongue, displaying humility, walking in godly wisdom, being a peacemaker, and living in submission to God.

He warns against boasting and oppressing the weak and the poor.

He also encourages patience through hard times and the absolute avoidance of swearing.

And finally, in chapter 5, using the prophet Elijah as his example, he teaches on prayer, which is my focus in this blog.  

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:16b-18

Aspects of Prevailing Prayer

1.  Prevailing Prayer is Fervent. It is an energetic (working, active, powerful) exercise. It requires sincere concern for the accomplishment of God's will.

    ... he prayed earnestly (pleaded)

2.  Prevailing Prayer requires a Righteous Person. The one praying must be one whose thoughts, feelings and actions are wholly conformed to the will of God.  A righteous man is righteous because he has confessed his sins, been forgiven, and lives by faith in God. When he prays, he prays according to the knowledge of God’s will gained from His written Word and through revelations from His Spirit.

I realize that some Christians believe praying according to God's will is a cop out. They think it leaves one free to excuse unanswered prayers as "not God's will." Well, it does open that door because God usually only answers prayers if they are prayed in agreement with His will.

3.  Prevailing Prayer Avails. It always produces extraordinary results which are only possible as a result of the intervention of God. Why? Because prayer made according to God’s will always accomplishes God’s plans.

      ...it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.        And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

In this story from the Book of Kings, God sent a three year drought as a punishment for their wickedness and God was ready to let it rain again at the end of the three years.

He led Elijah to pray for rain so that the unbelievers would see Elijah's relationship with God was genuine and that God was the giver of the rain. (And, also as a confirmation for believers that the rain was from God.)

God was demonstrating His power through His prophet. He delights in working through His people and in revealing His benevolent nature to mankind.         

For more details, read the entire story found in 1 Kings chapters 17 and 18.

According to James, effective prayer always flows out of a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit Who reveals and then fulfills God’s will in this world in general and in our lives in particular.

Julian of Norwich claimed she received this same principle from the Lord, "I am the ground of your beseeching: first it is my will that you have it, and then I make you desire it, and after I make you beseech it; how should it then be that you should not have your beseeching?"

What an encouraging word!

If we want answered prayers we should always seek to pray according to His will.

After all, He knows best!