You can look at our Presidents as either a "good" or "bad" King. You can do it based on Biblical principles. What they actually do, not what they say. There are numerous passages in the Bible that we can evaluate our modern day kings, but going to James can provide us with good insight onto what a good or bad king might do. It is interesting to me because many conservative Christians hate President Obama with various "reasons", but sorry conservatives your main reason is he is African American. If Ronald Reagan did what he did (and Reagan seems to be more liberal than Obama) you would be praising Reagan as a demi-god. So, don't tell me its Obama's policies, it's his skin color.
Anyway, I digress. Using Biblical principles, George W. Bush would be a bad king. So would many other modern day Republicans. Yet, these are the people that conservative Christians back and believe wholeheartedly.
We also should review John Boehner and Mitch McConnell and the Republican leadership in the House and Senate who are doing everything they can to prevent passing legislation that would help America grow economically and with jobs as well as attempting to cut as much as the social safety net as possible. I don't see how that is Godly or Biblical. But, it is political. As evidence of this, here is a column that touches on policies that create jobs and the Republicans that prevent them.
http://www.uawfordcommunity.org/index.php/news/news-that-matters/political-news/item/165-joyfully-plotting-our-destruction
One last item, look at Governors, kings of their states. Numerous Republican governors have attacked workers, the poor and seniors and have taken from them and given to the already wealthy in the form of tax cuts. When people tell me we are under judgement because of gays and liberals, I think the truth is we are under judgement because those who claim they are Christian truly support what the Republicans are doing. And they are the money changers that Jesus threw out of the temple.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
God is an Environmentalist and you should be one, too
Rightwing, alleged "Christian", Bryan Fischer and guest, Cal Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance were making claims that environmentalism is a "religion". Actually, if you read what they say that we have an Earth Day, ask people to recycle and have recycle bins and people talk about environmentalism and recycling that it is a "religion".
According to a report by Think Progress , the Cornwall Alliance is a front group for the shadowy James Partnership. Both the James Partnership and the Cornwall Alliance are closely linked to the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), an anti-environmental group that is “funded by at least $542,000 from ExxonMobil, $60,500 from Chevron, and $1,280,000 from Scaife family foundations, which are rooted in wealth from Gulf Oil and steel interests.” CFACT is also part of a climate change denialist network funded by the ExxonMobil-financed Competitive Enterprise Institute. Beisner is a CFACT board member and an “adjunct fellow” of the Acton Institute , which is primarily funded by groups like ExxonMobil, the Scaife foundations and the Koch brothers. Beisner is also an adviser to the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, which is financed by the oil-backed Earthart Foundation , the Koch brothers, and ExxonMobil. In fact, Beisner is not a scientist and has no scientific credentials. Despite claiming to be an authority on energy and environmental issues, he received his Ph.D. in Scottish History. It is amazing how corrupt these alleged Christians are.
It is odd, because environmentalism is what we should be doing as stewards of God's created Earth. But, you wouldn't know it from Beisner, who is getting paid to be a front for rightwing corporations and Fischer, who just seems to be another person making money and getting notoriety off of Christianity. Let's look at God's Word and what he wants us to do:
Genesis 1:26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Lev. 25:23-24. The land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.
Ezekiel 34:2-4. Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you did not take care of the flock! You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.
Ezekiel 34:10. 0 shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock.
Ezekiel 34:17-18. As for you, my flock... Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
Isaiah 24:4-6. The earth dries up and withers, the world languished and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth lies under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt.
Jer. 2:7. I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and you made my inheritance detestable.
Luke 16:2,10,13. And He called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward. He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous in much. You cannot serve both God and mammon.
James 5:5. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
Mark 4:19. ...and the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word and it becomes unfruitful.
Revelation 11:18. The nations were angry and your wrath has come. The time has come for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.
God wants His people to take care of the Earth and make sure it is useful for all His people, not just some. And God definitely will deal with the rich who rape and abuse the Earth for profit such as the Koch Brothers and the leaders of the oil companies. Those who lie on their behalf and deceive God's people will also have to deal with God. I hope the enjoy there short time on Earth. Because their afterlife will be a living hell.
According to a report by Think Progress , the Cornwall Alliance is a front group for the shadowy James Partnership. Both the James Partnership and the Cornwall Alliance are closely linked to the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), an anti-environmental group that is “funded by at least $542,000 from ExxonMobil, $60,500 from Chevron, and $1,280,000 from Scaife family foundations, which are rooted in wealth from Gulf Oil and steel interests.” CFACT is also part of a climate change denialist network funded by the ExxonMobil-financed Competitive Enterprise Institute. Beisner is a CFACT board member and an “adjunct fellow” of the Acton Institute , which is primarily funded by groups like ExxonMobil, the Scaife foundations and the Koch brothers. Beisner is also an adviser to the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, which is financed by the oil-backed Earthart Foundation , the Koch brothers, and ExxonMobil. In fact, Beisner is not a scientist and has no scientific credentials. Despite claiming to be an authority on energy and environmental issues, he received his Ph.D. in Scottish History. It is amazing how corrupt these alleged Christians are.
It is odd, because environmentalism is what we should be doing as stewards of God's created Earth. But, you wouldn't know it from Beisner, who is getting paid to be a front for rightwing corporations and Fischer, who just seems to be another person making money and getting notoriety off of Christianity. Let's look at God's Word and what he wants us to do:
Genesis 1:26. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Lev. 25:23-24. The land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land.
Ezekiel 34:2-4. Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you did not take care of the flock! You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.
Ezekiel 34:10. 0 shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock.
Ezekiel 34:17-18. As for you, my flock... Is it not enough for you to feed on good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
Isaiah 24:4-6. The earth dries up and withers, the world languished and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth lies under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt.
Jer. 2:7. I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and you made my inheritance detestable.
Luke 16:2,10,13. And He called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward. He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous in much. You cannot serve both God and mammon.
James 5:5. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
Mark 4:19. ...and the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word and it becomes unfruitful.
Revelation 11:18. The nations were angry and your wrath has come. The time has come for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth.
God wants His people to take care of the Earth and make sure it is useful for all His people, not just some. And God definitely will deal with the rich who rape and abuse the Earth for profit such as the Koch Brothers and the leaders of the oil companies. Those who lie on their behalf and deceive God's people will also have to deal with God. I hope the enjoy there short time on Earth. Because their afterlife will be a living hell.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Screwtape Letters
Lately, I have been reading "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis and working on the accompanying study guide. One thing that is quite easy to pick out is how the devil can get us off track and sin. But, it is easy to see it in others and I am not sure we see it so easily in ourselves. Maybe I haven't gotten to that point in the book yet or maybe it isn't covered, but one thing for sure is that is what we do as sinful creatures.
Lewis lays it our very plainly how we sin and how Satan's minions can get us to sin. Besides going to God in prayer and fellow-shipping with other Christians, probably the hardest thing for us to do is to be REAL with ourselves and others. To be honest and humble at the same time. To be loving and thoughtful with each other. The book can also give us insight into how others are acting and if they are being REAL or if they are under attack and need our help or if they just are playing Christian.
The Screwtape Letters is a book we should pick up continuously since it provides us with wisdom on how we are and will be attacked, but also grounds us in our faith.
Lewis lays it our very plainly how we sin and how Satan's minions can get us to sin. Besides going to God in prayer and fellow-shipping with other Christians, probably the hardest thing for us to do is to be REAL with ourselves and others. To be honest and humble at the same time. To be loving and thoughtful with each other. The book can also give us insight into how others are acting and if they are being REAL or if they are under attack and need our help or if they just are playing Christian.
The Screwtape Letters is a book we should pick up continuously since it provides us with wisdom on how we are and will be attacked, but also grounds us in our faith.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Faith Based and Reality Based
When George W. Bush became President in 2001, many conservative Christians lost their minds. What I mean by that is all of a sudden, those people who could think critically while a Democrat was President, became blind believers of "presidential infallibility". It was as if we put an authoritarian leader into the office that had to be met with blind agreement. Why is that? Some of it comes from this quote--now attributed to that Bush Machiavellian, Karl Rove--
"The aide said that guys like me were “in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who “believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality.”
"The aide said that guys like me were “in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who “believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality.”
The Bush people created their "own reality" and the conservative Christians followed that "reality" even though for the most part it was a made up fantasy of lies or the beliefs of a crazy person. Lying us into two wars, one in Afghanistan and the other in Iraq at the cost of trillions and thousands of US deaths and many more casualties. As God's children and allegedly a Christian President in George W. Bush sent those soldiers and many civilians in those nations to their deaths or a living hell for what reason? Bush didn't keep America safe, falling flat on 9-11 with over 3,000 Americans dead. Bush and his Administration was forewarned more than once by the Clinton Administration and Richard Clarke. But, those who support Bush's wars still believe the lies or alternate reality the Bush Administration created. Same thing with Global Warming or Global Climate Events. Same thing with tax cuts for the rich create jobs and improve the economy. I could go on and on about the lies that many in the conservative Christian community take as "truth" or "belief" that were spawned by the George W. Bush Administration. And this also works in another way, when a Democrat is President, it doesn't matter how truthful or honest they are (I am thinking here of Barack Obama), the rightwing media machine will create enough lies that conservative Christians will easily believe the lies instead of seeking out the truth. Conservative Christian media also promotes the lies and deception about Democrats and Barack Obama.
But, God doesn't want us to blindly believe in government leaders or what they say. It's very ironic that conservatives will go out and take as "truth" whatever someone on conservative media says or writes. Yet, they will reject the reality or truth if it comes from anyone else. As I understand it, those who mislead will go to Hell, yet, I am also beginning to think that those willingly following the deceivers probably aren't too far behind their leaders on that pathway. God gave us a brain to think, it's time to start using it.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Compassionate Conservatives
I have to agree with the thoughts in this link-- http://uawfordcommunity.org/index.php/news/news-that-matters/political-news/item/108-compassionate-conservatives?
Especially, the last paragraph "The Republicans and their Tea Party enforcers truly have little compassion for the poor, those in need of health care, the elderly, minorities and women. But, they apparently seem to have a lot of compassion for the most victimized group in America—the extremely wealthy. Every tax cut is good regardless of the social cost and for those who happen to be born into a poor or middle class family, well, that's just too bad. Maybe you can marry up!!!"
I remember when Bush was running against Gore in 2000 and many in Conservative Churches were running around claiming that George W. Bush was "just like Moses!" Wow. I didn't believe it then and don't believe it now. The ones making this claim don't ever mention it anymore. And they don't mention compassionate conservatism anymore, either.
There is a problem I have here and from reading Scripture, God and Jesus agree with me. The problem is many conservatives really do all they can to harm the poor, orphans, widows, the defenseless that we are supposed to protect. These same conservatives enable and support those who harm the aforementioned groups and make excuses for what is done to them. I don't know how they can claim to be Christian and 1) not be convicted of their sin and 2) at least be able to sleep at night. The conservatives I know have no problem doing both and that is a problem.
Especially, the last paragraph "The Republicans and their Tea Party enforcers truly have little compassion for the poor, those in need of health care, the elderly, minorities and women. But, they apparently seem to have a lot of compassion for the most victimized group in America—the extremely wealthy. Every tax cut is good regardless of the social cost and for those who happen to be born into a poor or middle class family, well, that's just too bad. Maybe you can marry up!!!"
I remember when Bush was running against Gore in 2000 and many in Conservative Churches were running around claiming that George W. Bush was "just like Moses!" Wow. I didn't believe it then and don't believe it now. The ones making this claim don't ever mention it anymore. And they don't mention compassionate conservatism anymore, either.
There is a problem I have here and from reading Scripture, God and Jesus agree with me. The problem is many conservatives really do all they can to harm the poor, orphans, widows, the defenseless that we are supposed to protect. These same conservatives enable and support those who harm the aforementioned groups and make excuses for what is done to them. I don't know how they can claim to be Christian and 1) not be convicted of their sin and 2) at least be able to sleep at night. The conservatives I know have no problem doing both and that is a problem.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
United States in Prophecy
If you are looking for Scripture that the United States is mentioned in prophecy. You can stop. It isn't. I understand there are some who want to believe we are and that not only are we mentioned in prophecy, but we are the "good guys". This is an idea that falsely intertwines Christianity and "patriotism" (which will be in another post), but isn't true.
Even Dr. J. Vernon McGee noted that the United States wasn't around in Old Testament times and only appeared in 1776. McGee states those who believe we are in prophecy "will not face reality and try to find the United States in prophecy". McGee is a well respected Biblical scholar and no wild eyed crazy liberal. Yet, even though I agree with McGee on that aspect, I don't agree with McGee's statement (in the same material) that Russia is mentioned in the Old Testament as "Gog" in Ezekiel 38 & 39. I read those Ezekiel passages and don't get how McGee made the connection.
Even though McGee got it right about the US not being in prophecy, he got it wrong about Russia. Perhaps, McGee got caught up in the Cold War mentality about Russia being evil and satanic. Strange that there were many Christians even when the Communists ran the country and there are many more Christians today. McGee passed away in 1988 and didn't see the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989. But he was alive when Mikhail Gorbachev was around and should have realized there was a change in the former Soviet Union. We all want to believe in something and we all want to believe we are right. We aren't and we should thank God that He still accepts us even though we are failed human beings.
Even Dr. J. Vernon McGee noted that the United States wasn't around in Old Testament times and only appeared in 1776. McGee states those who believe we are in prophecy "will not face reality and try to find the United States in prophecy". McGee is a well respected Biblical scholar and no wild eyed crazy liberal. Yet, even though I agree with McGee on that aspect, I don't agree with McGee's statement (in the same material) that Russia is mentioned in the Old Testament as "Gog" in Ezekiel 38 & 39. I read those Ezekiel passages and don't get how McGee made the connection.
Even though McGee got it right about the US not being in prophecy, he got it wrong about Russia. Perhaps, McGee got caught up in the Cold War mentality about Russia being evil and satanic. Strange that there were many Christians even when the Communists ran the country and there are many more Christians today. McGee passed away in 1988 and didn't see the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989. But he was alive when Mikhail Gorbachev was around and should have realized there was a change in the former Soviet Union. We all want to believe in something and we all want to believe we are right. We aren't and we should thank God that He still accepts us even though we are failed human beings.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Is Las Vegas a modern day Sodom & Gomorrah?
I just got back from a business trip. When some people in the Christian community hear about Las Vegas, their knee jerk reaction is it is a modern day Sodom & Gomorrah. There are a lot of avenues to sin in Las Vegas, that is for sure. Just as there is to sin in New York, Detroit, Orlando and Houston and in any city, county and state in the USA. Shoot, the conservative Republican Red states consume the highest amount of pornography in the USA. Why blame Las Vegas for your sinful behaviors?
God could only find Lot to be saved in Sodom and Gomorrah. I bet God could find a lot more to be saved in Las Vegas. There are numerous churches and very active groups there that help the homeless. In Sodom and Gomorrah the perversion was so terrible, so invasive, that the people at that time believed gang rape was OK. Even Lot offered up his daughters for gang rape so the villagers would leave the angels alone.
From Genesis 19:1-8--The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” 3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom —both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” 6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
And Lot was known as "righteous". Wow, Las Vegas has a long way to go before it is the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Also, what does it say about Lot that he wanted to stay in such a sin infested, wicked city? I guess saying Las Vegas=Sodom and Gomorrah can make us blind to our own sinful sexual behaviors and perversions such as Red states buying porn. If Las Vegas is Sodom and Gomorrah, than there are many more across the land.
God could only find Lot to be saved in Sodom and Gomorrah. I bet God could find a lot more to be saved in Las Vegas. There are numerous churches and very active groups there that help the homeless. In Sodom and Gomorrah the perversion was so terrible, so invasive, that the people at that time believed gang rape was OK. Even Lot offered up his daughters for gang rape so the villagers would leave the angels alone.
From Genesis 19:1-8--The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” 3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom —both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” 6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
And Lot was known as "righteous". Wow, Las Vegas has a long way to go before it is the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Also, what does it say about Lot that he wanted to stay in such a sin infested, wicked city? I guess saying Las Vegas=Sodom and Gomorrah can make us blind to our own sinful sexual behaviors and perversions such as Red states buying porn. If Las Vegas is Sodom and Gomorrah, than there are many more across the land.
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