'via Blog this'
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Matthew Henry
"Those that go where God sends them shall have him with them wherever they go and they need desire no more to make them easy and prosperous." - Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - John Winthrop
"For we must consider that we shall be a city upon a hill. he eyes of all people are upon us, so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His presence from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world." - John Winthrop (1587 - 1649)
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Monday, October 29, 2012
Pope to Bishops: Revive Christian Faith
Pope to bishops: Revive Christian faith:
If the Pope is serious about wanting to revive the Christian faith, then he may want to begin by having his bishops listen to some of Dr. Ian Paisley's sermons:
The Black Pope and His Murdermen - Exposing the Jesuits
How to Set a Church on Fire
The King of Terrors and the Terror of Kings
The Burning Hell Which Jesus Preached
If the Pope is serious about wanting to revive the Christian faith, then he may want to begin by having his bishops listen to some of Dr. Ian Paisley's sermons:
The Black Pope and His Murdermen - Exposing the Jesuits
How to Set a Church on Fire
The King of Terrors and the Terror of Kings
The Burning Hell Which Jesus Preached
Remembering Lady Jane Grey - The 9 Day Queen
I used to spend a lot of time memorizing time lines. At one time I had committed to memory most of the kings and queens of England from the time of William the Conqueror (1066) to the current Queen, Elisabeth II.
I have long since forgotten most of those time lines, but still, if you were to have asked me yesterday if I could name the kings and queens of England during the 1500s, I would have said, "Of course!" And I would have rattled off Henry the VII, Henry the VIII, Edward VI, Mary Tudor (aka Bloody Mary) and Elisabeth I.
And I would have been wrong! I would have left out one of the most important rulers of England during that century - Lady Jane Grey. As Reformation Day approaches (October 31st), please find some time to listen to the story of this amazing young queen:
Could ‘Frankenstorm’ be a sign from God?
Could ‘Frankenstorm’ be a sign from God?
Yes it could. Please take time to listen to a sermon on Amos 3:8 by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
"The lion hath roared, who shall not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophecy?"
Recommended listening:
Hurricane Sandy and the Sovereignty of God, by Tony Miano
Yes it could. Please take time to listen to a sermon on Amos 3:8 by Rev. Cornelis Pronk:
"The lion hath roared, who shall not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophecy?"
Recommended listening:
Hurricane Sandy and the Sovereignty of God, by Tony Miano
Obama says Government Will Respond 'Big and Fast' to Hurricane Sandy
"You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that [is] it's an opportunity to do things you could not do before." - Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's Chief of Staff from 2009 - 2010.
The East Coast is preparing for Hurricane Sandy - some call it a Frankenstorm, because of it's size. Presidential candidate Romney has already begun cashing in on this storm to help him win the White House next month (see As Hurricane Messes with Election, Romney Campaign Uses Bus for Relief)
Not to be outdone, President Obama says The government will respond 'big and fast': "President Obama met Sunday with Federal Emergency Management Officials in Washington. 'We will cut through red tape,' he said. 'We are not going to get bogged down with a lot of rules."
If you are living on the East Coast right now, those words may seam like an early Christmas present. But many people get nervous when they hear a President, especially Mr. Obama, talking about 'cutting through red tape' and 'not getting bogged down with a lot of rules.'
In fact, some might even go as far as to translate Mr. Obama's words to say: "We will cut through the Bill of Rights and we are not going to get bogged down with the Constitution."
You don't agree? Then please read Fool Me Twice - Obama's Shocking Plans for the Next Four Years, by Aaron Klein and Brenda Elliot
Recommended listening:
Hurricane Sandy and the Sovereignty of God, by Tony Miano
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
The East Coast is preparing for Hurricane Sandy - some call it a Frankenstorm, because of it's size. Presidential candidate Romney has already begun cashing in on this storm to help him win the White House next month (see As Hurricane Messes with Election, Romney Campaign Uses Bus for Relief)
Not to be outdone, President Obama says The government will respond 'big and fast': "President Obama met Sunday with Federal Emergency Management Officials in Washington. 'We will cut through red tape,' he said. 'We are not going to get bogged down with a lot of rules."
If you are living on the East Coast right now, those words may seam like an early Christmas present. But many people get nervous when they hear a President, especially Mr. Obama, talking about 'cutting through red tape' and 'not getting bogged down with a lot of rules.'
In fact, some might even go as far as to translate Mr. Obama's words to say: "We will cut through the Bill of Rights and we are not going to get bogged down with the Constitution."
You don't agree? Then please read Fool Me Twice - Obama's Shocking Plans for the Next Four Years, by Aaron Klein and Brenda Elliot
Recommended listening:
Hurricane Sandy and the Sovereignty of God, by Tony Miano
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Micro-Drones Combined With DNA Hacking Could Create A Very Scary Weapon
Micro-Drones Combined With DNA Hacking Could Create A Very Scary Weapon - Business Insider:
'via Blog this'
Recommended reading:
Prey, by Michael Cricton
'via Blog this'
Recommended reading:
Prey, by Michael Cricton
Millions across East Coast brace for 'Superstorm' Sandy, while NYC to close transit services
Millions across East Coast brace for 'Superstorm' Sandy, while NYC to close transit services | Fox News:
As the East Cost of the United States braces for 'Superstorm' Sandy, now would be a good time to listen to Rev. Cornelis Pronk's sermon on Amos 3:8: "The Lion hath roared, who shall not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophecy?"
Recommended listening:
Hurricane Sandy and the Sovereignty of God, by Tony Miano
As the East Cost of the United States braces for 'Superstorm' Sandy, now would be a good time to listen to Rev. Cornelis Pronk's sermon on Amos 3:8: "The Lion hath roared, who shall not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophecy?"
Recommended listening:
Hurricane Sandy and the Sovereignty of God, by Tony Miano
Puritan Quote of the Day - Matthew Henry
"Those whom God Leads he leads to his holy hill, and to his tabernacles; those therefore who pretend to be led by the Spirit, and yet turn their backs upon instituted ordinances, certainly deceive themselves." - Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Reformed and Always Reforming - Some Thoughts on Halloween and Reformation Day
Ia a recent post I said the Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Ian Paisley represented a fork in the road for Christians (see The Black Pope and His Murdermen). But there has always been a fork in the road - not just for those who claim to be followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, but for everyone born into this world. The Bible says:
"And if it seam evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve. Whether the gods which your fathers served, which were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
And also:
"And Elijah said to them all, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord is God, serve him. If Baal, serve him." (I Kings 18:21).
In the next few days Christians and non-Christians alike will have a chance to 'choose you this day whom ye will serve':
/------------------------ Halloween (October 31th)
___________________/
\
\----------------------- Reformation Day (October 31)
If you want to serve Baal (Satan, the devil, Lucifer or whatever you want to call the Prince of Darkness), then turn on your TV or you Blu-Ray player and watch the latest horror movie. But if you want to serve our Lord Jesus, I'd like to ask you to spend some time brushing up on what Reformation Day is all about. Here are some audio messages and printed material that you may want to listen to and read in the next few days:
Faith Alone - The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification, by R.C. Sproul
What is Reformation Day All About? by Robert Rothwell
The Church Reforming and Always Reforming, by Ron Hanko
Halloween - Hell in the Rear View Mirror, by Rev. Ian Brown
"And if it seam evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve. Whether the gods which your fathers served, which were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
And also:
"And Elijah said to them all, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord is God, serve him. If Baal, serve him." (I Kings 18:21).
In the next few days Christians and non-Christians alike will have a chance to 'choose you this day whom ye will serve':
/------------------------ Halloween (October 31th)
___________________/
\
\----------------------- Reformation Day (October 31)
If you want to serve Baal (Satan, the devil, Lucifer or whatever you want to call the Prince of Darkness), then turn on your TV or you Blu-Ray player and watch the latest horror movie. But if you want to serve our Lord Jesus, I'd like to ask you to spend some time brushing up on what Reformation Day is all about. Here are some audio messages and printed material that you may want to listen to and read in the next few days:
Faith Alone - The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification, by R.C. Sproul
What is Reformation Day All About? by Robert Rothwell
The Church Reforming and Always Reforming, by Ron Hanko
Halloween - Hell in the Rear View Mirror, by Rev. Ian Brown
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Ralph Venning
"It's as if sinners should say to the Lord on the Day of Judgment, 'Lord, have mercy on us.'
'Have mercy upon you?' says God. 'No, I will have no mercy upon you. There was a time when you might have had mercy without judgment, but now you shall have judgment without mercy. Depart! Depart!'
If they should then beg and say, 'Lord, if we must depart, let it be from Thy throne of judgement, but not from Thee.'
'No,' says the Lord. 'Depart from me. Depart from my presence, which is joy. Depart, and go to hell!'
'Lord,' they say, 'Seeing we must be gone, bless us before we go, so that Thy blessing may be upon us.'
'Oh no,' says God. 'Go with a curse. Depart ye cursed.'
'Oh Lord, if we must go from Thee, let it not be into the place of torment, but appoint a place, if not of pleasure, then of ease.'
'No, depart into fire, burning and tormenting flames.'
'Oh Lord, if into fire, let it only be for a little while. For who can dwell in everlasting burning?'
'No! Neither you nor the fire shall know an end. Be gone into everlasting fire.'
'Lord, then let it be long before we go there.'
No, depart immediately. The sentence shall be immediately put into execution.'
'Oh Lord, let us at least have good company who will pity us, though they cannot help us.'
'No, you shall have none but the tormenting devils. Those whom you obeyed when they were your tempters, shall be with you as tormentors.'
What misery sin has brought on man to bring him to hear this dreadful doom."
Ralph Venning, (1621 - 1673) The Sinfulness of Sin
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
'Have mercy upon you?' says God. 'No, I will have no mercy upon you. There was a time when you might have had mercy without judgment, but now you shall have judgment without mercy. Depart! Depart!'
If they should then beg and say, 'Lord, if we must depart, let it be from Thy throne of judgement, but not from Thee.'
'No,' says the Lord. 'Depart from me. Depart from my presence, which is joy. Depart, and go to hell!'
'Lord,' they say, 'Seeing we must be gone, bless us before we go, so that Thy blessing may be upon us.'
'Oh no,' says God. 'Go with a curse. Depart ye cursed.'
'Oh Lord, if we must go from Thee, let it not be into the place of torment, but appoint a place, if not of pleasure, then of ease.'
'No, depart into fire, burning and tormenting flames.'
'Oh Lord, if into fire, let it only be for a little while. For who can dwell in everlasting burning?'
'No! Neither you nor the fire shall know an end. Be gone into everlasting fire.'
'Lord, then let it be long before we go there.'
No, depart immediately. The sentence shall be immediately put into execution.'
'Oh Lord, let us at least have good company who will pity us, though they cannot help us.'
'No, you shall have none but the tormenting devils. Those whom you obeyed when they were your tempters, shall be with you as tormentors.'
What misery sin has brought on man to bring him to hear this dreadful doom."
Ralph Venning, (1621 - 1673) The Sinfulness of Sin
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Elizabeth Taylor Overtakes Michael Jackson As Top-Earning Dead Celeb
Elizabeth Taylor Overtakes Michael Jackson As Top-Earning Dead Celeb | TIME.com
I don't think Elizabeth Taylor or Michael Jackson care how much their estates are earning these days. I think they have much bigger things to worry about. In fact, if God were to work a miracle, and let them out of the grave for just one day, I think they would go back to their rich, shallow, Hollywood friends, and scream at the top of their lungs, "Fire! Fire!"
The Bible says:
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And besides this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from hence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fathers house: For I have five bretheren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 1:19-31)
One of the Puritans, commenting on these verses, said, "If you go on in sin, this book will testify against you as much, if not more so, than if one were raised from the death. If 2 or 3 devils or damned wretches came from hell and yelled "Fire! Fire!" it might startle you. But if you believe not Christ and his apostles, and Moses and the prophets, it would do you no good." (Ralph Venning, 1621 - 1643, The Sinfulness of Sin)
Recommended Listening:
The Burning Hell Which Jesus Preached, by Dr. Ian Paisley
I don't think Elizabeth Taylor or Michael Jackson care how much their estates are earning these days. I think they have much bigger things to worry about. In fact, if God were to work a miracle, and let them out of the grave for just one day, I think they would go back to their rich, shallow, Hollywood friends, and scream at the top of their lungs, "Fire! Fire!"
The Bible says:
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And besides this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from hence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fathers house: For I have five bretheren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 1:19-31)
One of the Puritans, commenting on these verses, said, "If you go on in sin, this book will testify against you as much, if not more so, than if one were raised from the death. If 2 or 3 devils or damned wretches came from hell and yelled "Fire! Fire!" it might startle you. But if you believe not Christ and his apostles, and Moses and the prophets, it would do you no good." (Ralph Venning, 1621 - 1643, The Sinfulness of Sin)
Recommended Listening:
The Burning Hell Which Jesus Preached, by Dr. Ian Paisley
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Job Applicants Clamor to be Salvation Army Bell-Ringers
Job applicants clamor to be Salvation Army bell-ringers
"I think I'll do well. I love to interact with people and converse."
Here is my feeble attempt at song writing:
(To the tune of Where have all the flowers gone?)
Where have all the Jobs Gone?
Where have all the jobs gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the jobs gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the jobs gone?
Gone to China every one (and India, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Tiawan, Korea, .....)
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
Recommended reading:
The Great Betrayal - How American Sovereignty and Social Justice are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy, by Patrick Buchanan
Exporting America CNN
Where Have America's Jobs Gone? The Wall Street Journal
65 Million Need Not Apply
"I think I'll do well. I love to interact with people and converse."
Here is my feeble attempt at song writing:
(To the tune of Where have all the flowers gone?)
Where have all the Jobs Gone?
Where have all the jobs gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the jobs gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the jobs gone?
Gone to China every one (and India, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Tiawan, Korea, .....)
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?
Recommended reading:
The Great Betrayal - How American Sovereignty and Social Justice are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy, by Patrick Buchanan
Exporting America CNN
Where Have America's Jobs Gone? The Wall Street Journal
65 Million Need Not Apply
Obama: ‘I Need You To Keep Believing In Me'
Obama: ‘I Need You To Keep Believing In Me’ « CBS Las Vegas:
'via Blog this'
Recommended Reading:
Fool Me Twice - Obama's Shocking Plans for the Next Four Years, by Aaron Klein and Brenda Elliot
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
'via Blog this'
Recommended Reading:
Fool Me Twice - Obama's Shocking Plans for the Next Four Years, by Aaron Klein and Brenda Elliot
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Puritan Quote of the Day - Richard Baxter
"Many a preacher is now in hell, who hath a hundred times called upon his hearers to use the utmost care and diligence to escape it." -Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Section 1.1)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
"The Black Pope and His Murdermen"
In my last post - How to Set a Church on Fire - I introduced you to Dr. Ian Paisley. Dr. Paisley stands in a long tradition of faithful ministers of our Lord Jesus Christ who are not afraid to preach his pure gospel. He stands in sharp contrast to the compromise ministers - such as Dr. Billy Graham - who recently made the news by praying with Mormon Presidential candidate Mitt Romney (see Billy Graham Prays with Mitt Romney; Billy Graham's Website Removes 'Mormonism' from Cult List)
On the other hand, you have Dr. Ian Paisley. Hold on to your seats and listen to Dr. Paisley speak on The Black Pope and His Murdermen - An Exposition of the Jesuits.
Over 100 years ago, Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon saw clearly this fork in the road, and left no doubt which direction those who love our Lord Jesus should take. He writes:
"We admire a man who was firm in the faith, say four hundred years ago...but such a man today is a nuisance, and must be put down. Call him a narrow minded bigot or give him a worse name, if you can think of one.
Recommended reading:
A Marxist, a Mormon and a Catholic go into a Bar...
A Woman Rides the Beast - The Roman Catholic Church in the Last Days, by Dave Hunt
Faith Alone - The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification, by R.C. Sproul
The Vatican Exposed - Money, Murder and the Mafia, by Paul L. Williams
"It is today as it was in the Reformer's days. Decision is needed. Here is the day for the man. Where is the man for the day?...If we turn to the right, mayhap our children and our children's children will go that way. But if we turn to the left, generations yet to come will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to his Word!"
Dr. Paisley and Dr. Graham represents a fork in the road for Christians. On the one hand, you have Billy Graham who has been quoted as saying: "My beliefs are essentially the same as those of the Roman Catholics." (See A Woman Rides the Beast and the Introduction to Faith Alone - The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification).On the other hand, you have Dr. Ian Paisley. Hold on to your seats and listen to Dr. Paisley speak on The Black Pope and His Murdermen - An Exposition of the Jesuits.
Over 100 years ago, Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon saw clearly this fork in the road, and left no doubt which direction those who love our Lord Jesus should take. He writes:
"We admire a man who was firm in the faith, say four hundred years ago...but such a man today is a nuisance, and must be put down. Call him a narrow minded bigot or give him a worse name, if you can think of one.
"Yet imagine that in those ages past Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and their compeers had said, 'The world is out of order, but if we try to get it right we shall only make a great row, and get ourselves into disgrace. Let us go to our chambers, put on our night caps, and sleep over the bad times, and perhaps when we wake up things will have grown better.'
"Such conduct on their part would have entailed upon us a heritage of error. Age after age would have
gone down into the infernal deeps, and the pestiferous bogs of error would have swallowed all. These men loved the faith and the love of Jesus too well to see them trampled on.
"It is today as it was in the Reformer's days. Decision is needed. Here is the day for the man, where is the man for the day? We who have had the gospel passed to us by martyr hands dare not trifle with it, nor sit by and hear it denied by traitors, who pretend to love it but inwardly abhor every line of it...look you, sirs, there are ages yet to come.
"It the Lord does not speedily appear, there will come another generation, and another, and all those generations will be tainted and injured if we are not faithful to God and to his truth today. We have come to a turning point in the road. If we turn to the right, mayhap our children and our children's children will go that way. but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to his Word."
Recommended reading:
A Marxist, a Mormon and a Catholic go into a Bar...
A Woman Rides the Beast - The Roman Catholic Church in the Last Days, by Dave Hunt
Faith Alone - The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification, by R.C. Sproul
The Vatican Exposed - Money, Murder and the Mafia, by Paul L. Williams
How to Set A Church on Fire!
Wait! Don't call the police. Don't call the arson squad. We're talking figuratively here. Please sit back and listen to Dr. Ian Paisley preach on How to set a church on fire!
Puritan Quote of the Day - Joseph Alleine
"How unbelievingly, carelessly, and senselessly most men live on earth, as if there were no such difference in another world...No one driveth them to hell, and will they go thither of themselves? ...Did you but see yourselves, what we see by faith, (believing God) and at once behold the saints in heaven, the lost despairing souls in hell, and the senseless sensual sinners on earth, that will lay none of this to heat, surely it would make you wonder at the stupidity of mankind." - Joseph Alleine (1634 - 1668)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Syria, World War III, and "An Alarm to the Unconverted"
In the Article Death Race Damascus: “13 days in October”, Doug Hagmann gives a scary scenario of what may be taking place over in Syria right now. He compares it - I believe rightly so - with what took place 50 years ago with the Cuban Missle Crisis. Hagmann says:
"Although Obama is no Kennedy, Putin is no Kruschev, and the Russians are not advancing their political agenda in this instance, the template is otherwise eerily similar. In 1962, Cuba was America's "red line" as the Soviets were exporting their agenda to the West. Today, Syria is Russia's "red line" that this administration is intent on crossing."
Mr. Hagmann goes on to say that while we should be concerned about Iran getting nuclear weapons, the crisis in Syria has an even greater potential of leading to World War III in the very near future. Of all the problems that face the world right now, another global war surely seams like it would rank #1.
But World War III, with the potential of escalating into a nuclear holocost, does not even rank a close second, to the real crisis the world faces right now, and that is the immeneint return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
"And I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:11-15
As our Lord Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28
Indeed! Please take some time to listen to a sermon that was preached in 1672, by Joseph Alleine. The Title of the sermon is Alarm to the Unconverted:
"Although Obama is no Kennedy, Putin is no Kruschev, and the Russians are not advancing their political agenda in this instance, the template is otherwise eerily similar. In 1962, Cuba was America's "red line" as the Soviets were exporting their agenda to the West. Today, Syria is Russia's "red line" that this administration is intent on crossing."
Mr. Hagmann goes on to say that while we should be concerned about Iran getting nuclear weapons, the crisis in Syria has an even greater potential of leading to World War III in the very near future. Of all the problems that face the world right now, another global war surely seams like it would rank #1.
But World War III, with the potential of escalating into a nuclear holocost, does not even rank a close second, to the real crisis the world faces right now, and that is the immeneint return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says:
"And I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:11-15
As our Lord Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28
Indeed! Please take some time to listen to a sermon that was preached in 1672, by Joseph Alleine. The Title of the sermon is Alarm to the Unconverted:
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Julie Don't Be A Hero - Some Reflections on America's War on Terror
Do you remember that old anti-war song that came out in the 1970s, Billy Don't be a Hero? This song tells the story of a young woman who's fiancee is going off to fight in Vietnam. And she's not happy about it. The chorus goes like this:
Billy, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Billy, don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go, she said keep your pretty head low
Billy, don't be a hero, come back to me.
I was thinking that this song is out of date, and should probably be rewritten to reflect the fact that soon, women in the United States may be fighting along side men in combat (See Women in Combat: US Military on the Verge of Making it Official)
Maybe this song could be rewritten so that it is from the perspective of a young man whose girlfriend is about to go off to war. Here, I'll give some songwriter a head start:
Julie, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Julie, don't be a hero, come back and make me your husband
And as she started to go, he said keep your pretty head low
Julie, don't be a hero, come back to me.
I was a teenager when this song came out. I remember my mother's disgust at the lyrics of this song, saying that it encouraged young men to become draft dodgers like Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney (see Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney: Two "Draft Dodgers" but with a Difference).
I'm not opposed to war - if it is a just war. If Canada decided to declare war on the United States and started sending troops across the border I think America would have a moral right to defend ourselves. But our War on Terror is a lot harder to justify. And personally, while I don't think we should have just turned the other cheek after 9/11, I am not at all convinced that we should have gone to war against Iraq and Afghanistan. And I think that much of the epidemic of suicides in the US military is due to the fact that many of our servicemen (and women) agree with me! (see also, Army Suicides This Year Exceed Combat Deaths).
In one of Patrick Buchanan's books, he says (in regards to the War on Terror) that: "They (the terrorists) were over here because we were over there." Smart man, Patrick Buchanan!
The song, Billy Don't be Hero, has a sad ending:
"I heard his fiancee got a letter
that told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way.
I heard she threw the letter away."
Billy, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Billy, don't be a hero, come back and make me your wife
And as he started to go, she said keep your pretty head low
Billy, don't be a hero, come back to me.
I was thinking that this song is out of date, and should probably be rewritten to reflect the fact that soon, women in the United States may be fighting along side men in combat (See Women in Combat: US Military on the Verge of Making it Official)
Maybe this song could be rewritten so that it is from the perspective of a young man whose girlfriend is about to go off to war. Here, I'll give some songwriter a head start:
Julie, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life
Julie, don't be a hero, come back and make me your husband
And as she started to go, he said keep your pretty head low
Julie, don't be a hero, come back to me.
I was a teenager when this song came out. I remember my mother's disgust at the lyrics of this song, saying that it encouraged young men to become draft dodgers like Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney (see Bill Clinton and Mitt Romney: Two "Draft Dodgers" but with a Difference).
I'm not opposed to war - if it is a just war. If Canada decided to declare war on the United States and started sending troops across the border I think America would have a moral right to defend ourselves. But our War on Terror is a lot harder to justify. And personally, while I don't think we should have just turned the other cheek after 9/11, I am not at all convinced that we should have gone to war against Iraq and Afghanistan. And I think that much of the epidemic of suicides in the US military is due to the fact that many of our servicemen (and women) agree with me! (see also, Army Suicides This Year Exceed Combat Deaths).
In one of Patrick Buchanan's books, he says (in regards to the War on Terror) that: "They (the terrorists) were over here because we were over there." Smart man, Patrick Buchanan!
The song, Billy Don't be Hero, has a sad ending:
"I heard his fiancee got a letter
that told how Billy died that day
The letter said that he was a hero
She should be proud he died that way.
I heard she threw the letter away."
Puritan Quote of the Day - John Trapp
"He that rides to be crowned will not think much of a rainy day." - John Trapp (1601 - 1669)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Friday, October 19, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Thomas Manton
"By the righteousness of faith we are acquitted from sin, and by the righteousness of works we are acquitted from hypocrisy." - Thomas Manton (1620 - 1677)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
"Whosoever Will May Come" (Revelation 22:17) - Does this Verse Scare Calvinists?
As I was scrolling through the new sermons posted on SermonAudio.com, I came across one titled: The Verse that Scares Calvinists: Whosoever Will May Come, by W. J. Mencarow. My first thought was this was an Arminian, a non-Calvinist minister and he is going to take this opportunity to tell his listeners why Calvinism is wrong.
My initial reaction to the title of this message was to post a link to it on my blog, and then as a way to refute what he was going to say, I was going to post a link to my post The Five Points of Calvinism, which is basically a collection of links to audio and printed material explaining and defending Calvinism.
But then as I was preparing to listen to this sermon, I noticed that speaker, Pastor W. J. Mencarow, was pastor of Reformation Presbyterian Church. Unless I am mistaken, Presbyterians - unless they are apostate liberals like those in the USPCA, are Calvinists. So I was all the more intrigued by the title of this message.
What I discovered after listening to this message is that it is a solid defense of Calvinism. So solid, in fact, that I have included a link to this sermon in my The Five Points of Calvinism.
See also my post, Charles Spurgeon on Calvinism
My initial reaction to the title of this message was to post a link to it on my blog, and then as a way to refute what he was going to say, I was going to post a link to my post The Five Points of Calvinism, which is basically a collection of links to audio and printed material explaining and defending Calvinism.
But then as I was preparing to listen to this sermon, I noticed that speaker, Pastor W. J. Mencarow, was pastor of Reformation Presbyterian Church. Unless I am mistaken, Presbyterians - unless they are apostate liberals like those in the USPCA, are Calvinists. So I was all the more intrigued by the title of this message.
What I discovered after listening to this message is that it is a solid defense of Calvinism. So solid, in fact, that I have included a link to this sermon in my The Five Points of Calvinism.
See also my post, Charles Spurgeon on Calvinism
Puritan Quote of the Day - John Owens
"Reader...if thou are, as many in this pretending age, a sign or title gazer, and comest into books, as Cato into the theater, to go out again - thou hast had thine entertainment. Farewell!" John Owen (1616 - 1683)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Rolling Stones 'Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll'
As the Rolling Stones Celebrate 50 Years of playing rock and roll together, now is a good time to put in a plug for a 10 hours 'Rockumentary' put out by Good Fight Ministries, titled: They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll.
For a peek inside this video, take a look at this excerpt posted on YouTube:
They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll
For a peek inside this video, take a look at this excerpt posted on YouTube:
They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll
Puritan Quote of the Day - Thomas Adams
"'Depart from me,' - a fearful sentence, a terrible separation. 'From me,' said Christ, that made myself man for your sakes, that offered my blood for your redemption. 'From me,' that invited you to mercy, and you would not accept it. 'From me,' that purchased a kingdom of glory for such as believed on me, and have resolved to honor their heads with crowns of eternal joy. 'Depart from me,' from my friendship, my fellowship, my paradise, my presence, my heaven.'" - Thomas Adams (1583 - 1652)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Sunday, October 14, 2012
"Like Most Catholics, I Do What I Want." - Vice President Joe Biden
In the recent Vice Presidential debate ('SNL' takes on vice presidential debate), Vice President Joe Biden said, "Like most Catholics, I do what I want." Many - perhaps most - Protestants could say the same thing.
But our Lord Jesus issues a stern warning for those what profess to be one of his followers, and yet, 'does whatever he or she wants:'
"Not everyone that sayeth to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but they that do the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophecied in Thy name? And in Thy name cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:21-23
But our Lord Jesus issues a stern warning for those what profess to be one of his followers, and yet, 'does whatever he or she wants:'
"Not everyone that sayeth to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but they that do the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophecied in Thy name? And in Thy name cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:21-23
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Matthew Henry
Commenting on James 1:14: "But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed."
Matthew Henry says: "We are taught where the true cause of evil lies, and where the blame aught to be laid...in other Scriptures, the Devil is called the tempter, and other things may sometimes occur to tempt us; but neither the Devil nor any other person is to be blamed so as to excuse ourselves, for the true origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. The combustible matter is in us, though the flame may be blown up by some outward causes."
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Matthew Henry says: "We are taught where the true cause of evil lies, and where the blame aught to be laid...in other Scriptures, the Devil is called the tempter, and other things may sometimes occur to tempt us; but neither the Devil nor any other person is to be blamed so as to excuse ourselves, for the true origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. The combustible matter is in us, though the flame may be blown up by some outward causes."
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Will it be a 'Catholic Smackdown' Tonight?
The Vice Presidential debate tonight will be between two Roman Catholics: Will Biden-Ryan debate be a ‘Catholic smackdown’? Here are some thoughts to keep in mind while you are watching the Vice Presidential debate tonight.
"Arrest the Pope on suspicion! For the finger points that way." That is what 19th century pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon said regarding whether he thought the Antichrist was going to be a Roman Catholic Pope.
We've come a long way since then. In 1987, Televangelist Robert Schuller said: "It's time to go to the Shepard [the Pope] and ask, 'What do we need to do to come home?"
In a previous post I expressed my concern that not only was Romney's Vice Presidential choice a Roman Catholic, but that 6 of the 12 justices on the Supreme Court were also Roman Catholics (See A Marxist, a Mormon and a Catholic go into a Bar...). I mentioned my concern to a friend of mine, a staunch Romney supporter, and he just stared at me wide eyed. He could not believe that anyone in 2012 would give a second thought to the religious beliefs (or lack therof!) of someone running for public office.
Times change. Human nature does not. The Roman Catholics have coexisted peacefully with Protestants in America thus far because they have been in the minority. It is not that way in other countries where the Roman Catholic Church is the dominant religion. And it certainly has not been that way in history.
One of the sites I check regularly for my Today in the News feature is Canada Free Press. I was disappointed recently with an article by the editor of that website, Judi McLeod, titled: The Miracle that would Save America from Obama-Imposed American Marxism.
The 'miracle' Ms. McLeod is referring to in this article 'exists somewhere within the 77.7 million [Americans] who declared themselves Catholic in 2011.'
Canada Free Press is an excellent website, and I continue to check it every day for my Today in the News feature. But Ms. McLeod is mistaken if she thinks that the 77.7 million Roman Catholics in America are going to save this country from Obama.
Recommended reading & listening:
A Woman Rides the Beast - A History of the Roman Catholic Church in the Last Days, by Dave Hunt
The Pope's Funeral, by Dr. David Murray
"Arrest the Pope on suspicion! For the finger points that way." That is what 19th century pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon said regarding whether he thought the Antichrist was going to be a Roman Catholic Pope.
We've come a long way since then. In 1987, Televangelist Robert Schuller said: "It's time to go to the Shepard [the Pope] and ask, 'What do we need to do to come home?"
In a previous post I expressed my concern that not only was Romney's Vice Presidential choice a Roman Catholic, but that 6 of the 12 justices on the Supreme Court were also Roman Catholics (See A Marxist, a Mormon and a Catholic go into a Bar...). I mentioned my concern to a friend of mine, a staunch Romney supporter, and he just stared at me wide eyed. He could not believe that anyone in 2012 would give a second thought to the religious beliefs (or lack therof!) of someone running for public office.
Times change. Human nature does not. The Roman Catholics have coexisted peacefully with Protestants in America thus far because they have been in the minority. It is not that way in other countries where the Roman Catholic Church is the dominant religion. And it certainly has not been that way in history.
One of the sites I check regularly for my Today in the News feature is Canada Free Press. I was disappointed recently with an article by the editor of that website, Judi McLeod, titled: The Miracle that would Save America from Obama-Imposed American Marxism.
The 'miracle' Ms. McLeod is referring to in this article 'exists somewhere within the 77.7 million [Americans] who declared themselves Catholic in 2011.'
Canada Free Press is an excellent website, and I continue to check it every day for my Today in the News feature. But Ms. McLeod is mistaken if she thinks that the 77.7 million Roman Catholics in America are going to save this country from Obama.
Recommended reading & listening:
A Woman Rides the Beast - A History of the Roman Catholic Church in the Last Days, by Dave Hunt
The Pope's Funeral, by Dr. David Murray
Christianity Declining
Yesterday I did a post to this blog titled, Young Americans Dumping Religion at an Alarming Rate. This morning I listened to a sermon by Pastor Trevor Hammack on a similar topic. The title of his sermon is Christianity Declining, and his text is Leviticus 10.
Pastor Hammack starts off his sermon by warning that it will be controversial (it is) and that most people will not agree with everything he has to say (I didn't). But aside from having some very good things to say, I found it interesting that Pastor Hammack would choose Leviticus 10 for his text. Specifically, Leviticus 10:1-3 says:
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therin and put incense theron, and offered up strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come neigh unto me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aron held his peace."
I think pastor Hammack picked a good text for this sermon. People are getting tired of all the gimmicks the church is using to try to draw people in. This is the basic thrust (as I understood it) of Pastor Hammack's message.
Someone once said: "It can be exalting to belong to a church that is five hundred years behind the times and sublimely indifferent to fashion; it is mortifying to belong to a church that is five minutes behind the times, huffing and puffing to catch up." That is where most churches are today. (See my recent post, The Southern Baptist Convention: A Cauldron of Compromise and Corruption?)
But I was first exposed to this story in Leviticus 10 in a sermon I heard over 30 years ago by Pastor Paul Den Butter. The text for that sermon was John 4:24 ("God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth"), and his topic was True Worship.
In this sermon Pastor Den Butter refers to this passage in Leviticus, and applies it to our worship today. God did not allow the sons of Aron to worship him in any way they please. And he is not pleased with the church today when they try to follow in the sons of Aron's footsteps.
Outside the Abortuary with Jaun the Security Gaurd
Our Lord Jesus said, "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16). The Bible also says, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (Amos 6:1).
Please listen to the following audio message by Tony Miano and learn how to follow these two precepts:
Outside the Abortuary with Jaun the Security Gaurd, by Tony Miano
Please listen to the following audio message by Tony Miano and learn how to follow these two precepts:
Outside the Abortuary with Jaun the Security Gaurd, by Tony Miano
Pulpit Freedom Sunday 2012 - What's it all About? Part III
In part 2 of this 3 part series on Pulpit Freedom Sunday, I posted a link to a sermon by Dr. Dennis Ingolfsland. In that sermon, Pulpit Freedom Sunday, Dr. Ingolfsland shares his views on some of the issues that brought about Pulpit Freedom Sunday .
Now, I want to conclude with a link to a sermon by Pastor Joey Faust on this same topic. The title of his sermon is: Not a Jezebel State Church.
Recommended reading:
Pulpit Freedom Sunday - What's it All About? Part I
Pulpit Freedom Sunday - What's it All About? Part II
Now, I want to conclude with a link to a sermon by Pastor Joey Faust on this same topic. The title of his sermon is: Not a Jezebel State Church.
Recommended reading:
Pulpit Freedom Sunday - What's it All About? Part I
Pulpit Freedom Sunday - What's it All About? Part II
Puritan Quote of the Day - Richard Baxter
"Can any reasonable man imagine that God should save men for offering salvation to others, while they refuse it themselves; and for telling those truths which they themselves neglect and abuse? Many a tailor goes in rags, that maketh costly clothes for others; and many a cook scarcely licks his fingers, when he hath dressed for others the most costly dishes.
"Believe it, brethren, God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Master's work. Take heed, therefore, to ourselves first, that you be that which you persuade your hearers to be, and believe that which you persuade them to believe, and heartily entertain that Savior whom you offer to them. He that bade you love your neighbors as yourselves, did imply that you should love yourselves, and not hate and destroy yourselves and them." - Richard Baxter, (1615 - 1691; from The Reformed Pastor)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
"Believe it, brethren, God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Master's work. Take heed, therefore, to ourselves first, that you be that which you persuade your hearers to be, and believe that which you persuade them to believe, and heartily entertain that Savior whom you offer to them. He that bade you love your neighbors as yourselves, did imply that you should love yourselves, and not hate and destroy yourselves and them." - Richard Baxter, (1615 - 1691; from The Reformed Pastor)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Best Evidences of a Young Earth - by Dr. Ken Ham
Here are 10 very short audio messages (1 minute each!) by Creation Expert, Dr. Ken Ham, on why Science teaches a 'young earth.' Enjoy!
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 1 (Comets)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 2 (Faint Sun Paradox)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 3 (Too Little Salt)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 4 (Sea Floor Sediment)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 5 (Magnetic Field)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 6 (Bent Rock Layers)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 7 (Carbon-14)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 8 (Too Much Helium)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 9 (Soft Tissue in Fossils)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 10 (Not So Ancient Bacteria)
For more on this audio series, go to The Ten Best Evidences from Science that Confirm a Young Earth
Also check out:
Ken Ham Responds to Bill Nye "The Humanist Guy"
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 1 (Comets)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 2 (Faint Sun Paradox)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 3 (Too Little Salt)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 4 (Sea Floor Sediment)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 5 (Magnetic Field)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 6 (Bent Rock Layers)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 7 (Carbon-14)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 8 (Too Much Helium)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 9 (Soft Tissue in Fossils)
Best Evidences of a Young Earth, Part 10 (Not So Ancient Bacteria)
For more on this audio series, go to The Ten Best Evidences from Science that Confirm a Young Earth
Also check out:
Ken Ham Responds to Bill Nye "The Humanist Guy"
The Lord of Obama’s Ring
The lord of Obama’s ring:
Please check out pastor William Sturm's audio message, Obama's Ring: 'There is No God But Allah'
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Please check out pastor William Sturm's audio message, Obama's Ring: 'There is No God But Allah'
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Henry Kissinger: In 10 years "No more Israel"
According to an article in The Daily Paul, Henry Kissinger is quoted as saying that In 10 years ‘No more Israel’
This is the same Henry Kissinger who said back in 1992:
"Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. Troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond, whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will plead with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government." In an address to the Bilderberger organization meeting at Evian, France, on May 21, 1991. As transcribed from a tape recording made by one of the Swiss delegates.
Never heard of Henry Kissinger? Never heard of the Bilderberg organization? Please take the time to check out None Dare Call it Conspiracy, by Gary Allen. Or at least the following two posts on this blog:
Why I believe in the Conspiratorial Theory of History and
Romney Foreign Policy Speech Promises Bigger Government and New Wars
This is the same Henry Kissinger who said back in 1992:
"Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. Troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond, whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will plead with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government." In an address to the Bilderberger organization meeting at Evian, France, on May 21, 1991. As transcribed from a tape recording made by one of the Swiss delegates.
Never heard of Henry Kissinger? Never heard of the Bilderberg organization? Please take the time to check out None Dare Call it Conspiracy, by Gary Allen. Or at least the following two posts on this blog:
Why I believe in the Conspiratorial Theory of History and
Romney Foreign Policy Speech Promises Bigger Government and New Wars
"To Hell With the Truth!"
Rep. Trey Gowdy Explodes at Libya Hearing: ‘I Want to Know Why We Were Lied To!’
Mark Twain once said: "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." I have experience this at least twice in my lifetime. The first time was about 12 years ago when I stood before a judge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The second time was early last month, when I stood before a different judge, to ask that my probation be cut short by 3 months so I could vote in the presidential election this year.
Eleven years ago I was sentenced to prison for 10 years for a crime I committed in the 1990s. I served out just short of 9 years of that sentence, having about 13 months taken off for good behavior in prison. And I deserved every day of my sentence. In fact, there are people serving much longer sentences than I got for the same crime.
But there were many things that were told to my judge back then that were simply not true. Instead of my judge being able to look objectively at the crime I committed, what the law says about the crime I committed, and rule accordingly, he also had before him many things that were not true.
No big deal. I served out my prison sentence and got on with my life. But then last month I filed a motion with the court to get off probation 3 months early so I could vote in the presidential election this year. The judge denied my motion. Again, no big deal. I only had 3 months left on my probation, and I would not have voted for either Obama or Romney! But like 12 years ago, my judge was also lie to this time.
The prosecutor told my judge that he had talked to my probation officer. And my probation officer told him that I have a no contact order, which is true. But the prosecutor also told my judge that in his conversation with my probation officer, she told him that I said I was going to violate that no contact order just as soon as I got off probation.
That is absolutely not true. I have strictly obeyed my no contact order for the past 12 years. And I have even told my probation officer in person (and in a recent email) that I fully plan on continuing to obey that no contact order once I am off probation. In a later conversation with my probation officer, she assured me that she never told the prosecutor I said I was going to violate my no contact order. The prosecutor must have taken it upon himself to lie to my judge.
In one of John Grisham's novels, he says:
"Kriegler was telling the truth, but the truth needed to be blurred at this point. This was a cross examination, so to hell with the truth. The witness had to be discredited."
My prosecutor had a job to do. He needed to convince my judge that she should not let me off probation 3 months early so I could vote in the election this year. And if he had to lie to her to do his job, well, that's then that's what he was going to do.
I read a short poem about lawyers that goes like this:
"As a young lawyer from the books that I've read
I thought justice and law were the same.
But I soon put such juvenile thoughts from my head
and I studied the rules of the game!"
-Author unknown
I'd like to see my judge 'explode' and yell at my prosecutor (like Rep. Trey Gowdy in the article above): "I want to know why I was lied to!"
The Bible says" "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Exodus 20:16
Mark Twain once said: "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes." I have experience this at least twice in my lifetime. The first time was about 12 years ago when I stood before a judge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The second time was early last month, when I stood before a different judge, to ask that my probation be cut short by 3 months so I could vote in the presidential election this year.
Eleven years ago I was sentenced to prison for 10 years for a crime I committed in the 1990s. I served out just short of 9 years of that sentence, having about 13 months taken off for good behavior in prison. And I deserved every day of my sentence. In fact, there are people serving much longer sentences than I got for the same crime.
But there were many things that were told to my judge back then that were simply not true. Instead of my judge being able to look objectively at the crime I committed, what the law says about the crime I committed, and rule accordingly, he also had before him many things that were not true.
No big deal. I served out my prison sentence and got on with my life. But then last month I filed a motion with the court to get off probation 3 months early so I could vote in the presidential election this year. The judge denied my motion. Again, no big deal. I only had 3 months left on my probation, and I would not have voted for either Obama or Romney! But like 12 years ago, my judge was also lie to this time.
The prosecutor told my judge that he had talked to my probation officer. And my probation officer told him that I have a no contact order, which is true. But the prosecutor also told my judge that in his conversation with my probation officer, she told him that I said I was going to violate that no contact order just as soon as I got off probation.
That is absolutely not true. I have strictly obeyed my no contact order for the past 12 years. And I have even told my probation officer in person (and in a recent email) that I fully plan on continuing to obey that no contact order once I am off probation. In a later conversation with my probation officer, she assured me that she never told the prosecutor I said I was going to violate my no contact order. The prosecutor must have taken it upon himself to lie to my judge.
In one of John Grisham's novels, he says:
"Kriegler was telling the truth, but the truth needed to be blurred at this point. This was a cross examination, so to hell with the truth. The witness had to be discredited."
My prosecutor had a job to do. He needed to convince my judge that she should not let me off probation 3 months early so I could vote in the election this year. And if he had to lie to her to do his job, well, that's then that's what he was going to do.
I read a short poem about lawyers that goes like this:
"As a young lawyer from the books that I've read
I thought justice and law were the same.
But I soon put such juvenile thoughts from my head
and I studied the rules of the game!"
-Author unknown
I'd like to see my judge 'explode' and yell at my prosecutor (like Rep. Trey Gowdy in the article above): "I want to know why I was lied to!"
The Bible says" "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Exodus 20:16
Another look at The Jobs Report
According to the Beurau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 'jobless rate fell below 8 percent for the first time in nearly 8 years'. (See Job Report Too Good to be True? Wealth Manger says, 'No Way in the World these Numbers are Accurate.').
One of the ways this report might distort reality is pointed out in the article, BLS and Parkinson’s Law:
"...inside the hugh BLS report there is another interesting data: the number of manufacturing jobs decreased in September by 16,000, while the government added 10,000 people to its taxpayer funded payroll."
The Bible says that "If a man will not work, he should not eat." (II Thessalonians 3:10). I believe every able - bodied American can obey this rule - and if they are unemployed, then their job, from 8 to 5 pm, is to be out looking for work!
One of the ways this report might distort reality is pointed out in the article, BLS and Parkinson’s Law:
"...inside the hugh BLS report there is another interesting data: the number of manufacturing jobs decreased in September by 16,000, while the government added 10,000 people to its taxpayer funded payroll."
The Bible says that "If a man will not work, he should not eat." (II Thessalonians 3:10). I believe every able - bodied American can obey this rule - and if they are unemployed, then their job, from 8 to 5 pm, is to be out looking for work!
Study: Young Americans Dumping Religion at Rapid Rate
Study: Young Americans Dumping Religion at Rapid Rate:
Our Lord Jesus asked the question: "When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Matthew 18:8). And in II Thessalonians 2:3, 4 it says that "a great falling away" must happen before the Antichrist, the 'Man of Sin,' be revealed:
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is God or worshiped."
Eggnog is starting to appear in the grocery stores. That means that Christmas is just around the corner. This is a good time for me to start posting links to one of my favorite Christmas poems:
Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
Our Lord Jesus asked the question: "When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Matthew 18:8). And in II Thessalonians 2:3, 4 it says that "a great falling away" must happen before the Antichrist, the 'Man of Sin,' be revealed:
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is God or worshiped."
Eggnog is starting to appear in the grocery stores. That means that Christmas is just around the corner. This is a good time for me to start posting links to one of my favorite Christmas poems:
Twas the Night Before Jesus Came
Puritan Quote of the Day - Richard Baxter
"It is not a terrible thing to a wretched soul, when it shall lie roaring perpetually in the flames of hell, and the God of mercy himself shall laugh at them; when...God shall mock them instead of relieving them; when none in heaven or earth can help them but God, and he shall rejoice over them in their calamity." - Richard Baxter (1615 - 1691)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Romney Foreign Policy Speech Promises Bigger Government and New Wars
Romney Foreign Policy Speech Promises Bigger Government and New Wars
Although I have no official connection with the website, Sermonaudio.com, I am very enthusiastic about this site, and frequently link to sermons and other audio messages posted there. But that does not mean I agree with every thing every speaker says on this site.
Recently, I listened to a couple of sermons where the ministers were criticizing those who hold to conspiracy theories, and especially singling out Alex Jones' websites, Prison Planet.com and InfoWars.com.
I don't know Alex Jones and I have no official connection to his web sites. But as part of my research for my Today in the News feature, I do follow his web sites every day (along with about 25 other sites, including Canada Free Press, The New American, The Drudge Report, The Blaze, Pravda, Al Jazeera and occasionally more mainstream news sites such as CNN.com and Foxnews.com).
I think Alex Jones sees conspiracies every where he looks. In fact, I think much of what he posts on his site detracts from the one real conspiracy he talks about, which has been called The Conspiracy Theory of History (see my post Why I Believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History).
The 2 ministers I referred to earlier were critical of those who hold to conspiracy theories (Sorry, I don't recall who they were). I think they are both right and wrong in this. On the one hand, Christians don't need to live in fear of what evil men (and women!) might be 'conspiring' to do. The Bible says:
"For he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldy say, The Lord is my helper, and I shall not fear what man shall do unto me." - Hebrews 13:5,6
and
"The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming." - Psalms 37:12, 13
But the Bible also says My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6; yes, I'm sorry. I'm sure I'm ripping that verse right out of context!). And if you had the knowledge that Alex Jones has about The Conspiracy Theory of History (again, see my post Why I Believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History), it wouldn't surprise you to read a news story like: Romney Foreign Policy Speech Promises Bigger Government and New Wars
In my humble opinion, if you have not read the 1971 book by Gary Allen, None Dare Call it Conspiracy, you don't even have a right to have an opinion on the topic!
Recommended listening and reading
The Rise of the New World Order, by Pastor Joey Faust
Although I have no official connection with the website, Sermonaudio.com, I am very enthusiastic about this site, and frequently link to sermons and other audio messages posted there. But that does not mean I agree with every thing every speaker says on this site.
Recently, I listened to a couple of sermons where the ministers were criticizing those who hold to conspiracy theories, and especially singling out Alex Jones' websites, Prison Planet.com and InfoWars.com.
I don't know Alex Jones and I have no official connection to his web sites. But as part of my research for my Today in the News feature, I do follow his web sites every day (along with about 25 other sites, including Canada Free Press, The New American, The Drudge Report, The Blaze, Pravda, Al Jazeera and occasionally more mainstream news sites such as CNN.com and Foxnews.com).
I think Alex Jones sees conspiracies every where he looks. In fact, I think much of what he posts on his site detracts from the one real conspiracy he talks about, which has been called The Conspiracy Theory of History (see my post Why I Believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History).
The 2 ministers I referred to earlier were critical of those who hold to conspiracy theories (Sorry, I don't recall who they were). I think they are both right and wrong in this. On the one hand, Christians don't need to live in fear of what evil men (and women!) might be 'conspiring' to do. The Bible says:
"For he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldy say, The Lord is my helper, and I shall not fear what man shall do unto me." - Hebrews 13:5,6
and
"The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming." - Psalms 37:12, 13
But the Bible also says My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6; yes, I'm sorry. I'm sure I'm ripping that verse right out of context!). And if you had the knowledge that Alex Jones has about The Conspiracy Theory of History (again, see my post Why I Believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History), it wouldn't surprise you to read a news story like: Romney Foreign Policy Speech Promises Bigger Government and New Wars
In my humble opinion, if you have not read the 1971 book by Gary Allen, None Dare Call it Conspiracy, you don't even have a right to have an opinion on the topic!
Recommended listening and reading
The Rise of the New World Order, by Pastor Joey Faust
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Matthew Henry
"God takes notice of every instance of the reformation of sinners, even those instances that fall not under the cognizance and observation of the world. He sees who turn from their evil way and who do not, and meets those with favor that meet him in a sincere conversion." - Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Pulpit Freedom Sunday, 2012 - What's It All About? Part II
This is part 2 in a 3 part series on Pulpit Freedom Sunday. To find out what this is all about, please read Dr. Dennis Ingolfsland's Pulpit Freedom Sunday, 2012
And after you read this article, if you are still unsure who to vote for in November, please listen to the following audio message:
Democrats Affirm Everything God Hates
And after you read this article, if you are still unsure who to vote for in November, please listen to the following audio message:
Democrats Affirm Everything God Hates
Harvard University - You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
Harvard University was founded in 1636 for the purpose of training young men for the ministry. According to Wikipedia:
"With some 17,000 Puritans migrating to New England by 1620, Harvard was founded by ministers who realized the need for training clergy for the new commonwealth, a 'church in the wilderness.' It was named for John Harvard, its first benefactor."
That was then. This is now:
Harvard students celebrate ‘Incest-Fest’
If you feel called to the gospel ministry, don't go to Harvard! Rather, consider checking into the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. And if you are able to donate to the work of training young men for the gospel ministry, please check out this short video, PRTS Expansion, by Dr. Joel Beeke
Here are some sermons from one of their professors, Dr. David P. Murray:
How to Benefit from a Funeral
Christophobia
Serious Preaching in a Comedy Culture
Should Christians Watch Movies?
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
"With some 17,000 Puritans migrating to New England by 1620, Harvard was founded by ministers who realized the need for training clergy for the new commonwealth, a 'church in the wilderness.' It was named for John Harvard, its first benefactor."
That was then. This is now:
Harvard students celebrate ‘Incest-Fest’
If you feel called to the gospel ministry, don't go to Harvard! Rather, consider checking into the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. And if you are able to donate to the work of training young men for the gospel ministry, please check out this short video, PRTS Expansion, by Dr. Joel Beeke
Here are some sermons from one of their professors, Dr. David P. Murray:
How to Benefit from a Funeral
Christophobia
Serious Preaching in a Comedy Culture
Should Christians Watch Movies?
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Monday, October 8, 2012
The Southern Baptist Convention - A Cauldron of Compromise and Corruption?
I read several years back that more than 10% of the Pastors in the Southern Baptist Church (or Convention) identified themselves as 5 point Calvinists. That's the good news (see my post, The Five Points of Calvinism).
Now, for the bad news, please take the time to listen to these two messages by Pastor Ralph Ovadal:
The Southern Baptist Convention: A Cauldron of Compromise and Corruption, part I
The Southern Baptist Convention: A Cauldron of Compromise and Corruption, part II
Now, for the bad news, please take the time to listen to these two messages by Pastor Ralph Ovadal:
The Southern Baptist Convention: A Cauldron of Compromise and Corruption, part I
The Southern Baptist Convention: A Cauldron of Compromise and Corruption, part II
Survey Finds Most Australians Welcome Cashless Society, Retinal Scans for Banking
Survey Finds Most Australians Welcome Cashless Society, Retinal Scans for Banking
The Bible Says:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score, and six." -Revelation 13:16-18
"And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." - Revelation 14:9-11
The Bible Says:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score, and six." -Revelation 13:16-18
"And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." - Revelation 14:9-11
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Are Evolution & The Big Bang Theories 'Lies Straight From The Pit Of Hell?'
Dr. Paul Broun thinks so. And I agree! (See the article in today's Huffington Post: Paul Broun: Evolution, Big Bang 'Lies Straight From The Pit Of Hell')
In a recent post I encouraged my readers to check out Frank Peretti's two Christian novels: This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. (Please see my post, Introducing Frank Peretti). Although these are novels I think there is more truth than fiction in them.
For example, these novels portray demons speaking lies into the ears of the non-Christians, and then portray those non-Christians repeating those same lies to others, as though they thought it up all by themselves. This is what I think is going on with the theory of evolution.
Demons speak these lies into the ears of very educated (non-Christian) teachers, and these teachers pass these lies onto their students as though they were fact. So in a sense, the theory of evolution does (and did!) come 'straight from the pit of hell.'
Several times the Bible says "He that has ears, let him hear." (i.e.Revelation 2:7). If you have ears, and eyes, please check out The Myth of Junk DNA, by Jonathan Wells, P.hd. in molecular and cellular biology and also Darwin Under the Microscope, by Dr. James P. Gills, M.D.
Recommended listening:
Congressman Calls Evolution 'Lie from the Pit of Hell', by Sean Harris
In a recent post I encouraged my readers to check out Frank Peretti's two Christian novels: This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. (Please see my post, Introducing Frank Peretti). Although these are novels I think there is more truth than fiction in them.
For example, these novels portray demons speaking lies into the ears of the non-Christians, and then portray those non-Christians repeating those same lies to others, as though they thought it up all by themselves. This is what I think is going on with the theory of evolution.
Demons speak these lies into the ears of very educated (non-Christian) teachers, and these teachers pass these lies onto their students as though they were fact. So in a sense, the theory of evolution does (and did!) come 'straight from the pit of hell.'
Several times the Bible says "He that has ears, let him hear." (i.e.Revelation 2:7). If you have ears, and eyes, please check out The Myth of Junk DNA, by Jonathan Wells, P.hd. in molecular and cellular biology and also Darwin Under the Microscope, by Dr. James P. Gills, M.D.
Recommended listening:
Congressman Calls Evolution 'Lie from the Pit of Hell', by Sean Harris
Puritan Quote of the Day - Matthew Henry
"It is a very evil thing, whether men think so or no, to offer the blind and the lame, the torn and the sick, in sacrifice to God. If we worship God ignorantly, and without understanding, we bring the blind for sacrifice; if we do it carelessly, and without consideration, if we are cold, and dull, and dead, in it, we bring the sick; if we rest in the bodily exercise and do not make heart work of it, we bring the lame; and, if we suffer vain thoughts and distractions to lodge within us, we bring the torn. And is not this evil? Is it not a great affront to God and a great wrong and injury to our own souls? - Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Friday, October 5, 2012
Taking the war to the sex traffickers
Taking the war to the sex traffickers: Movement Mobilizes Church to Rescue Victims of Child Porn Industry
'via Blog this'
'via Blog this'
Is Romans 7 More Important than John 3:16?
Do you have John 3:16 memorized? I hope so. If not, why don't you take 10 minutes right now and work on committing it to memory. Here, I'll help you get started:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
We had a speaker from the Gideons this past week in church. He told us that 3 billion people on earth have never heard John 3:16 before. Maybe he said 3 million, but I think it was 3 billion. Doesn't matter. It's a lot of people.
There are over 7 billion people on earth and I would like to see every one of them commit John 3:16 to memory. That one verse tells us that we are saved by faith alone in "The only begotten Son of God."
But it is dangerous to over emphasize one verse (or one chapter or one book) in the Bible, as though it were more important than the rest. I have problems with red letter editions of the Bible for this reason- as though what Jesus said in the gospels is more valuable that what the Apostle Paul says in his letters. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." (II Timothy 3:16)
Many people do this with John 3:16. Some people do this with Romans 7 as well. Romans 7:18,19 says:
"For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. For the good that I would I do not, but the evil that I would not, that I do."
Many people use Romans 7 to justify a sinful lifestyle - one that will end up in hell. "Well, I know I should not be looking at Internet porn, but you know, even the Apostle Paul talks about his struggles with sin and temptation, and he's going to heaven, so I will be there too."
Our Lord Jesus also says, "Enter ye in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction; and many there be which go in therat. Because straight in the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13,14)
Please, turn your TV off for one hour, and listen to Pastor Joey Faust preach on Dangerous Views of Romans 7. And if you find yourself agreeing with what Pastor Faust says in this sermon, leave you TV off for another hour and listen to Dr. David Murray's Sermon, Should Christians Watch Movies?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
We had a speaker from the Gideons this past week in church. He told us that 3 billion people on earth have never heard John 3:16 before. Maybe he said 3 million, but I think it was 3 billion. Doesn't matter. It's a lot of people.
There are over 7 billion people on earth and I would like to see every one of them commit John 3:16 to memory. That one verse tells us that we are saved by faith alone in "The only begotten Son of God."
But it is dangerous to over emphasize one verse (or one chapter or one book) in the Bible, as though it were more important than the rest. I have problems with red letter editions of the Bible for this reason- as though what Jesus said in the gospels is more valuable that what the Apostle Paul says in his letters. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." (II Timothy 3:16)
Many people do this with John 3:16. Some people do this with Romans 7 as well. Romans 7:18,19 says:
"For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. For the good that I would I do not, but the evil that I would not, that I do."
Many people use Romans 7 to justify a sinful lifestyle - one that will end up in hell. "Well, I know I should not be looking at Internet porn, but you know, even the Apostle Paul talks about his struggles with sin and temptation, and he's going to heaven, so I will be there too."
Our Lord Jesus also says, "Enter ye in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction; and many there be which go in therat. Because straight in the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13,14)
Please, turn your TV off for one hour, and listen to Pastor Joey Faust preach on Dangerous Views of Romans 7. And if you find yourself agreeing with what Pastor Faust says in this sermon, leave you TV off for another hour and listen to Dr. David Murray's Sermon, Should Christians Watch Movies?
Masons Offer Free ID Microchips to Kids
It's October already. Have you finished all of your back to school shopping for your kids? You may want to check out the website, Welcome to MOCHIP.ORG. Here you can get a free microchip for your child. Don't worry, this is strictly voluntary - for your child's protection.
Of course, if you are living in India and reading this, it may not be so voluntary. Check out India's Ambitious National Identification Program to see how they are working on registering and assigning "a one-of-a-kind ID number to every Indian resident - some 1.2 billion people - by 2020..."
Before you brush off these news stories, please take time to read the following two passages from Revelation:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score, and six." -Revelation 13:16-18
"And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." - Revelation 14:9-11
Of course, if you are living in India and reading this, it may not be so voluntary. Check out India's Ambitious National Identification Program to see how they are working on registering and assigning "a one-of-a-kind ID number to every Indian resident - some 1.2 billion people - by 2020..."
Before you brush off these news stories, please take time to read the following two passages from Revelation:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score, and six." -Revelation 13:16-18
"And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." - Revelation 14:9-11
Puritan Quote of the Day - Richard Sibbes
"God can pick sense out of confused prayer." - Richard Sibbes (1577 - 1635)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Matthew Henry
"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head, to top him, nor out of his feet, to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved." - Matthew Henry (1662-1714)
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Bible reading for today
Today in the news
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Puritan Quote of the Day - Ralph Venning
"They will be in this like the burning bush, which was burnt with fire, yet not consumed. As the church was on earth, so sinners will be in hell." Ralph Venning (1621 1673)
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
"Shoot Me First!" - Remembering Marian Fischer
It has been almost exactly 6 years ago today that a gunman entered into an Amish school an murdered 5 young Amish children. The oldest one, Marian Fischer, in an apparent attempt to buy time for the others, pleaded with the gunman to "Shoot me first!" He obliged.
I was 5 years into a 10 year prison sentence at the time, and I remember writing in my diary that as soon as the bullet entered Marian's body, and her life left her, she woke up immediately in the arms of her Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who wiped the tears from her eyes (Revelation 21:4), and said to her, "Well done Marian, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.'
I don't know what has become of the gunman who murdered Marian and her small classmates. Maybe he went to prison, and was exposed to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and he will join Marian in heaven one day. If not, he is going to spend eternity in hell. Here is what he will have to look forward to (From Jonathan Edward's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God):
"It would be dreadful to suffer this fierceness and wrath of Almighty God for one moment; but you must suffer it to all eternity. There will be no end to this exquisite horrible misery. When you look forward, you shall see a long forever, a boundless duration before you which will swallow up your thoughts, and amaze your souls, and you will absolutely despair of ever having any deliverance, any end, any mitigation, any rest at all; and you will know certainly that you must wear out long ages, millions and millions of ages, in wrestling and conflicting with this Almighty merciless vengeance; and then when you have so done, when many ages have actually been spent by you in this manner, you will know that it is all but a point to what remains. So that
I was 5 years into a 10 year prison sentence at the time, and I remember writing in my diary that as soon as the bullet entered Marian's body, and her life left her, she woke up immediately in the arms of her Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who wiped the tears from her eyes (Revelation 21:4), and said to her, "Well done Marian, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.'
I don't know what has become of the gunman who murdered Marian and her small classmates. Maybe he went to prison, and was exposed to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and he will join Marian in heaven one day. If not, he is going to spend eternity in hell. Here is what he will have to look forward to (From Jonathan Edward's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God):
"It would be dreadful to suffer this fierceness and wrath of Almighty God for one moment; but you must suffer it to all eternity. There will be no end to this exquisite horrible misery. When you look forward, you shall see a long forever, a boundless duration before you which will swallow up your thoughts, and amaze your souls, and you will absolutely despair of ever having any deliverance, any end, any mitigation, any rest at all; and you will know certainly that you must wear out long ages, millions and millions of ages, in wrestling and conflicting with this Almighty merciless vengeance; and then when you have so done, when many ages have actually been spent by you in this manner, you will know that it is all but a point to what remains. So that
Puritan Quote of he Day - Richard Baxter
"In necessary thing, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity." - Richard Baxter
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Recommended reading:
A Quest for Godliness - The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, by J. I. Packer
Russian General Warns of Coming US Collapse
If you grew up in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's (like I did), you probably felt a mixture of shock and relief when in the early 1990's the Soviet Union started to fall apart. I know I did.
I felt shock because I really thought the Soviet Union was here to stay and that there would always be the threat of nuclear war breaking out between them and America. I felt relief because I thought that the fall of the Soviet Union signaled a new era of peace and prosperity with the United States being the dominant political (and military) force on the globe.
In an article today on the Infowars web site, a Russian General is quoted as saying: “The USSR Collapsed and the Same Fate Has Been Prepared for the USA” I am absolutely convinced that Americans are going to see this happen in the very near future - and both Obama and Romney are going to do nothing to stop it.
Also on the Infowars web site there is an article titled Central Bankers Inflate Fiat While One World Currency is Finalized. Fiat money is currency that has value because its government says it has value. The dollar is worth 100 pennies because the United States government says its worth 100 pennies.
Well, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has been running the 'fiat' printing press almost non stop for the past 12 years - that is what this article means when it says "Central bankers inflate fiat." The Fed is creating a gigantic economic bubble that is going to burst in the near future and it may send America into a depression that makes the 1930s look like the Era of Good Feeling.
Why doesn't our president and congressmen do something about this? Well, Senator Ron Paul sponsored a bill to audit the Federal Reserve. That bill passed the house but our Senators voted it down. They don't want the Fed audited.
And in a recent article, Ben Bernanke himself told congress to mind its own business (See my post Bernanke Tells Congress to Butt Out of the Fed - What Planet Are We Living On?)
So what is going on in America where a man who controls the printing press can tell congress to butt out of his business? I believe there is only one explanation for it, and you can learn about this by reading my post Why I believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History.
I was first exposed to the Conspiracy Theory of History more than 30 years ago when I read Gary Allen's book, None Dare Call it Conspiracy. And everything I have seen since - including the fall of the Soviet Union and the now predicted fall of the USA by this Russian General -not to mention the 75% increase in our national debt just within the past 12 years- supports the thesis of this book.
But more important, the Bible supports it. Even if you choose not to check out my post Why I Believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History, take the time to read the following two passages of scripture:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score, and six." -Revelation 13:16-18
"And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." - Revelation 14:9-11
I felt shock because I really thought the Soviet Union was here to stay and that there would always be the threat of nuclear war breaking out between them and America. I felt relief because I thought that the fall of the Soviet Union signaled a new era of peace and prosperity with the United States being the dominant political (and military) force on the globe.
In an article today on the Infowars web site, a Russian General is quoted as saying: “The USSR Collapsed and the Same Fate Has Been Prepared for the USA” I am absolutely convinced that Americans are going to see this happen in the very near future - and both Obama and Romney are going to do nothing to stop it.
Also on the Infowars web site there is an article titled Central Bankers Inflate Fiat While One World Currency is Finalized. Fiat money is currency that has value because its government says it has value. The dollar is worth 100 pennies because the United States government says its worth 100 pennies.
Well, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has been running the 'fiat' printing press almost non stop for the past 12 years - that is what this article means when it says "Central bankers inflate fiat." The Fed is creating a gigantic economic bubble that is going to burst in the near future and it may send America into a depression that makes the 1930s look like the Era of Good Feeling.
Why doesn't our president and congressmen do something about this? Well, Senator Ron Paul sponsored a bill to audit the Federal Reserve. That bill passed the house but our Senators voted it down. They don't want the Fed audited.
And in a recent article, Ben Bernanke himself told congress to mind its own business (See my post Bernanke Tells Congress to Butt Out of the Fed - What Planet Are We Living On?)
So what is going on in America where a man who controls the printing press can tell congress to butt out of his business? I believe there is only one explanation for it, and you can learn about this by reading my post Why I believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History.
I was first exposed to the Conspiracy Theory of History more than 30 years ago when I read Gary Allen's book, None Dare Call it Conspiracy. And everything I have seen since - including the fall of the Soviet Union and the now predicted fall of the USA by this Russian General -not to mention the 75% increase in our national debt just within the past 12 years- supports the thesis of this book.
But more important, the Bible supports it. Even if you choose not to check out my post Why I Believe in the Conspiracy Theory of History, take the time to read the following two passages of scripture:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, three score, and six." -Revelation 13:16-18
"And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." - Revelation 14:9-11
Monday, October 1, 2012
Some Thoughts on True Worship
In a recent post I was critical of Contemporary Christian Musician, Carrie Underwood for kissing a 12 year old boy on the lips (and for previously coming out in favor of same sex marriage). You can read this post by clicking on The Brave New World of Contemporary Christian Musicians.
It has been said that any fool can criticize, and most fools do. What the world needs is not people who stand on a soap box and look down on others, but people who can humbly point to a better way. To that extent I want to offer two things which I think will make our (and now I'm speaking to born again Christians) worship more acceptable to the Lord Jesus.
The first is the book by Dr. Michael Horton, called A Better Way - Rediscovering the Drama of God Centered Worship.
And the second is an excerpt from a sermon I heard over 30 years ago by Rev. Paul Den Butter. The text of his sermon was John 4:24 and Exodus 20:25:
"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24
"And if thou wilt make an alter of stone unto me, thou shalt not make it of hewn stone, for if thou lift up thy tool upon it thou hast polluted it." - Exodus 20:25
I think this sermon was preached around 1980. Anyway, that is around the time I wrote the following excerpts down in my diary:
"...they have to be very careful that they do not make it (an alter of stone) of hewn stone. And they may not use any tool, any hammer or axe or whatever. They may not use any tool to beautify those stones. They must take simply the rock, the unadorned stones.
Very strongly recommended reading:
A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship, by Dr. Michael Horton
It has been said that any fool can criticize, and most fools do. What the world needs is not people who stand on a soap box and look down on others, but people who can humbly point to a better way. To that extent I want to offer two things which I think will make our (and now I'm speaking to born again Christians) worship more acceptable to the Lord Jesus.
The first is the book by Dr. Michael Horton, called A Better Way - Rediscovering the Drama of God Centered Worship.
And the second is an excerpt from a sermon I heard over 30 years ago by Rev. Paul Den Butter. The text of his sermon was John 4:24 and Exodus 20:25:
"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." - John 4:24
"And if thou wilt make an alter of stone unto me, thou shalt not make it of hewn stone, for if thou lift up thy tool upon it thou hast polluted it." - Exodus 20:25
I think this sermon was preached around 1980. Anyway, that is around the time I wrote the following excerpts down in my diary:
"...they have to be very careful that they do not make it (an alter of stone) of hewn stone. And they may not use any tool, any hammer or axe or whatever. They may not use any tool to beautify those stones. They must take simply the rock, the unadorned stones.
"'Ah, but then the alter is not nice, Then the alter is not beautiful. Then it is simply a primitive thing.'
"Well, that's what it may be in our estimation, but it's God's will, is it not? Whether it is a primitive thing or not, it is God's will that the alter will be built of rough stones and that no tool will be used.
"'Ya, but those stones are going to be much nicer if you use some chisel, and if you make some ornaments, some adornments on those stones. The alter is much more beautiful and much more serviceable in your worship service.'
"Ah, but the principle is not what I like, not what I think that is nice and beautiful, not what adorns my worship service, but the principle is what God has said!
"Not my taste determines, but God's command. God has the right to determine what it should be like. And this is a principle nearly almost forgotten. It was perfectly understood by our Reformers. They did not look for innovations, They did not look for all sorts of adornments in the church. Why do people today look for all sorts of things that beautify the worship service and make it more attractive? Why do we see vestments in all sorts of colors?
"I'm convinced it is simply to fill the aching void of the absence of reality. When the Church of Christ was most vigorous in its spiritual life, it had the most simple form of worship. When God converted most people, and when God's children were edified in the worship service, and when the Lord was present in the worship services, it may have been in a barn or in an open field, the worship as such was as simple as simple can be.
"But what do we see today? That in direct proportion to the loss of true spiritual life there is an increase in forms and ceremonies. And the forms and ceremonies are meant to fill the vacancies of true spiritual life. And so Satan is using tools to adorn our alters, but in the meantime he is polluting it. He's corrupting the worship. And men are willing instruments in his hands."
Very strongly recommended reading:
A Better Way: Rediscovering the Drama of God-Centered Worship, by Dr. Michael Horton
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