American – Harbor Lights Ministries

Horseshoes And Hand Grenades

Do we face consequences for our actions? Are punishments given to fit crimes? Does God, Himself, issue forth punishments today? Let’s face it, we can look at the statistics of crime today and see that in most cases the criminals are not getting “what they deserve” anymore. And when it comes to God above handing out punishment, if you listen to the modern Sunday churchianity crowds you would think that grace and mercy are so prevalent since the “new testament” times that everyone is being fast tracked to heaven! But, is this Biblically true? Well…no. It is not.

In a world solely driven by opinions, feelings, perspectives, and personal ideologies, one doesn’t have to look far beyond their day to day encounters with people to be bombarded with a myriad of differences in thought and view. In other words; what’s right to you is not necessarily right to me anymore, and it doesn’t have to be…as long as you agree me in the end…regardless of your views. We hear the phrases “that’s your opinion” or “well, I have a different perspective on that” or “you do you and I’ll do me.” It is becoming harder and harder to get people to all agree on any one topic at any time anymore! Whether or not you and your neighbor see eye to eye on a variety of topics should be irrelevant as to how you get along with each other. Grown adults should have the capacity to appreciate and respect differing opinions without throwing tantrums or inciting violence at those who seemingly “disagree” with you. I mean, small matters that were once never a dividing line between people have now grown to be the most contentious in today’s human behavior. This goes beyond governmental differences around the world these days. This has become neighbor against neighbor, culture against culture, and even dividing once close families!

When it comes to “religion” these days, we find that most outfits can have their differences without a major fear of violence being inflicted upon people who disagree. Of course, with anything, there are always an exception or two of groups that take their ideologies to extremes against those who don’t want to participate in their way of life. The term “proselytize” means to induce someone to convert to one’s faith; to recruit someone to join one’s party, institution, or cause. All religions practice some sort of proselytizing. What sets each of these groups apart is how they go about it. Some religions are very low-key and discreet about sharing their faith with those outside their circles. While others are very forward, even demanding, and push their beliefs with ultimatums attached. I think we can distinguish a who’s who when we look around and pay a little attention. But, I’m not here to criticize or condemn. In actuality, I find that those who do live a particular religious lifestyle and proselytize others are often the ones most guilty of violating their own deity’s rules and guidelines!

I think the term I am looking for here is “hypocrisy”! When a particular set of instructions tell you to do A, B, and C, for example…and yet you ignore B, sometimes practice C, and feel that A doesn’t apply anymore to today’s culture, you have essentially told the author of the instructions that “you know a better way” or that His rules need a re-write, or something. To skip, re-define, alter, or ignore altogether, and yet tell others to “follow the instructions” is what is termed hypocritical. Not only do I see this prevalent in today’s social and governmental practices, but it permeates every fiber of religious institutions that claim themselves to be in the “right.” When it comes to the Word of God contained within the pages of the Scriptures, the Bible, the world has long been teetering at the edge of destruction for its disregard of God’s Words. I don’t mean to say that everyone on the planet is either thumbing their nose at the Bible or that absolutely no one even believes in the Elohim of Scriptures. We know that there are a number of folks who do claim to believe in the Bible or the words within. But…are they practicing what they preach?

History lesson: the nation of Israel came into existence because Adonai instructed Abram to “cross-over” to a new land, that his offspring would spawn a new nation, and that nation would be instructed by God above through His words as to how they are to live and be “set apart”, Holy, so as to be a light, a beacon, to all the other nations of the planet and to point us all to the one true God…YHWH Adonai. Simple. Though this process has taken millennia, it is all within God’s plans. The people of Israel though, like you and I often when it comes to following laws and rules, didn’t always follow the “instructions” that were laid out for them. Many times they strayed, wandered, complained, altered, and even disregarded the rules, so to speak. And, like children who violate the rules, punishments were handed out from their Father above. God would use various nations surrounding the Israelites to wreck havoc on the people because of their grievous defiance to follow Adonai’s instructions. In God’s patience, he always allowed time for His children to repent of their ways and to correct their path, and yet, after a period of time, punishment would eventually be given out. The problem is timing. Many think that if they do something bad and don’t see a negative response to their actions right away that they “got away with it” and there is no consequence for their crime. The Israelites were often warned by the prophets or events to turn back to God and repent. But if nothing happened right away, most would just keep on doing what they were doing.

The United States as well as most of the countries of the western world have all claimed themselves to be “Godly” nations…formed under the banner of being Christian in foundation. And yet, like the nation of Israel throughout history, their walk does not match their talk. In other words, the claims of origin they say they hold true to are yet very different than their actions today. If we hold that the Scriptures are the Words of God, and believe that it is important to follow them…and yet walk a completely different walk in actuality…then we are hypocrites and lying to ourselves and God. Now…I know…there are many who will say “but no one is perfect and can follow everything in the Bible” to which I will agree. Many will even say that “we are under grace and are allowed to deviate and falter.” Again, to some degree, true. But in the same breath you cannot just pick and choose what to follow and what not to follow because grace abounds. His commands are not “let’s see how close you can get.” So many folks have this mentality that if you’re somewhat close and it appears that your trying, that it will all work out in the end anyway. But truly following God and His commands isn’t like horseshoes or hand grenades. Getting it “somewhere in the ballpark” is not obeying the Word of God. And, He doesn’t give prizes out to second place. Remember the words hot, cold, lukewarm?

If you look at chapters 40 through 48 of Ezekiel, you see something very intriguing about God’s words to the prophet regarding the coming millennial reign of Yeshua and the new temple. The author hears the words “and he measured” countless times when describing the dimensions of every wall, gate, doorway, room, and courtyard of the temple. He also spells out very specific details of the sacrifices and offerings and how the attendants are to conduct themselves. What this shows is that God doesn’t generalize. He is very specific and very detailed about what He expects! If God is going to spell out these things with such detail…His commands, instructions, His Torah to the people that He says are applicable and to be followed, not only in the time before, but also the time to come…than you would think that we all would want to make sure that we are following every word, jot, and tittle that He says! Now, I don’t purport to know exactly how and when the temple will be in the future, but for this writing the point is in the details that God above delivers to the people. He gives specifics that are obviously important enough to Him that He wants us to know! Which means that even in the future, before heaven and earth pass away, that “not a jot or tittle will pass from the law, till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:18) Thus…His Torah is still intact!

So, punishment? Well, we know from history and His Word that the children of Israel were often in turmoil and even run out of their land because of improprieties with following the commands (Torah). And as Israel continued their downward slide into disfavor with God by taking foreign idols, following and worshiping pagan ways, and incorporating additional customs and practices into the commands of God, so has the many “christian nations” around the world. They have not only defiled the Word of God by twisting, adding, and/or subtracting commands and instructions, but they have even added numerous pagan practices to their worship and created idols. All this is testing and provoking God to anger by our constant defying of His Words of instruction to the World through Israel. And now? Now we are starting to see the rise of other nations coming against not only Israel (more so now than ever), but we are seeing very anti-Jewish, anti-Christian, anti-Messiah groups rising up from outside and within the borders of the so-called free Christian-based nations.

As anti-semitism and violence erupt more and more from people who have invaded these western nations through immigration and border crossings, all with the sole intent of pushing their anti-Biblical agendas, we see how the hand of God is in play. After all, He puts leaders into power and He also removes leaders from power, all to enact His plans and will. He stirred the Babylonians and Assyrians over time to each take captive the people of Israel and Judah because of their flagrant disregard of Torah. Israel has never had rest from outside forces simply because they disobeyed. And now, centuries later, the goyim, the gentile nations, that have seemingly embraced the God of Israel, have also, like the Israelites, continued with their disregard of His commands and instructions. God didn’t write a variety pack of rules and regulations for various groups and cultures. Nor did He put in various clauses and contingencies that allowed these folks to ignore those portions and the other folks to abide by the first half of the rules, but not the second. Nor did He throw up His hands in defeat and start from scratch a new set of instructions for the people on earth because they didn’t obey the first set! If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever…if His Word stands forever…if it is written from Genesis to Revelation by a variety of inspired Godly men that we are to keep His commandments…then who are we to thumb our noses at God and do our own thing?

Just because God hasn’t immediately punished the many nations who claim themselves followers, and yet live life their way, doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to ever happen. We can say that we are in the end times, but that doesn’t mean that things get easier. In fact, our end times might be to the degree (or worse) than the Israelites suffered at the hands of other nations. We in the US of A might think that we are immune to many things, but one thing we are not is the hand of God punishing us for altering and changing and even disregarding His Word! You might run a stop sign 50 times and not get in trouble, but eventually you will have to face the consequences of your actions. God’s grace and mercy is beyond anything we deserve, and yet we continue to test Him which will only result in punishment. God is a jealous God who commands and demands that we follow His instructions, His Torah. Just doing some of it is akin to just following some of the traffic laws. All laws are to be followed, not just what you feel like. All commands have been given to all people of the earth, not some to this group and some to that group. ALL COMMANDS to ALL PEOPLE.

People say that Torah is not in the New Testament, that Christ did away with the law. Yet, how do you account for the fact that He, and His disciples, and Paul all kept the Torah completely…up to their deaths? If we are to emulate the Messiah, then shouldn’t we do as he asked us when He said…”if you love me, keep my commandments.” His commands were those of His father above. His words are from His Scriptures, the TANAHK, our Old Testament. Yeshua/Jesus would often begin His answers to questions with the phrase “It is written,” followed by quotes from His Scriptures. When you read through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John…Yeshua not only emphasizes the Torah teachings to answer questions about holy living, but also explains how the Word of God’s prophecies point to Himself as being the Messiah. At least 16 times he quotes out of the Psalms! Countless times He speaks from Deuteronomy. Multiple prophetic books are spoken from by Yeshua. So, the New Testament is essentially the Torah explained! Messiah points us back to the Old Testament because that is where the Words and instructions of His Father, God above, are written. Yeshua simply wanted to make sure that we stripped away the extra-biblical instructions and rules and interpretations that man had attached, and keeps attaching, to His Father’s words!

The times are drawing close and the end times are going to be turbulent and crazy. We need not fear the ever increasing hostility toward those who hold onto their faith. Like Yeshua, like the apostles, we will be persecuted for His name’s sake, but, we have a hope, as promised in His Word! And, to avoid the wrath to come, it is important now, more than ever, to make sure that we are holding fast to His complete Word! It is written “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.” Deuteronomy 7:9-11.

Don’t go by what everyone else is doing or saying. If you love Him, you will keep all HIS commandments.

Amen

Where I Am At…

I have been writing and speaking over the last several years about a myriad of topics, most of which revolves around faith and the problems I have encountered in my own journey. I will confess that I am far from knowledgable, or even wise, when it comes to faith in God above and the actual faith-walk that the so many people seemingly claim themselves to be on because they attend a Christian church and acknowledge the Holy Bible as the core source of their profession and belief. In fact, if you’ve been following my writings and podcasts, you will see that my own personal progression in learning and studying what this religion is all about has shifted from one belief system into another and subsequently, another. My journey has taken me from new age paganism, through old-school Lutheranism, into the world of reformed theology, and into the world of Messianic Judaism. Where to next? The question really is this: where do I actually stand in my beliefs?

Well, to begin with, I have tried to point out in the past that there are quite a variety of structures and methodologies within the framework of belief in the canonical book called the Holy Bible. Many call these divisions in belief practices “denominations.” And within each of those denominational groups lie a multitude of smaller groups that can even differentiate themselves one from another. For example, within the denomination of Baptist there are many splinter groups that, though they all call themselves “Baptists,” do tend to be quite different from each other. And each group seems very confident that their ideologies of how faith and worship and understanding of the God of the Bible are the only correct way. So many of their practices may differentiate (sometimes) quite drastically from the other splinter groups under that same title group. Now, you add to this the hundreds of other denominations that all profess belief in the Holy Bible and you can see how this extreme diversity can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing and cause people to just walk away from religion all together! I have been at that brink numerous times and can say with certainty that I don’t have the answer to the age old question: “Which one is the right one?”

I will state this though regarding my basics in belief: There is a supreme being, God, if you will, who is the creator and ruler of the universe. I say that with conviction and confidence because I cannot explain away how all things, including human beings, just came into a perfectly operating existence without the design and perfection of a being of greater power and intelligence. Primordial ooze or cosmic explosions just don’t put all things into a perfect balance of operation. I also contend that our planet could be no closer or further away from the sun without causing complete damage to the entire ecosystem, and that all the other stars and planets of the universe are definitely in a fixed and perfect placement. There is no easy explaining how all the human parts work in perfect symbiosis with each other part in order for our existence to sustain and continue. This life that we see and experience is no by-product of an accident or evolution. No. The universe is working and existing because of that supreme God. So…I do give full credit to the Bible in answering the most basic of human questions regarding the beginning of all things and how they came to be. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

With that being said though, the struggle I have most is with all of the other details. I’ve read that book several ways and at several times and have, over time, come to alter some of my understandings of various topics of study. Either because I’ve fallen under the spell of someone’s slanted interpretations and teachings and conclusions regarding what the book is telling us, or, I had read things with too much naivety and ignorance in mind and heart. Essentially I have had to wipe my slate clean from those influences…whether good or bad. But at the core, I have always stood on the belief that this book, comprising of 66 individual writings from approximately 40 authors over the course of approximately 1500 years, is divinely inspired by God above. And though I may have faltered at times to see clearly what He is trying to say in parts, I am also certain that many areas are very clear and concise (such as don’t murder or worship other “gods”). But as to the exact manner of how our deity worship and daily walk is supposed to be practiced…I don’t have the exact definitive answers. Since most of the believers in the Bible all agree in unison that the God of the book is the supreme being and creator of all things, how is it that there is so much contention and disagreement about many of the details? Or worse yet (for me anyway) is how can so many learned and intelligent people who have solely devoted their entire lives to the study of this one book all seem to walk away with such a wide range of understandings and interpretations and conclusions?

The only solace I can find in my struggles reading this Bible is that if the countless “experts” are having a difficult time grasping and concluding exactly what the authors of these writings are trying to convey to the people of earth, through the supposed very words they believe that God the creator of the universe gave them to share, well, then I really cannot beat myself up too much! Again, this is where so many people like myself struggle and where so many get to a point and just give up. They walk through life knowing that God exists, that His word is the Bible, and that He is calling us to live a good moral life. Yet, there are also many details given from above that call us to worship this God of the Bible and, yet, nothing but chaos and divisions abound.

No religion on the planet has created more controversy, division, outrage, chaos, and even violence, than has belief in the Biblical deity above. And, to an extension, this includes Islamic and Jewish believers, since this is the same deity they also claim. It seems that as much as God above has extended His words to the denizens of this planet in one form or another, so has the disputes and conflicts as to what He is saying, and to whom, been. God spoke, people listened, then argued with each other as to what He said. This has gone on for countless centuries and is still very active today! I will not side with one faction or another simply because I am standing on the outside, looking in, trying to get back to the original source without the sway or influences of man. It seems to me that, like so many other good things, humans have this great tendency to muddy the truth and stir in dissensions. I’m trying very hard to avoid that. I’m trying hard to just read what we have been given and base my conclusions on…the very words alone!

Thus…why I seem to be in a state of evolution (if I can use that word in a Biblical conversation). This is why my “walk” has seemingly shifted from one path to another. This is why I appear to have started at one point, turned around in the journey at times and have gone back to the very beginning to start again. This is why I seem antagonistic toward “denominations” in my writings and podcasts. I just want to be as right as possible without being seen as someone who is just blending in with everyone else. Just because “everyone else is doing it,” doesn’t meant that it is right! The more I look at His words, the more I see that man has injected too much of himself into defining His words and has even overtaken the initial words given by this supreme being to the point that what I read in that Bible and what I see so many people doing…all seem to be in great contradiction to one another.

Everyone has an opinion, an interpretation, of what they think is the correct way of walking with the God of the Bible. Even within so-called like-minded groups (or denominations), there seems to always be disagreements and discord between the believers. But, I think we also know that will always be, no matter how black and white the writings are on any subject matter. I, for one, am not in a mood or place that I want to be in concert or conflict with the others as to how they walk this faith. I am going to just keep on asking Him to show me what He is trying to say…in hopes that He gives me enough to walk in faith His way.

Amen

To Be Or Not To Be…

If no beginning, then no end.

One of the worst things that combats our walk with God is the continual questioning and wondering. Though certain ideologies are claimed to be clearly implanted within the words of Scripture, we tend to read past them and doubt our faith and salvation regardless. Our frail nature creates within us a whirlwind of uncertainty that, though answerable from the Book itself, we tend to relish and dwell on failings and shortcomings to the point of souring our very hope of salvation from eternal damnation. From the simplest to the most complex methodologies of the saving process derived from interpretations of the Holy Bible the Christian salvation and subsequent life afterward have often created a downfall to many due to the confusion associated with differing opinions. One has only to read through social media debates on any topic of Christianity to see that the different views can create such a contention between the claimed believers…even to the point of hostility. Unfortunately, many people see this and can often be turned off becoming followers by these contradictions and views. Others have either walked away from the faith all together or have settled into a non-orthodoxy religion that mixes Biblical teachings, accepted social constructs, and humanistic ideologies just to ease the tensions within their own soul.

I confess myself often a casualty of this war. From my non-religious and generic upbringings to deeply held reformed theological views to questioning the validity of all the claimed orthodoxies from every side, I have run a course of confusion and challenge that has hobbled my beliefs to the point where I’ve thrown my hands up in despair more often than I care to admit. And even though I have presented to you my gleaned understandings of Scriptural studies through various media these last few years, I find that everything is still in question, including my own “salvation”. For some this will come as a shock, yet for others this may be seen only as a season of challenge. And yet within still remains…no faith.

Before the mob begins lighting their torches and gathering in the square for a public hanging due to heresy or blasphemy, let me speak in my defense.

It is obvious to see that there are many “versions” of Christianity in the world today and each “version” claims they have the “gospel truth” at its own core. Within the walls of each religion lies their pre-ordained definitions of what is and what isn’t orthodoxy. Some churches have embraced a strict Biblical-only walk of faith and function while others have opened their doors accepting any and all definitions of Christian. Some would look at me as sinner destined to the gates of hell while others would claim my destination as heaven. Of course, the only true basis for what should be the definitive answer of how Christianity should truly be is based solely on the original source book…the Holy Bible.

But, now we are back to the questions brought on by the many perceived interpretations. You may read a particular set of passages to mean one thing and others may see them through a different lens, and thus, the contentious battles that rage, the casualties that increase, and the vitriolic attacks upon one another. With these matters flaring between groups, it is no wonder that many walk away or struggle with doubts and uncertainties as to what is the “right way” to believe and how they should walk through this life under the religious banner of “Christian”. When people see such infighting within the proclaimed “church”, it creates either a hesitant heart or a coldness that turns them away all together.

One of the main questions that has foundered my walk has been “am I truly saved”. Some will claim that once you say a prayer accepting Jesus as your savior, you are saved. Some add that baptism must accompany the prayer. Some say that all are saved no matter their lot in life. Then there is the repentance portion of the salvation process. Some will suggest if you repent (turn away) of sin and are baptized, that you will then walk in newness of life and have eternal salvation. Others will counter that repentance is a daily process that must be adhered to and that adding works is “un-Biblical”. Still others hold to “once saved, always saved”, no matter what you do after your admission into salvation. From terms such as “easy believism” to “works salvation” to “Lordship salvation”, the many views all state their case from the Bible and hold to the claims that “our way is right”. But is there only one right way?

Based on whatever style or path of salvation you may interpret as the correct one, there is the facet that some who come to saving grace and repent of their ways will display a “change” or newness of life. Examples would be the addict who finds Jesus and becomes clean from substances, or the violent person who finds compassion and is transformed, or the depraved whose life is converted into one of charity and love. These, and many more, are evidences that this newness of life has taken affect and turned the wayward lost to a new and directed path following Christ’s Biblical example. Yet most will agree, without evidence of change, without a turning away from the “old nature”, there remains the questions as to whether or not the conversion was genuine. Making bold declarations through words are just that…words.

Many people will make proclamations out of an emotional rush. Often times people can get caught up in the moment of exhilaration from their surroundings that they flow with the masses and align themselves with the crowd. Perhaps an emotional tent-meeting causes an unsaved person to be swept up in the moment and they make declarations of asking Jesus into their life. But then over the course of the next few days, life for them is back to normal. Or, perhaps, in an instance of heartfelt duress one should make promises to God that if He helps them that they will commit their lives. Yet afterward their life goes back to normal. You see, there are numerous situations where verbalizing something doesn’t necessarily cause someone to newness of life and salvation.

But, this is not to say that those moments can’t have the Biblical “happy ending”. There are many who make that commitment to Christ and walk boldly and succinctly from that moment onward. And though their life is still filled with ups and downs, many are clearly changed into a new creation and they live their lives afterward as a Biblical Christian. Though each life is different, many have a new heart that is desiring to serve the Lord, worship the Creator, and live their lives to the glory of God above through Jesus Christ. They passionately study the Bible and engage in a bible-believing church regularly. They are bold in their walk and don’t hide this new way from those around them. They are truly Christians. In these cases, the change is evident.

So, we can see that each person can have a variety of outcomes and walks. Many people have vast amounts of knowledge about the Bible and theology, yet without a heartfelt change in their day to day life. Many people have a true faith, yet though not desiring to deeply study the Bible, they live life with just their trust in God. Many are overwhelmed by the whole faith movement and shy away. And then there are others who just coldly reject the notion of an invisible supreme being.

There are also the people who have “chased” after God, seeking the salvation experience for themselves, and yet have felt nothing inside, no change. Oftentimes I can identify with them. They may approach the Bible with reverence, awe, and accept the Word as from God, yet might not feel or see any change within their life. Religious groups differ on the impact of the salvation process on a person and will either say that the truest religious experience is one of passion and emotion, or will claim it is only by strict adherence and obedience to the Scriptures that shows the fruit of the claim. No matter the view, approach, or process…we had best be certain that we get it right the first time through this short life of ours because there are no second chances.

One thing certain is that salvation defined should come from what God’s Word actually says. Since the criteria from which all of humanity will be judged is within the pages of Scripture, it would behove any who is pursuing the life-after in eternity to know what the Author of life and the Judge of creation has to say. One aspect it does clearly define comes from the very words of Jesus, Himself, who says “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:21-23) Clearly, there is a definitive pass-fail based on these verses. It is imperative we know the right ways.

You can believe without truly believing. You can trust without truly trusting. And you can claim yourself to be something even though you may not be that something. Many go through the motions, carry on the facade, and display their life to some as they deem convenient. Yet in front of others they may come across as someone else. These “actors”, portrayers of characters, live a variety of lives depending upon who they interact with. This lifestyle is clearly represented by a vast majority of people who might attend church services on the Sabbath, yet live their life outside the church walls as “someone else”. These folks might be the type who claim themselves “holy” or “religious” under particular circumstances and yet not cast a single shadow in the doorway of a church. Essentially, these people are part-time Christians.

But, based on what is written within the covers of Scripture, living the Christian life part-time (or even 3/4 time) does not meet the high demands of God. We cannot expect to glory in God for eternity when we did not give Him our full attention on earth. Nor can we expect God’s decrees to be “suggestions” that we can pick and choose based on our feelings at the time. I’m not expert in anything, but can say with certainty that no matter what avenue of salvation you see is right, this God of the Bible is an “all-or-nothing” God. You cannot expect to just include God part of the time in your life when it’s convenient to you and also expect His full mercy and grace. Going through the motions or verbalizing yourself a Christian does not cut it based on what the Bible says. Sure, you can twist or re-interpret various verses in an attempt to fit your personal narratives, but in the end who are you fooling? Those around you might fall for it, but I’m sure the God that created all things knows the truth. Are you fooling Him?

Yet based on these things, if we really looked around at all those claiming themselves saved and yet who might be living that part-time life, we could surmise that there are truly a lot less people that have a ticket bound for heaven than would appear on the surface. If part-time or verbal declarations don’t meet the criteria of God, then what does that truly mean for many of us? Well, there are only two paths out of this life; heaven or hell. No middle ground. No participation trophies. No sneaking in by the “skin of our teeth” by last minute saves. Again…this is an all-or-nothing God of the Bible. If most of us were truly honest with ourselves, we would discover that we might not be in that “elected”, destined-for-heaven, group. Instead, what we might find is that we don’t quite measure up or meet the criteria. In fact, we might discover that though “many are called, few are chosen”. And that is not just a generalized verse, but that it is a reality many of us need to think over very hard.

Personal evaluation, and even re-evaluation, is a very important thing that might carry eternal consequences for us. We cannot afford to be so arrogant as to what we “think” our lot will be, or should be, in the future. Many may think themselves bound for heaven and yet after an honest and deep introspection of our life we may discover that salvation truly hasn’t come like we think. Though we are challenged by doubts and questions on a regular basis, these might be the important prompts for us to take a hard look at the real you and compare where you think you stand before God versus where God says you stand. The task can seem very daunting and overwhelming to most, but like anything that is truly important, we cannot afford to waver or even dismiss this matter and just rest on our self-designed laurels. Everyone has a view, an opinion regarding religion, but we cannot afford to just follow blindly. Many are led astray because they did not take the all-important time like the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so.”

The time is short. What I thought was, might not be. What I thought I knew, I really didn’t. I am not alone in this. We cannot have an ending if we didn’t have a beginning.

And I Wondered

I crossed into the promised land. The land flowing with milk and honey. I was shown all the promises of God. His Word was ever before me. I knew the statutes, I knew the laws.

And yet I continually looked to the pagan cultures, the pagan places, the very people that I was to push away…I embraced them. I held their ways in awe, revered their lives, and I envied their gods. I became like them.

And then…I wondered where did my God go? Why did God forsake me? I cried out…where are my blessings? Why do I feel alone? I wondered about this as I continually participated in the pagan ways that I knew God had called me out of.

When I left Egypt, I denounced the old ways and turned my heart to follow God and His ways. And yet, in my heart I still longed for the life of Egypt. My heart still lived in Egypt.

When I came into the land that God was giving me, I told God I would follow Him. And yet I blended in with the cultures around and embraced them. I lived among them and I was like them.

God’s Word was still there. His words never changed. But I did.

And yet I wondered…where is God? Why has He forsaken me? He has left me to my own devices.

And I wondered.

Sometimes in life we journey a particular direction, and yet God sees fit to re-direct our steps just before we reach what we believe to be our destination. To some, this would appear to be God denying us blessings and happiness…specially in light of promises He may have made regarding those blessings. And yet, we get re-directed, perhaps even to the point of having to retrace our steps, causing us to think that we are going backward in life. Such was the situation of the Israelites in the Old Testament, and such can be the circumstances we may face in life today. So, why does this happen? One simple thought is that God has plans for us and we might need to be put on a better path instead of our own. That happens more than we may know, but that also shows us that God is walking with us and guiding our very steps and that He wants the very best for us! But another look might show that perhaps God is redirecting our life’s journey because we are fighting against Him by doing our own thing. God took the Israelites back into the wilderness right when they were about to enter into the promised land because of their disobedience and, well, quite honestly, their whining!

In my previous podcast/writing called “Between Two Worlds”, I spoke about the issues people have when they try to walk between two worlds; the ways of God and the ways of man. The lure of this world, to fit in and enjoy the fun and excesses it has to offer, is a temptation that many easily embrace, including those professing to be Christians. And yet God is clear when He tells us to “choose this day whom you will serve.” And despite what many modern and liberal churches may claim, there is no gray or middle area that is acceptable to God. Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus says “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” This is a bold declaration that tells us we are either walking in the ways of God or we will be rejected in the end, and that rejection is to eternal damnation. Harsh, yes…but a reality that we cannot afford to waffle on.

I also pointed out the struggles that the Israelites had with falling into the temptations of idol worship that the pagan people around them would actively participate. These types of activities that the people of God would involve themselves with not only angered God, who is a jealous God, but would also cause loss of blessings because of their actions. You can easily see the direct correlation that I am drawing here! In our lives, in my life, the Lord is illuminating the reality that we are to be a people who worship Yahweh God and Him alone. We can learn to identify the many idols that take away our devotion and worship from God when we take the time to look into His word and then look around at the things that we count as important in our lives. The bottom line is that living contrary to God’s commands is a losing venture. Though you may enjoy some temporal pleasures in the here and now, eternity will have a completely different result.

As I read through the accounts of the Israelites in the Old Testament, I can’t help but put myself in their shoes (sandals) and wonder how my faith would hold up under those circumstances. One of the most important elements in reading and studying the Scriptures is to understand the time and culture associated with the words. Looking at the Word through a 21st century lens will cause us to misunderstand key elements of teaching. We specially have the conflict of having a modernistic, westernized viewpoint to begin with that can skew our application of the Scripture’s teachings and its Biblical worldview. But when we understand the people and places and times that are displayed within the pages, we then see how God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! And most of all how God’s words and decrees are still applicable to us today!

God’s plan for humanity was to set apart a people, the Israelites, and teach them who He is, what He requires, and His laws or statutes. Essentially through these holy (set apart) people, God’s Word would spread to all nations so that even the Gentiles (non-Jewish) could be grafted into God’s redemptive work through His Messiah, Jesus. The non-Jews were brought in by the promises of God when He set aside His covenant with the Israelites because of their stubborn and defiant attitude toward God. But now that the Gentiles (us) have been given the hopes and promises of God’s eternal salvation through His son Jesus the Messiah, we also have the commands to honor and worship God and Him alone.

Yet, so many walk this world without a thought of God, and, in the same manner, even those who say they believe in God and His son Jesus and yet live life under their own ways and means…just like most of the Israelites did. And you easily see where their neglect of God as their Lord got them!

The temptations that this world offers people today can be seen as more intense, more available, and more accessible than in Bible times. The advent of television, computers, and the internet has seen to it that people can readily access any form of sin they wish just with the push of a button. Yet even in Biblical days, sin’s lure was potent and drew many to their demise. The Apostle Paul had to write many times to the church he planted in Corinth to correct them for their “worldly” and “pagan” behaviors and practices…some of which even the pagans themselves condemned! And sadly, Paul, were he alive today, would be writing those very words to many so-called churches today…most right here in America…because you literally cannot tell the difference between the church and the culture around it. The command to “come out from among them” was not grasped by the Corinthian church, nor has that command been adhered to with many of todays “churches”.

“Flee immorality.” Simply put, you cannot serve the flesh in the ways of this world and expect God to walk with you. Not only is the dishonoring of our bodies by fleshly lusts an abomination before God, but our willful drive to put self first in our day to day life is just as bad. The world embraces, and even pushes, open sexuality and fleshly desires just as the many pagan temples did back in the Biblical times. Nothing new under the sun here. But neglecting God and His decrees because you want to do things your way because it makes you “happy” or “feels good”, is the very thing that caused God to withdraw His Spirit from the people in Biblical times and that punishment still happens today. Having the “me first” mentality is the very issue that drove the people in Corinth to put self-pleasure as a priority over God’s decrees and, sadly, we see this irreverence to God and His Word even among the many self-professing Christians today. Truly a sad testimony to the very lost and pathetic people that are wandering this world without knowledge of God.

How do we defeat the issues of “me-ism”? How do we fight the temptations that pound at the doors of our soul day in and day out? How can we stand against the waves of worldliness and selfish desires? Before any solutions can be implemented, we must first and foremost know who God is by knowing His Word. So many men and women all around the world have views and opinions as to who God is and how we should worship and follow Him, yet there is only one true source that we need to focus our time and studies on and that is the Word of God, the Holy Bible! It is in the pages there, God’s inspired complete Word, that gives us what we need to know about God, His son Jesus our Savior, the redemptive work that God has laid out for us, and how we can walk through this war zone with faith that He, alone, will bring us to our promised land in the end! Though the Word appears to be deep with complexities that some may think they cannot understand at first, it is important to know that our Lord has given to us His Spirit, that will illuminate the very Word to our souls and open our eyes to its truths! This we do with simple faith, like a child who trusts his parents for all things to sustain them through life.

This walk might not be on an easy road that is evenly paved with clearly marked signs and directions. We might be on a path that has many hills and curves. We may be on the wrong road in life and need to turn around and go back to a new starting point. We might be traveling rough roads that have caused us deep pains and sorrows for many years. We might be in a position where we are totally lost and have no point of reference where to go. What I can tell you is that the Israelites as well as many believers in Christ Jesus have been exactly where you might be now. Each one of our current locations might be unique to us but, like the people before us who have sojourned through rough and hostile places, we can be assured that God above knows each of us personally and knows exactly where we are and how to get us on the road that He has for us to reach the Celestial City of Heaven. Our road map is the Holy Bible and our guide is God’s Holy Spirit! We do not travel this journey alone! We just need to trust completely in Him. We may not like some of the ways and means we go, but He does know the best way. He may be taking us down a particular path for a season and for a reason that we need! We have to just trust Him and stay focused on His Word!

Like those that have gone before us, we may have a tendency to think we know better. We might want to do things our way because it brings us instant gratification. We may think that we know a good shortcut through life. We may want to go a different way to experience firsthand the pleasures of the world along the way. But deviating from God’s plan for our life only brings us to ruin and misery. At some point God will let you go (give you over) to navigate this life by yourself. But one thing that is important to know is that you will never arrive to the eternal joy in the heavenlies by your own power. You will not be able to enter into the rest for eternity by doing things your way. Only God’s way will lead you to that peace and joy that He alone can offer. And only through God’s way will you be able to have peace and joy during the journey…knowing that God is in control for our best.

The journey might be rough, difficult, confusing, and even completely different than what we thought was the better way, but we can know for certain that God will never leave you or forsake you. He will never put you in a direction that is beyond your capabilities with His help and guidance. God knows you. He says in Jeremiah 1:5 “before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” He also says in Luke 12:6-7 “are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” If God is for us, who can be against us?

Therefore, we can take comfort in God’s plan for our lives by trusting in the salvation work of His Son Jesus, who took our place on the cross and bore the penalty for our sins upon Himself unto death, yet rose from the dead and lives today…defeating death for us! He sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us! Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through the Son and that by putting our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can be restored to a rightful relationship with God! We repent of our sins, submit to God, resist the devil’s lure to sin, and walk in faith guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God! By this only can we enter into the promised land!

Amen

Is 2021 The New 2020?

So as I write this, today is January 1st of the year 2021. The new year that everyone hopes is a refreshment, a new start, and a definitive change from last year‘s chaos and utter pain. I recognize that this is a bit late coming to publish, but pray you can forgive me…it has taken a bit to shake off last year!

Normally for the new year people will make resolutions. They resolve to do things differently or to just do something, anything. Weight loss, quit smoking, eat better, be nicer, and so much more, the lists go on! I, for one, am not a resolution maker. I don’t need to set myself up for failure! On average, only 8% of Americans who make resolutions keep them. 80 percent fail by February 1st! But if I were to make any resolution, I would think that following in the footsteps of the great preacher Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) would be the best.

In the early 1700’s, he wrote down over 60 resolutions that covered a variety of topics. Areas such as relationships, spirituality, overall life mission, and devotion to God. He categorized things under good works, time management, and character. He resolved to a deeper self examination for sin and keeping a personal check on things like pride and honesty. He had many powerful resolutions for a better spiritual life. And with these many resolutions, he would lay them all at the throne of God declaring; “Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake”.

He then noted that he would “remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.” That is one sure way of keeping them!

But what makes his resolutions special is that they were to address his walk with God first and foremost! If there be any resolution for a Christian, it should be made to draw closer to God and be more keenly aware of our spiritual lot before Him.

We all (preaching to myself here!), have a tendency to walk complacent. Because we don’t see/feel/hear God’s presence every moment of every day, we tend to go about our daily lives in the light of what is around us at the moment. We focus our thoughts on things that involve our livelihood, react to the things happening to us, and interact with those people and things we see and remember, but, yet, in the larger scope of things, we often forget God.

Sure, we pause and think of God here and there, maybe toss a prayer now and again, or get a spiritual zip on the Lord’s day once a week. But to energize our desire and passions to follow wholly and completely…that is something that many Christians, specially American Christians, struggle with.

When looking at how our attitude toward God in our lives should be in light of Scripture, I thing many of us can say that we are a far cry from God’s heart. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians “so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). He also said to the Colossians to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”. And to the Galatians in 5:25 said “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

In the Old Testament, there are numerous examples of God’s people living in a deep reverence and fear of God. Their entire lives were God-centered. Yes, they faltered and would stray. A lot. But have we gotten ourselves to the point where we can say that we are daily even remotely God-centered in the slightest bit? When you look at the lives of the early Puritans, you have to understand that they left home and family to travel across an entire ocean just to live a life that was God-centered, Biblically founded, and completely committed to God in all they say and do. It certainly would be a rare sight in today’s times to find people like that.

People today walk a thin line with God. Having a flippant attitude and approach to His holiness is something that I’m sure will draw His wrath. And His wrath is something that many churches refuse to even acknowledge. But unfortunately for many, that doesn’t dismiss the reality that God will exact is wrath on people. Edwards is famous for one of the most powerful sermons ever given that occurred back in July of 1741, called “Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God”. The text was a simple line from Deuteronomy 32:35 that states “their foot shall slide in due time.” The opening text states “There is nothing the keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.”

I personally truly recognize more and more every day that by God’s grace and mercy I still exist on this planet, and that is a true testament to God‘s character and love! He holds back His wrath on us! But that isn’t forever. His patience extends only so long! Though the sermon actually speaks more about the love of God and His lovingkindness toward us than the title would give cause to believe, that doesn’t mean we can be complacent with our relationship to God.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
— 2 Peter 3:9

Though I’ve studied the Word of God more last year than I had previously regarding our relationship with God, I still look inward and recognize that I, too, am complacent in my walk with God often, that I am lacking in my prayers and devotions daily, and that I tend to forget my religious duties. So, for me, I find it very simple to come up with resolutions that need to be addressed. I find there are plenty of things I preach to myself about!

Just as we are to take up our Bibles daily and study, we should also be taking time out of our lives to the devotion of our sanctification as Christians. It is written in scripture that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling and always be striving to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And we can through the power of the Holy Spirit! It says in James 4:8 that we are to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded”.

When it says in Matthew 6 to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you, that isn’t seeking God for benefits and pleasures, but that is seeking God‘s righteousness and holiness into our life, which means walking upright daily, the way God wants us to.

We are to use the Scriptures as a mirror to see the blemishes of our sins and continue to beseech God‘s help by the power of the Holy Spirit to strive daily to mortify the flesh. That is the meaning of taking up our cross DAILY!

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
— Romans 12:1

2020 was a tough year for many. People are looking for answers. It has been reported that Bible sales were at an all-time high. We can reflect Christ to people looking for hope and show them God’s peace and love by our own lives. But we need to make sure our resolutions are set with God, so as to strengthen our righteousness that we can “in the same way let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven“.

So my prayer for us this new year is that we continue to offer ourselves a living sacrifice, examining ourselves daily by diving into the Word fully, and submitting ourselves in prayer and worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We all must continually take His Word that has been given to us and preach to ourselves daily! For 2021, if the Lord wills, I will continue to share with you those things that God impresses on my heart and mind as I look to His word and learn as well!

May God bless you richly this year, may His healing hand be upon you, and may you grow in sanctification daily, drawing closer to the Lord! Amen

Truth Or Emotion

I live in a country that has long declared itself a “Godly nation”, founded on “Biblical principles”. Historically, these are somewhat correct statements. The United States was founded by people that wholly believed in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, that the Bible is to be the guide from which all life should follow. 2nd Timothy, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17 state All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

A couple of things regarding these declarations:

First is that many people, groups, cultures, and countries have all started out under a basic and commonly held belief system. Many churches were started by a group of people who hold an identical theology. Governments have been formed based on a collective of ideologies and goals. And the United States began with people seeking out a place together where they can worship, govern, and commune together under the umbrella of Christianity.

Secondly, starting out with one philosophy doesn’t mean that the intended direction continues uninterrupted. When you look at institutions of learning such as Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and the likes, you might be surprised to know that they all started out as seminaries. Christian religion studies were so important in the early days of first settlers that many schools of Bible were created. Yet, if you look at the formats and leanings of these once great schools, you’ll find that they are almost diametrically opposite from their beginnings.

This type of falling away from initial beliefs has definitely happened within the USA. We have become a nation of godless trappings. Quick to cast aside any foundational roots that once made this a great nation on the earth. Isaiah 5:20 says “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” I think we can look at our history and see how the tides have gone in opposite directions. Perhaps the Glory has departed? Why?

I believe that the church as a whole is at fault for this. Before the apostasy levels that we see nowadays, even differing denominations all held core beliefs that were tantamount to biblical living. People believed, lived, worked, governed, and worshiped scripturally.

Since the church isn’t a building or even a denomination, the true core of fault lies with the individual believer. The church body by definition is a group of believers, dedicated, diligent, and determined to follow the Word of God, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

That was once the way. That used to be the church. Yes, there were many many conflicts and disagreements…since the beginning…but nothing to the magnitude you see now. In fact, the vast majority of mainstream denominations have completely fallen away from scripture being the complete governing mandate. In Romans chapter 1, Paul points out this type of godlessness, where people have cast aside God and followed after their own thinking and started worshiping themselves instead.

And so it has become that being a true, Bible-believing Christian today is an invite to derision. Since the “church” has fallen to the lures of false teachings, prosperity preachers, new age thinking, social gospel and the likes, scripture is looked at as outdated, archaic, and not keeping with the times…so much so that the leaders of this new “church” mock and scorn those who hold the Bible as the infallible Word of God. Fortunately, there are still a core, though small, group of Biblical adherents in the world today.

Why have so many fallen away? Three key things since the fall of man in the garden of Eden; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Satan easily tempts those who don’t know the Word of God. And though many false teachers and ‘believers’ spend a ridiculous amount of time, effort, and energy blaming the devil for every evil or ignoring evil altogether and focusing only on “feel-good” theology, there is a deeper reality that most Christians forget as the source of problems in the church.

The first and foremost enemy that we face in our spiritual battle is not the devil, but it is our self. The devil has already tripped humanity. Since we have this fallen state within ourselves, most of the shortcomings and failures of our walk are self-inflicted. We spend so much time blaming everything else: the devil, the church, the government, the neighbors, et al. But now is the time to stop and reflect on our own accountability. We are sinful by nature and are a wretched people, in and of, ourselves.

I can’t account to have the fix for this speeding train-wreck that is the current “church” situation. America, as a whole, isn’t about to change it’s course either. Instead of utilizing Common Sense and logic and knowledge of the past, people run everything based on emotions. Every single person has individual emotions regarding every little facet and unfortunately, that is currently what is running every decision and thought process. Emotions are unstable, and so is the driven plight of mankind.

The Bible clearly states that the god of this world has blinded the eyes of many. They won’t see the Scriptures anymore, lest the scales drop from their eyes by the grace of God. The remnant has become smaller over time. This is actually all prophesied in the Word. We must maintain though. Keep fighting the good fight, striving to finish the race that is set before us. Keeping our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. He will finish what He started.

So, this is the truth: 1) that we are NOT a Godly nation anymore. The old church has fallen away like so many before us (including the chosen nation of God; Israel). 2) The devil is not the purveyor of all evil we befall. We are fallen in nature and have our own evil momentum going and we must take responsibility for our actions. And 3) that we who do continue to call the Word of God as infallible need to be directing our every step, staying focused and uncompromising in these last days, so that the God of the universe, who is sovereign and supreme and worthy to be glorified, can tell us when we reach the shores of Heaven “well done, good and faithful servant”. Amen

Race Among The Ruins

Inundated and overwhelmed by the barrage of mixed messages that are filling my brain (and heart)! That is where I have been at for the last several years. This is from the pattern that has built up within me over the years. Conflicting messages that seep, beg, demand, and suggest multiple ways that I am supposed to think, act, and behave.

From the sweeping changes of the 1960’s race equality movements to the violent segregation mentality of today, the war of unity/separation of humans has been a roller coaster of chaos that has created and divided relationships in such a way that I am sitting here with my hands over my ears and screaming “stop the world, I want to get off!”

With a push for equality among humans in the 60’s from the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., growth and maturity had seemed to bring people together in such a way that almost made the 70’s and 80’s look like a time of peace among the people. But, as I reflect back in comparison to todays’ events…I confess a deep confusion. It seems that the messages of anti-segregation in the 60’s have turned into a strong segregationist movement.

Before you start raising pitchforks and burning torches to me, let me explain.

In a sneak-up-on-you kind of way, many of the groups that fought for equality have created a very separatist ideology. Examples include: NAACP, BLM, NOW, and various other groups. But, not only these formalized organizations, but the demands of political and religious leaders such as Farrakhan, Jackson, and most recently, Maxine Waters.

Waters, a politician from the state of California, has recently declared that there should be a “black-only” political party. I’ll wait. Let you gather your senses a bit before going on.

As much as I am all for equality of the races…I stand absolutely dumbfounded by such a remark from a woman who, for all intents and purposes, was very much alive and active during the 60’s and 70’s racial movements. And, to declare such a segregationist goal has me scratching my head as to what happened! Where did the universe take a U-turn?

I have recently looked back over the past several years to see from where and why this momentum been gathering steam, and I have to conclude that the key perpetrators of this anti-equality movement are the very people that demanded equality in the first place! Call it whatever you want to, but to place such an emphasis demanding special treatment to one people group is the very thing that MLK and others fought against.

So, I will go on record here and now, declare them, (those who demand this segregational and special treatment), racists! The very people who get upset and call others racist are, in fact, the ones who are being such!

In 1927, Leon Trotsky, a Jewish Bolshevik Marxist revolutionary, used the term racist to browbeat dissenters of the communist ideology. Prior to him, though, was Richard Henry Pratt. His use of the term was related to the issues of white men and Indians in early America. He said “Segregating any class or race of people apart from the rest of the people kills the progress of the segregated people or hinders their growth. Association of races and classes is necessary to destroy racism and classism.”

Hmmmm…….that mentality goes against the grain of today’s segregating movements! And, it seems to parallel the ideology that blacks and other proponents pushed for in the 60’s and 70’s. So, it stands to reason that the Maxine’s and Sharpton’s of today are trying to recede back in time…..(or is there something else? I am not here to start conspiracy theories!)

No matter where you stand on the issue…be it with BLM or KKK or CAIR or whatever alphabet organization you want to associate with, the bottom line is that this country has taken two steps forward, but now working on three steps back!

Extremism has cost lives, trust, rational thinking, and most importantly…Common Sense!!!!!

Sadly, people have this demand that it’s “all about” them. They want special and preferential treatment. They want everything handed to them. Well, I’m here to tell you…it doesn’t matter what your color, race, religion, ethnic, or gender background is: if you want respect and a place in this civilized society…you have to earn it! Just because you are this or that doesn’t give you a standing any different than anybody else!

The greatest line I’ve heard from some very respectable people over the years is “they put their pants on the same as everyone else…one leg at a time!”

And guess what folks…..you are no better or worse than me or anyone else! Call me what you will, but in the end, we all end up in the dirt. So, get off your high horse, your mightier-than-thou attitudes, and get common sense!!!

Ichabod: Where did the Glory go?

The safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts. -C. S. Lewis

As many permit themselves comfort from the woes of this world, there exists a jagged edge that they drift dangerously close to, careless to the reality of the fall that awaits them. As gloomy as this sounds, I must persist in casting some reality toward you in the hopes of jarring your slumber!

In ancient biblical times, wars existed between the factions of believers in God and believers of everything else. Though the spiritual realm has its casualties, there was also an effect to the physical as well. Death tolls in these wars, per the accounts of history and Bible, were in the 10’s of thousands! The followers of God, the Israelites, had won a fair share of battles, but also suffered great defeats as well. In most cases, the stories relayed the importance of God and his following his commandments.

In one particular situation, Israel was facing one of their great foes, the Philistines. In 1 Samuel chapter 4, the Israelites had taken a beating and decided to bring up the Ark of the Covenant to the battle front. This represented God’s presence more than anything. The wild cheers of elation rallied the troops and even the Philistines feared God showing up. But…to no avail. Israel got their butt kicked and the enemy ran off with the Ark.

The high priest and judge of Israel, Eli, lost two of his sons in the battle. That information, along with the Ark being taken, literally killed the poor guy. His daughter-in-law was so despondent about the losses that she gave birth and died. The midwife names the boy Ichabod, meaning ‘the glory of the Lord has departed’. Great start to life! (Sarcasm intended!)

It seems historically that when a people decide on their own volition of self first, it isn’t too long afterward that their demise hits. The United States of America was essentially founded on a basis of the Bible as the core moral and spiritual compass. The founding fathers forged our first governing documents on the whole of scripture, keeping that, with God, all things are possible. But, as with any great nation, corruption seeps in…slowly, assuredly, and with a purpose of demise. Even the learned institutions, such as Harvard and Yale, started out as seminary schools teaching the Bible! Yet, now, you would be fortunate to find scripture anywhere within the walls of the university. We are on the safest road to hell!

So, how did this happen? How did we get to this drowning point? The primary place to point out the failing is our own ‘churches’. Now, I am not going to get all denominational or call out particular names. That is not the intent of this. But, I will shake a fist to any and all who claim Christianity as their faith, yet deny the Bible as the word of God. Without the Bible, we do not have the compass of direction. Without the Bible, we do not have instructions. Without the Bible, we do not have a reference point to keep ourselves on the correct path!

All that said, when we cast aside His Words to us, we begin to wander aimlessly. We become “I Chabod”….without the Glory. When we are travelling and feel uncertain about our direction, we consult a map. Now days, we are constantly looking to our smart phones for information and direction. Well, the Bible is our map. The Bible is our smart phone that has all the answers we need. And without it…well, we rely on our own understanding. Our own views. Our own mess!

The father of lies, the great deceiver, has crept into the fabric of God-fearing churches and cast doubts, dissensions, and destruction from within. And since pushing aside the Bible as the beacon of truth, these churches have turned into social clubs and feel-good parties…with no truth being taught! Whitewashed Tombs! Pretty on the outside, empty and dead on the inside!

Mark 7:9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!”

The churches today (not all) have essentially rejected the Bible as the Word and have, instead, decided that soft, gentle talks regarding social issues are more important than knowing God and His Word! And with the disregard of God’s Word as authoritative and commanding, man has put himself in God’s place and now determines what is and what isn’t sin! What was once revered as Gospel has since become edited so as not to offend anyone! Sins are acceptable and they just avoid talking about His Words and commands!

The Glory has departed! And with His departing, so has His hand which has held back the enemies of God’s people!

One of the greatest preachers of all time, Jonathan Edwards, in 1741 preached a sermon that shook the very core of believers and unbelievers alike. That sermon, titled “Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God” was filled with fire and brimstone that convicted people to remedy, or assure, that their relationship with God was of utmost importance! We have fallen so far from that reverence, passion, and belief in the God of the Bible, creator of all things, through his Son, by which we have forgiveness and restored fellowship.

“There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God.“ – Edwards

So, I ask: Why? Why has the Word of God been rejected by the very people who claim to believe in God? Why have we allowed His Glory to depart from us? Are we so delusional as to think that God would never cast anyone into hell? Because, if we are sitting at such a comfort level, in disbelief of God’s wrath, as to think that…I really suggest you reconsider what His Words really do say! There is no free rides to Heaven! The Bible is very clear on that! His own people, the Israelites, were destroyed in a battle because of their own complacency and denial of His Supremacy! YOU are no different. The church is no different.

God has never promised to save us from Hell, except for those contained in Christ through the covenant of Grace. – Edwards

The churches have rejected God’s Word. The Glory has departed. Man stands alone on a wayward path leading toward destruction of soul: hell.

I guess I challenge anyone to look at their ‘churches’ and ask the question: Do they fully accept God’s words as complete revelation from God, or are they picking and choosing what they want to keep and what they don’t? It literally is an “all or nothing” situation. You either believe in the Bible or you don’t. And, as Edwards based his sermon from in scripture, ‘their foot shall slip in due time’ (Deut 32:35), there isn’t a middle ground with God. You (and the church) are either hot or cold. Lukewarm is the path that leads to destruction.

Don’t Believe Anything You Read…

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I have never claimed to be a grammatical writer, nor an original thinker. In fact, some of my writings have been graded by elementary students using crayons. That’s ok. I really can live with that….somewhat!

I confess that my early years in school, (and some later years), were often filled with wandering thoughts and fidgeting hands, as opposed to an attentive mind and a notebook filled with knowledge being passed on to me by the teachers. My lack of writing skill is not due to the failure of the teaching staff, but to my own faults. However, that may all be changing soon. In fact, it already has begun in New York!

According to an article I read by Lucas Mikelionis, published on the website HeatStreet, it is reported that “New York education officials are planning to scrap a literacy test for people trying to become teachers, claiming too many non-white individuals fail it and therefore weaken diversity within the profession.”

So, instantly I put on my Common Sense goggles and could CLEARLY see the errors about to happen!

Let me put it this way…how do the words ‘train wreck’ fit into that impeding scenario? How about the great line from the movie “Forrest Gump”? “Stupid is as stupid does“! I could go on and on, but, that won’t be necessary because even the most basic of human understanding can see that the dumbing down of America is still moving in the direction of destruction of intellect!

People! Seriously! Do you really want someone teaching your children things that they themselves don’t know? Are the educational programs going to be led by people who can’t pass the required aptitude tests? Are we going to be reliant on Google or Siri for all our knowledge? I hope and pray not!

This stupidity has been going on longer than just this situation. Did you know that universities such as Yale, Harvard, and Princeton were once schools whose primary purpose was to teach theology and biblical studies? People, then, understood that solid biblical teaching and advanced education created citizens with strong morals and inventive thinking! But, sadly, over time, the demise of these once great institutions came when right thinking became challenged by wrong thinking. The importance of good morals was cast aside in favor of self and acceptance of anything.

Absolutes were destroyed during these transitions and, even though evidence to the contrary was presented over and over…people cast a blind eye and embraced the cultural changes of “Anythingism”. (My word for everything is good and nothing is bad)

To the point: Because of the curse of Anythingism, even the acceptance of the undereducated teaching our future leaders will further the dumbing down effect. To have someone telling our children and grandchildren that they don’t have to gather knowledge to succeed is a poison creeping through the veins of family, business, growth, and most importantly…good morals!

The degradation of society continues because people like the education leaders in New York are willing to compromise knowledge in order to appease people who feel that they should teach, even though they don’t know how to read or write.

Weak minds will only produce weak minds.

Missing: Common Sense

Xtesb1r It has been such a long time. So many things have happened that alter one’s thinking patterns toward new paths. This, in, and of itself, is a good thing. Continually traipsing wayward down roads leading to unfulfilled chaos is no way to live life! Remember, many moons ago, that I started this blog to root out the evil that worms its way into society, destroying the one semblance of necessity that we, as a people, need to survive: Common Sense!

What has happened between then and now is no small matter! It appears that the world has continued the downward spiral it was on…not slowing one iota! Hmmmmm…..what to do, what to do!

Fortunately, our moribund society is salvageable! Not because we have a new President. Not because morals have made a resurgence. And, not because a news/commentary talking head has said so! We are salvageable because we have believers! There are many of us still walking forward believing that we can do better! There are many sides to every issue, good and bad, that attempts to sway our grasp of solution. Unfortunately, the bad can often outweigh the good and implement a course that creates a bigger monster than before.

Take the example of my favorite monster of all…Godzilla! Now, before you start casting judgments my way, keep in mind that as a child of the…ummm…..era a while ago, Godzilla movies were fun, campy Japanese creations that pitted a man-made catastrophe against the society we cherished. That humanity was above all, including nature…even God, Himself, and could tamper with our life-existence was pointed out to be our arrogancy! So, I guess what I am saying is that, even though we still continue to exist as a society of arrogant, selfish, and indulgent fools, the monsters we create will not just go away because we say so!

Not everyone walks on the side of the monsters, though! We can still grasp at the true solution to many of societies problems. By embracing Common Sense, we have the weapons and shields needed to crush the monsters of stupidity!

One example of this, not to get too political, is Minnesota’s Governor and the “criteria” to conform to federal mandates of a “real ID”. I’m not completely sure what the whole fuss is about the real ID thing in respects to what I carry in my wallet: a valid Minnesota Driver’s License. The state issued that to me after showing that I can pass a written test and drive a car around a test track. It also acts to identify me to various agencies and such because it has my picture. Well, the argument continues with our state geniuses about passing this “real ID” thing so that we would then be able to fly using the special “real ID”. One hold up here in the great state of Minnesota is that our Governor thinks that people who are illegally in the country should be able to get a driver’s license as well.

I’ll let that soak in for a minute. Let the Common Sense flow within you. Look at the situation through the Common Sense Lenses!

Why, on God’s green earth, would you give someone who is in the country illegally a valid state identification? Well, according to our state ‘leader’, it will make them safer drivers and reduce accidents. (Shall I pause here and let that reasoning soak in as well, or just continue since we all can easily understand the dumbfounded thinking?)

Dear Gov;

Please explain to me how giving someone, who doesn’t obey the laws of the United States of America, a driver’s license is going to make them a better driver? Please explain how said person is going to suddenly become a conscientious member of society with a photo ID that, for all intents and purposes, cannot be verified…since they are probably not running around with other forms of legal identification to back up the driver’s license?

Thank you in advance,

The Legal People of the United States of America/Minnesota Chapter

Just a wild thought…..but, Common Sense would indicate that they shouldn’t have a driver’s license, which is a given privilege to the citizens. And, here is your definition of citizens:

cit·i·zen

ˈsidizən,ˈsidisən/

noun

noun: citizen; plural noun: citizens; noun: cit.

a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized.

I’m just going to close with this: Because you stand in a yard, it doesn’t make you a resident. Because you travel down the road, it doesn’t make you a car. Because you swim in the water, it doesn’t make you a fish. And, because you are within the borders of a land, it doesn’t make you a legally recognized subject or national of that place.

This is only one example of our missing Common Sense….but, we still have many who view life through the lenses of it! People, we can alter the path, change the direction, and turn the ship around and make this a better world…..all with a little help from our friends, and Common Sense!