Traditions: Useful or Useless?

"Experience supplies painful proof that traditions once called into being are first called useful, then they become necessary. At last they are too often made idols, and all must bow down to them or be punished." J.C.Ryle

With the new year let's take a long, hard look and then courageously rid ourselves of those which are useless and a hindrance to an intimate relationship with God.

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Before the advent of aircraft and spy satellites it was a great strategic advantage for an army to have command over the high ground of the battlefield. From these heights the general could discern the movements of the enemy forces and position his own troops to the greatest advantage. Without this perspective a commanding general was nearly blind to what the enemy was doing.

As we enter a new year it is my hope that all of us will be found standing on higher ground spiritually. It is only from this "vantage point" that we will be able to "see" what is happening in our world and act or react in an appropriate manner. The spiritual "high ground" is our knowledge of and committment to abide in the doctrine of Christ and His Word. I quote a great Christian admired by millions.

"Every spiritual problem is at bottom theological. Its solution will depend upon the teaching of Holy Scriptures plus a correct understanding of that teaching. That correct understanding constitutes a spiritual philosophy, that is, a viewpoint, a high vantage ground from which the whole landscape may be seen at once, each detail appearing in its proper relation to everything else. Once such vantage ground is gained, we are in a position to evaluate any teaching or interpretaton that is offered us in the name of truth." A.W. Tozer

We have been warned that perilous times will come. We need that "high ground" perspective.

The Wonder of Christmas

The wonder of Christmas is often depicted by the sparkeling eyes and broad, expectant smile of a child getting ready to take off the beautiful paper and ribbons from the gifts left under the Christmas tree by Santa Claus.

The true wonder is that the Creator of the universe divested Himself of His glory (not His diety) and came into the world, born in a humble stable, by a virgin, Mary.

He came as the GIFT of God. "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus GAVE His life as an atoning sacrifice for your sins and mine, and now offers the GIFT of forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the penalty for our transgressions having been fully paid for by His death on the cross.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

How Can You Tell if It's True Love?

Months ago in a piece titled, "The Hormonal Choice" I wrote about the "love cocktail" of hormones which generate the feelings we so often associate with love. (Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com ). True love cannot be reduced to feelings alone. True love is a lot deeper than feelings and remains when feelings are absent. For example: During a crisis we become absorbed with the circumstances around us which, in turn, control our feelings. The death of a child often ruins a marriage because the feelings of grief overwhelm the feelings of love for the spouse.

True love exists even when there are no "feelings" of love present and actually it is during these times that the evidences of true love are on full display. What then are the evidences of true love?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." The New Testament 1 Corintians 13:4-8

If you think deeply about the above quote, you will notice that true love, rather than being a "feeling" is demonstrated by choices we make and actions we take. We can say that LOVE IS A CHOICE to act in a certain way whether or not loving feelings are present. It's easy to say, "I love you". A bit harder to prove it by what we choose to do and say.

Seven of the Most Dangerous Lies Your Spiritual Mentor May be Telling You

I just read an article about lies doctors tell their patients. The patient is trusting that he will be told the absolute truth about an illness, it's cause, it's treatment, and the probable course and chance of recovery. For various reasons doctors may not speak the truth about one or more of these. For example: He may not actually know for sure what is happening and makes a "diagnosis" which, in reality, is just a guess; he may not want to give false hope or depressing news; he may not be aware of a new treatment or doesn't believe in a certain treatment. etc.

Most of us, at some time in our lives, have had a "spiritual" question and have sought an answer from a spiritual leader. Here are seven of the most dangerous lies being told. Lies which could have eternal consequences.

The Lie: Don't be so hard on yourself, you're putting yourself on a guilt trip.
The Truth: There is such a thing as false guilt, but there is also real guilt that needs to be dealt with now, in this life, before it's too late.

The Lie: Religeon is just man's attempt to find answers to the unanswerable and to find some kind of meaning in life. It is man made. Someday soon we will no longer need it. Don't take it so seriously.
The Truth: There is an "Intelligence" reflected in all of creation and especially the highest creation, man. It is reasonable to assume that this Intelligence, God, would communicate with man, and He has in many ways. His inspired scripture, The Holy Bible, is His only guidebook to a relationship with Him and a for a meaningful life.

The Lie: It doesn't really matter what you believe. Just try to live a good life.
The Truth: It really does matter what you believe. You can't turn your back on the true God, make Him to be something He isn't, ignore His communications and not suffer the consequences.

The Lie: You're OK. I'm OK, we're all OK.
The Truth: We're not OK. We have all sinned against an infinitely Holy God.

The Lie: There are many roads to the top of the mountain. All of them are ok.
The Truth: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."

The Lie: The Bible is full of untruths and contradictions.
The Truth: There are some things difficult to understand, but no errors or contradictions.

The Lie: Jesus did not suffer the wrath of God on the cross to atone for your sins. We don't really know how God takes away our guilt.
The Truth: Jesus died on the Cross for your sins and mine in order to satisfy the infinite justice of God. If there was another way for man to be saved from his sins, Jesus would not have died the humiliating and terrible death by crucifiction.

Don't believe the lies and more important, don't tell them to others who may be seeking answers. The worst thing you could do to a person with a serious illness would be to tell them that they are ok and deny them the very thing that would cure them.

dot, dot, dot; dash, dash, dash; dot, dot, dot

Dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot. ...---...

Does this have any meaning to you? Well, if you are over 50 years old it is full of meaning and just hearing this strange "code" conjurs visions of storm tossed ships on the high seas in danger of sinking. Morse telegraph code for the letters
"S", "O", "S" which mean "Save our ship".

Today with G4, Smart phones, satellite communication and the "world wide webb" there is a generation of young people who don't know what "telegraph" or "Morse code" are. If you ask them what dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot means they may tell you they think it is something from Harry Potter.

There was a time when everyone knew the meaning of SOS. We were taught that someday, if we were in danger, this could save our lives.

There is another "life saving message" that is being forgotten in America and Europe. It is the message from our Creator who says, "Your sins have separated you from Me. My Infinite Justice and Holiness demands a penalty which you cannot pay so I came to earth and took the penalty upon myself in the Person of Jesus Christ. If you will receive Him as your Savior and Lord then you will be saved from the guilt and penalty of your sin because the penalty has been paid in full."

That the Son of God, Jesus, could take upon himself the penalty for your sins and mine is not an archaic message. It is the only pathway to eternal life.

Believe it, receive it. It will save your life.

Are you committing the sins of Sodom? Take the test - it might surprise you.

Q.1. Comparing yourself to the 1 billion half starved, poverty stricken Asians and Africans, do you think you might be considered a proud person?

Q.2. Do you have more than enough to eat every day? If you are 1 lb. overweight the answer is yes.

Q.3. Do you have a lot of spare time? There are 168 hours in a week. If you have a 40 hour work week there are 128 hours remaining. Sleep 8 hours a day? You have 72 hours left. That's almost half a week. What do you do with those 72 hours? Watch tv? Play video games? Shoot hoops? Hang out?

Q.4. What exactly are you doing for the poor and needy? A 5 dollar turkey once a year? Your generousity overwhelms me.

Now read the "other" reasons why God sent fire and brimstone down on Sodom.

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF US TO DO A SERIOUS SELF EXAMINIATION AND REARRANGE OUR PRIORITIES. WE MAY BE GIVING AN ACCOUNT BEFORE THE "BEMA" OF CHRIST SOONER THAN WE THINK.


Ezekiel 16:49
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."

The Nose of the Camel

Have you heard the story of the bedouin who found himself out in the middle of the desert on a very cold night? He unloaded his gear from his camel, pitched his tent, cooked a very meager dinner then curled up under some blankets and tried to go to sleep. It wasn't long before the camel stuck his nose between the tent flaps and pleaded, "Master, it's terribly cold out here and I worked so hard for you all day. Please let me warm up my nose for awhile." The bedouin thought to himself, "Yes, the poor thing has had a hard day. I should let him warm his nose, that's the least I could do to thank him for his labor." So he let the camel warm his nose and soon the bedouin was nodding off to sleep. After a short while he heard a noise and looked up to see the camel had pushed his entire head into the small tent. "Hey, what are you doing?" he shouted. "Please Master", said the camel, "My ears were freezing. Be so kind and let me warm up my ears for awhile." The bedouin thought, "I'll be nice to him. It is a very cold night." So he let the camel leave his head in the tent. It wasn't long before he was awakened again and found the camel had now pushed his front legs and shoulder into the tent. "Oh, please Master. Just let me warm my feet. It's freezing out there."

You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.

This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to childen, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.

2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)

Isaac Newton

The mathematical and scientific discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727) are astronomical. Some of the most notable of his achievements include the invention of calculus, the discovery of the laws of motion and the law of gravitation, and the construction of the first reflecting telescope. He also was a man known for his Christian faith. He spent a great portion of his time studying the Bible with a special interest in prophecy. Following are some of his quotations.
On the Bible:
"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."
On atheism:
"Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system. I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance."
At the time of his death, he left more than a million words of notes on the Bible. Six years after his death, Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John was published. Not only was Isaac a great scientist but also a dedicated student of the Bible.

from BlueLetterBible

Despised and Rejected

"It is enough for the disciple that he be as His Master." Matthew 10:25

No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment He received? Were His claims acknowledged, His instructions followed, His perfections worshipped, by those whom He came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was His place: cross-bearing was His occupation. Did the world yield Him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." This inhospitable country afforded Him no shelter: it cast Him out and crucified Him. Such—if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation—you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour—they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by His enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.

C.H.Spurgeon

What is your standard of truth?

Is it you yourself? Oh, thou all knowing one!!
Is it a text book? They change almost every year.
Is it a great philosopher? What do you do with the others who see it differently?
Is it history? They say that the victor writes the tale. Revisions are too common.
Is it the majority, or consensus? The majority is often wrong. (Germany 1937-1945)
Is it science? We don't know an awful lot more than we do know!

Mine is the Holy Bible and I have a lot of reasons for accepting it as THE standard of truth in all that it affirms. It is God's revelation to man. Heed it and be blessed!!

Foresight and Leadership

"Foresight is the ability to look into the future, to come up with solutions that are good for the short term and the long term. Foresight is the most precious quality a leader can have, and it is the rarest."

J.RufusFears

Sir Walter Scott's "Mystery of all Mysteries"

Within this wonderous volume lies
The mystery of all mysteries.
Happiest they of human race
to whom their God has given grace
to read, to fear, to hope, to pray;
to lift the latch, to find the way.
And better had they ne'er been born,
who read to doubt or read to scorn.

Sir Walter Scott wrote about the Holy Bible

The Greatest Book on Earth (Poem)

This is the greatest book on earth,
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line,
Tho' writ by human hands.

This is the living rock of truth
Which all assaults defies
O'er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime;
It lives, and never dies.

This is the volume of the Cross;
Its doctrine pure, its history true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new,
Shall evermore endure.

by J. Sidlow Baxter

A New Definition does not make the CORRECT DEFINITION false.

I was with an old friend a few days ago and heard a "bible" teacher give a new definition of the "inspiration" of the Scriptures. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut. The bottom line was that "inspiration" does not necessarily mean that the facts are correct, it has to do with what God is trying to teach us about how to live. No!!! The time honored meaning of "inspiration" as it refers to the Bible is that the Bible is without error in all that it affirms.

Dr. John Bechtle writes:
"Some theologians teach that the Bible is inspired and authoritative, and that it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation—but they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas. One theologian, for instance, says that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guarnteed “selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence” (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190).

However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is completely accurate. It may contain statements that are (1) figures of speech, (2) non-technical descriptions, or (3) difficult to understand. But actual errors would fall into a different kind of category. If there are any errors in Scripture, no matter how small, the book can no longer be our standard of truth. I become the standard of truth, as I determine which Bible statements are right and which are wrong. And if I can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where I can check on Him), why should I expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where I can't check on Him)?

The Bible doesn't use the word “inerrant,” but the idea is obvious.

■Psalm 19:7-9—“The law of the Lord is perfect… the testimony of the Lord is sure… the commandment of the Lord is pure… the judgments of the Lord are true forever.”
■Psalm 119:43—“the word of truth.”
■Psalm 119:142—“Thy law is the truth.”
■Psalm 119:160—“Thy word is true from the beginning.”
■John 17:17—“Thy word is truth.”
An inaccurate Bible contradicts God's character quality of absolute truthfulness.

■Titus 1:2—“God who cannot lie.”
■Hebrews 6:18—“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Some consider this a minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. When people decide they have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, they soon find others that they consign to the “error” category. I've watched it happen over the years. Each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinion."

Bending Light

I just read a scientific article about a material, metaflex, being developed in Scotland that "bends" light waves. Already successful in bending long frequency light waves, they believe that they have now solved the problem with short frequency (visible light) waves which require manipulating much smaller light bending molecules. Fully developed, an invisibility cloak could be produced that when worn would render a person invisible. Of course an eye hole would be required so the wearer could see where he was walking. So, if you see an eyeball floating down the sidewalk about five and a half feet off the ground, rest assured that you're not hallucinating. Somebody is wearing their new "invisibility cloak".

Talking about "bending light" - we are in an age (and we were warned it would come) when "light", that is, "truth" is being bent in such a way that it is rendering "real" truth or "true" truth almost invisible. Truths that were highly "visible" 150 years ago have all but "disappeared". For example: the wrath of God, the torments of hell, personal responsibility, judgement day, worldliness, holiness, love expressed with more than words, (how many times have I heard "I love you Joe" as the dagger slides betweem my ribs near my backbone?), true forgiveness, the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, telling the truth when it might cost you something, the incarnation of the one true God (The Word was God and the Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1-14)

I'm getting sick of all the "bent light" that's flickering around us. Give me the STRAGHT TRUTH.

What Kind of a Leader Are You?

A poor leader creates fear, a good leader confidence. A poor leader fixes blame, a good leader corrects mistakes. A poor leader knows all, a good leader asks questions. A poor leader makes work drudgery, a good leader makes it interesting.

Adapted

Let the show go on

Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

English Proverb

A Theological Nose-dive or a Belly-flop?

Forty years ago a famous theologian wrote: "It is often said today that theology is stronger than it has ever been, and in terms of academic expertise and the quantity and quality of books published this is probably true; but it is a long time since theology has been so weak and clumsy at its basic task of holding the church to the realities of the gospel. Ninety years ago C.H.Spurgeon described the wobblings he then saw among the Baptists on Scripture, atonement and human destiny as 'the downgrade'; could he survey Protestant thinking about God at the present time, I guess he would speak of the 'nose-dive'!"

Now, in 2010, it wouldn't be a nose-dive but a belly flop.

"Stand ye in the way and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16

Befuddled Leaders feel Underappreciated

"Obama, Pelosi, and Reid are befuddled that the public does not appreciate the enlightened policies they have bestowed on America.

Cognizant that their policies are splendid, they blame the public’s inability to appreciate good policy.

Charles Krauthammer in Real Clear Politics playfully calls this the “Obama Under Appreciation Syndrome.”" from news source

In other words, "If you bunch of leadheads were as smart as us you would really appreciate what we are trying to do for you instead of voting us out. Wah, Wah."

The Coward's Revenge

Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.

George Bernard Shaw

Get Your Face in the Son

Keep facing the Son and the shadows will always be behind you!

Whoooooa, WHAT did God just whisper to David Wilkerson?

GOD TOLD ME SOMETHING I Was NOT EXPECTING to HEAR!
-David Wilkerson - Oct 20, 2010.

One night during a prayer meeting, God told me something about
our church I was not expecting to hear.

The Lord whispered to me, “This church needs shock treatment!
Too many have grown satisfied and complacent. You feel safe and
secure from all the winds and waves of false doctrines sweeping
over the land—but you are not prepared for what is coming!”

I AM NOT THE ONLY VOICE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS!!!!!!!

The Flip Side of the Coin

When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show
life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.

Letting Go

Holding on to hurts and refusing to forgive is like grasping a piece of hot iron. The longer you hold it the more damage you inflict upon yourself. For pity sake, drop it.

Shakespear - a diseased spirit.

Macbeth’s ambitions are now stronger than his conscience. The witches have tempted and controlled him with the idea of becoming king. Lady Macbeth manipulates him to overcome his natural hesitation to commit murder. Due to his manipulation, Macbeth chooses the crown over his honor and material gain in this world over salvation in the next world. Once he has killed to get the crown, the other crimes seem inevitable. In order to keep what he has taken, Macbeth learns to lie and kill as a matter of course. His values become totally confused. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" to him now; he has lost track of the difference. By the end of the play, manipulation by others has completely consumed Macbeth. Once Macbeth kills Duncan, he is committed to a course of lying and killing. His sense of right and wrong is eaten away. Even before Macbeth is killed, he is dying of a diseased spirit. Scotland is also infected, and Macbeth is its disease. Macbeth is a prime example of the corruption of power, and how absolute power corrupts absolutely. Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is a study of manipulation, control, and power.

The right to be wrong.

"We have the right to believe whatever we want, but not everything we believe is right."

Ravi Zacharias

Formula for Happiness

“If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day—go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month—get married.
If you want happiness for a year—inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime—help others.”

Chinese Proverb (quoted by Todd Harris in the shadow of Mt. Everest)

Ravi on the cross.

"Unless I understand the Cross, I cannot understand why my commitment to what is right must be precedence over what I prefer."

Ravi Zacharias

Einstein

Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.
Albert Einstein

Learning Humility

Question: How can I learn to be humble?

Answer: Get humiliated!

Question: And if that doesn't work?

Answer: Get humiliated again.

Self-debasement

No one can better make one look like a fool than one's self.

"Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents" (in American politics)

From William Burke's speech given in Parliament on April 23,1770.

"Whilst men are linked together, they easily and speedily communicate the alarm of any evil design. They are enabled to fathom it with common counsel, and to oppose it with united strength. Whereas, when they lie dispersed, without concert, order, or discipline, communication is uncertain, counsel difficult, and resistance impracticable. Where men are not acquainted with each other’s principles, nor experienced in each other’s talents, nor at all practised in their mutual habitudes and dispositions by joint efforts in business; no personal confidence, no friendship, no common interest, subsisting among them; it is evidently impossible that they can act a public part with uniformity, perseverance, or efficacy. In a connection, the most inconsiderable man, by adding to the weight of the whole, has his value, and his use; out of it, the greatest talents are wholly unserviceable to the public. No man, who is not inflamed by vain-glory into enthusiasm, can flatter himself that his single, unsupported, desultory, unsystematic endeavours, are of power to defeat the subtle designs and united cabals of ambitious citizens. When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle."

One hundred years later the last sentence had been altered to become the oft quoted "misquote": The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

It is time (in America) for good men to "man up", stand up and speak up!

Six Honest Serving Men

I KEEP six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.

Rudyard Kipling

Let them serve you and they'll help you get to the bottom of almost anything.

A Kick in the Pants by Teddy

If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

Theodore Roosevelt

Abe Lincoln on canine anatomy

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.


Abraham Lincoln

Do you love me? Feed my sheep.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

George Washington

Falshoods and Errors

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.


Thomas Jefferson

Lessons

"If Jesus is our model, then servanthood is our method.

If servanthood is our method, then people are our ministry.

If people are our ministry, then involvement is the means."

We are "not servants to activities or to administrative details or to things.  We serve people."

Charles R. Swindoll

The Three Wonders of Heaven

You remember the story of the three wonders in heaven. The first wonder was, that we should see so many there we did not expect to see there; the second was, that we should miss so many we did expect to see there; but the third wonder would be the greatest wonder of all,—to see ourselves there.


Charles H. Spurgeon

Tyranny

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.


C. S. Lewis

"The Old That is Strong Does Not Wither" Tolkien

"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king."

— J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring)

Will Rogers Quote

A remark generally hurts in proportion to its truth.


Will Rogers

SHOW ME !!

"Can we follow the Savior far, who have no wound or scar? "


— Amy Carmichael (God's Missionary)

It is still murder!!

If he is not alive,
why is he growing?

If he is not a human being,
what kind of being is he?

If he is not a child
why is he sucking his thumb?

If he is a living, human child,
why is it legal to kill him?

On The Rock

"I may tremble on the Rock, but the Rock never trembles under me." 

Charles R. Swindoll

Does God write Poetry?

Yes, you are a poem, written by the hand of Almighty God.   The etymology of the word "poem" goes back to the greek "poiema".  

"Poiema" is found in the Greek New Testament book of Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10 which translated to English reads, "For we are God's workmanship (poiema), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Yes, you are God's poem in progress.  It won't be finished until it is presented at His throne in Heaven without any imperfections whatsoever.

Don't Tell God!!

A missionary colleague posted this on Facebook.  It's the kind of things I like to get and to pass on to others.

"Don't tell God how big your problems are.  Tell your problems how big your God is."

Troubling Thoughts?

---and the peace of God ...will guard your hearts.


"---whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, DWELL on these things."    


---and the God of peace will be with you.

What Prayer Is NOT

"Prayer is not us giving God free advise on how to run His universe."

Russell Stendal at the Voice of the Martyrs conference in Scottsdale, AZ

Common Sense

The problem with common sense is

that it is not common.

My Advice to you is this.....

"My advise to you is this:  Go to God and present your case to Him.  For He does great works too marvelous to understand.  He performs miracles without number."

Job 5:8   The Holy Bible

Dreams vs. Reality

"I dreamt and saw that life was beauty,

  I awoke and saw that life was duty."

by L.E. Maxwell     A solid, down to earth Christian who influenced me greatly as a new Christian and whose vision helped me to catch a glimpse of a world in need of a Savior.

Prayer Therapy

Yes, it is true that prayer changes things.  But it has been said that prayer changes you as well.

One of the prayers that can be most helpful to you as you deal with the unpleasantries of life is the prayer our Lord Jesus made from the cross of Calvary.

FORGIVE THEM FATHER, THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.

The Martyrdom of Michael Sattler - A rerun

Have you ever read a martyr's trial?


Articles or Charges against Michael Sattler (1527)
First, that he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.

Secondly, he has taught, held and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.

Thirdly, he has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.

Fourthly, they have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.

Fifthly, they have despised and condemned the mother of God and the saints.

Sixthly, he has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.

Seventhly, he has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord's supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.

Eightly, he has left the order, and married a wife.

Ninethly, he has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.



After his short defence which quoted Bible verses it is recorded "the judges laughed and put their heads together, and the town clerk of Ensisheim said, 'O you infamous, desperate villain and monk, shall we dispute with you? The hangman shall dispute with you, I assure you."

Michael said, "God's will be done."

The town clerk said, "It were well if you had never been born."

Michael replied, God knows what is good."

Town Clerk, "You arch-heretic, you have seduced the pious; if they would only now forsake their error, and accept grace."

Michael: "Grace is with God alone."

One of the prisoners also said, "We must not depart from the truth."

Town Clerk: "You desperate villain and archheretic, I tell you if there were no hangman here, I would hang you myself, and think that I had done God service."

Michael: "God will judge aright."

Thereupon the town clerk said a few words to him in Latin, what we do not know.

Michael Sattler answered him Judica.

The town clerk said, "The hangman shall convince you; he shall dispute with you, arch-heretic."Michael: "I appeal to the Scriptures."

The judges arose, and went into another room, where they remained for an hour and a half, and determined on the sentence.

The judges having returned to the room, the sentence was read. It was as follows, "In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgement is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner."

After this had been done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, A.D. 1527

from "The Martyrs Mirror"

Are we so weak that we won't even dispute the very things for which our spiritual forefathers were tortured and died at the hands of the Papists and Reformers? God have mercy upon our pitiful souls.

Our Responsibility

"Our responsibility in this hostile world is to defend successfully the concept of human freedom from every assault, ideological, economic or military."      Barry Goldwater

Barry Goldwater was a candidate for President of the United States.  He lost the election largely because his opponent said Goldwater would use the atomic bomb, which was a lie.

Goldwater's philosophical statement inscribed on his memorial in Paradise Valley, AZ was in a sense a prophetic statement about future threats to our nation, threats which at the time were encompassed in Communism which proved to be a failure. 

The world has changed but the threats to freedom everywhere remain:  ideological, economic and military.

Fatal Attraction - Revisited

Fatal Attraction, Garlic Girls, Delilah and HIV


Fatal Attraction

I didn't see the 1987 movie but it got a lot of press, nominated for 6 Oscars, and headers were splashed all over the media. I read a couple of reviews. You know the plot; an unfaithful husband gets more than he bargained for. The "love cocktail" of powerful brain chemicals (phenylethelamine, dopamine and oxytocin) helped create an extremely strong neural pathway in Alex Forrest's brain. She became obsessed with Dan then psychotic. "I guess you thought you'd get away with this. Well, you can't", says Alex. "I'm not going to be ignored, Dan!"

Glenn Close, the actress who played Alex, reported that after the film was released she was approached a number of times by men who said, "You scared the beegeebees out of me. You saved my marraige." However, many men, throwing all caution to the wind, watched the movie then went on to have their own affair. The "love cocktail" had done it's work in their own brain.

The Garlic Girls

Karl Johann's Gata (street) in downtown Oslo, Norway, is for the most part, a traffic free walking street running from the Central Train Station to the Royal Palace. A very interesting and popular place to hang out. Street musicians and one man bands from around the world make their way here in the summertime to entertain and earn a few "kroner". The Garlic Girls used to make regular public appearances. Seated on the edge of a fountain in the public square, four or five beautiful young "women" sat for hours chatting, gesturing to the crowds of passersby, and acting very feminine. But it was all an act. They were all young college students, men in drag, having the time of their lives. One would have to get up in their faces to realize who and what they were, and even then it was difficult.

I watched COPS on TV a few years ago where a "John" was arrested for soliciting. He was shocked when the police informed him that the prostitute he had picked up was a transvestite. I read in the newspaper of a another incident where a prostitute was murdered when the "John" realized "she" was a "he". Yet, many people, knowing that these kinds of deceptions take place, throw caution to the wind, and walk on like a lamb to the slaughter. Lust and the "love cocktail" blinds them to the destructive nature of their behavior.

Delilah

Who would ever name their child Delilah? Samson, on a lustful high, thought that she was his friend and entrusted her with the secret of his superhuman strength. He was blind to her deception and eventually had his wandering eyes gouged out. How many have read the story then gone out and done the same thing? She wasn't his friend at all, she was in fact his worst enemy! But, the "love cocktail" had skewed his perception of the truth, he threw caution to the wind, and paid for it with his life.

HIV

The initials, HIV, used to be on every front page and every newscast. No so much any more but it is still there, it is no longer a "gay" disease, and it is still as destructive as ever with no cure in sight. Knowing the dangers of HIV and a plethora of other STD's, has not changed the moral tone of our nation. Immorality is rampant -much worse that it was 30 years ago when doctors became concerned over what they dubbed "gay cancer". Yet, many throw all caution to the wind and live a permiscuous lifestyle. Lust and the "love cocktail" drive them on.

All this to demonstrate the power of brain chemicals to distort a person's perceptions of what is good and what is bad, of what is right and what is wrong. It's as if "rose colored glasses" cloud the dangers which should be obvious. Again, be careful about who and what you get "stuck" on. Especially if the "hot" factor is present in any way, shape, or form. What you tell yourself is rational may be nothing more than the Hormonal Choice.

The Hormonal Choice Revisited

Months ago, on another blog, http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com , I posted this thought and was highly criticized for it, God knows why.  After a recent discussion concerning irrational behaviour I decided that it's time to get it up again.  Here it is for your enjoyment.

The Hormonal Choice


Scientists exploring the chemistry of the brain write about a group of "chemicals which are registered together only during the initial stages of courtship". They are sometimes referred to as the "love cocktail". They are: phenylethelamine, dopamine and oxytocin. Prof. Hazan of Cornell Univ.

These chemicals help create neural pathways in the brain that are extremely difficult if not impossible to remove. Just a glance at a beautiful woman stimulates the production of these chemicals at lightning speed and the poor guy gets "zapped". If the cocktail is potent enough he can get hooked or stuck on her and even obsessed with her without even knowing who she is. (Come on guys, you know this is true). Remember the '50 song, "I love you, I need you, won't you tell me your name"?

Advertisers intentionally use this chemical reaction to help fasten the image of their products in the minds of those who see their ads. It's always a breathtakingly beautiful model demonstrating the toilet bowl cleaner. And the focus of the ad will not be on the toilet bowl, toilet brush or the nasty stains being removed. Something else will be present, maybe some cleavage, to give a little zap of "love cocktail" with the hope that the product will be included in the neural pathway just formed and fortified by these brain chemicals.

News anchors are famous for this little maneuver. Katie Couric flopped as soon as they put her behind a desk!  (my wife asked me, "What is that?  I don't get it."  Of course!  She is a woman)

Now, all this to say, be careful about who and what you get "stuck" on. Especially if that "hot" factor is present in any way, shape, or form

I took the challenge

A few days ago (Sept. 6) I gave the challenge to read III John with the purpose of examining the character of three men mentioned in the the letter; Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius.  Here are the results of my examination.

Gaius - was a man who was "walking in the truth".  What does it mean to "walk" in the truth?  Well, first of all, it implies a knowledge of the truth. "Thy Word is Truth".   A person cannot walk in the truth if he has no knowledge or a distorted knowledge of the Word of God.   For example: a man in a foreign place without a map or with an inaccurate map will not be able to find his way.  The Bible admonishes us to let the Word of God dwell in us richly and to study the Word.  We cannot walk in the truth if we do not know what it is!  Then, "walking in the truth" means to put our knowledge of the Word of God into practice.  It is not enough to know what the Bible says, the devil can quote scripture.  We read in James 1:22  "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."  Gaius was a man who knew the Word of God and put it into practice in his daily life.

Diotrephes - was the "pickle in the middle" or the "thorn" among the roses.  Nothing good was said of him. If you list his characteristics in vs. 10, they are:
loves to be first - egotistic
does not accept what the Apostle says - ignorant of the Word of God
unjustly accuses us - slanderous
uses wicked words - foul mouthed
puts hospitable people out of the church - drives decent people away

In vs. 11 John admonishes us not to imitate evil (Diotrephes).

In the common language of today we would say that he was an evil and egotistical Biblical ignoramus with a foul mouth full of slander who drove decent people out of the church. vs. 10,11

Demetrius - had a good reputation.  Everyone testified of his integrity even the Apostle John himself who added, "and our testimony is true".  I wonder why John added that phrase?  Could it be that Diotrephes slanderous, lying tongue had slashed away at Demetrius to sully his good name?  But John said, "our testimony is true."

"Good Choices for Dummies" handbook

Adam and Eve made a choice (not in God's will) and the "curse" fell on all creation.
Cain made a choice (not in God's will) and murdered his brother.
Noah made a choice (in God's will) and he and his family were saved.
His descendants made a choice to build a tower (not in God's will) and were scattered.
Abraham made a choice to obey (in God's will) and became the "father of the faithful".
Joseph made a choice to keep himself pure (in God's will) and became 2nd to Pharaoh.
Moses made a choice to kill an Egyptian (not in God's will) and became a shepherd for 40 years.
Moses made another choice to obey (in God's will) and Pharaoh let God's people go.
The people made a choice to not cross Jordon (not God's will) and died in the wilderness.
We could go on and on from Genesis to Revelation.  The Bible is a history of man's good and bad choices, and tells us what is "in God's will" and what is "not in God's will".


We are continually being faced with choices. Does everything that happens happen because God is Sovereign.  No, then God would be the author of sin, which he is not. He is Holy and can not look upon sin.  God, in His Sovereignty, has granted us the freedom of  making either good choices or bad choices.  He wants us to make the good ones and has given us a "Good Choices for Dummies" handbook,  the Bible.  The bad choices and the consequences are not "in the sovereign will of God", to the contrary, they are outside of the sovereign will of God. 

God is not willing that any should perish.  But, "the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it." Matt. 7:13


I choose this day to follow God's Holy Word and to depend upon Him for the grace and strength to do it.

You're no Jesus!!

I overheard two men talking in the barber shop about judging a person's character. One man said, "You can judge a man's character by the people he associates with." Everyone kind of shook their heads or nodded that they pretty much agreed with that statement. After a short pause another man said, "Yah, and you can also judge a man's character by who he avoids!" Again, everyone kind of nodded in agreement. Then someone said, "Yes, but doesn't the Bible say that Jesus was the friend of sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes?" "I'm like Him?" To which the first man replied, "I know Jesus Christ, and you're no Jesus!"

Moral of the story: Jesus "associates" with sinners in order to take them out of their sin. Men all to often associate with "sinners" because they enjoy both the friendship and the sin. Jesus closest associates were His disciples and it is His followers He calls His friends.

Birds of a feather, flock together!!

The "Wise" and the "Foolish"

I would rather be seen as a fool before men than to be seen as a fool before Almighty God.

I Corinthians 3:18-19
"Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight."

I Corinthians 2:14
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

We live in a day when evil is counted as good and good is counted as evil. This is true of behaviour, ideas, things, and people

Trials and Tests

Another thought from Charles R. Swindoll gleaned from the Living Insights Study Bible.

"Generally speaking there are two kinds of tests in life: adversity and prosperity. Of the two, the latter is the more difficult.

When adversity strikes, things get simple; survival is the goal. It is a test on maintaining the basics of food, clothing and shelter.

But when prosperity comes, watch out! Things get complicated. All kinds of subtle temptations arrive, pleading for satisfaction. It is then that one's integrity is put to the test."

Charles R. Swindall

The Gift of Prophesy

Many godly Biblical scholars will tell you that the gift of prophesy in our present times, with the completion of the N.T. Scriptures, is the "forth-telling" of the Word of God, rather than "fortelling future events". Good men have made predictions about the future only to have to wipe the egg off of their faces and adjust their calculations when things didn't turn out the way they had "prophesied".

In 1 Corinthians 14 we read of the New Testament gift of prophesy. We are told to "pursue love, yet desire spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of prophesy". (vs.1)

"-One who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation." vs. 3. A gifted person will have an unusual ability to make God's word clear and applicable to everyday life and to special circumstances so that the hearers are built up in their faith (edified), encouraged to press on (exhortation), and comforted (consolation) in the difficult times which all who live godly in Christ Jesus must endure.

There is another element in vss. 24,25. "--the secrets of his heart are revealed." I have heard many times of people who visit a church, listen to the preacher, and become angry because they are absolutely certain that someone has been talking to the preacher about them. Somehow, the sermon, which may have been prepared days or weeks before its delivery, contained elements, given by God, that were meant for one particular person in the audience.

Then there are the insights God gives a "prophetic" person into the lives and thinking of people around him (or her). An uncanny ability to see behind the smoke and mirrors into what is really going on. Some of this is, I am sure, a natural ability gained through years of interaction with people on various levels. But at times, I believe, it is something God reveals in order to bring conviction, edification, exhortation and consolation.

The Gift of Prophesy. Use it carefully and use it wisely, but use it, it is a gift from God, and a gift to be desired.

Take up the Challenge

I am reading a devotional by Charles R. Swindoll (one of my favorite author/preacher) "Come Before Winter and Share My Hope". At the end of a chapter entitled Letters of Reference he makes a challenge to study closely the New Testament book of III John to see what criteria the Apostle John used to evaluate the character of three men; Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius.

I have read III John countless times but never with this thought in mind. It was very revealing and touched my heart as I know it will your's if you TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE.

Selective Indignation

I knew a man who became very indignant about the infanticide commonly practiced against female babies in a certain Asian country. But he seldom said a word about the abortion of millions in his own nation.

A business man expresses deep indignation toward lying politicians in general and lying liberal politicians in particular, but routinely swindles his customers by not delivering the "goods" he has promised.

A lady became highly indignant when someone spoke negatively about her best friend but she remained strangly quiet as the conversation shifted focus and someone with whom she had only a casual acquaintance was sliced, diced and hung out to dry.

Indignant, highly indignant.
Silent, strangly quiet.

Next time you feel "indignation" rising, pause, take a deep breath, count silently to 10 then ask yourself, "Is my indignation selective or am I consistently reacting to the violation of a principle."

GO FOR THE SWEET SPOT

Upmmh -- Whack! You can hear the ball meeting the "sweet spot".   Nothing quite like that sound!  It rises off the bat like an arrow in flight arching high - up, up over the field, over the stands - it's out of the park.  The fans rise from their seats, victory shouts fill the air and the batter, poised for a sprint to first, loosens up and settles into a comfortable lope around the bases into the arms of his teammates.  What a way to make it home! 

Upmmmh, spreechkk!  A fast grounder into right field. Come on! come on! faster, faster,  whap  AHhh, safe at first.  Steals second - another grounder and he's on third.  A line drive along the right field foul line - run, run, the ball is at first and streaks toward home.  He's sliding in at full speed hands outstreched toward home base.  The umpire yells and waves his arms - he made it.  SAFE  but almost out.

Next batter up - same scenario- but the umpire yells- waves his arms. OUT  but almost in.

Reminds me of a couple of verses in God's Word, the Bible.  
In Acts 26:28 we read that King Agrippa, after listening to the gospel preached by the Apostle Paul, replied, "ALMOST thou persuadest me to be a Christian." 
ALMOST in but OUT!   ALMOST saved but lost!  Almost, almost.  Close but not close enough.

The next verses have to do with the believer who barely makes it in.  At the Judgement Seat of Christ his life gets reviewed by the all knowing God.  All is laid bare, even the hidden motives of the heart.  He wasted his life and the record of all he did was destroyed.  A child of God, yes, but little to show for it.

In 1 Cor. 3:15 we read, "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

And in Hebrews 6:8, "but if it (the field) yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and CLOSE to being cursed, and it ends up being burned (off)."

ALMOST SAVED IS COMPLETELY CURSED
ALMOST CURSED IS COMPLETELY SAVED

How much better to go for the "sweet spot".  Receive Jesus as Saviour and Serve Him as Lord.

The Decrees That Give Life

In my Bible reading today I read where God refers to His law as "my life-giving laws". Ezk. 33:15  Other translations read, "the statutes which insure life" (NASB), "the decrees that give life" (NIV) and "the statutes of life" (KJV).  Now, so as not to be misunderstood, I am aware that spiritual life does not come as a result of keeping "the law" but through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me." 

With that out of the way, consider why the Ten Commandments were called, "the decrees that give life."

1.   Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
2    Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image...
3.   Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4.   Remember the sabboth day, to keep it holy.
5.   Honor thy father and thy mother.
6.   Thou shalt not kill.
7.   Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8.   Thou shalt not steal.
9.   Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10. Thou shat not covet ....anything that is thy neighbor's.

Jesus added some depth to these commands in Matthew's gospel, Chapter 5.  It might be good to take a little peek at what He said.  And while we are at it, consider for a moment James 2:10 which reads, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."

God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  There is a "life-giving" element in His eternal Law for those who keep them and for those who are kept from the transgressors.

The first 3 Commandment have to do with God Himself.  The last 6 deal with man's relationship with his fellow man.  Consider how a breach of those last six takes away "life" from another and how obedience preserves, enhances, protects, and "gives" life - hence, "The Decrees That Give Life".  

What in the world am I doing?

Only one life, will soon be past,
only what's done for Christ will last.

Take a couple of minutes to visit
www.buntain.org/about.html

Then ask yourself, "What in the world am I doing?"

True Holiness

"--true holiness does not come from following rules; it comes from following Christ."

Francis Frangipane

--O--

O for a passionate passion for souls,
O for a pity that yearns!
O for the love that loves unto death,
O for the fire that burns!
O for the pure prayer-power that prevails,
That pours itself out for the lost!
Victorious prayer in the Conqueror's Name,
O for a PENTECOST!

Amy Wilson Carmichael

George Santayana quote

Nonsense is good only because common sense is so limited.

Horses could not understand

I was reading about the Welsh Revival at the turn of the last century. In 5-6 month period over 100,000 people were converted to the Lord Jesus Christ. The countryside was changed. Pubs were closed. Police stations became quiet. Horses were no longer able to understand their masters’ commands

There was even a slowdown in the coal mines for a while, since so many Welsh miners were converted and stopped using bad language that the horses that dragged the coal trucks in the mines could not understand any more what was being said to them.

We are in desperate need of revival. One that will make a lasting change on the way we think, act and talk.

It happened before, it can happen again.

Lie Quotes

Gradually I came to realize that people will more readily swallow lies than truth, as if the taste of lies was homey, appetizing: a habit.
Martha Gellhorn

Never forget that a half truth is a whole lie.
Author Unknown

A lie can run around the world before the truth can get it's boots on.
James Watt

If you wish to strengthen a lie, mix a little truth in with it.
Zohar

Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Please don't lie to me, unless you're absolutely sure I'll never find out the truth.
Ashleigh Brilliant

It is always the best policy to speak the truth--unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.
Jerome K. Jerome

A lie told often enough becomes the truth.
Lenin

The history of our race, and each individual's experience, are sown thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.
Mark Twain

The Devil Tips His Hand

Definition: "to tip your hand" is to inadvertently reveal the cards you are holding.

As Christians, we are in a continual spiritual battle against demonic forces, something like Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Our adversary has been at it for thousands of years so he knows what he is doing. He covers his tracks well attempting to remain undetected as he carries out his nefarious deeds. Rest assured he will never show up in red long-johns and a pointed tail. More likely he will disguise himself as "an angel of light". (2Cor.11:14)

Years ago, in a land far away, I learned this valuable lesson. Sooner or later the devil will tip his hand.

He can disguise his appearnce but he always acts according to his character. "The devil is in the details." If you examine a situation closely you will begin to see his character being revealed.

He is called the "father of lies" Jn 8:44 - lies reveal his working.

He is called the "accuser" Rev 12:10- false accusations reveal his activity. Jesus was accused of being in league with the devil. The devil really put a twist on that one.

He is called the "murderer" Jn 8:44 - murder and character assassination is his forte.

When lies, false accusations and murder are present, that old serpent the devil is not far away. Just make sure he is not in your camp!!

Halitosis of the Mind

Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?
Johann Kaspar Lavater

A malignant sore throat is a danger, a malignant throat not sore is worse.
American Proverbs

Gossip is sometimes referred to as halitosis of the mind.

Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.

What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth.
Jewish Proverbs

Loose tongues are worse than wicked hands.
Jewish Proverbs

An expert gossiper knows how much to leave out of a conversation.
Source Unknown

Where no wood is, the fire goes out; so where there is no tale bearer, the strife ceaseth.
Bible

Nobody's Friend

NOBODY'S FRIEND

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice
I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives.
I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted the more I am believed.

My victims are helpless.
They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.
To trap me down is impossible.
The harder you try, the more elusive I become.

I am nobody’s friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.
I topple governments and wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion.

I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.
I make headlines and headaches.
Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:

Is it true? Is it harmless? Is it necessary?

The Blood of Jesus Whispers

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round?
On Jesus' bosom nothing but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
And Jesus, call us to heaven's perfect peace. Amen


by Edward H Bickersteth

THOU SHALT UNDERSTAND

There are some good "TV Preachers" out there and there are a few who come up with some really off the wall stuff. Some times I just scratch my head and wonder, "Where in the world did he get that?"

When you read the Bible, or anything for that matter, don't try to read something into the text that really isn't there. If you try hard enought you can make it say anything you want it to say. That's one of the reasons there are so many sects in Christendom.

When I was a theological student I remember hearing this as we studied Principles of Interpretation, "If the plain sense makes good sense don't look for any other sense". This is the first and most important principle.

Tyndale, who died as a martyr for translating the Bible into English wrote:
"Thou shalt understand, therefore, that the Scripture hath but one sense, which is the literal sense. And the literal sense is that root and ground of all and the anchor that never faileth, where unto if thou cleave, thou canst never err nor go out of the way. And if thou leave the literal sense, thou canst not but go out of the way."

For a little more on this subject go to my blog http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com

The Meaning of a Word

Language is fluid - ever changing.
The King James Bible is sometimes difficult to understand because a word has become archaic and is no longer used. For example: "chambering", in Rom. 13:13. What in the world is "chambering"? My "spell check" can't even find it!

In other instances, over the passage of time, a word or phrase may take on a completely different or totally opposite meaning. For example: In Matt. 13;21 the phrase, "by and by he is offended" would lead you to believe that "after some time he is offended", you know, as "in the sweet by and by". However, three hundred years ago, that phrase meant, "immediately he is offended". We've changed the phrase to mean the exact opposite of it's original meaning.

Gay used to mean happy.
Cool and hot used to refer to temperature.
Pot used to be a container.
Roach used to be a bug.
High was a position not a condition.
The list could go on and it would be a lot of fun.

All this to say "liberal" used to mean generous and tolerant. Yes indeed, generous with someone else's resources and tolerant of everything except conservative views.

The Pathways of the Wind

God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb. Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow--perhaps they all will.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

Noses, Tongues, and Chicken Brains

Yesterday I mentioned a song I had once heard about how Americans will swallow almost anything (physically, mentally, and spiritually). The song is on an old cassette from about 25 years ago. A miracle that I found it and that it still works. It was written and sung by a young man, Grady Toland. here is one of the verses.

"My balony has a first name,
it's animal remains.
Like noses, tails and tongues and such,
probably even chicken brains.
But I love to eat it every day
and if you ask me why I'll say;
Because we Americans will eat about anything,
if you wrap it up just right."

Oh, please God, help us to see beyond the wrappings, the ads, and the "testimonials".

Check the Ingredients - Closely

I heard a cute song years ago (I'll try to find the words) about American eating habits. The point of the song was that Americans will eat anything if you put it in the right package. There is a lot of truth in it. I've found that usually tastiness and "addictiveness" is directly proportionate to the amount of dangerous ingredients in the product. Remember the ad ditty, "Jay's potato chips, can't stop eatin 'em."

For the past 50 years American consumption, driven by powerful advertising, has fueled the world's economies. We are a consumer oriented society. The advertisers hawk their wares and we swallow it with only a cursory glance at the ingredients.
"Hmm, wonder what that is? Never heard of it. Gulp.

Buyer beware!!! This has a strong application to American spirituality if you didn't catch it!!

Don't Look Down on Youth

In 1904 a spiritual revival broke out in Wales. God used a man named Evan Roberts. Within a year over 100,000 converts were added to the Welsh church. Evan was 26 at the time. The evangelistic team consisted of his brother Dan(20), Sydney Evans(20), Evan's sister Mary(20), and their singing group "The Singing Sisters" whose ages were 18-22. www.welshrevival.com

The Apostle Paul adomonished Timothy, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Tim. 4:12

LET THE YOUTH ARISE!!!

False Hopes -- False Fears

Which is worse?

False hopes.....or false fears?

The end result of false fears is a nice surprise since they didn't come to pass.

The end result of false hopes is bitter disappointment.

Weighted Down?

Bear not
a single care
thyself

One is too much
for thee

The work is Mine
and Mine alone

Thy work -
to rest in Me.

author unknown

Rock Gardens and WYSIWYG

Living in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona has been quite an experience these past 14 years. It is so very different from Asia and Northern Europe where we spent most of our adult lives. We've learned to love Arizona.

If you want to have a "Rock Garden" in your yard, it's easy - just do nothing. When we landscaped our front yard the designer wanted to haul in some boulders. I thought he was crazy. Why would I pay a hundred bucks for a boulder when a large part of the state is a rock pile?

Anyway, a friend of ours has a "Rock Garden". They have collected unusual rocks from all over the country, some as large as a bushel basket, and placed them on a mound in the corner of the back yard. Small plants and cacti are interspersed to create a very unique and beautiful focal point. Some of the stones are undoubtedly semi-precious, petrified wood, quartz, garnet, amethyst and various crystals.

I was admiring some of these stones and reached down to pick one up to examine it more closely. When I lifted the stone I jerked back at the sight of several scorpions and some black bugs scurrying from the bright sunlight. But when I lifted a crystal I found no bugs at all.

I asked my friend, "What is it about crystals that seems to repel the bugs?" He gave me a lesson on human nature. The crystals transmit light and bugs like the darkness. These stones can be likened to people. Some folks are transparent. If you poke around in their lives there are no surprises. WYSIWYG - what you see is what you get. Others are opaque. It seem like every time you poke around, a big black bug shows up. You never quite know what you might find.

The Greatest Book on Earth (Poem)

This is the greatest book on earth,
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line,
Tho' writ by human hands.

This is the living rock of truth
Which all assaults defies
O'er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime;
It lives, and never dies.

This is the volume of the Cross;
Its doctrine pure, its history true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new,
Shall evermore endure.

by J. Sidlow Baxter

Cave Mentality-"The Reality of Shadows"

First impressions are extremely powerful and, more often than we might admit, are perceived as reality. In fact they are merely a shadow of the truth. A shadow on the wall may give you a pretty good outline of a person's face, but it is certainly not an accurate description. A shadow can be very misleading. What we might perceive as a dog, could in reality be a child's fingers twisted in front of light.

You know the story of "Plato's Cave". Prisoners from birth are chained in front of a cave wall and see nothing but shadows cast on the wall as their guards walk between them and the fire. The shadows are all they know. Someone telling them what exists outside the cave is considered dangerous because he threatens their concept of reality. It reads, "---And if they were somehow able to get their hands on and kill the man who attempts to release and lead up, wouldn't they kill him?"

Reminds me of the verse in Scripture, "Men loved darkness better than light-."

There is a spiritual "reality". God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, heaven, hell, angels and devils. Don't be surprised if those living in darkness have a tough time listening to you.

In the film "Fatal Attraction" Dan's first impressions of Alex were tantalizing. He got more than he bargained for. A huge difference between the "shadow" of an attractive colleague and the psychopath who kidnapped his child and tried to murder his wife. See my blog, "Fatal Attraction, Garlic Girls, Delilah and HIV" July 5 at http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com

Our first impressions need to be taken for what they are, a mere shadow. Don't fight the truth, get out of the cave and into the sunlight and experience a real dose of reality.

Black Light

Went on a vacation last year - stayed in good motel/hotels, not the Hilton, but not the bottom of the heap either. I've always asked to see the room before we pay. Turn on the lights, pull back the covers and sheets (always all the way to the the foot of the bed after having wiggled my bare toes on some body's dirty sock in the middle of the night a few years ago). Also poke around a bit in the bathroom. Seldom find anything worth mentioning but do it as a precaution.

A few months ago I related my routine to a friend who told me I really wasn't seeing things in the proper light. If I would get a "black light", an ultra violet flashlight, I would see things a lot differently and might be surprised. He told me that I was "seeing" but really not "seeing". I reluctantly bought a UV flashlight before my last trip - I could always use it to check around the house for scorpions.

It was late when we arrived at the hotel. As usual, I asked to look before paying and was given the door code. We turned on the lights and poked around as we always do. Looked OK to me. Then I pulled out the UV Flashlight, turned out the lights and just about puked. Everywhere you could imagine were splashes and splotches of florescent green - everywhere! On the bedspread, walls, floor, all around the toilet and sink. It was enough to gag a maggot. This was a "nice" 3-4 star place. We slept in the car that night - couldn't even think about looking at another room.

I'm reminded of the words of Jesus,"Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?" Mk. 8:18

Are you seeing but not really seeing? Try looking at things in a little different light - you may be surprised! It may even be a life changing experience - I'll never sleep in a motel again!!

Wilderness Communion

C. H. Spurgeon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 18
Wilderness Communion

I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. (Hosea 2:14)
The goodness of God sees us allured by sin, and it resolves to try upon us the more powerful allurements of love. Do we not remember when the Lover of our souls first cast a spell upon us and charmed us away from the fascinations of the world! He will do this again and again whenever He sees us likely to be ensnared by evil.

He promises to draw us apart, for there He can best deal with us, and this separated place is not to be a paradise, but a wilderness, since in such a place there will be nothing to take of our attention from our God. In the deserts of affliction the presence of the Lord becomes everything to us, and we prize His company beyond any value which we set upon it when we sat under our own vine and fig tree in the society of our fellows. Solitude and affliction bring more to themselves and to their heavenly Father than any other means.

When thus allured and secluded the Lord has choice things to say to us for our comfort. He "speaks to our heart," as the original has it. Oh, that at this we may have this promise explained in our experience! Allured by love, separated by trial, and comforted by the Spirit of truth, may we know the Lord and sing for joy!

From "Faith's Checkbook - C.H. Spurgeon

NO FEAR ? - FEAR GOD!

I saw these words on a bumper sticker the other day. According to some, the idea, "FEAR GOD", is not only old fashioned but landed in the dust bin of history years ago. However, let me remind you that the phrase is found throughout the Bible, both OT and NT. (check it out) It's not only good advice it is a command to be obeyed.

The saved standing before the throne of God sing,
"Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the Ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?"
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed."
Rev. 15:3,4

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools ------." Prov. 1:7

Now, "fear of the Lord" includes the concept of reverence, another word that we seldom hear today. God is referred to as "the old man" or "the man upstairs". The prophets fell on their faces when they "sensed" His presence. Today, men pick their nose while they say they're having a buddy-buddy chat with God (I doubt they even know what it is to come into His presence). I read of a man who said Jesus appeared to Him while he was shaving. He continued to shave and they enjoyed a nice little chat together. If the real Jesus appeared he, like the Apostle John, would fall flat on his face in reverential fear. Rev. 1:17

The latest obnoxious, irreverent, ungodly and foolish thing I have come across which demonstrates this lack of reverential fear is a referral to Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world, as Jesus - "the toxic waste dump of the universe". That's not cute or creative - it's a sick reminder of how far we have departed from "THE FEAR OF THE LORD".

I'm Wrong - You're Right

We live in a curious age. I am a "black and white" sort of guy. It seems to me that there use to be a lot of "white" and a lot of "black" and a little bit of gray or grey in the middle. Today, as I look around, I wonder if, in the minds of many, there is any "white" and "black" or if everything now is grey.

Francis Schaeffer wrote this about 35 years ago. I think he addressed it to intellectuals but since then this kind of thinking has become commonplace.

“------ we should note this curious mark of our own age: the only absolute allowed is the absolute insistence that there is no absolute."


Now, when there is a difference, either:

I am wrong and you are right,
or
You are wrong and I am right,
or
We are both wrong,
but
We cannot both be right. (unless reason has died)

The Commercialized Mindset

John Piper, in his little book, "Jesus - The Only Way to God" spells one of the most dangerous corruptions of basic Christian beliefs which we are experiencing in American society. His introduction includes the idea of a "Commercialized Mindset". If people are not "buying" what we are presenting to them, we get the feeling that there must be something wrong with our "product" (message). Eventually, we "redefine" the truth so that it becomes more palatable. Example: If maintaining that Jesus is the only way to heaven becomes offensive, the "commercial mindset" will modify the message to something like, "Jesus is in some way or another the way to heaven even if you've never heard of Him." Or else just not make an issue about it anymore and quit talking about it.

There IS such a thing as "the offence of the cross." (Gal. 5:11 NIV) If the truth is offensive to some - then let it be. Who are we trying to please, anyway?

Blood Diamonds and Blood Gold

In the last few years a new expression has been added to our language - BLOOD DIAMONDS. A film and a TV Documentary by that name was produced in 2006.

"In relation to diamond trading, blood diamond (also called a converted diamond, conflict diamond, hot diamond, or a war diamond) refers to a diamond mined in a war zone and sold to finance an insurgency, invading army's war efforts, or a warlord's activity, usually in Africa." (wikopedia)

Now, there is also something called BLOOD GOLD. The gold we enjoy in our jewelry was produced at great cost which is reflected in the price - today $1209 per ounce.

BLOOD GOLD is made available for our enjoyment and security not by intensive labor but by blood, sweat, tears and death. The blood, sweat tears and death of our Lord Jesus Christ which purchased our redemption. He said, "I go to prepare a place for you --." And the streets of that city are paved with gold. BLOOD GOLD

The Image of God or an Idol

I heard a dialog between two ministers over the subject of pain and suffering and whether or not God causes some of it. One maintained that God sometimes causes suffering as punishment, discipline, chastisement, etc. The other said words to this effect, "That is not my image of God" and maintained that all pain and suffering is caused by Satan and his demons.

Now, the point I want to make is this: Due to our ignorance of God's revelation, we may "re-invent" God in our own image. In our minds, He thinks like I think, He likes what I like, He wants what I want, He does things the way I want things done, His idea of justice, holiness, purity, etc is exactly the same as mine.

This Is Idolatry. It is making God in the image of man. Not a bit different from making God in the image of a beast.

John Newton - His song, his text, his testimony, his epitaph.

He was a sailor on a slave ship and became the wretched slave of a slave woman.

John Newton wrote "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me."

His favorite text was written on the wall of his study: "Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee."

His testimony on his death bed, "My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Saviour!"

His Epitaph:: John Newton, Clerk, Once an Infidel and Libertine, A Servant of Slaves in Africa, was by the Mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Preserved, Restored, Pardoned, And Appointed to Preach the Faith he had so long laboured to destroy.

Expose or Cover - What will it be?

"What we try to cover, God will uncover;
What we uncover, God will cover." Adrian Rogers

1Cor. 4:5 ".....He (the Lord) will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts."

1Jn. 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." vs. 7 - "...the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, purifies us from all sin."

Rom. 4:7 "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered, Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Nothing is more pathetic---

Nothing is more pathetic than having a small character in a big assignment. Many of us don't want to give attention to our character, we just want the big assignment from God.
Henry T. Blackaby--Experiencing God (Lifeway Press)

The Giftie gi'e us

"O wad some power the Giftie gi'e us
To see oorsel's as ithers see us."

The Scottish poet - Robert Burns

Give me the Love .......

"Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that'll burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God."


"We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don't wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has."

Amy Carmichael

Have you ever read a martyr's trial?

Articles or Charges against Michael Sattler (1527)

First, that he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.

Secondly, he has taught, held and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.

Thirdly, he has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.

Fourthly, they have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.

Fifthly, they have despised and condemned the mother of God and the saints.

Sixthly, he has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.

Seventhly, he has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord's supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.

Eightly, he has left the order, and married a wife.

Ninethly, he has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.

After his short defence which quoted Bible verses it is recorded "the judges laughed and put their heads together, and the town clerk of Ensisheim said, 'O you infamous, desperate villain and monk, shall we dispute with you? The hangman shall dispute with you, I assure you."

Michael said, "God's will be done."

The town clerk said, "It were well if you had never been born."

Michael replied, God knows what is good."

Town Clerk, "You arch-heretic, you have seduced the pious; if they would only now forsake their error, and accept grace."

Michael: "Grace is with God alone."
One of the prisoners also said, "We must not depart from the truth."

Town Clerk: "You desperate villain and archheretic, I tell you if there were no hangman here, I would hang you myself, and think that I had done God service."

Michael: "God will judge aright."
Thereupon the town clerk said a few words to him in Latin, what we do not know.

Michael Sattler answered him Judica.

The town clerk said, "The hangman shall convince you; he shall dispute with you, arch-heretic."

Michael: "I appeal to the Scriptures."

The judges arose, and went into another room, where they remained for an hour and a half, and determined on the sentence.

The judges having returned to the room, the sentence was read. It was as follows, "In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgement is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner."

After this had been done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, A.D. 1527

from "The Martyrs Mirror"

Are we so weak that we won't even dispute the very things for which our spiritual forefathers were tortured and died at the hands of the Papists and Reformers? God have mercy upon our pitiful souls.

Dogs are human, too. Funny

From the Journal of Canine Psychology

Post Training Stress Syndrome - PTSS

Unrealistic expectations from high strung breeds can result in PTSS. Fortunately, PTSS is not a permanent canine psychotic condition. The most common symtoms are aggressive behaviors (excessive barking, growling, snapping and biting) and destructive behaviors (chewing furniture, clawing walls and tearing up lawns and flower beds). Symtoms usually appear immediately after training sessions and disappear after a few hours only to reappear with the next session.

Case Study

Ms. Mallon came to the clinic with her 2 year old wire haired fox terrior - a very active, yet friendly spayed female. It had been house trained as a puppy. Ms. Mallon was distraught because her pet, unlike her neighbor's poodle, could not "do tricks". "All I wanted to do", she explained, "was to teach her not to bark so much, to sit, to roll over, and to play dead with it's paws in the air. I just can't teach her to do anything no matter how hard I work at it. And every time I try she poops under my kitchen table. What can I do?"

I explained to her that some breeds are easily trained, like her neighbor's poodle. Others, especially terrier breeds, seem to have a mind of their own and will probably never "do tricks". Defecating under the table is simply her way of saying no, I don't like this. "She'll be just like she was before when you stop the training. Nothing is wrong with your dog, Ms. Mallon, it just doesn't want to sit down, shut up, roll over and play dead. Dogs are a lot like people."

The Souls of the Martyrs Cry Out

"I saw-----the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you--------avenge our blood?'"

"Vengence is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay." Rev. 6:9-10; Rom. 12:19

When I think about the multitudes of believers, my brothers and sisters, who have died for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ I am both humbled and strengthened.

I am humbled because they endured ridicule, persecution, poverty, imprisonment, torture and death for what they believed. And I have it so very easy and live in the lap of luxury.

I am strengthened in my innermost being by their heroic example of faithfulness and the strength of character they displayed.

In my spirit I hear them crying out to me, not for vengence - that belongs to God, but for steadfastness, for faithfullness, for convictions that will not waiver and for a faith that is worth more than life itself.

I hear the martyrs asking;
" Did we give our lives in vain?
Will you so easily lay aside
the very things for which we died?
Will you follow in our train?"

Yes, I will follow in their train.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every thing that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus---"
Heb. 12:1

Friend or Foe?

Sometimes the person we think of as a friend could in reality be our worst enemy; likewise, the person we think of as an enemy could actually be the best friend we ever had.

For instance; The "friend" who supplies you with drugs or assists in other destructive behaviors is not a friend at all. A true friend would never hurt you or help you hurt yourself.

You may consider the cop who gave you a DUI an enemy, when he may haved saved you from permanent brain injury or many years in prison for killing someone in your drunken state. If he indeed saved you from something like that, and there is no way to know, you should look at him as one of the best friends you have ever had.

One of the cruelest things you can do is to tell a "friend" that everything is ok and that they will be all right because you don't want to hurt their feelings or injure your relationship. You may in reality be their worst enemy by withholding information they really need to know.

The Old Testament prophets were killed by those they were trying to help - because the people didn't like the message being delivered. Their friend was considered an enemy. The false prophet told them what they wanted to hear and aided in their destruction. Was he their friend? No, their worst enemy.

Jesus was accused of being demon possessed and doing miracles by the power of Satan because the "religious" people could not handle what He had to say. He was acting as a true friend but was considered an enemy. Actually He is the best Friend anyone could ever have.

Friend or Foe? Take another look from a different perspective. You might want to change your mind about who is friend and who is foe.

The Deepest Theological Truth

A famous and learned theologian was once asked, "What is the deepest theological truth."

His answer: Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.



The love of God is greater far than toungue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled, and pardoned from his sin.

When hoary time shall pass away, and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God's love, so sure, shall still endure, all measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race - The saints' and angels' song.

Could we with ink the oceans fill, and were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the oceans dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, tho' stretched from sky to sky.

Frederick M. Lehman

Honesty

"If the writing is honest it cannot be separated from the man who wrote it."
--Unknown

"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."
--George Washington

"Honesty pays, but it doesn't seem to pay enough to suit some people."
--F.M. Hubbard

"I have found that being honest is the best technique I can use. Right up front, tell people what you're trying to accomplish and what you're willing to sacrifice to accomplish it."
--Lee Iacocca

"He who is passionate and hasty, is generally honest; it is your cool dissembling hypocrite, of whom you should beware."

"I keep six honest serving men: They taught me all I knew. Their names are WHAT and WHY and WHEN and HOW and WHERE and WHO."
--Rudyard Kipling

"The man who cannot endure to have his errors and shortcomings brought to the surface and made known, but tries to hide them, is unfit to walk the highway of truth."
--James Allen

"The greatest truth is honesty, and the greatest falsehood is dishonesty."
--Abu Bakr

Deceit

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave,
when first we practice to deceive."

Sir Walter Scott in Marmion

"Lying covers a multitude of sins -- temporarily"

D.L. Moody

"A lie is a snowball: the further you roll it, the bigger it becomes."

Martin Luther

"A half truth is a whole lie."

Yiddish Proverb

"Those who think it is permissable to tell white lies soon grow color-blind."

Austin O'Malley

"The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted."

George Christoph Lichtenberg

"When you stretch the truth, watch out for a snapback."

Bill Copeland

"Beware of the half truth. You may have gotten hold of the wrong half."

Author Unknown

"The cruelest lies are often told in silence."

Adlai Stevenson

"It takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen."

Homer Simpson, The Simpsons

Off White

We're doing some remodeling in our home so we've been thinking about colors to spark things up a bit; the interior of our home was entirely white when we bought it. Well, not actually white, it's an off-white called Swiss Coffee. At the paint store you can find a special "white" color pallette with hundreds of shades of white. Each color sample standing alone looks "white". The true shade stands out only when placed next to a color sample that is "pure white".

This spoke to my heart. "Pure white", spiritually speaking, is God's written Word, the Bible and the "Word made Flesh" Jesus Christ - God the Son. Our thinking and the pattern of our lives may not be black, but neither are they "pure white". That's why it is so vital that we keep ourselves in the Word of God. Then the flaws in our thinking and manner of living will show up for what they are, "off white".

Some people look at the Bible and Jesus and "re-invent" both to reflect their own "off white" thinking. Others find objective truth statements through sound exegesis and the application of time honored principles of interpretation. These get a glimpse of "pure white" and with the enablement provided by God's grace make the necessary adjustments in their thinking and manner of life.

Sincerity is not Enough

Sincerity is no substitute for truth. One can be sincerely wrong. I stopped for gas on the freeway that runs through the flat and somewhat boring Iowa countryside. It was one of the places where you exit then cross over the freeway and then make a left turn into the gas station. Upon filling up I proceeded on my way to Denver. After about 10 miles a sign shocked me into the realization that I was going in the wrong direction. I didn't have a compass, and it "felt" like I was going West when I was actually going East.

In spiritual matters, feeling and sincerity, without the compass of God's Word, can send us in the wrong direction. Not the "subjective" use of God's Word, ie., "what do you feel that means to you", but the objective truth statements derived from sound exegesis and the application of time honored principles of interpretation.

"Thus saith the Lord", like the signpost, can turn you around in a heartbeat, unless you want to argue with what is written and would rather go with your feelings.

How to Change a Lamb into a Pig and Vice-versa.

How to change a lamb into a pig.
The lamb gives a little lamb and takes a little pig. Give a little,take a little; give a little, take a little, etc, etc, etc, etc. Soon the little lamb can no longer say bah, bah, bah. All he can say is oink, oink, oink.

How to change a pig into a lamb.
The little pig needs to get born again, into a Lamb's family. "Therefore, if anyone is in (The Lamb), he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."