Oct 21, 2007
FYI: Spe Vivitur
Please notice the change to the 'blogs I visit' side bar. My sister Kristi has once again returned to her blog. I'm thinking that if we badger her with comments...she might keep it up a while. =)
Oct 19, 2007
Exegetical Report 2
Sorry if my reports for school are dull, but for right now, it's about all I can post...so bear with me. =)
Brooke T.
Greek III
10.22.07
Greek III
10.22.07
Teaching Report
Text: Ephesians 4:12 “…toward the complete furnishing of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edification of the body of Christ…”
The words 'toward' and 'for' used in this context indicate a purpose or a reason why. Primarily here, the reason why Christ has given the gifts outlined in the prior verse. These reasons seem to be in somewhat of a progressive format. The first reasoning being that the Church may be fully prepared. Prepared for what? For the work of the ministry of the Church and for its edification. The end result being delineated in verse 13, “…until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Hence, although in the Church’s paramount purpose is Theocentric in its objective to bring glory to God, the principal intention in the giving of these gifts is ecclesia-centric. That is, for the Church’s edification, unity, and growth; this ultimately reflecting back to God’s glory. Consistent with the rest of the book, the reasoning for these gifts is not in the least an individual objective.
How does this fit with the context/further the argument of the author?
The central theme thus far in the book of Ephesians has been centered on the marvelous and mysterious work God has done to bring about the body of Christ. Throughout the book, Paul writing by the Spirit has been revealing what the Church truly is. It is an instrument by which God displays His awesome wisdom to the Heavens, a means to show forth His gospel to the world, and a body in which the individual parts are interdependent on one another. In this verse, Paul again reminds us that the gifts God gives to those individual parts have a greater purpose. There is something far more superior God is growing through us, namely, the Church.
How would I use this in a teaching session?
When God “measures out” as it were, His spiritual gifts, He has an expressed desire in doing so. As it has long been said, God did not grant the gift of preaching to someone so he could preach to himself in a closet. The purpose clause adjoining the list of gifts set forth in verse 11 is the working and edification of the Church so that it may grow into the complete man of verse 13. The weight of this theme in the book of Ephesians expels the notion of an individualistic Christian walk. Surely the personal relationship between the child of God and his Father is not to be set aside. But God has masterfully architected a magnificent edifice made up of each individual Christian lending its support with the particular gift given to him, unto the overarching purpose of being fit and built into a glorious temple reflecting and exhibiting the magnificence of God.
The words 'toward' and 'for' used in this context indicate a purpose or a reason why. Primarily here, the reason why Christ has given the gifts outlined in the prior verse. These reasons seem to be in somewhat of a progressive format. The first reasoning being that the Church may be fully prepared. Prepared for what? For the work of the ministry of the Church and for its edification. The end result being delineated in verse 13, “…until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Hence, although in the Church’s paramount purpose is Theocentric in its objective to bring glory to God, the principal intention in the giving of these gifts is ecclesia-centric. That is, for the Church’s edification, unity, and growth; this ultimately reflecting back to God’s glory. Consistent with the rest of the book, the reasoning for these gifts is not in the least an individual objective.
How does this fit with the context/further the argument of the author?
The central theme thus far in the book of Ephesians has been centered on the marvelous and mysterious work God has done to bring about the body of Christ. Throughout the book, Paul writing by the Spirit has been revealing what the Church truly is. It is an instrument by which God displays His awesome wisdom to the Heavens, a means to show forth His gospel to the world, and a body in which the individual parts are interdependent on one another. In this verse, Paul again reminds us that the gifts God gives to those individual parts have a greater purpose. There is something far more superior God is growing through us, namely, the Church.
How would I use this in a teaching session?
When God “measures out” as it were, His spiritual gifts, He has an expressed desire in doing so. As it has long been said, God did not grant the gift of preaching to someone so he could preach to himself in a closet. The purpose clause adjoining the list of gifts set forth in verse 11 is the working and edification of the Church so that it may grow into the complete man of verse 13. The weight of this theme in the book of Ephesians expels the notion of an individualistic Christian walk. Surely the personal relationship between the child of God and his Father is not to be set aside. But God has masterfully architected a magnificent edifice made up of each individual Christian lending its support with the particular gift given to him, unto the overarching purpose of being fit and built into a glorious temple reflecting and exhibiting the magnificence of God.
Oct 13, 2007
Where has time gone?
Life has accelerated to a greater speed than I feel comfortable driving with, but I guess I must learn how for it looks as if it will be at this speed for a while. While it is, my blog will be neglected more than it has been. But as life moves on I suppose this is a good thing. =) I hope you all are doing well!
Sep 27, 2007
Exegetical Report
Greek III
Brooke T.
9.26.07
Text:
Ephesians 2:19 “…so then no longer are you a stranger and alien, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…”
Words like ‘but’ and ‘no longer’ signify a difference to what was previously, a negation of past comments or a past state of being. It does the same here, indicating, obviously, that this is how it is, but it wasn’t always this way.
Through the last chapter, Paul has been setting forth the facts of our dire state. In the immediate context of verse 19, this has been centered around our alienation to Israel – we weren’t any where in that picture - “…estranged from the commonwealth of Israel and strange to the covenant of the promises having no hope and without God in the world…” – could it state any clearer the mess we were in? Burst forth then the glorious words of vs. 13 “BUT GOD.” From that point until here, Paul explains how Jesus broke down the separation between Israel and we the godless Gentiles. We are no longer stranger, for Jesus through His amazing act of grace and love took us from our hopeless state, right into the very household of God.
For me personally, being very familiar with the Jesus’ saving work on the cross, it is extremely easy for me to forget what my position was like before the before the ‘no longer’. Hopeless, godless, alone, and alienated. God had no obligation to free us from that state. There was nothing special in the very least about us that should be particularly attractive to Him: after all, we were His enemies. But He took us to Himself just the same. That is the awesomeness of God’s love: not that He loved us because we were special but that He loved us because He chose to - for His glory and spectacular plan. May God help me never to cease remembering that He saved me from an impossible condition, and that I am in that condition no longer.
Brooke T.
9.26.07
Text:
Ephesians 2:19 “…so then no longer are you a stranger and alien, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…”
Words like ‘but’ and ‘no longer’ signify a difference to what was previously, a negation of past comments or a past state of being. It does the same here, indicating, obviously, that this is how it is, but it wasn’t always this way.
Through the last chapter, Paul has been setting forth the facts of our dire state. In the immediate context of verse 19, this has been centered around our alienation to Israel – we weren’t any where in that picture - “…estranged from the commonwealth of Israel and strange to the covenant of the promises having no hope and without God in the world…” – could it state any clearer the mess we were in? Burst forth then the glorious words of vs. 13 “BUT GOD.” From that point until here, Paul explains how Jesus broke down the separation between Israel and we the godless Gentiles. We are no longer stranger, for Jesus through His amazing act of grace and love took us from our hopeless state, right into the very household of God.
For me personally, being very familiar with the Jesus’ saving work on the cross, it is extremely easy for me to forget what my position was like before the before the ‘no longer’. Hopeless, godless, alone, and alienated. God had no obligation to free us from that state. There was nothing special in the very least about us that should be particularly attractive to Him: after all, we were His enemies. But He took us to Himself just the same. That is the awesomeness of God’s love: not that He loved us because we were special but that He loved us because He chose to - for His glory and spectacular plan. May God help me never to cease remembering that He saved me from an impossible condition, and that I am in that condition no longer.
Sep 13, 2007
Lafayette, Hero of the American Revolution
"Born of wealthy aristocracy in France, Lafayette seemed like an unlikely candidate for honor in a republican revolution. Lafayette's father, a soldier, died in battle when his son was only tow. Young Lafayette read widely, especially military books, and he too became an officer in the French army. When he was eighteen, Lafayette attended a dinner where the American War for Independence was discussed . For some reason the American cause fired his imagination. When an American Representative came to France in 1776 seeking officers for the Continental army, Lafayette enthusiastically volunteered...When General Washington learned of that he was receiving a nineteen-year-old major general in his command, he was cool to the idea. On meeting the young officer, however, Washington's doubts melted. Lafayette was gracious, humble, and eager bother to learn and to serve. A strong affection grew between the American commander and the young French nobleman. For Washington Lafayette became the son he had never had. For Lafayette, Washington became the father he had never known. Lafayette served bravely with the Continental army. On his education as a soldier he wrote, "I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I think, and out of all that I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can." Despite his studious nature, Lafayette was no armchair soldier; he was always in the thick of the fighting. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, and a small force under his command constantly harassed Cornwallis and the British in Virginia. At Yorktown, he led an attack on a major British fortification. When he returned to France after the war, Lafayette left behind him a large group of veterans who had been impressed with the young man's unflagging cheerfulness and unquestioned courage."
Excerpt from "United States History" BJU press.
Excerpt from "United States History" BJU press.
Aug 27, 2007
Prayer Alert from the Slavic Gospel Association
This is a letter that I received regarding a pastor in Azerbaijan. As stated later in the letter, the iron curtain to the Gospel is falling once again. We all rejoice for the time that the countries in the former Soviet Union were free to preach and hear the Gospel. But after only about decade, that door is slowly closing again. It's a comforting thought that God does indeed control the affairs of this world and this is no surprise to Him. And yet, although God controls all, He still commands that we pray, and so we should that the door would stay open in the former USSR. The freedom that we experience here to worship God, learn more about Him, and preach His word, is one that is relatively new-found to those living in the former USSR. And one that already is gone to some of the countries therein. This freedom is pivotal to get the word out to the spiritually starved people across Russia and the surrounding countries. Certainly, not all of those countries in the former Soviet Union are closed or closing, but the situation is precarious as this letter reveals.
Azerbaijan Pastor Imprisoned
Dear Precious Partners in the Gospel,
Greetings in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A serious matter has arisen calling for urgent prayer, and I wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of it.
Evangelical church leaders in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan are asking for urgent prayer in connection with the case of 44-year-old Rev. Zaur Balaev, a Baptist pastor in the village of Aliabad, in Azerbaijan’s far north. An Azeri court has sentenced Pastor Balaev to two years in prison without possibility of parole after his conviction on what church leaders say are trumped up, false charges.
On May 20, 2007, police raided Pastor Balaev’s church during a worship service and ordered a halt to the proceedings. The congregants left as ordered, but two hours later, the police returned and arrested Pastor Balaev. They charged the frail Balaev with beating up five policemen, damaging a police car, and conducting illegal meetings without state registration. According to the leaders of the Azerbaijan Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and witnesses at the scene, these accusations are totally false.
Our UECB brothers tell us that village authorities in Aliabad had made several attempts to close the church on the pretext that the church is not registered. However, it is almost impossible to register a church in Azerbaijan, even though the Aliabad congregation belongs to the national UECB.
There are also deep concerns over Pastor Balaev’s health. He has problems with his heart and kidneys, which could well be exacerbated by the harsh conditions in Azeri prisons. As have other believers, this faithful brother is having to endure oppressive heat in prison, along with the cruel taunts and other possible abuse of the prison guards. UECB leaders are asking believers worldwide to pray for Zaur Balaev and are pledging to do everything in their power to seek his release. They have launched appeals to a higher court. Next, if necessary, they plan to appeal to the Azerbaijan Supreme Court and will follow up as needed with an appeal to the European Court of Justice. Pending these appeals, Pastor Balaev is being held in a detention center and will be remanded to prison if his appeals are not successful. Meanwhile, the church continues, being led by a deacon, and meeting in the Balaev home.
This is yet another example of how oppression of believers is increasing and doors are closing for ministry in many areas of the former Soviet Union.
Pastor Balaev has a wife named Selminaz and two children, 20-year-old Grigory and 17-year-old Natia. Zaur’s imprisonment will mean great hardship for the family, as he raised produce in the fields to support them. Their church members are mostly made up of retirees, with only eight people employed and even that providing only limited income. The Balaevs need a minimum of $200 a month to make ends meet.
Please join us in prayer over this tragic situation. And as always, please know how much I appreciate your faithful partnership your support and the prayers you are already offering up on behalf of our ministry.
For our Savior,
Bob Provost President, Slavic Gospel Association
Aug 23, 2007
More Thoughts on Israel...
Israel: a little, tiny, Jewish country amid the vast Muslim world. How could this little piece of land, occupied by relatively few, be the cause of headline after headline and constant Middle East strife? There may be multiple reasons, but one is quite clear: Israel is Jewish and the Middle East is Muslim. Israel promises freedom of worship, and accepts Western influence. The majority of the rest of the Middle East does not. Quite literally it is "become a Muslim or suffer" for most of the Middle East. This is one reason why I for one support our country's strong ties with Israel. A country that as general rule promotes freedom and liberty, especially one in the Middle East, is one that should be supported. As a general rule, that is. Certainly not a blind support, in the occasion that she should make a wrong decision. Another reason for this sentiment, is the ties that God has with Israel. Although (as stated previously in another post) God has temporarily put Israel aside because of her hard heart, He will return to her. And when He does I would like to be on Israel's 'good side', as it were. Although, it isn't as though countries will really matter by that time. For when that time comes, it will only matter if one part of God's kingdom, not what kingdom anyone belonged to down here. But it remains a good thought to be have been an ally to the country God will restore.
God says to Abraham in Gen. 12.2-3 "I will make you a great nation;I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Now, as to whether or not Genesis 12 applies to today is a bit of a question since Israel is being set aside at the moment. If it does apply to today, then there would be every reason to support Israel, after all "I will bless those who bless you". If it does not apply, well, there seems to be little harm in backing a country with such historic importance in our faith, and in the plan of redemption. To me this is rather an important issue. With friends going to and from Israel fairly often I would like to think of the country that they are going to as a friend and not a foe of the United States. I would also enjoy the comfort of knowing that we would support Israel with military power if need be should she come under fire. I don't know where military action would land constitutionally, (if someone does, I would love to learn) but in this case I believe that for the various reasons stated, it would not be an altogether unwise decision if it should come to that. But I hope that long before that would ever be necessary that God's people, the Church, would give the call to arms in prayer. To pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the hearts of those who live in her as she struggles in the midst of a land filled with war.
God says to Abraham in Gen. 12.2-3 "I will make you a great nation;I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Now, as to whether or not Genesis 12 applies to today is a bit of a question since Israel is being set aside at the moment. If it does apply to today, then there would be every reason to support Israel, after all "I will bless those who bless you". If it does not apply, well, there seems to be little harm in backing a country with such historic importance in our faith, and in the plan of redemption. To me this is rather an important issue. With friends going to and from Israel fairly often I would like to think of the country that they are going to as a friend and not a foe of the United States. I would also enjoy the comfort of knowing that we would support Israel with military power if need be should she come under fire. I don't know where military action would land constitutionally, (if someone does, I would love to learn) but in this case I believe that for the various reasons stated, it would not be an altogether unwise decision if it should come to that. But I hope that long before that would ever be necessary that God's people, the Church, would give the call to arms in prayer. To pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the hearts of those who live in her as she struggles in the midst of a land filled with war.
******************************************
Aug 4, 2007
How do they score?
Below I have listed the candidates that are running for the republican ticket. Beside each issue I have put my personal rating. 10 being great and 1 being very poor. I welcome all comments as to the precision of my remarks or any other comments for that matter. =)
Sam Brownback (Kansas Senator) (7)
-Iraq: he sees the need in Iraq to give the government over to the citizens, but he didn't specify how. He has not, however, given up hope on the situation there although he does see the precariousness of the situation there. (6)
-Policy regarding Israel: he thinks we should stand by her, I agree. (10)
-Life: emphatically pro-life. (10)
-Marriage: Emphatically pro-traditional marriage. (10)
-Border security: raises border security as it is now, and looks to cut down the amount of illegal workers in our country (7)
-Taxes: looking for lower, simpler/reformed taxes. (8)
-Family/ liberty: for the family (hence, anti- pornography etc.). And although he sees that it is the parent’s duty to shelter their kids from foul content, he is for stricter restrictions on the media that chooses to broadcast obscene or violent material. (9)
Caution: maybe a little too much like a politician.
Rudy Giuliani (Former mayor of New York City) (5)
Iraq/ terror: Giuliani is for an aggressive face toward terrorism. He is intent on wining this war against terror, which he believes was thrust upon us by the terrorists (I agree). In Iraq, he is against a timetable for withdrawal and is aware that failure in Iraq would have broad and deep side effects. (8)
2. Gun rights: a definite right for the American people. (7)
3. Life: personally may not be for abortion, and has voted for a ban on partial birth abortion, but is allowing for it to be the choice of the mother. (0)
4. Marriage: believes that marriage should be between a man and a women, but did not seem emphatic on this point. (6)
5. Border Security: not available on his site.
6. Taxes: he is for fiscal responsibility, and claims, like all other candidates, that he has cut taxes. (7)
7. Family/ liberty: again, fairly silent on his site, save that he believes in the preservation of the rights granted in the constitution. (6)
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas (9)
-Iraq/ terror: Also against a timetable, and strongly believes that withdrawal would be disastrous for the Iraqis. Believes in continuing to fight the war on terror, but not always resorting to war, using diplomacy as well. (7)
-Israel: staunch supporter of Israel. (10)
-Gun rights: Very much for it. (10)
-Life: no shadow of a doubt, pro-life to the core. (10)
-Marriage: for traditional marriage to the core. (10)
-Border security: he is for increasing our border security, and for being firm with the illegal immigrants already here. (9)
-Taxes: for cutting over spending, and, as always, he claims to have reduced taxation. (8)
-Family/ liberty: As for the family, Huckabee is emphatic that our country was founded on faith. For him personally, he sees no distinction between his faith and his life. His faith is his life. (10)
John McCain (Senator from Arizona) (7)
-Life: McCain is indeed pro-life. He is dogmatic that the courts should not legislate in this matter or any others, but he believes in returning this issue to the state by overturning Roe v. Wade and then letting the states themselves decide. McCain does realize the importance of winning this war for life in the hearts and minds of people, and that government action on this is a long way from defeating abortion. (8)
-Marriage: Once again, no legislating from the bench...a state issue. But he is pro-traditional marriage. (8)
-Iraq: "We cannot fail." - says he. Not only would failure be bad for the Iraqi's, but also for our future safety. He realizes that Americans need to know the truth for why we are there. He is long-sighted and sees the consequences of defeat. He does have a plan, and is listening to good advice on the subject. (9)
-Border Security: sees the need to strengthen our borders and being tough on the illegal immigrants already here. (7)
-Taxes: desires to use common sense, restraint, and accountability in spending. (8)
-Family/ liberty: Gun rights are essential rights to McCain, and he has actively supported legislation that would secure the bad influence on the internet from children etc. (7)
When talking about his faith, McCain was horribly politically correct and did not specify which "higher power" he referred to. He claims, however, that his life is based on the fact that there is a God and he strives to live in honorably and ethically. (6)
Ron Paul (U.S. Representative from Texas ) (7)
1. Iraq: Believes that the war in Iraq was based on wrong information and although I did not see a plan for what to do now, it generally seems that he is against it in all aspects. (3)
2. Foreign policy: Believe that we should not meddle in other countries affairs. This is a great thing, the only concern I might have would be that there might arise a situation that poses no harm to us, but is evil and must be stopped (i.e. present conditions in Sudan.). Otherwise I see this as a great thing. (8)
3. Life: no question here; pro-life all the way. (11)
4. Taxes/debt: Low taxation creates a better America, says he, and so we all agree. In addition he sees a definite need to do something about our debt.(10)
5. Marriage/family: didn't see anything about this on his sight, but from other sources it appears that he would not oppose gay rights on a federal level but leave it to the states. I'm not even sure if he would oppose it on a personal level... (5)
6. Freedom: Ron Paul is THE most constitutional/ small government minded candidate there is currently running. (10)
Mitt Romney (former Governor of Massachusetts) (6)
-Iraq/ terror: Believes we must fight Jihad, and that we can do it by promoting peace and to support modern Muslim nations. (3)
-Taxes: keep taxes low, and simplify them. Sees the need to curve spending and borrowing. (7)
-Border Security: He is for immigration, but is intent on attracting immigration legally by making is easier to come in legally. (7)
-Life/marriage: He does see the need to protect life and family values, not especially dogmatic on this point, or at least it seems that way to me. (7)
-Education: sees a need to raise the standard of our failing educational system. (8)
Mike Huckabee is #1 in my mind; his strong faith in the One True God and his frankness about it is a top-ranking issue with me. Ron Paul is a somewhat close second. His desire to stick to the Constitution and his staunch small-government position is most appealing. His views on Iraq, however, I'm afraid I quite disagree with.
Sam Brownback (Kansas Senator) (7)
-Iraq: he sees the need in Iraq to give the government over to the citizens, but he didn't specify how. He has not, however, given up hope on the situation there although he does see the precariousness of the situation there. (6)
-Policy regarding Israel: he thinks we should stand by her, I agree. (10)
-Life: emphatically pro-life. (10)
-Marriage: Emphatically pro-traditional marriage. (10)
-Border security: raises border security as it is now, and looks to cut down the amount of illegal workers in our country (7)
-Taxes: looking for lower, simpler/reformed taxes. (8)
-Family/ liberty: for the family (hence, anti- pornography etc.). And although he sees that it is the parent’s duty to shelter their kids from foul content, he is for stricter restrictions on the media that chooses to broadcast obscene or violent material. (9)
Caution: maybe a little too much like a politician.
Rudy Giuliani (Former mayor of New York City) (5)
Iraq/ terror: Giuliani is for an aggressive face toward terrorism. He is intent on wining this war against terror, which he believes was thrust upon us by the terrorists (I agree). In Iraq, he is against a timetable for withdrawal and is aware that failure in Iraq would have broad and deep side effects. (8)
2. Gun rights: a definite right for the American people. (7)
3. Life: personally may not be for abortion, and has voted for a ban on partial birth abortion, but is allowing for it to be the choice of the mother. (0)
4. Marriage: believes that marriage should be between a man and a women, but did not seem emphatic on this point. (6)
5. Border Security: not available on his site.
6. Taxes: he is for fiscal responsibility, and claims, like all other candidates, that he has cut taxes. (7)
7. Family/ liberty: again, fairly silent on his site, save that he believes in the preservation of the rights granted in the constitution. (6)
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas (9)
-Iraq/ terror: Also against a timetable, and strongly believes that withdrawal would be disastrous for the Iraqis. Believes in continuing to fight the war on terror, but not always resorting to war, using diplomacy as well. (7)
-Israel: staunch supporter of Israel. (10)
-Gun rights: Very much for it. (10)
-Life: no shadow of a doubt, pro-life to the core. (10)
-Marriage: for traditional marriage to the core. (10)
-Border security: he is for increasing our border security, and for being firm with the illegal immigrants already here. (9)
-Taxes: for cutting over spending, and, as always, he claims to have reduced taxation. (8)
-Family/ liberty: As for the family, Huckabee is emphatic that our country was founded on faith. For him personally, he sees no distinction between his faith and his life. His faith is his life. (10)
John McCain (Senator from Arizona) (7)
-Life: McCain is indeed pro-life. He is dogmatic that the courts should not legislate in this matter or any others, but he believes in returning this issue to the state by overturning Roe v. Wade and then letting the states themselves decide. McCain does realize the importance of winning this war for life in the hearts and minds of people, and that government action on this is a long way from defeating abortion. (8)
-Marriage: Once again, no legislating from the bench...a state issue. But he is pro-traditional marriage. (8)
-Iraq: "We cannot fail." - says he. Not only would failure be bad for the Iraqi's, but also for our future safety. He realizes that Americans need to know the truth for why we are there. He is long-sighted and sees the consequences of defeat. He does have a plan, and is listening to good advice on the subject. (9)
-Border Security: sees the need to strengthen our borders and being tough on the illegal immigrants already here. (7)
-Taxes: desires to use common sense, restraint, and accountability in spending. (8)
-Family/ liberty: Gun rights are essential rights to McCain, and he has actively supported legislation that would secure the bad influence on the internet from children etc. (7)
When talking about his faith, McCain was horribly politically correct and did not specify which "higher power" he referred to. He claims, however, that his life is based on the fact that there is a God and he strives to live in honorably and ethically. (6)
Ron Paul (U.S. Representative from Texas ) (7)
1. Iraq: Believes that the war in Iraq was based on wrong information and although I did not see a plan for what to do now, it generally seems that he is against it in all aspects. (3)
2. Foreign policy: Believe that we should not meddle in other countries affairs. This is a great thing, the only concern I might have would be that there might arise a situation that poses no harm to us, but is evil and must be stopped (i.e. present conditions in Sudan.). Otherwise I see this as a great thing. (8)
3. Life: no question here; pro-life all the way. (11)
4. Taxes/debt: Low taxation creates a better America, says he, and so we all agree. In addition he sees a definite need to do something about our debt.(10)
5. Marriage/family: didn't see anything about this on his sight, but from other sources it appears that he would not oppose gay rights on a federal level but leave it to the states. I'm not even sure if he would oppose it on a personal level... (5)
6. Freedom: Ron Paul is THE most constitutional/ small government minded candidate there is currently running. (10)
Mitt Romney (former Governor of Massachusetts) (6)
-Iraq/ terror: Believes we must fight Jihad, and that we can do it by promoting peace and to support modern Muslim nations. (3)
-Taxes: keep taxes low, and simplify them. Sees the need to curve spending and borrowing. (7)
-Border Security: He is for immigration, but is intent on attracting immigration legally by making is easier to come in legally. (7)
-Life/marriage: He does see the need to protect life and family values, not especially dogmatic on this point, or at least it seems that way to me. (7)
-Education: sees a need to raise the standard of our failing educational system. (8)
Mike Huckabee is #1 in my mind; his strong faith in the One True God and his frankness about it is a top-ranking issue with me. Ron Paul is a somewhat close second. His desire to stick to the Constitution and his staunch small-government position is most appealing. His views on Iraq, however, I'm afraid I quite disagree with.
Jul 23, 2007
BBC Article
This article from BBC's website dated May 17, 2007 was an enjoyable read for me. I have yet to find an American article so supportive and encouraging about our own troops as this one from BBC. Mind, that doesn't mean that they're not out there, nor that the U.S. military is not without its many faults, but nevertheless it made me happy to read it, and I hope it will encourage some of my readers as well.
'Can-do' spirit of US troops in Baghdad
By Mark Urban BBC News, Baghdad
News night report As the search for three US soldiers abducted south of Baghdad continues, our correspondent - who spent three days embedded with US troops - says their comrades remain remarkably positive despite the dangers.
Down in the heart of Dura market there is an old cafe where American soldiers eat, smoke and chat. It is a tiny space with five plastic tables, tiled walls and a sink that sometimes has running water. It provides a social centre to the outpost where soldiers are trying to secure this part of Baghdad. The first phase - blocking off the market so the stall holders could work in safety - was achieved earlier this year. But the second, trying to extend that success to the neighbouring blocks, has brought tough opposition.
Creative thinking
Sitting in the cafe late at night, we talked over the fight for Dura. US troops are trying to secure Baghdad. My BBC colleague, Mark McCauley, instructed Lieutenant Jake Carlisle in the art of rolling your own cigarettes. He also told him how it had felt, as a young Catholic from Londonderry in Northern Ireland, having British troops on the streets of his city.
And I shared experiences from my time with Russian troops in Afghanistan.
All the time Lieutenant Carlisle and his platoon sergeant, Dorian Perez, drank up the experience and compared it with their own. I had always thought of the US army as an organisation that did not exactly ban creative thinking, but severely limited it at lower levels.
And there were Lieutenant Carlisle and Sergeant Perez wondering how important waving and smiling were in Arab culture or considering the value of removing your sunglasses when speaking to Iraqis.
Sense of responsibility
Their platoon numbers 37, of whom two have been killed and several wounded since their operations started in Dura. US troops operate in some of Iraq's most dangerous areas. Shot at one hour and smiling at the locals the next, it would be the easiest thing in the world to get spiteful, Sergeant Perez told me, but it would also be totally self-defeating. The sergeant is 34 and he has been in the army for nearly half of his life. I wondered how Iraq did not exhaust the positive energy or intellectual curiosity of a man like Dorian Perez. You can marvel at the Americans' can-do spirit, as some British soldiers do. You can see it in terms of America, the world's hyper power staring failure in the face and refusing to accept it. But in the sergeant's case the will to carry on comes from a sense of responsibility towards the people of Iraq.
Sergeant Perez buys the so-called pottery shop analogy that seems singularly appropriate to the Dura market: if you break it, you own it.
The right balance
Lieutenant Carlisle is a 26-year-old from Wisconsin. He is a tall, lanky presence even in his body armour, loping down the dusty streets propelled by a young officer's enthusiasm or desire to do it right in front of his superiors, and, of course, us. When I ask him whether they were right to storm one house, frightening the inhabitants, he does his best to back his men while conceding they probably should have done it differently. In the end, he always has to explain the abrasive features of his patrolling in terms of the high threat they face from roadside bombs, snipers and the like. And that balance between self-protection and alienating the local people is at the heart of many a late-night conversation in the cafe.
The British army
From the odd glimpse or overheard remark, I do not doubt that the second platoon contains the odd bad apple or loud-mouth, but as my time with them went on I became aware of an uncomfortable feeling. When eventually I was able to identify it, I realised my unease concerned British soldiers, and how they compared with these Americans. Carlisle, Perez and the rest seem brighter, stronger and more committed. The British army still has many outstanding qualities but it has had great difficulty recruiting for the past decade. Many recruits who would once have been thrown out have been pushed through the training establishments.
In many British infantry battalions 15% or 20% are now Fijians or other Commonwealth contract soldiers. The Americans, by contrast, may have had some recent problems staffing their army but they have been able to retain more of a sense of common purpose and drive.
American determination
If they are that good, you might ask, why are they not getting better results in Baghdad? There is history, of course, of terrible past mistakes. There are numbers: Baghdad is a city of six million. There is also ruthless intimidation by al-Qaeda of local people and the simple prejudice of those who will never like the Americans because they are unbelievers. But there is no shortage of determination or creativity and tonight Sergeant Perez and Lieutenant Carlisle will probably resume their running discourse in the Dura cafe about how they can do it better tomorrow.
By Mark Urban BBC News, Baghdad
News night report As the search for three US soldiers abducted south of Baghdad continues, our correspondent - who spent three days embedded with US troops - says their comrades remain remarkably positive despite the dangers.
Down in the heart of Dura market there is an old cafe where American soldiers eat, smoke and chat. It is a tiny space with five plastic tables, tiled walls and a sink that sometimes has running water. It provides a social centre to the outpost where soldiers are trying to secure this part of Baghdad. The first phase - blocking off the market so the stall holders could work in safety - was achieved earlier this year. But the second, trying to extend that success to the neighbouring blocks, has brought tough opposition.
Creative thinking
Sitting in the cafe late at night, we talked over the fight for Dura. US troops are trying to secure Baghdad. My BBC colleague, Mark McCauley, instructed Lieutenant Jake Carlisle in the art of rolling your own cigarettes. He also told him how it had felt, as a young Catholic from Londonderry in Northern Ireland, having British troops on the streets of his city.
And I shared experiences from my time with Russian troops in Afghanistan.
All the time Lieutenant Carlisle and his platoon sergeant, Dorian Perez, drank up the experience and compared it with their own. I had always thought of the US army as an organisation that did not exactly ban creative thinking, but severely limited it at lower levels.
And there were Lieutenant Carlisle and Sergeant Perez wondering how important waving and smiling were in Arab culture or considering the value of removing your sunglasses when speaking to Iraqis.
Sense of responsibility
Their platoon numbers 37, of whom two have been killed and several wounded since their operations started in Dura. US troops operate in some of Iraq's most dangerous areas. Shot at one hour and smiling at the locals the next, it would be the easiest thing in the world to get spiteful, Sergeant Perez told me, but it would also be totally self-defeating. The sergeant is 34 and he has been in the army for nearly half of his life. I wondered how Iraq did not exhaust the positive energy or intellectual curiosity of a man like Dorian Perez. You can marvel at the Americans' can-do spirit, as some British soldiers do. You can see it in terms of America, the world's hyper power staring failure in the face and refusing to accept it. But in the sergeant's case the will to carry on comes from a sense of responsibility towards the people of Iraq.
Sergeant Perez buys the so-called pottery shop analogy that seems singularly appropriate to the Dura market: if you break it, you own it.
The right balance
Lieutenant Carlisle is a 26-year-old from Wisconsin. He is a tall, lanky presence even in his body armour, loping down the dusty streets propelled by a young officer's enthusiasm or desire to do it right in front of his superiors, and, of course, us. When I ask him whether they were right to storm one house, frightening the inhabitants, he does his best to back his men while conceding they probably should have done it differently. In the end, he always has to explain the abrasive features of his patrolling in terms of the high threat they face from roadside bombs, snipers and the like. And that balance between self-protection and alienating the local people is at the heart of many a late-night conversation in the cafe.
The British army
From the odd glimpse or overheard remark, I do not doubt that the second platoon contains the odd bad apple or loud-mouth, but as my time with them went on I became aware of an uncomfortable feeling. When eventually I was able to identify it, I realised my unease concerned British soldiers, and how they compared with these Americans. Carlisle, Perez and the rest seem brighter, stronger and more committed. The British army still has many outstanding qualities but it has had great difficulty recruiting for the past decade. Many recruits who would once have been thrown out have been pushed through the training establishments.
In many British infantry battalions 15% or 20% are now Fijians or other Commonwealth contract soldiers. The Americans, by contrast, may have had some recent problems staffing their army but they have been able to retain more of a sense of common purpose and drive.
American determination
If they are that good, you might ask, why are they not getting better results in Baghdad? There is history, of course, of terrible past mistakes. There are numbers: Baghdad is a city of six million. There is also ruthless intimidation by al-Qaeda of local people and the simple prejudice of those who will never like the Americans because they are unbelievers. But there is no shortage of determination or creativity and tonight Sergeant Perez and Lieutenant Carlisle will probably resume their running discourse in the Dura cafe about how they can do it better tomorrow.
Jul 9, 2007
My Favorite Scripture Passage
Philippians 3:8-14
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Jul 7, 2007
Oh the things people wear...
...In the Summer time air
Send shivers down my spine,
If only they would cover up
Things would be totally fine!
Why do they insist
On dressing like this
On a day that would have been so sublime?
Summer time is the worst time to go anywhere with my brother. The way girls dress now days in the summer make going almost anywhere uncomfortable. There are ways to ignore it, but it is there non-the-less. I wonder if girls realize how hard they make it for men when they dress in provocative ways. Or how much they give away when they reveal themselves by the clothes they wear. No matter how small, every time a girls reveals too much of herself, she gives up a bit of her purity. This goes for guys too. In the Summer time shirtless is the way to go for a lot of guys. Although I suppose there is nothing sinful in this, it makes it harder for us girls. Sometimes it's attractive and makes it difficult to keep pure in thought, but most of the time girls are offended when guys take off their shirts or wear extra low-cut pants. Modesty is often emphasized on the girls part- and so it should be. But guys can be immodest too, in a lot of ways. Extra tight shirts, or extremely baggy clothes can make it as hard for girls, as it is for guys. The excellent adage "Clothes were meant to conceal, not reveal" I'm afraid has been largely forgotten- for girls and guys. I so appreciate the gentleman who choose to dress as a gentlemen, and ladies who choose to dress discreetly. It doesn't have mean suits or dresses, but it does mean dressing decently, and that I really appreciate when people do.
Send shivers down my spine,
If only they would cover up
Things would be totally fine!
Why do they insist
On dressing like this
On a day that would have been so sublime?
Summer time is the worst time to go anywhere with my brother. The way girls dress now days in the summer make going almost anywhere uncomfortable. There are ways to ignore it, but it is there non-the-less. I wonder if girls realize how hard they make it for men when they dress in provocative ways. Or how much they give away when they reveal themselves by the clothes they wear. No matter how small, every time a girls reveals too much of herself, she gives up a bit of her purity. This goes for guys too. In the Summer time shirtless is the way to go for a lot of guys. Although I suppose there is nothing sinful in this, it makes it harder for us girls. Sometimes it's attractive and makes it difficult to keep pure in thought, but most of the time girls are offended when guys take off their shirts or wear extra low-cut pants. Modesty is often emphasized on the girls part- and so it should be. But guys can be immodest too, in a lot of ways. Extra tight shirts, or extremely baggy clothes can make it as hard for girls, as it is for guys. The excellent adage "Clothes were meant to conceal, not reveal" I'm afraid has been largely forgotten- for girls and guys. I so appreciate the gentleman who choose to dress as a gentlemen, and ladies who choose to dress discreetly. It doesn't have mean suits or dresses, but it does mean dressing decently, and that I really appreciate when people do.
Jun 28, 2007
Mudslinging
There has been a big splash in the news lately about a well-known conservative authoress. Why I don’t really know, as she been on the political scene for quite a while as a ‘champion’ for conservatives. But since she has been a little more public lately, it gave me a chance to see a video of her speaking on some sort of show. I was sickened by what I saw. This woman was sarcastic, annoying, scantly dressed, arrogant and down right rude. The liberal with whom she was talking on the other hand, was poised calm and exceptionally polite. What is the public seeing when they see or hear things like this? They see a proud, defensive, and liberal-mudslinging woman who uses a good deal of her speech to slander liberals and they possibly assume that much of the conservative world is like it. Of course, it works the other way also. Just today, I heard a Democratic Congressman who said some very needless and untrue things about the President and Vice President. What I wish people in Washington could realize is that political mudslinging is unprofessional, unhelpful, and generally is despised by the American public. The legislatures who are in Washington now were sent there to lead our country, not to start a war between Democrats and Republicans. Politics has gotten so dirty that it has become a byword for an untruthful, double-faced, and power hungry acts. I wish we could restore it to what it should be. A group of men and women who, if they wish to speak, speak on the issues and not on their political rivals, A group that looks to see what is best for America, not what they can get, not how they can be re-elected, but what the best way is to lead America. On that subject, they may debate as much as they choose. But choosing to slander the other side just because they are the other side, does neither America or Americans any good. I am a hard-core conservative. But I am sick and tired of politicians on both sides that choose to play ‘nasty words’ with each other. Certainly not all do, in fact, it is very possibly the minority, but it is there nonetheless. Sometimes I wonder how much more efficiently our government would run if they would work with each other and not against each other. I’m not saying they should compromise, no, but rather that they could disagree in a more adult like manner: that they could disagree without throwing mud at each other the first chance they get.
Jun 24, 2007
The Name 'Jehovah' - Fact or Fiction?
Fiction, and let me explain why as our pastor did not too long ago. God's name, YAHWEH (or YHWH in Hebrew) was so sacred to the Jewish people that they dared not speak it, lest in some way they blaspheme it. So to get the Jews in the habit of not saying YAHWEH, the scribes, when they came to God's name in the Scripture, stuck in the vowels of the Hebrew word for father in between the Hebrew consonants YHWH - creating something that, if transliterated into English, would be Jehovah. Well, it so happened that a well-meaning German scholar was translating a piece of the Old Testament, and he came upon God's name, and not knowing what had happened with the word, translated it into Jehovah. And as we know, this name has spread throughout the whole world as God's name, when in reality, it is little more than a senseless word. God's true name, YAWEH, implies the idea of the great I AM, the Ruler, the God - Supreme over all. Let us restore to our great God His true name - YAHWEH.
Jun 22, 2007
She's Moving Out
Well Kristi moved out on Wednesday to live with some other Bible college students in town. They live a nice house in a country subdivision and needless to say, she is very excited. The girls she is going to live with are all solid Christians who will encourage her in her faith. Being in town instead of 30 minutes out like she was will be really helpful as she is going to college this fall. So although we are happy for her, I'm going to miss her. I know she won't miss us, I mean I wouldn't if I was living in a house with three of my friends. But when you've lived with someone of your entire life...well, I guess I'm bound to miss her. Excuse me as I go have good cry... (just kidding =)
Jun 18, 2007
Is God Done With Israel?
Our Pastor is going through a series Sunday nights now regarding Israel and whether or not God is done with her. So I thought that I would put pen to paper, or keyboard to post, as it were on this subject.
So is God done with Israel? Certainly not. I quote from Romans 11,
1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written:
“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
9 And David says:
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.”
“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
9 And David says:
“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.”
God made a promise to Israel, and once "I [God] have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: his [Israel's] seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me "(Psalm 89:35,36) God has sworn time and time again that He will not forsake Israel. And God cannot lie. Has He set Israel aside? Yes, but only temporarily. Has He darkened their hearts? (Rom. 11.10) Yes. He has darkened their minds and hearts so they cannot choose Him, because for so long, they chose not to choose Him. But will this darkness be forever? To use the words of Paul, certainly not! Soon God will bring back His chosen people to Himself. I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks to know exactly what that will mean, but I know it will happen, because God said it will happen. Pastor H---- recounted many parts of Israel's history that showed Providential protection over the tiny country. More than once, by human reasoning, it would seem that Israel should not be on the map today, but continually, God has protected her. And will until He restores her to Himself.
Jun 14, 2007
Saying Goodbye
It's been a trying week, in more ways than one. At work we are installing a new software, and like anything new, it's trying and sanctifying working through it. But also this has been a week of saying goodbye and getting ready to say goodbye. A good friend from work and his wife just returned to his home state, not to come back for several years. A MK from Tanzania who was here on furlough this last year will return to the field on Monday. Not to mention that my sister Kristi is moving out next week. She's only moving about 15 miles away but it's still hard not to live with someone whom you haved lived with for all of your life. I wonder at why the human mind feels sorrow when someone you've become attached to leaves. Maybe its because that person won't be there to talk to, or be with whenever you want to. Or maybe there's a deeper psychological reason. But all in all, saying goodbye is very difficult part of life. I look forward to the day when we will have to say goodbye no longer to our brothers and sisters in Christ but live forever with them in God's presence.
Jun 11, 2007
Wonderings
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him."
~Hebrews
Wanderings
Tracy Anryms
~~~
God was distant,
He seemed so far away!
Why was this so? Thus I cried.
Was not I God’s child inside?
*
I knew I had believed,
I had repented: this is true.
I saw my life changing,
Surely, this was proof in my life of God’s rearranging.
*
So I was saved - it seemed to be true.
But the feelings there were not.
But are emotions what we are to seek?
If they are, then our future is indeed bleak.
*
If God’s Word cannot be trusted
When He says what He will do
Then a Christian’s life, above all
Is that one dubbed Pity’s call.
*
But rejoice! God’s Word is sure.
When our Savior says, ‘believe’
And we believe in truth,
We must have faith that God will to it not be aloof.
*
For this I believe, and I know it is true
That God cannot lie and of mercy is abounding.
If purely from my heart, I love and believe,
I can trust the Savior myself to retrieve.
*
Then when I purpose to seek Him out
When I love Him with all of my being
Thereafter I can know that they will come from above:
The feelings of closeness to my Lord, joy, and love.
*
All praise our Father, Who sent His only Son,
All praise to the Savior, who chose to spill His blood
All praise to the Spirit, who helps us grow in Him.
For our salvation, and His love, may our hearts rejoice to the very brim!
Tracy Anryms
~~~
God was distant,
He seemed so far away!
Why was this so? Thus I cried.
Was not I God’s child inside?
*
I knew I had believed,
I had repented: this is true.
I saw my life changing,
Surely, this was proof in my life of God’s rearranging.
*
So I was saved - it seemed to be true.
But the feelings there were not.
But are emotions what we are to seek?
If they are, then our future is indeed bleak.
*
If God’s Word cannot be trusted
When He says what He will do
Then a Christian’s life, above all
Is that one dubbed Pity’s call.
*
But rejoice! God’s Word is sure.
When our Savior says, ‘believe’
And we believe in truth,
We must have faith that God will to it not be aloof.
*
For this I believe, and I know it is true
That God cannot lie and of mercy is abounding.
If purely from my heart, I love and believe,
I can trust the Savior myself to retrieve.
*
Then when I purpose to seek Him out
When I love Him with all of my being
Thereafter I can know that they will come from above:
The feelings of closeness to my Lord, joy, and love.
*
All praise our Father, Who sent His only Son,
All praise to the Savior, who chose to spill His blood
All praise to the Spirit, who helps us grow in Him.
For our salvation, and His love, may our hearts rejoice to the very brim!
Jun 7, 2007
His Plan For Me
His Plan For Me
Rowland Victor Bingham
A Flame of Fire p. 30
No life that is, is a life unplanned
From birth to death, unbridged, unspanned
By purpose wise, counsel true-
Haphazard chance, and unthought thought!
*
Behind the scenes where we cannot see
A Hand Divine works the things that be,
And brings to my path the scheme devised
By the Maker of earth, Who built the skies.
But He leaves me to choose the life He plans
Or to walk the way of self's demands-
To build on the Rock or the shifting sands.
*
But the life from Him is the life for me;
For the path He plans the best must be
And every step will delightful prove
When all the way is planned by love.
Jun 2, 2007
To vote or not to vote, that is the question
I could say it's our civic duty to vote, but according to the Bible , what is the directive? Where in the Bible does it talk about electing godly officials? It is amazing how many Christians don't vote. But without any biblical backing, I cannot convince them otherwise. I do believe, however, we can use biblical principles to guide us to and in the booths.
~Voting is good stewardship: God has graciously allowed us to live in a country where voting is not only allowed but encouraged. It would be poor stewardship to let that blessing go to waste.
~"Grant to Ceaser what is Ceaser's..." We all know that this applies to taxes, but it can be applied to voting in this way: our government has asked for our opinion in who rules our country, is it disrespectful not to give it?
~We have an amazing opportunity to influence in some way at least which direction the government takes. An opportunity to either give way to an advance of God's kingdom or let the freedoms we have to worship and witness slowly go to nothing. We should make the most of that opportunity.
There are undoubtedly more, and if anyone has more to say, please do. But for now, I think we may safely say that according to the Bible, to vote, or not to vote, isn't so much an option.
Also, consider, what kind of country will we leave our children or grandchildren if we vote, or if we do not? What kind of country would you wish them to grow up in? If only for them, consider.
~Voting is good stewardship: God has graciously allowed us to live in a country where voting is not only allowed but encouraged. It would be poor stewardship to let that blessing go to waste.
~"Grant to Ceaser what is Ceaser's..." We all know that this applies to taxes, but it can be applied to voting in this way: our government has asked for our opinion in who rules our country, is it disrespectful not to give it?
~We have an amazing opportunity to influence in some way at least which direction the government takes. An opportunity to either give way to an advance of God's kingdom or let the freedoms we have to worship and witness slowly go to nothing. We should make the most of that opportunity.
There are undoubtedly more, and if anyone has more to say, please do. But for now, I think we may safely say that according to the Bible, to vote, or not to vote, isn't so much an option.
Also, consider, what kind of country will we leave our children or grandchildren if we vote, or if we do not? What kind of country would you wish them to grow up in? If only for them, consider.
May 28, 2007
This is a speech I wrote for toastmasters a while back.
The Validity of Scripture
Throughout time, various men from every class of life have tried to refute the Bible with such passion that no other Book has received such a beating . . . and survived. The Bible has stood the test of time. Destroying all accusations and dumbfounded all attempts to prove it wrong. So what does make this book so attack-proof?
I would like to share with you three basic things that make the Bible so very valid in all its claims, statements, and teachings.
Number 1 is the facts surrounded the book itself. For instance, over 40 authors wrote the Bible over a period of 1500 years. These authors were everything from shepherds to kings, from fishermen to tent-makers. The Bible was also written on three different continents, and in three different languages. Yet, the Bible has NOT ONE CONTRADICTION!
The second thing that I see that backs up the scripture is the many scientific and archeological facts that are found in the Bible. For example, Isaiah told us that the earth is round, in Job we learn about the water cycle and also the fact that the earth is suspended in space. Moses tells us in Leviticus that blood sustains life. We also learn much about the stars from books like Job, Genesis, and First Corinthians. And Doctor Luke in the book of Luke tells us that the earth rotates on an axis. Other men did not discover these facts until many years later. Also, the Hittites mentioned in the OT were once said to be fictitious, that is until archaeologists discovered the land of the Hittites. Or consider the fact that for many years critics of God’s Word said there was no Pontius Pilate that is until men discovered his name written on the cornerstone of a theater in the Middle East.
The third thing I would like to point out is that many prophecies made in scriptures that were fulfilled to the very day years later! Like the one in Is. 44 that says that, a man named Syras was to rebuild the temple. Keep in mind that the temple was still standing when this prophecy was made. 100 years later the temple was destroyed, and then 160 years later a Persian by the name of Syras rebuilt it, just like Isaiah said. Or consider the prophesy in Daniel chapter 9. let me read verses 25-26a for you; “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off..." The word ‘weeks’ here in this passage refers to 7 years, not 7 days. It happened just as Daniel said under the inspiration of the Spirit. Exactly 49 years later Jerusalem was rebuilt. And then exactly 434 years later Jesus, the Messiah, rode into Jerusalem. And when Daniel says that after 62 weeks the Messiah shall be cut off, he is referring to the crucifixion of Christ. And, as most of you know, all this did happen, just as predicted by Daniel, 483 years before it happened. Coincidence? I rather think not.
In closing, I would like to accredit most of this material to David Moore in his sermon called “What is so Special about the Bible?” and some of the information to my A Beka Biology book. I have at times wondered how a book as big and sometimes as complicated as the Bible, could not once contradict itself, but as I have studied the Bible it has become evident that the only way this feat is possible is because God Himself wrote it. Indeed, He inspired every word. Only Yahweh could have orchestrated such a masterpiece as the Bible without a glitch. And no glitch it has, for indeed, the Bible is a very valid book.
Throughout time, various men from every class of life have tried to refute the Bible with such passion that no other Book has received such a beating . . . and survived. The Bible has stood the test of time. Destroying all accusations and dumbfounded all attempts to prove it wrong. So what does make this book so attack-proof?
I would like to share with you three basic things that make the Bible so very valid in all its claims, statements, and teachings.
Number 1 is the facts surrounded the book itself. For instance, over 40 authors wrote the Bible over a period of 1500 years. These authors were everything from shepherds to kings, from fishermen to tent-makers. The Bible was also written on three different continents, and in three different languages. Yet, the Bible has NOT ONE CONTRADICTION!
The second thing that I see that backs up the scripture is the many scientific and archeological facts that are found in the Bible. For example, Isaiah told us that the earth is round, in Job we learn about the water cycle and also the fact that the earth is suspended in space. Moses tells us in Leviticus that blood sustains life. We also learn much about the stars from books like Job, Genesis, and First Corinthians. And Doctor Luke in the book of Luke tells us that the earth rotates on an axis. Other men did not discover these facts until many years later. Also, the Hittites mentioned in the OT were once said to be fictitious, that is until archaeologists discovered the land of the Hittites. Or consider the fact that for many years critics of God’s Word said there was no Pontius Pilate that is until men discovered his name written on the cornerstone of a theater in the Middle East.
The third thing I would like to point out is that many prophecies made in scriptures that were fulfilled to the very day years later! Like the one in Is. 44 that says that, a man named Syras was to rebuild the temple. Keep in mind that the temple was still standing when this prophecy was made. 100 years later the temple was destroyed, and then 160 years later a Persian by the name of Syras rebuilt it, just like Isaiah said. Or consider the prophesy in Daniel chapter 9. let me read verses 25-26a for you; “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off..." The word ‘weeks’ here in this passage refers to 7 years, not 7 days. It happened just as Daniel said under the inspiration of the Spirit. Exactly 49 years later Jerusalem was rebuilt. And then exactly 434 years later Jesus, the Messiah, rode into Jerusalem. And when Daniel says that after 62 weeks the Messiah shall be cut off, he is referring to the crucifixion of Christ. And, as most of you know, all this did happen, just as predicted by Daniel, 483 years before it happened. Coincidence? I rather think not.
In closing, I would like to accredit most of this material to David Moore in his sermon called “What is so Special about the Bible?” and some of the information to my A Beka Biology book. I have at times wondered how a book as big and sometimes as complicated as the Bible, could not once contradict itself, but as I have studied the Bible it has become evident that the only way this feat is possible is because God Himself wrote it. Indeed, He inspired every word. Only Yahweh could have orchestrated such a masterpiece as the Bible without a glitch. And no glitch it has, for indeed, the Bible is a very valid book.
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