Downplaying the Root Cause of Islamic Terrorism

The Seattle Times paints an almost "rosy picture” of Naveed Haq, the shooter in yesterday’s shooting spree which left one dead and multiple wounded.

I think we can expect to see more downplaying of the root cause for Islamic terrorism, as in the instance of this report on Taheri-azar, the man who mowed down nine people with his SUV in Chapel Hill, North Carolina not long ago. This article, which comes very close to suggesting that Taheri-azar’s reasoning for his attempted murders was for a “noble cause” is typical of the leftist media’s attempt at political correctness at any cost.

The government and media’s attempt to downplay the root causes of these attacks – a vicious, hate-filled religion- is unconscionable. It’s time to stop being politically correct and face the reality of what we are up against

French filmmaker Pierre Rehov was interviewed recently on MSNBC. Here is an excerpt:

Q - What inspired you to produce "Suicide Killers," your seventh film?
A - I started working with victims of suicide attacks to make a film on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) when I became fascinated with the personalities of those who had committed those crimes, as they were described again and again by their victims. Especially the fact that suicide bombers are all smiling one second before they blow themselves up.

Q - Why is this film especially important?

A - People don't understand the devastating culture behind this unbelievable phenomenon. My film is not politically correct because it addresses the real problem, showing the real face of Islam. It points the finger against a culture of hatred in which the uneducated are brainwashed to a level where their only solution in life becomes to kill themselves and kill others in the name of a God whose word, as transmitted by other men,has become their only certitude.

Q - What insights did you gain from making this film? What do you know that other experts do not know?

A - I came to the conclusion that we are facing a neurosis at the level of an entire civilization. Most neuroses have in common a dramatic event, generally linked to an unacceptable sexual behavior. In this case, we are talking of kids living all their lives in pure frustration, with no opportunity to experience sex, love, tenderness or even understanding from the opposite sex. The separation between men and women in Islam is absolute. So is contempt toward women, who are totally dominated by men. This leads to a situation of pure anxiety, in which normal behavior is not possible. It is no coincidence that suicide killers are mostly young men dominated subconsciously by an overwhelming libido that they not only cannot satisfy but are afraid of, as if it is the work of the devil.

Since Islam describes heaven as a place where everything on Earth will finally be allowed, and promises 72 virgins to those frustrated kids, killing others and killing themselves to reach this redemption becomes their only solution.

Q - What was it like to interview would-be suicide bombers, their families and survivors of suicide bombings?

A - It was a fascinating and a terrifying experience. You are dealing with seemingly normal people with very nice manners who have their own logic, which to a certain extent can make sense since they are so convinced that what they say is true. It is like dealing with pure craziness, like interviewing people in an asylum, since what they say, is for them, the absolute truth. I hear a mother saying "Thank God, my son is dead." Her son had became a shaheed, a martyr, which for her was a greater source of pride than if he had became an engineer, a doctor or a winner of the Nobel Prize.

This system of values works completely backwards since their interpretation of Islam worships death much more than life. You are facing people whose only dream, only achievement goal is to fulfill what they believe to be their destiny, namely to be a Shaheed or the family of a shaheed.

They don't see the innocent being killed, they only see the impure that they have to destroy.

Q - You say suicide bombers experience a moment of absolute power, beyond punishment. Is death the ultimate power?

A - Not death as an end, but death as a door opener to the after life. They are seeking the reward that God has promised them. They work for God, the ultimate authority, above all human laws. They therefore experience this single delusional second of absolute power, where nothing bad can ever happen to them, since they become God's sword.

Q - Is there a suicide bomber personality profile? Describe the psychopathology.

A - Generally kids between 15 and 25 bearing a lot of complexes, generally inferiority complexes. They must have been fed with religion. They usually have a lack of developed personality. Usually they are impressionable idealists. In the western world they would easily have become drug addicts, but not criminals. Interestingly, they are not criminals since they don't see good and evil the same way that we do. If they had been raised in an Occidental culture, they would have hated violence. But they constantly battle against their own death anxiety. The only solution to this deep-seated pathology is to be willing to die and be rewarded in the afterlife in Paradise.

Q - Are suicide bombers principally motivated by religious conviction?

A - Yes, it is their only conviction. They don't act to gain a territory or to find freedom or even dignity. They only follow Allah, the supreme judge, and what He tells them to do.

Q - Do all Muslims interpret jihad and martyrdom in the same way?

To read more, go to the filmmaker's website.

Terrorism on American soil is just beginning. Expect soon to see suicide bombers in a Walmart near you.

Andrea Yates - Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

Seems the public, and most especially, the jurors, have forgotten the horror of Andrea Yates’ crime, and the circumstances surrounding it.

The day of the crime, a police spokesman described the scene:

On a double bed in a back master bedroom, four children were laid out beneath a sheet, clothed and soaking wet. All of them were dead, with their eyes wide open. In the bathtub, a young boy was submerged amid feces and vomit floating on the surface. He looked to be the oldest and he was also dead.
In less than an hour that morning, five children had all been drowned, and the responding officers were deeply affected.
The children's thin, bespectacled mother---the woman who had called 911 seeking help---appeared able to talk coherently, but her frumpy striped shirt and stringy brown hair were soaked. She let the officers in, told them without emotion that she had killed her children, and sat down while they checked. Detective Ed Mehl thought she seemed focused when he asked her questions. She told him she was a bad mother and expected to be punished. Then she allowed the police to take her into custody while medical personnel checked the children for any sign of life. She looked dispassionately at the gathering crowd of curious neighbors as she got into the police car.

Now Yates will be sent to a mental hospital instead of death row, and odds are she’ll “get well” and be out in a few years – no consequences, no punishment.

Our church has a ministry that goes out into the prisons and preaches the Gospel and has for 20 years or more. Over the years, we’ve seen literally thousands get saved through this ministry.

It’s not hard to talk to a man about his sin nature when he’s in prison having been tried and convicted of a crime. He knows he’s guilty. He knows he’s a sinner. Many times prisoners are ready to hear about Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for their sins, and many do get saved after hearing the good news. But how do you witness to someone like Andrea Yates, who for all practical purposes has been told by the system that she’s not guilty? She cruelly drowned her five children deliberately and methodically …but she’s not guilty? Why should she fear punishment for sin? As far as she’s concerned, she has no sin. She’s just “sick”. And she’ll get well.

There’s an excellent article on the Fox News site about the feminist angle on mothers who murder their children (it’s society’s fault). Here’s an excerpt:

Yates' videotaped confession to the police described drowning Mary, the 6-month-old, in the bathtub. As Yates was doing so, Noah, the eldest child at 7 years old, wandered into the bathroom and asked, "What's wrong with Mary?" Yates ran after the fleeing boy and drowned him next.
Yet, in newsprint and on airwaves, there are compassionate discussions of Yates' mental state. Blame is already shifting onto the shoulders of her husband and society for not recognizing the depth of her psychosis.
There are calls for greater funding of women's health issues. Yates is fast becoming a poster woman for post-partum depression.

As I’ve said before, without sin there is no need for a saviour.

The True Oppressors and Aggressors

While much of the world is condemning Israel's audacity to try to defend herself, the evil of Islam continues to spread and devour.

When the adulterous woman was brought before Jesus (John 8:3-11) He said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Consequently they all left and she ended up standing alone before the only One Who truly had the right to condemn her. His message: “…go, and sin no more.”

Contrast that to Islam, and the extremism and hate in this religion that rises up from the very pits of hell.

A 16 year old girl by the name of Atefeh Rajabi was recently hanged by an Islamic judge in Iran. The judge personally put the noose around her neck and she was lifted up by a huge crain in the center of town and hung for 45 minutes until she was dead. As friends and relatives stood and "...sobbed and - under their breath - damned the mullahs.”

Her crime was having sex outside of marriage and for daring to talk back to the judge during her hearing. None of the adult men who participated in her crime were punished...

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke recently of the “oppression and aggression” of Israel. I would say oppression is an Iranian and Muslim trait rather than an Israeli one.

Islam…the religion of peace.

Scripture reference:

“And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:3-11

List of Terrorist Acts Against Israel

As I just mentioned in the post before this one, "If the chronology of violence and hatred toward Israel since her rebirth in 1948 were written it would fill volumes". Well, if you want a lengthy but still only partial list of the atrocities committed toward Israel, take a look at the list at Warren's blog Long Range and read his Friday July 21 2006 post, "A List of Victims You Never See". Good job, Warren.

Koffi Annan's Ridiculous Accusation

After being chased and attacked numerous times, I finally had enough and bought wasp spray and the little red devils were destroyed, hopefully once and for all. Imagine PETA and other animal rights activists campaigning against me, calling me aggressive, repressive and cruel for “slaughtering” these pests. Ridiculous, you say? Exactly my point.

The hatred of Israel by Satan and the influence and the blinding effect he has on the world of the lost never ceases to not only amaze but startle me.

If the chronology of violence and hatred toward Israel since her rebirth in 1948 were written it would fill volumes. And as I pointed out in an earlier post, she is not nor has she ever been in a position to be either an oppressor or aggressor. She has, quite simply, been a survivor.

After almost 60 years, she’s had enough and has purposed to destroy as much of her enemy as possible. And the world disapproves. And now, Koffi Annan has ridiculously accused Israel of purposely killing UN observers.

Annan said recently, “I am shocked and deeply distressed by the apparently deliberate targeting by Israeli Defence Forces of a U.N. Observer post in southern Lebanon… I call on the goverment (sic) of Israel to conduct a full investigation into this very disturbing incident and demand that any further attack on U.N. positions and personnel must stop”

Has Annan forgotten that there has been a UN presence in that region since 1974? Surely if Israel had wanted to kill UN personnel she’s had more than ample opportunity to do so before now. And while we’re on the subject of UN observers and peacekeepers – what good have they been?

Is the War in Israel the Beginning of Armageddon?

There is some fear out there. People are wondering (even non-Christians) if the present escalating war between Israel and the terrorists is the beginning of Armageddon.

The Answer is NO.

Why?

#1 Because the Battle of Armageddon comes at the end of the 7 year tribulation.
#2 The events that occur before the end of the tribulation have not yet occurred.
#3 There is at least one other war which will take place before the Battle of Armageddon and it hasn't happened yet either.

Scripture refers to a great World War which will take place in the last days of Planet Earth. The present war is not the one referred to in Scripture, because the particulars of it do no match with Scripture. However, what IS interesting is how this war and the circumstances around it picture a huge puzzle, with the pieces being divinely put into place piece by piece, preparing for what the Bible has said will take place in this coming World War, who the players will be, which side they will take, and what the result will be.

The war on Israel in this prophesied WW will start with an attack from the north.
The books of Ezekiel and Daniel seem to indicate that the attackers will include Gog/Magog (Russia) Meshech(Moscow)Tubal(Tobolsk), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia & other black Muslim nations, Libya and other Arab Nations, Gomer (Germany), Togarmah of the North (Turkey) and Egypt.

Those that defend Israel on the side of the antichrist will most likely include Sheba and Dedan (Saudi Arabia) and Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Tarshish (England) and the Lion Cubs of Tarshish (colonies USA, Australia). Prophecy also indicates that the nation of Jordan will remain neutral.

This war will start during a period of peace. Since the antichrist will usher in the tribulation with a 7-year peace treaty between Israel and her neighboring Arab enemies, Israel will be unprepared for this war due to a false sense of security brought on by the 7 year treaty.

The reason for this war - control of the Middle East oil and a challenge to the antichrist, as well as because of the anti-semitism of radical Islam.

The results of this war: The invaders will be destroyed. There will be a huge earthquake (Ezekiel 38:19-23), a mutiny among the troops (Ezek 38:21), a plague among the Russian troops (Ezek 38:22), Floods, hailstones, fire and brimstone (Ezekiel 38:22, 39:6) Some scholars believe this may actually represent a nuclear attack. Over 80% of the Russian alliance will be killed (Ezekiel 39:2) and it will take 7 months to bury the dead. Shortly after, the antichrist will enter the Jewish Temple and declare himself to be God. The rest can be read in the Book of Revelation.

Considering that these prophecies were given over 2500 years ago, who can possibly doubt that the Bible is literally God-breathed? Only a fool (whom I once was). (Romans 1:22)

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:22

Anyone wanting a copy of this past Sunday's sermons on this subject can email me. I'd be glad to get a copy for you which goes into much more detail than this post.It would be well worth the suggested $4 donation.

Israel - the Neighborhood Bully

My thanks to my Australian friend Graeme for this one.

This was written by Bob Dylan and needs no comment.
Truth doesn't need any allies.

Israel — the Neighborhood Bully

Bob Dylan
BrookesNews.Com
Monday 24 July 2006

Well, the neighborhood bully, he's just one man,
His enemies say he's on their land.
They got him outnumbered about a million to one,
He got no place to escape to, no place to run.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully just lives to survive,
He's criticized and condemned for being alive.
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin,
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land,
He's wandered the earth an exiled man.
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn,
He's always on trial for just being born.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized,
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad.
The bombs were meant for him.
He was supposed to feel bad.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him,
'Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac.
He's the neighborhood bully.

He got no allies to really speak of.
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love.
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he's surrounded by pacifists who all want peace,
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease.
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly.
To hurt one they would weep.
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Every empire that's enslaved him is gone,
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon.
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand,
In bed with nobody, under no one's command.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Now his holiest books have been trampled upon,
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on.
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth,
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What's anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin', they say.
He just likes to cause war.
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed,
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers?
Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill,
Running out the clock, time standing still,
Neighborhood bully.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." Psalm 122:6

Hate Crimes vs "Gay Panic"

Hate Crimes and “Gay Panic”

If motivation plays a legitimate role in the prosecution of a crime, then logically, shouldn’t motivation also play a role in the defense of a crime? After all, that is what Hate Crime legislation is all about. A crime is no longer just a crime if the motivation behind that crime can be shown to be motivated by hate of religion, race, color or sexual orientation. If hate is shown to be a factor, the punishment meted out is increased in severity.

I’ve long since been against Hate Crime legislation because of the absurdity that the motivation behind a crime leads to any greater or lesser harm to the victim.

Now it seems ironically that the Hate Crime Legislation proponents have a new problem on their hands.

Gwen Araujo –a male who was living his life as a female, was murdered in 2002 after several men with whom he’d had anal sex at a party found out he was indeed male and not female. The men strangled and murdered the young man and buried him in a shallow grave. The defense claimed that because the men were fearful and angry over the realization of their sexual partner’s betrayal they should therefore deserve a lesser sentence.

Prosecutors now are calling for new laws to eliminate the “panic” defense. Their arguments in favor of new legislation, however are contradictory to the premise of Hate Crime Legislation:

“The suggestion that criminal conduct is mitigated (to cause to become less harsh or hostile ) by bias or prejudice is inappropriate.” -San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris

Counter argument: “The suggestion that criminal conduct is exacerbated (to cause to become more violent, bitter or severe) by bias or prejudice is inappropriate.”

“Gwen being transgender was not a provocative act. It's who she was.” - Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Chris Lamiero.

Counter argument: “Mr. Citizen’s being repulsed and frightened by homosexuality was not a provocative act. It’s who he/she is.”

Hate Crime Legislation is bad law. A crime is a crime. The men who killed Gwen Araujo should receive no less nor more punishment because of the motivation of the crime.

If "Gay Panic" defense is ludicrous (and it is), then so is Hate Crime Legislation.

Christian: Quitting is Easy, but There's No Reward

You’ve spend the whole evening with your evangelism partners, calling on individuals who were either referred to you, or who filled out a visitor’s card, or maybe you’ve just made random visits this evening. The first two weren’t home. The next lady was too distracted by kids and phones ringing to really listen to what you had to say about the Gospel. The next guy slammed the door in your face and said don’t come back. Finally, the last two on the list said “gee, thanks for coming by, but this isn’t a good time…” You didn’t have a single chance to sit down and really share the good news of the love of Christ and what He did on the cross for their salvation. You are discouraged, because last week was basically the same scenario. It would be easy to quit. You could do something else “more constructive” on Tuesday nights…

For years you’ve been lovingly and patiently trying to get your Uncle to understand your faith. Still, when the subject would come up, he would either make light of it or patronize you: “Hey, if that’s what you believe, go for it. I’m happy for you. It’s just not for me.” You love your Uncle, and want him to share eternity with you, but lately, when you try to bring the subject up, he gets defensive and agitated and starts cursing. It breaks your heart that he seems so hardened, and you fear for his soul. You’ve prayed and wept over him, and it doesn’t appear that there is any chance that he’ll ever get saved. It would be easy to quit. Get your mind off of it. Focus on something or someone else.

You’ve been at your job for years. You’ve always gotten along well with everyone, and loved what you do. It was a pleasure and privilege to come to work everyday. But lately, since one of your co-workers got promoted, they’ve become a real pain. All of a sudden, nothing anybody does is right. You’ve got increased demands on you. Everyone is under pressure. You are working yourself to death, but feel unappreciated. They always want more. And all the hard work and extra things you do are going unnoticed and unappreciated. And though you try to live your faith by example, the office chatter and loose talk seem to mock you. Never mind that off-color jokes and foul mouthed conversation offend you. At the end of the day, you are exhausted, discouraged, and feel helpless. Morning comes and you don’t want to get out of bed. You dread another day at the office. It would be easy to quit. There are other jobs out there. Ones where you would be appreciated…

After years of marriage, your spouse is gone, maybe because of death, or maybe divorce. Suddenly you feel very alone. You look at your kids and wonder how this is going to affect them. How will you live by yourself? Will you be able to support yourself? What about the lonliness? Everything seems different. There’s a piece of the puzzle missing. You really don’t want to be in this situation. Life at the moment doesn’t seem very kind or very encouraging. It would be easy to quit. Just fold up and die. Then there would be no more pain…

You've been healthy all your life, and now suddenly the Doctor is giving you news you don't want to hear. You don't have time to be sick. You have important things to do. But now, it seems you are being told it's all over. Your life is about to radically change. It would be easy to quit. Just give up and give in to this illness. What's the use of fighting it, right? After all, the odds are against you.

We all want to quit sometimes. We may have believed when we became a Christian that it was all going to be downhill from now on. No more problems…clear sailing…a bed of roses.

Scripture says otherwise.

Paul said “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” II Timothy 3:12

Once we realize this, we need to claim the promises of God (Psalms 30:5) and through HIS strength (Philippians 4:13) refuse to take the easy way out and give up. No matter what valley we are in, there is a reason why we are there, and we should seek that reason through prayer and study of Scripture, as well as seek counsel from other strong Christians. We should never be too proud to ask for prayer. And if we will wait on God to act, and to show us what His plan is in the situation we’re in, He will be there for us, and He will strengthen us (Isaiah 40:31) and get us through it. Life is short (James 4:14), and as my pastor pointed out tonite, there are crowns to be earned for overcoming temptation (James 1:12), which far outweigh the temporary pain of our hardships.

I don’t want to be a quitter. I long to hear these words someday…

“… Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

By not quitting, you just might see the following:

Somebody might get saved.
Someone’s heart may be softened.
You may receive comfort from an unexpected source
You may come through the valley better off than when you traveled into it.
You may impact someone’s life where no one else could.

The next time you are tempted to take the easy way out and quit, remember the Garden of Gethsemane, and the words your Saviour spoke in prayer…
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

Scripture References:

Psalms 30:5:“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

James 4:14: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

James 1:12: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Stupid Quote of the Week - From Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran president Ahmadinejad claimed this week that Israel is acting like Hitler. I seem to remember this guy publicly denying that the holocaust ever happened, but now he's comparing Israel to Hitler?

But the stupid quote of the week is this, also from Ahmadinejad: “The survival of this regime (Israel) is not possible without oppression and aggression”
Take a look at the map below. Look at Israel, and then look at the surrounding Arab nations. Then ask youself, is Israel even in a position to be oppressive and aggressive?
Israel survives because #1, the Jews are God’s chosen people and #2 they have the strongest will to survive of any country on the face of the earth. And the Bible says they will come around eventually (I believe, very soon), and thousands of them will come to know their true Savior, Jesus Christ.(Revelation 14:1-8)



Scripture Reference:

Revelation 14:1-8:

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

Keith Ellison - David Duke's Counterpart

In the early 90s, Louisiana had what was a much-watched gubernatorial race between David Duke and Edward Edwards. The idea of having such a corrupt individual as Edwin Edwards rewarded with another term was not something I or many others in the state could stomach, so I wanted to believe Duke’s claim that the stories of his involvement with the KKK and Nazi parties were “youthful indiscretions” and that he had changed. He even claimed to be a Christian. As the campaign raged on, that gnawing feeling that something wasn’t right kept coming back – was that only really a part of Duke’s past and had he really changed? The pattern appeared too planned – his involvement with these groups slowly faded away several years before his bid for public office. On voting day, I couldn’t bring myself to pull the lever for Duke, and was forced to make a decision for the lesser of two evils.

The liberal media and the Democratic Party was all over this governor’s race and hounded Duke’s campaign – and rightly so. It’s a blessing that he lost the race and now Edwards is in prison, so his sins found him out as well.

But as usual, there seems to be a double standard when it comes to the liberal media and the Democratic Party. The black counterpart to David Duke is running for Senate –with his party’s blessing.

The campaign is in Minnesota, and the candidate’s name is Keith Ellison – a liberal democrat running for Congress and actually endorsed by the State Democratic Party. (Duke was never recognized by the State Republican party in Louisiana) Not only that, but the media is playing on the public’s ignorance of the difference between Muslims and Black Muslims. Ellison is quoted as saying “I think it’s time for the United States to see a moderate Muslim voice, to see a face of Islam that is just like everybody else’s face. Perhaps it would be good for somebody who is Muslim to be in Congress, so that Muslims would feel like they are part of the body politic and that other Americans would know that we’re here to make a contribution to this country.”

Americans have been so chastised by the “political correctness” police for so-called “anti-Arab, anti- Muslim prejudices” that headlines like “Keith Ellison may become Congress’s first Muslim” demand acceptance in the name of “tolerance”. But aside from the fact that I personally would never vote for a practicing Muslim for any political office, a Black Muslim has even less of a chance of getting my vote. The Nation of Islam is a racist organization just as the KKK is a racist organization. True Muslims do not even recognize the Farrakhan group as legitimate Muslims because their beliefs are not consistent with Muslim teachings.

Ellison says he “used to” be associated with the Nation of Islam (just like David Duke said he “used to” be associated with the KKK). The Million Man March of Louis Farrakhan took place in 1995, and Ellison was one of the organizers. He has also been a leader of his local Nation of Islam. He is an extremist and a former(?) member of a racist organization, and the Democratic Party’s endorsement of him shows just how out of touch with America the party really is. He calls himself a moderate, but he is for abortion rights, for amnesty for illegal aliens, and against the war on terrorism. He says his face is just like everybody else’s face, but it’s not his face voters need to look at – it’s his ideology.

Further reading:
Ellison Profile
Keith Ellison
Muslim... Seeks Office

How Well do YOU Know Your Bible?

Get out your KJV and tell me where these words are found:

Righteous indignation
Moderation in all things
God helps those who help themselves
Money is the root of all evil
Cleanliness is next to Godliness
God works in mysterious ways
Spare the rod, spoil the child
Cast your bread upon the waters
Seasons will cease to change
Eve ate the apple
Three wise men
Mary Magdalene, the prostitute
The Book of Revelations

The truth is, none of these words are found in the Bible. They are either totally false, or they are a description or reference to a truth that is found in Scripture. I’d be interested to see if any of you readers can think of any more.

When "Charity" doesn't equal "Love"

Microsoft already aggravates me on a regular basis with its marketing strategies designed to force us to spend money unnecessarily. I recently tried to install software for one particular MS program on a computer only to find out that because the version of Office I had was 2000, I could not install the one software program I wanted on the computer because it was a version 2003. In other words, to get the one software program I wanted, I had to upgrade the whole MS Office Package! But I digress… Now on to Bill Gates' charity...

Warren Buffett caused a lot of excitement recently by announcing that he was giving away the majority of his fortune to charity – specifically to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was while reading the articles on Buffett’s decision that I learned that the Gates Foundation has donated over 32 million dollars to Planned Parenthood- both the US and International branches. Sad to see that a man that has been so blessed with wealth in this life would turn around and donate dollars to the slaughtering of innocents. And now with Buffett's donation, even more butchering can take place. Wonder if Buffett thinks he's winning brownie points with God? (Matthew 16:26)

There is an irony in this. The word "charity" is used in the KJV Bible to represent the word "love" ( I Corinthians 13:1-8). The Bill and Melinda Gates "Love"...has a nice ring to it, as it promotes the destruction of unborn children worldwide.

My Mac friends are going to end up convincing me to come over to their side.

Scripture References:

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth..." I Corinthians 13:1-8

Follow up on Rick Warren to North Korea?

There is an article in Christianity Today discussing North Korea and Rick Warren. It reiterates some of what I said in my earlier post, and gives a little more detail about the country itself and truth about Christianity in that country today, as well as a clearer picture of whom Kim Jong really is. The article basically needs not further introduction: North Korea: Land of Opportunity?

Are Mormons Christians?

When witnessing to a Mormon, one must understand something about their doctrine in order to avoid being misled by them into thinking that they too are Christians, because as one friend of mine in Las Vegas said, they speak fluent "Christianeze".


I was on another blog a few days ago and the discussion was whether or not a Mormon is saved if they believe Jesus died on the cross for their sins and they put their trust in Him for their salvation. I pointed out that if they were a Mormon, they didn’t believe in the Jesus of the Bible. They believed in a false Jesus who was not God, and their Jesus could therefore have no power to save them.

Do Mormons worship the God of the Bible? Let’s compare.

Bible: God is infinite
Mormons: God is Finite

Bible: God has always been God
Mormons: God became God

Bible: God is and always has been holy
Mormons: God attained holiness

Bible: God is and always has been omniscient
Mormons: God attained omniscience

Bible: God is and always has been omnipotent
Mormons: God attained omnipotence

Bible: God is and always has been perfect
Mormons: God attained perfection

Bible: There is only one God
Mormons: There are an infinite number of gods


Do Mormons worship the Jesus of the Bible? Let’s compare:

Bible: Jesus is eternal
Mormons: Jesus was procreated by God and God’s wife

Bible: Jesus is the Creator
Mormons: Jesus is our literal brother

Bible: Jesus is God
Mormons: Jesus and Lucifer were brothers

Interesting quote from Joseph Smith in “History of the Church”:

“

I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet

.”

The Mormon religion has 12 steps toward salvation, and having “faith in Christ” is only the first step. A true Mormon who says they trust in Christ for their salvation is trusting in a false Jesus and in works.

Step #1:Have faith in Christ
Step #2:Be repentant
Step #3: Be baptized by the LDS Church
Step #4: Receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands from a member of the Melchizedek priesthood
Step #5: Males are ordained into the Melchizedek Priesthood
Step #6: Receive temple endowments
Step #7: Participate in celestial marriage
Step #8: Observe the word of wisdom
Step #9: Sustain the prophet
Step #10: Tithe
Step #11: Attend sacrament meetings
Step #12: Obey the church

Stephen Covey, the author of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” is a Mormon who calls himself an Enemy of Christian truth. He has warned Mormon readers in his “The Divine Center” against seeking “any kind of special relationship with Jesus Christ” and says that salvation by grace alone is a “false concept” and an “apostate doctrine.”

Are Mormons Christians? The answer is an emphatic NO.

God is ALWAYS in Control

My younger sister is battling cancer, and the Doctors haven't given her very good odds, but the Doctors don't know everything and her faith is strong and she's surrendered to whatever God's will is in this situation. God, after all, is the Great Physician, Jehovah Rapha (kurios ho iômenos se) — the Lord your healer.

Something happened a little while back that showed us once again that God is ALWAYS in control. My sister and her and 10-yr-old son were in a horrible accident that totaled her car. She was driving him to school and was going about 25 miles per hour when a woman came from her left, running a stop sign at about 25-30 mph. The woman's car hit the left back of my sister's car taking off the bumper, bending the frame, and sending car parts flying everywhere, and spun my sis and her son around in the middle of the intersection, and at the same time the other car also spun around, and the two spinning cars ended up hitting each other at least once more, maybe twice, and then both cars came to a halt with the other car jammed into my sister's driver side door. My nephew was screaming and crying, and my sis said all she could think of was that neither one of them appeared injured, so she was saying, "It's ok, we're ok - God protected us - we're ok." The woman in the other car also walked away from the accident.

She said after the adrenalin subsided and she'd stopped saying, "Thank you, Jesus" about a hundred times, God spoke to her heart clearly and said, "Don't you see? Your life is in my hands. I alone decide your future and how long you live. You are safe in my care. No matter the cancer, or auto accidents, or any other danger - only I decide when you will come home."

It's that way for all of us. Sometimes we need to be reminded.

In Hot Water

The US has its 911. England has its 7/7. And then there are these conflicts around the world: Iraq, Israel - Palestine, Lebanon, Philippines, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Thailand, China, Jordan, Cyprus, Sudan, Serbia, Albania, India, Morocco, to mention a few. In every case, the “peaceful” religion of Islam is involved in conflict.
In London earlier this year, Muslims staged a protest at the Danish embassy over the now famous “Muhammad cartoons” that were first published in a Danish newspaper. The protesters’ signs included “Kill Those Who Insult Islam”, Behead Those Who Insult Islam”, “Butcher Those Who Mock Islam” and other “peaceful” protest slogans, including signs that praised the Muslim perpetrators of 911 and 7/7 as being “martyrs” and others that actually threatened more violence. The London police were there to try to maintain the “peace”…by protecting the Muslim protesters.
Columnist Walter Williams wrote once that we here in the US are like a frog that is being slow cooked, oblivious to what is happening to us. Put a frog in a pot of cold water and he’s happy as can be, not in a hurry to get out, knowing that with his strong legs, he can easily hop out anytime he wants to with little effort. Then the fire is turned on. The heat is so gradual that the frog does not really notice it, but as the temperature rises and it gets to the point of danger, the frog is so utterly exhausted from the heat and from treading water so long that by the time he realizes the danger he is in, it is too late. He’s cooked!
Just as France and London are experiencing the hot water of Islamofacism, the US is headed for the same demise. In the name of “political correctness” and “diversity” (read: division) we are in a pot of boiling-point water and it may already be too late to jump out. The difference here in the US is that Christianity still remains strong at the moment, which is the number one deterrent to a radical Muslim state. As Christianity slips away, a new ideology will fall into place. As I said in an earlier post, the real war is a war of ideologies. As Christianity continues to crumble and apostatize due to falling away churches, the homosexual agenda, judicial activism and “feel good” theology, it will be only a matter of time before the Islamic element in this country begins to be more vocal and demanding and there will be nothing in the way – and it will be our police protecting Islamic protesters in the street. This is exactly what has happened in Europe. Countries that used to send out Christian missionaries around the world have become, for all practical purposes, secular states. And as Christianity was edged out, Islam stepped in to fill the void. Don’t think it could happen? Have you forgotten the illegal aliens marching all across the land in support of Amnesty, and instead of rounding up people without green cards, the police stood by and allowed the protests and yes, even protected the protesters?

Further Reading:
The Islamic States of America?
The Real Religion of Peace
We Mustn't Rile the Terror-Mongers

We're Soft in Comparison to our Forefathers

There is an interesting read on FrontPageMag.com today called The Founders’ Solution for Terrorists. In it writer Debbie Schlussel describes some of the punishments meted out to Tory loyalists and other anti-Americans in the early days of this country. Besides risking being tarred and feathered, enemies of the state sometimes lost their property, their ability to work, and sometimes even their lives. In other words, dissenters were dealt with harshly. Think Abu Ghraib was bad? Listen to this. One individual who was convicted of aiding and abetting the enemy was sentenced to be hanged : “not ‘til you be dead, for you must be cut down alive…and then your head must be severed from your body, and your body divided into four quarters and these must be at the disposal of the Supreme Authority of the state.” Our forefathers didn’t tolerate anti-Americanism.

Can you picture a flag burner being transported back in time just as he lit the end of the cloth to set it on fire?

And here is a song made popular during the American Revolution, again disputing the liberals’ claims that our country was not founded on Christianity. It is called “Chester” and was written by William Billings.

Let tyrants shake their iron rods,
And Slav'ry clank her galling chains.
We fear them not, we trust in God.
New England's God forever reigns.
Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton, too,
With Prescott and Cornwallis joined,
Together plot our overthrow,
In one infernal league combined.
When God inspired us for the fight,
Their ranks were broke, their lines were forced,
Their ships were shattered in our sight,
Or swiftly driven from our coast.
The foe comes on with haughty stride,
Our troops advance with martial noise;
Their vet'rans flee before our youth,
And gen'rals yield to beardless boys.
What grateful off'ring shall we bring,
What shall we render to the Lord?
Loud hallelujahs let us sing,
And praise his name on ev'ry chord!

What did Jesus say about the End Times?

Read the Headlines Lately?

WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD?

Matthew 24:3-14 says:

"… the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
…And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences (diseases, pandemics etc), and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (Christian persecution)
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many (false Christianity, false religions).
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world (modern technology) for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

Mark 13 adds:
"And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
…Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death " (common Islamic practice is to put family members to death if they convert to Christianity).

And II Timothy 3:1-5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

PROMISES FROM JESUS CHRIST FOR THOSE WHO OVERCOME THE WORLD

God’s plan was and is for us to “overcome” by coming to Him by faith
in His Son, Jesus Christ.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)


There IS a Heaven and there IS a Hell.
God doesn’t send anyone to either place.
We choose where we will go.


Which is more merciful?

1. To expect us to figure out on our own how good we have to be to keep from going to hell and then hope we don’t mess it up?
or
2. To offer us grace and mercy by having already paid for our sins and offering us a free gift of heaven?



Heaven is a free gift. Would you like to claim your free gift? Here’s how:

Admit that you aren’t good enough to go to heaven on your own merit
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Believe that Jesus is God and that He took your punishment for your sin

Call on Him and ask Him to save you.
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Rick Warren in North Korea?

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” II Timothy 4:3

Those who know me know that I’m no fan of Rick Warren. There is something about the man that isn’t “quite right” with me.

Proverbs 18:15 states (KJV): “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.”

Rick Warren encourages readers to “seek God’s truth in new fresh ways”, using the “Living Bible” version of Proverbs 18:15, which says: “"The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them."

Sorry, call me dense, but I don’t see these two versions of the same verse saying the same thing.

I have not heard a clear presentation of the Gospel from Warren.

Warrens’ prayer for salvation: "Jesus, I believe in you and I receive you." To that he adds: "If you sincerely meant that prayer, congratulations! Welcome to the family of God!"

No mention of repentance, sin, the consequences of sin, or a realization of our need for a Savior (Acts 3:19). And no mention of Who Jesus really is. (John 14:6, Romans 10:9) Just “I believe in you, I receive you.”

Some other Warren quotes:

“… you can best understand scripture by reading as many different translations as possible” (See II Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 5:12-14) [In actuality, reading as many different versions as possible will confuse – especially a new Christian] ( I Corinthians 14:33)

“I'm worried that evangelicals be identified too much with one party or the other. When that happens, you lose your prophetic role of speaking truth to power” (see II John 1:10-11)

“Muslim fundamentalism, Christian fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism, secular fundamentalism - they're all motivated by fear. Fear of each other." He also predicts that fundamentalism, of all varieties, will be "one of the big enemies of the 21st century."

At the end of a recent sermon Warren told his congregation, "Life is not about having more and getting more. It's about serving God and serving others." That is not what Scripture says about why we were created. (Revelation 4:11)

So now Warren is headed to none other than North Korea (Kim Jong II territory) to bring his “message of purpose”. And at this point, I can add nothing to this story other than to suggest reading this article.

Rick Warren will fit in perfectly with a one world religion. His watered down Gospel won’t offend anybody. (II Timothy 4:3)

Other reading: The Purpose Driven Pastor

Scripture references:

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-14

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” I Corinthians 14:33

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 1:10-11

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

Thoughts on the KKK

Not many things make me angry enough to lose control, but when someone openly shames the name of Jesus I could bite bullets.
I noticed a little article about the Ku Klux Klan getting a permit to protest the Iraq war in September at the Cyclorama Center at Gettsyburg National Military Park. The permit was granted due to the “constitutional rights of free speech and peaceable assembly”.
I don’t argue with the KKK’s right to peaceably protest whatever they want to. (Maybe nobody will show up to listen to them!) What I do have a problem with is their claim to be Christians. If you go to their official website, they have the audacity to claim to be a Christian organization of great moral and good Christian behavior. They also claim to come in the name of THE LORD God JESUS CHRIST.
It angers me to even repeat their blasphemous claims.
As I said in an earlier post, one cannot be a Christian and be a racist too. I believe the members of this hate group will burn in the lower and hotter corridors of hell unless they truly repent and are born again. Of all who condemn the Klan, and all should, we as Christians should be the most vocal and most adamant. This group shames the name of Jesus and is no more Christian than Fred Phelps and his group. Their hatred of others shows their real nature. And their objection to the Iraq war is contrary to where the majority of Evangelical Christians stand, putting the KKK in the same camp with the likes of the Cindy Sheehans, Susan Sarandons and Sean Penns – in other words – the liberal camp. Ironic, isn’t it, that the liberals like to label the KKK and Fred Phelps' group as extremists on the right, when in actuality, they think more like the left.


"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." II Corinthians 11:13-15

Was this Nation Founded on Christianity?

Were the majority of our forefathers Christians?

The liberals and anti-Christians in this country have been attempting for many years to wipe out any public acknowledgement of Christianity – including the rewriting of history. They do this by pointing to a very few individuals and suggesting that they represented the beliefs of the majority of the founding fathers. Example: Thomas Paine.
It would be dishonest to say that every founder was a Christian, but the vast amount of documentation of our forefathers is overwhelmingly in favor of a vision for a Christian nation, which this country continued to be for almost 200 years.

In 1620,the Mayflower Compact was drawn up and signed by the Pilgrims, electing their own officers, and binding themselves to work together “for the advancement of the Christian faith, for the glory of God, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one another”

Patrick Henry, in his "Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech:

"Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings…If we wish to be free…we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!" (He also quoted numerous Scriptures in his address)

George Washington, in his farewell address: "And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

John Jay – First Chief Justice of the United States – was also the President of the American Bible Association.

The First Act of Congress was to authorize the printing of 20,000 Bibles for Missionaries to the Indians

The wording of the act of Congress to declare a National Day of Thanksgiving:

"It is therefore recommended … to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise; That with one Heart … People may express the grateful Feelings …and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that … they may join the penitent Confession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favour, and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD, through the Merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole; to inspire our Commanders both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Fortitude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE; That it may please him to prosper the Trade and Manufactures of the People and the Labour of the Husbandman, that our Land may yet yield its Increase; To take Schools and Seminaries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand, and to prosper the Means of Religion for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom which consisteth 'in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.'"

The Continental Congress, on March 16, 1776 declared a National Day of Fasting and Prayer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

"...be observed by the said colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies;
. . . that it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the continental arms, by sea and land, with victory and success: Earnestly beseeching him to bless our civil rulers, and the representatives of the people, in their several assemblies and conventions; to preserve and strengthen their union, to inspire them with an ardent, disinterested love of their country; to give wisdom and stability to their counsels; and direct them to the most efficacious measures for establishing the rights of America on the most honourable and permanent basis—That he would be graciously pleased to bless all his people in these colonies with health and plenty, and grant that a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of pure undefiled religion, may universally prevail; and this continent be speedily restored to the blessings of peace and liberty, and enabled to transmit them inviolate to the latest posterity. And it is recommended to Christians of all denominations… {an assumption that Americans are CHRISTIAN}

Liberals and anti-Christians be silenced!

Fourth of July Poem

I like to randomly visit blogs each day, and sometimes stumble across some great sites. I came across Raymond Foss's blog the other day. He's got some really nice photos and some insightful poetry as well. I asked him if he'd mind if I posted his July 4th tribute here...

A Fourth Under Fire

We celebrate once again
the bravery of those certain men
who saw what they had to do
and though they were times
to try men’s souls
they hung the lantern
and answered the call
to defend the freedom they sought
and put pen to a new hope, a creed
to live in justice and trust
and fight for it we must

A land worthy of song
for banners and truths we hold dear
even when we become flawed or amiss
when we over extend and export
and fight for the wrong in court

A people, a thought,
a prayer in the maddening crowd
to save more than we harm
to live by our joint sacred text
to fight for the rights of all
open our heart to the down and the out
and give our neighbor his space
not force it in his face
and live simpler than some
so we can say in the end
that we honored our dream
and cared for the last and the least
to see ourselves in them
and treated them just
so those storied men of old
wouldn’t regret being so bold
as to put pen to page
creating a new land and place
where we could be as one
and live out our days
humbly and in peace

Thanks, Raymond. Well said.

Visit Raymond's Blog Here

God bless America. If we Christians really mean that, we should heed God's Word:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14

Some Really GOOD News out of Iraq

There are things going on in Iraq that the Mainstream Media isn’t telling you. “What, you say? I thought the MSM was always after a “story”? True – to a degree – if the story makes the USA, Bush, or our Armed Forces look bad. But you won’t see this headline in MSM print or television.
The news is this. Record numbers of Muslims are getting saved in Iraq. Iraquis are experiencing religious freedom because of our Military presence, and thousands are coming to the Lord for their salvation.
There is an excellent article by Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of the Christian ASSIST News Service that tells not only about a key Saddam military leader (Retired General Georges Sada) who received Christ, but also of the hundreds and even thousands that have come out of the false Islam religion and embraced Christ as their Savior. A few highlights from the article:

“The Kurds in the north of Iraq, for example, are especially receptive to the gospel message and are converting ‘by the hundreds’…

“One evangelical church recently started in Kurdistan now has more than 800 people worshipping there every week, most of whom are new converts from Islam…”

“…some 5,000 Iraqis have publicly identified themselves as new followers of Christ since Iraq was liberated…”

And maybe most touching of all is this…

“Sada…thanks…the American people for liberating his country and said all peace-loving people should ‘kneel down and thank the [American] mothers and fathers who have sacrificed their sons and daughters for the sake of freedom in Iraq.’

God is so good.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9.

Progressive Christianity

The Headline said “Some Evangelicals Starting to Embrace Democrats”. That intrigued me, as it almost sounded oxymoronic. As it turns out, I only had to read thru the third paragraph before I saw the words “progressive evangelical”.

Beware when you hear the word “progressive” in the same sentence with the words “Christian”, “evangelical”, “Gospel” or other normally fundamental Christian words. Progressive basically equals liberal.

The gist of the article is (supposedly)that Evangelicals are starting to take a look at the Democrats. A group called the Sojourners, led by a Reverend Jim Wallis, hosted a three-day conference to discuss poverty and other social issues with politicians. There were six hundred clergymen and laymen in attendance. Political speakers included both liberals and conservatives – from Rick Santorum to Hillary Clinton.

Some quotes worth noting:

Of abortion and gay marriage, Rev.Wallis said, “It’s been terribly politicized and polarized. Moral values can’t be narrowed to those two.”

Howard Dean said American needs “...a social safety net that will take care of people. That is the mark of true Christianity.”

Hillary Clinton: “The budget is a moral document.”

Democrat James Clyburn: "Keeping the environment pristine and green and passing it on, I think that’s a faith issue.”

If you go to the Sojourners website and find a clear presentation of the Gospel, please email me and let me know. I couldn’t find it.

I know of a church in our city that espouses “Progressive Christianity”. They have practicing homosexuals on staff, they teach that the Bible is a “moral” handbook that teaches us through “myths and fairy tales”, and their “evangelical outreach” consists of working with the local GoCare (an AIDS assistance program), soup kitchens, and other social charities. Their Gospel is good works and political correctness.

The social issues of today, including poverty, racism, sexually transmitted diseases, child abuse, etc. all need to be addressed by the church. But the primary focus of the church is to "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"(Mark 16:15). If we feed and clothe the masses but fail to give them the Gospel, what have we really done for them? "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul"(Matthew 16:26). Would the rich man not have given up everything he owned had he known the thirst he would experience? (Luke 16:22-24)