In the Path of the Storm

Hurricane Sandy is bearing down upon the US eastern coastline heading for some very densely populated areas. I pray for all who are in this storms path that it turns out to sea or causes no great damage to anyone. They are calling it a "Frankenstorm" because of the uniqueness of the situation that spawned and propelled it to it's current path. There are some people calling it created or engineered by HAARP technology and seeding the clouds with chem-trails. It seems the technology has been in existence since the 50's to create and direct the path of a storm, even increase it's velocity. What do you think?

I believe the technology exists, there is a patent on file that describes such things are possible. Would a government use it against it's own people to achieve it's own agenda? Probably. If you look at what the world governments have done to their own people in the past, it is probable that they would use this or any science experiment on an unsuspecting public.

Others say it's the "Storm of the Century" that will cause power outages all across numerous states affecting the election or at the least postponing it. With all the election buzz circulating about the Benghazi deaths still fresh in the voting public's mind, it creates a doubt of the effectiveness of the current administration's foreign policy as well as their loyalties. The polls are reflecting the dissatisfaction the public has with the current president, the State Department and the Pentagon.

Is the current administration corrupt? I would have to say yes, I don't trust them. But it isn't just the President, he does not work alone though I have never seen a man so full of deceit and narcissistic tendencies as this president. Even when he has been called on the lies and stories he tells he repeats them anyway, as if repeating them somehow will them make them true. It seems he believes, we the American public, are stupid and will believe anything we see on TV. The media certainly thinks so. It is pretty obvious that what they report as news is merely propaganda.

The corruption goes deep into Washington and to all the career politicians in some degree or other. Let's face it, money talks and many people can be bought at a price. The longer someone has been in office the more likely they are serving their own interests. We need to make some changes in policy that limit the ability to make specific laws that allow them to benefit from their service outside of their salaries.

I suggest that perhaps this storm is not a man created storm to skew the elections but is a God created storm to give us a final warning sign that we are on the wrong path and need to clean our proverbial political house. Washington D.C. is in the path of this storm.

We are truly in the path of the storm here in the US as well as many other nations. The people who want a one world government are at work everywhere in the world, not just here. I can not understand why the richest people are never satisfied with the riches they have but want to own the world and everyone in it. The love of money and all it can buy or who it can buy is truly evil. The world seems to be filled with people who will sell themselves at any price just to have a moment of pleasure or comfort on this earth for a few decades. They don't seem to understand that they are trading a few pleasurable moments or decades of comfort for an eternity of hell.

I believe the current crisis of the past four years has awaken a sleeping giant, the Christian population is no longer turning a blind eye and waiting for God to handle everything. They have been moved into action to preserve this great country of ours and I applaud them for it. It has united churches that have disagreed on theology for years to protect our religious freedom. Our freedoms and religious rights are only ever one generation from extinction. There are no places in the world one could go and have the freedoms we have individually. We must believe God has a purpose in all that is happening and what will happen in the future. What was meant for evil he will turn and use for his good. So, brace yourself for the storm, pray but trust God that he will use it for his purposes and somewhere down the line something good will come of it.

So many of our children take our freedoms for granted because they have never been enslaved. Now that we as a people are awake, let us stay awake, teach God's word and educate our children against tyranny while not letting our guard down again.

How Can A Christian Vote for Obama?

This is an awesome article that I wanted to pass on to anyone who might be having difficulty in deciding who to vote for in the coming elections.

Reblogged from Grassroots Contemplations:

How Can A Christian Vote for Obama?

“The future must not belong to those that would slander the prophet of Islam.” President Barack Hussein Obama

Causal knowledge of the tenets of Christianity would reveal that a practicing Christian would never make a statement like this. Any observant Muslim would believe Christianity slanders the name of Mohammad. Christians believe in one God and the one way to God  is through His son, Jesus Christ. Our God is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, not Allah.

 Jesus answered, “I am THE way and THE truth and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

This statement alone leaves no room for the prophet of Islam.

Wallbuilders has put together a list of over 50 acts by Obama that shows his hostility to the Bible and the Christian faith.  How can any person that professes to be a Christian vote for a man openly hostile to the Christian faith? Before you start throwing out the don’t judge lest you be judged scripture. Let me remind you that Scripture also says “by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 17:16)

The 10 Commandments tells us to not covet anything that belongs to our neighbors. The entire entitlement platform of the Obama administration is to covet from the rich. The rich must pay their “fair share.” The class warfare that Obama perpetuates on our society is all about coveting.

Obama is the most pro abortion president in history. My fellow blogger recently wrote “DNC Platform-Hating God and Loving Immorality” in which she referenced Dr. John MacArthur’s sermon after the DNC convention, “The Campaign for Immorality.” As a Christian I cannot vote for a party or a candidate whose platform promotes abortion and  immorality.

Obama lifted restrictions on U.S. government funding for groups that provide abortions abroad, thereby forcing taxpayers to fund pro-abortion groups in other nations. Obama also encouraged the non-enforcement of federal laws relating to conscience protection for healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other medical procedures that violate their moral and religious convictions. He also worked for the repeal of these conscience protection laws.

Obama’s anti-Catholic views in attempting to force the Catholic church to violate their conscience in regards to abortion and contraception in regard to the healthcare mandates are well documented.

Obama  used taxpayer money, even though it violated  federal law, to get Kenya to change its constitution to include abortion.

Obama has well documented associations with anti-Israel activists such as Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dorn and Rashid Khalidi. Obama has been openly disrespectful to Benjamin Netanyahu by having him come in through the back door at the White House and refusing to meet with him, yet making time to appear on David Letterman. Ajmadenajad threatens to wipe Israel off the face of the map, Obama offers to meet with him.

Remember God’s promise to Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel:

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse,…” Genesis 12:3

In Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope (page 261) he is quoted as saying  ”I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction” in speaking about Muslims.

Obama supports the Muslim Brotherhood and has filled his White House, State Department, Department of Justice and the Pentagon with members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

I can list multiple incidents of Obama’s hostility to Christianity. I will be happy to provide upon request.

The facts that Obama shows preference to Islam over Christianity, is divisive with his socialist policies, is pro-abortion and is not a supporter of Israel should demand that any Christian not vote for this man for president.  If after examining the facts, you still feel inclined to support Obama for President, I encourage you to open your Bible and get down on your knees in prayer to Almighty God and ask Him to search your heart. As Christians, we are obligated to do everything we can to keep Barack Obama from being re-elected President of the United States.

Short link for use on Twitter:  http://wp.me/p1oeil-br

The Good Shepherd

Sometimes the ugliness of the world overwhelms me and I am glad to retreat to the rural life of the farm. I keep goats at the farm; tend ducks and chickens as well. I take great satisfaction in raising my own meat and living a sustainable lifestyle. But, I am not your average farmer, more of a shepherd really.

Everyone knows when I am outside because I am greeted with great fanfare by the animals I tend. I am welcomed with the rather loud quaking of the ducks, the chickens flock to my feet from where ever they may be out in the fields. I swear sometimes they have a lookout that clues everyone in with a secret signal. It's an amazing sight to behold as nearly 100 chickens come from seemingly every direction at a moment’s notice, to arrive at my feet. Of course I reward their attention with several scoops of scratch, and then go about my day. They happily scratch and peck the grain until it's gone and then go about their day as well, laying eggs and continue foraging in the fields.

The next stop on my agenda is to let the goats out of the night enclosure and lead them out into the wooded area to find foliage for them to eat. This time of year the foraging is a bit slim as the underbrush has been depleted from the drought and browsing all summer. They have cleaned out most of the leaves, vines and brambles within their reach as well. It is necessary for me to bend the smaller trees over so they can eat the leaves from the tree tops. I usually spend a few hours out with them in the mornings and they forage through the grass in the pasture during the afternoons unassisted. 

There is something so peaceful and tranquil about being out there with them in the early morning hours. I was out with them this morning and I realized what it must be like for Jesus as our shepherd as he watches over us here on earth. 

The goats are a bit flighty. When spooked they run for their lives back to the inner enclosure, it's their safe zone. If I am with them they instead run to me, looking up to see if I run or stand still. When I stand still they know they are safe, I become their safe zone, and they settle down quickly. Sometimes we get worried or confused, when we run to our shepherd he is our safe zone, he tells us not to worry in his word. He says that he will provide for us like he does the animals in the fields, for we are much more valuable to him than they. Much like a shepherd he takes care of our needs. In the economic crash of 2008, businesses all around town where going under one by one, I was very concerned we would follow suit. But he blessed me and took care to provide for my needs, one day at a time, the jobs came in, barely enough to scrape by, but my basic needs were met. I was thankful for his provision and his mercy.

I know my goats very well as individuals, I can tell if something’s wrong with them with only a glance. Each has their own personalities and mannerisms. I know each of their voices as they call out and answer them back. If they are out and I cannot see them I only need to call them and they answer back. If I call them again they come to me no matter where they maybe. They trust if I call them it is for a reason and they come. If one of them wanders too far or is left alone by the herd they panic and call out. I answer them and call them so they find their way home, then I take them to find the others. They rely on me to care for them and to guide them to safety or back to the herd. Much like Jesus does for us. 

Jesus knows each and every one of our voices and hears our prayers much in the same way. He knows us as individuals, our personalities and mannerisms. He knows what is best for us and tries to lead us in the way he knows we should go. We don't always listen to his voice or his calls to us, because we are easily distracted with the shiny things of this world. Sometimes he comes looking for us; the sheep that have wandered away, to lead us back to the flock and to keep us safe from harm. We also need to be part of the flock, we need others to support us with fellowship and understanding. We all face the same battles and have the same enemies of sin, temptation and trials. We can learn from each other and provide encouragement. It is a lot easier to walk with God when we stand together giving moral support to each other when we are tempted, to gather strength from others when we are too weak and tried to resist on our own.

We all need to look to the shepherd; The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness, for his names sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

If we follow the Lord all the days of our life we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I encourage all to lean on our shepherd, for he truly does what he say he will do. He speaks truth to all who will listen; he will call to all who believe in him. Be still and listen for his voice, as he listens for ours in prayer. 

Do you ever wonder why God announced the birth of his son to the shepherds in the field first? Could it be they were the only ones listening?

Are There Any TV Shows Worth Watching?

I had the misfortune of watching a few minutes of a few shows on television yesterday. I know that seems unreal to most but I have not had television or watched it in ten years. Ten years ago I determined that there was nothing of value on television, my time was best used elsewhere and evicted it from my household. I have relied on my computer to stay in touch with the outside world and am only interested in the News and Weather. 

Nothing I saw last evening has done anything to change my mind; in fact it has permanently secured the decision in place. I was not only offended by the content, but the principles that were implied by the shows characters. If this is what the general public watches as a matter of course I can understand the decline in our country's morals. I must wonder if you can watch these programs if you have any discernment.

I saw a bit of Two and a Half Men, I would describe this type of programming as porn, with the portrayal of threesomes involving roommates and their girlfriends. The moral character of these actors is beyond bad. I cannot as a Christian condone watching this type of programming.

Game shows used to be clean; the only lure was money, but not anymore. Have you ever heard of the show Baggage? Hardly worth watching, in my opinion, it is nothing more than a few girls with skeletons in their closet they should be ashamed of trying to win a date with a guy who has some indecent baggage of his own. It is a contest of who can be the most seductive so their baggage seems only a pittance to trade for a great sexual evening with the girl would be worth. If they signed up to be on this show their character is way too much baggage for me.

Survivor is another show I had the misfortune of watching, I had heard so much about it from others. I had assumed it was how to survive in the wild, but what I actually got out of the show was much different. The object of the game is to deceive others into believing you have an alliance with them so that you survive in your tribe as they vote others out until the end. It really has nothing to do with survival in the wild. I see no reason to have it in remote places other than that of an exotic place to film the show. Am I missing something here or are the values taught by this show treachery, deceit and putting you above others just to win a game? I see nothing Christian about those practices, or any reason to watch it. Why would any Christian who is trying to teach their children God’s principles confuse them by allowing this in their home?

This is another example of how Christians are supporting the evils of this world. Why would you want to support these shows? If no one watched it would not stay on television. I encourage all Christians to evaluate the shows they watch and what their children see, weight it against God’s word. Is it something he would approve of? If not, do not let it in your home to corrupt and mislead your children’s heart. Protect them and yourself, guard their heart against these sinful and vile things.

What we see and become accustomed to become what we see as normal acceptable behavior. Is that what you want your children to believe is normal and good? Perhaps you have been watching it all your life and it has changed so gradually you have not noticed. Step back and look at it with fresh eyes, from a biblical view, would Jesus approve? Would you watch these programs if he were a guest in your home?

Are You Walking In Truth?

So many of us call ourselves Christians but what does that really mean? 

It seems to mean different things to different people. Christian is very loosely defined in this country (the US) and can mean as little as “I identify with and associate with the cultural aspects of Christianity, irrespective of personal religious beliefs or practice,” or “I believe in all that is noble, good and Christ like,” to as great as “I believe in God and adhere to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Bible and live in such a manor that reflects those beliefs.”

That’s a pretty wide stretch in definitions and can cause confusion to non-Christians when deciding if they want to become Christians. How you live your definition of Christianity will determine if you are someone they emulate or turn away from. We need to remember that each of us, are ambassadors of Christ when we deal with non-Christians and may be the only version of Christ they will ever see.

I believe the latter of the definitions is the true definition of Christianity. If one of the others best describes your version of Christianity I encourage you to evaluate your definition and give more thought to the matter.

If after careful consideration, you do not want to follow Jesus of Nazareth’s example and really prefer the loose beliefs and prevalent practices of the secular society please refrain from calling yourselves Christians as not to misrepresent Christianity.

What sort of secular practice that I agree with would mean I was not really a true Bible believing Christian?

Abortion is not a God given right, it is one women took upon themselves. Abortion is one of the secular practices that would qualify someone as being defined as a Secular Christian. My definition of a Secular Christian is not a Christian at all; just someone wearing the tag, so to speak, because they don’t practice the beliefs they associate themselves with, even though they may attend a church. 

Christians do not advocate killing human beings no matter what stage or age they are in. The Ten Commandments clearly state Do Not Kill, there are no exceptions listed or amendments. Christians believe that because God created a person in his image, that life is sacred. All life, not just perfectly formed life. We were fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in our mother’s womb and even before we were there he knew us. God is the one who breathed life into us; we, as the creature, have no right to take that life. It is a purely selfish act to have an abortion, or take a life for any reason. He has a specific purpose for every life he creates. Why would we be so arrogant to suppose we know better than God?

Marriage as defined by the biblical reference “between one man and one woman” is not up for debate if you are a Christian. Jesus’s teaching on this is clearly stated as intended by God for the best outcome for raising our children. People can try to argue that it was common to have multiple wives in biblical times and they did; it was common practice in that century. However, the prevalence of something does not constitute what is right, Jesus did not advocate the practice of having multiple wives. His purpose on earth was to save us from our sins. If we were without sin it would not have been necessary. Being true bible believing Christians, we cannot support any other view than the one created by God himself. To believe otherwise would throw you into the Secular Christian category because you believe differently than what the bible states is true and correct.

Another touchy subject we should understand is homosexuality; God is clear on this issue as well. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because there was not one righteous man found there and all men were acting in a depraved manor having sexual relations with other men as well as multiple sexual partners. God said it was an abomination, an unnatural act, not man. I know today we are being pressured to not only accept people behaving in this manner as “normal” and no different than straight sexual relations but it just is not true. We should never teach our children that this is healthy or correct.

What we should be teaching our children is to love everyone in spite of their sins, for we are all sinners. We should never hate or cause distress to homosexuals or others for their non-belief in our principles but rather love them as God’s flawed creatures and the sinners that they are. They need Jesus all the more for them to understand that their beliefs are false. When anyone has a desire for a person of the same sex it does not mean they have to act upon it. The human form is one of beauty and should be admired but not lusted after. Even as straight men and women should restrain from sexual relations until they are married, so must we all curb our sexual appetites. Sex is to be enjoyed only as prescribed in the Bible, as a way to cement the bonds of matrimony between a husband and a wife, joining them together as one flesh. Not as a casual encounter to satisfy our carnal lust.

Perhaps the most common problem a human faces is lack of self-control. It plagues everyone in all things including controlling our sexual urges, our eating habits, drinking habits and our emotional state. Everyone has a difficult time controlling their flesh nature. All of us unwittingly at times seem to be taken over by it. It’s a fight all of us have within ourselves daily, so it is best fought one day at a time.

These are just a few of the mistruths that we are currently being pressured to accept as normal and permissible in our society. As a Christian it is our responsibility to stop our children from being indoctrinated into accepting these false teachings and teach them the biblical truths.

We should all spend more time reading the word of God. If you do not know what the Bible says it makes it impossible to live our faith correctly or defend it. Educate yourself and your children; perhaps you can introduce a new chapter every evening at dinner. It can be discussed as you eat and explained until they understand it, leaving them with a clearly designated and precise way to live.

When my children were in their teen years my son once asked how he could tell what he should do to keep himself out of trouble. My answer was simple. I told him if whatever he was about to do could not be done in my presence than he would know he shouldn't be doing it. It’s a good rule of thumb. If you wouldn't do it in front of Jesus then you should not do it. Remember, God is always watching us.

I hope some of you found this helpful and I know being very volatile subjects not everyone will agree. As Christians we should have the ability to agree to disagree. We are all trying our best to live as God intended we should. Life is not easy and everyday can be a battle. If you come away with something of value that helps you to become a better Christian or brings you closer to God then I have accomplished what I intended here. I believe there are too many complacent Christians out there willing to settle for whatever is popular and fun. There are many false prophets peddling their wares as feel good church therapy condemning nothing and leading people astray. The road to heaven is narrow and difficult with many distractions along the way. Ground yourself in your Bible immerse yourself in God’s truth and he will direct your path.

Freedom From Religion

The Freedom from Religion Foundation seems to keep rearing its ugly head with the challenge that anyone who practices religion should do it beyond their sight as not to offend them. They proclaim that the constitution was written as a secular non-religious document. As I read the constitution I cannot understand how they come to these conclusions. Especially since General Washington, our first president, dedicated this country in a church in New York City at the foot of where the Twin Towers once stood. Money was minted with "In God We Trust" stamped within it. I can only explain their view as wishful thinking on their part. Biblical principals are prominent within the constitution and in our early government. Our founding fathers came here to escape religious persecution and founded this country with a constitution that protected the rights of the believer to practice their God given unalienable rights and limited government so that it could not interfere within the church environment. It was never meant to be used against the culture as it is currently being interpreted.

Is it possible to have freedom from religion without banning religion entirely?

I think not. Everyone has the freedom not to practice any form of religion in this country, but they do NOT have the right to prevent anyone else from practicing their religion whether it offends them or not. That is what religious freedom is all about; the ability to practice the religion of your choice and live your life according to your beliefs so long as by doing so it does not violate the law. The freedom of religion is guaranteed by our United States Constitution. It does not say you have the freedom to not be offended by someone’s actions. With the freedom to practice what we believe there is sure to be someone who will be offended. That's part of being free, freedom of speech offends some people, but it doesn't mean we have the right to limit freedom of expression. If you choose to refrain from religious practice of any kind, that is also respected. 

However, you have to understand that when it comes to infringing on another's freedom you have over stepped your boundaries as per the constitution. I really don't understand why there is repeated attempts to limit religious practice in this great country of ours. It is a situation where by giving in an inch of tolerance everyone tries to take a mile. We all live here and will have to agree to disagree, that is the short of it. We are a country of many national heritages and thus are sure to have differences of opinion.

I understand that the cross is offensive to non-believers; nevertheless, I am also offended that a symbol of my religious heritage is not respected. Everyone has the right not to practice any religion or live by it, as much as everyone has the right to practice it in the open proudly, which includes displaying their religious symbols and expressing God's message to the world. For a country that declared they were one nation under God, we have strayed away from our founding principles in a big way.

In Kountze, Texas, Cheerleaders are fighting for the right of religious expression in their public school. We should back their efforts to fight for that right. I will personally not support a public school in anyway if they do not allow God in their hallways. We have other choices, we don't have to send our children to public schools. The school would not survive without children to attend it. We are the ones who support or decide where our children go to school. Christians must stand and fight for their freedoms even if it makes our world a little less convenient. Our rights have been whittled away already at an alarming rate. You can make a difference.

Like all things, the best way to show your disapproval is to pull monetary support from these institutions that do not support our beliefs. Money talks and can accomplish things little else can. Support Christian businesses, schools and other enterprises that stand for our beliefs. Neither a business nor a school will stand unless it is supported by the community in which it lives. If you truly want to make a difference, I call on you to put your money where your beliefs are. Cultivate an atmosphere that is friendly towards Christianity, do not encourage hostility to our Christian beliefs.

I was tremendously pleased that so many Christians supported Chick-Fil-La restaurant owners through the attempted assault on their religious beliefs. The temperature in this county is hot and hostile toward Christians and growing more volatile. There is definitely an agenda to eliminate our religious freedom. It is imperative that we preserve the right to practice our religion of choice and live by our beliefs. Jesus was known as a gentle soul and cured many people. He also stood up to the Sanhedrin and threw out the money changers at the temple. As Christians we are called to stand for God’s word and our beliefs. It is time for us to stand united as believers for our faith.

As always, I am open to other points of view and discussions. Please leave your comments below.