The Road Not Chosen

The Time is Right

The North Koreans are testing long range missiles and setting off underground nuclear bombs.

Obama is in Hollywood telling all those famous people what a great job he’s doing.

Home foreclosure rates are at 12%, an all-time high.

Orwell’s 1984 is looking more and more as a prophetic guideline for this decade.

So what’s a Bible believing, critical-thinking, political junkie to do?

GO GET A PEDICURE!

 

“My, what beautiful feet you have!” you might say. Yeah, right! Like I would put up a picture of MY feet up!! Mine do look pretty darn good though. My daughter-in-spirit, Kristin, gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure for Mother’s Day. This was my first professional pedicure and I loved it! I could get so addicted to that wonderful experience. 

Do something special for yourself this weekend. It doesn’t have to be something  big or expensive just something that makes you go “Ahhhhhh” in that wonderfully contented way. Enjoy!

There Is a Plan

I have always been a political junkie/activist. My first memory of my political inclination was when I was in 7th grade. I led a sit-in protesting the fact that we weren’t allowed to wear pants to school. Oddly enough, the Principal compromised, letting us wear pants on Fridays which only further fueled our rebelliousness.

In eighth grade I wore a P.O.W. bracelet (Gregory Benton Jr. I still remember his name.) In ninth grade I wrote an essay on the fact that the Pledge of Allegiance wasn’t true any more. Not only did I get an F, but almost got kicked out of school. My parents met with the principal and pointed out that, while the topic was terrible, the essay was grammatically correct with no spelling errors and that I should at least get a C. In 10th grade I helped organize a local “Walk for Hunger” which was something Bobby Kennedy started. We got pledges and walked 10 miles to raise money to feed the poor. In 12th grade I wrote a poem for our high school literary magazine about one of our lecherous teachers. (Your Playboy key has rusted, your hand is on the door, Go drink your bottle of Geritol and bother me no more)  The principal wasn’t going to let me participate in graduation, even though the teacher who was the subject of the poem, told the principal not only was he not offended but he thought it was a great poem! Again my parents made the trek to the office. (By now they had a lot of practice.) My folks actually backed me up this time, saying it was free speech and there was nothing obscene in the poem, it was merely my opinion. Needless to say, I got to participate in my ceremony.

In college I volunteered at the local Free Clinic working the suicide and abortion hotlines. Part of this I am now very ashamed of as abortion had just become legal in California and I counseled many young women, presenting abortion as a viable option. (I was a card-carrying member of N.O.W. and feminist to the bone.) This one made my parents very, very angry to the point that my dad told me that if I insisted on volunteering there he wanted me out of the house.

So today, 2009 A.D., when I look at what is happening in our country and around the world I understand where the liberals/socialists are coming from. I considered myself a socialist from 11th grade until I was 23 or 24 years old. I know very well how they think, what their tactics are, and what their goal is. And, if I am not careful, I get scared, very scared, of what the future may look like. Fortunately I became a Christian when I was 22 and God has slowly but surely altered my worldview and politics.

The temptation arises often these days to be worried and fearful. Sometimes I feel like I literally have to grab the fear by the throat and declare “I will not fear because the Almighty One is in control of everything and He works all things together for good for those who love Him.” I pray. I meditate on the Bible. I center my thoughts around God and His Kingdom which will surely come no matter what the enemy does to try and stop it.

I read something on a blog yesterday that said “sometimes bad things have to happen first so that the good things will come.” They were referencing the death of Jesus which had to come before the resurrection could happen.  So I prepare my heart and mind for what may or may not come. I try and make peace with the thought that Christians in America may have their religious freedoms taken totally away. We are not so special that we will automatically escape what millions of our fellow believers endure daily around the world.

I am still political but that is secondary to being Christian. I pray for the President and Congress to be wise and make good decisions, but I also write to them when I disagree with what they do, savoring the fact that we still have freedom of speech. Conscious of that. on this blog I write about God and about politics while I still publically can. 

Most importantly I know how this all ends, being assured to my core that God will triumph over Satan and what we endure in this life is just a tiny moment compared with the eternity we will experience joyfully with our King. I leave you with this wonderful encouragement from the late S.M. Lockridge.

 

Does This Mean 1 in 3 “Christians” Have Poor Reading Comprehension?

1 in 3 'Christians' say 'Jesus sinned'
Barna poll shows adults develop their own beliefs

By Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily

Half of Americans who call themselves "Christian" don't believe Satan exists and fully one-third are confident that Jesus sinned while on Earth, according to a new Barna Group poll.

Another 40 percent say they do not have a responsibility to share their Christian faith with others, and 25 percent "dismiss the idea that the Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches," the organization reports.

Pollster George Barna said the results have huge implications. "Americans are increasingly comfortable picking and choosing what they deem to be helpful and accurate theological views and have become comfortable discarding the rest of the teachings in the Bible," he said. "Growing numbers of people now serve as their own theologian-in-residence," he continued. "One consequence is that Americans are embracing an unpredictable and contradictory body of beliefs."

The results are a dramatic departure from the nation's foundings, when leaders held prayer meetings in the halls of Congress and attributed to Almighty God the victory in the Revolutionary War.

Barna noted the millions of people who describe themselves as Christian and believe Jesus sinned, or those who say they will experience eternal salvation because they confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their savior, "but also believe that a person can do enough good works to earn eternal salvation."

Barna's private, non-partisan, for-profit research group in Ventura, Calif., has been studying cultural trends since 1984. For this study, the organization randomly sampled 1,004 adults across the continental U.S. The study has a margin of error of 3.2 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

For the study, "born-again Christians" were defined as people who said they had made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that was still important in their life today and who also indicated they believed that when they die they will go to heaven because they had confessed their sins and had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. The results highlight the significant shift in beliefs held by Americans, the study said.

"For much of America's history, the assumption was that if you were born in America, you would affiliate with the Christian faith," the report said. Now however, "half of all adults now contend that Christianity is just one of many options that Americans choose from and that a huge majority of adults pick and choose what they believe rather than adopt a church or denomination's slate of beliefs."

Fifty percent of Americans believe Christianity no longer has a lock on people's hearts. Two-thirds of evangelical Christians (64 percent) and three out of every five Hispanics (60 percent) embraced that position, making them the groups most convinced of the shift in America's default faith.

In contrast, the poll showed the importance of belief was growing along with the number of options about what to believe.

"By an overwhelming margin – 74 percent to 23 percent – adults agreed that their religious faith was becoming even more important to them than it used to be as a source of objective and reliable moral guidance."

Forty percent of respondents who do not affiliate with Christianity confirmed the increasing influence of their beliefs.

The result "underscored the fact that people no longer look to denominations or churches to offer a slate of theological views that the individual adopts in its entirety," the report said.

By a margin of 71 percent to 26 percent adults "noted that they are personally more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a comprehensive set of beliefs taught by a particular church," the report said.

Nearly two-thirds of "born again Christians" adopted that stance.

"In the past, when most people determined their theological and moral points of view, the alternatives from which they chose were exclusively of Christian options - e.g., the Methodist point of view, the Baptist perspective, Catholic teaching, and so forth," Barna noted. "Today, Americans are more likely to pit a variety of non-Christian options against various Christian-based views. This has resulted in an abundance of unique worldviews based on personal combinations of theology drawn from a smattering of world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam as well as secularism."

And Now A Message From Dr. King

Excerpt “Letter From A Birmingham Jail” April 16, 1963

I have heard numerous southern religious leaders admonish their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers declare: "Follow this decree because integration is morally right and because the Negro is your brother." In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: "Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern." And I have watched many churches commit themselves to a completely other worldly religion which makes a strange, un-Biblical distinction between body and soul, between the sacred and the secular.

I have traveled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi and all the other southern states. On sweltering summer days and crisp autumn mornings I have looked at the South's beautiful churches with their lofty spires pointing heavenward. I have beheld the impressive outlines of her massive religious education buildings. Over and over I have found myself asking: "What kind of people worship here? Who is their God? Where were their voices when the lips of Governor Barnett dripped with words of interposition and nullification? Where were they when Governor Wallace gave a clarion call for defiance and hatred? Where were their voices of support when bruised and weary Negro men and women decided to rise from the dark dungeons of complacency to the bright hills of creative protest?"

Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson and the great grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists.

There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators."' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent--and often even vocal--sanction of things as they are.

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.

Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world? Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ecclesia and the hope of the world. But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom. They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets of Albany, Georgia, with us. They have gone down the highways of the South on tortuous rides for freedom. Yes, they have gone to jail with us. Some have been dismissed from their churches, have lost the support of their bishops and fellow ministers. But they have acted in the faith that right defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. Their witness has been the spiritual salt that has preserved the true meaning of the gospel in these troubled times. They have carved a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment. I hope the church as a whole will meet the challenge of this decisive hour.

Thoughts for Today

Therapy for Post-Election Blues by Pastor Mark Chanski

So, you’re discouraged and downcast about the outcome of the presidential election?  You’d hoped for better.  You’re concerned that we’ve taken a huge step backwards on such crucial morality issues like abortion, homosexuality, and stem cell research.  You fear our nation is culturally slipping into a season of ethical darkness.  You’re tempted to think that evil has somehow snuck up into the heavenly throne-room, seized, gagged, and bound God in a celestial corner, while unchecked wickedness will now trash history for a four-year term.  You may feel the onset of spiritual depression.

Don’t go there.  The children of God have every reason to rejoice in their Father’s undisturbed and sovereign reigning over the events of the November election.  The Bible is clear.  The decision was ultimately the Lord’s.  “For not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert comes exaltation; but God is the Judge; He puts down one, and exalts another” (Psalm 75:6-7).  We ought to hold to the deep conviction that Barack Obama is God’s man for the White House.

The carpenter holds his power drill.  He’s finished with the drill bit for boring holes.  He removes and puts down the boring bit, passes by the screw-driver bit, then selects and inserts the sanding bit.  He has purposeful and important work to do.  Likewise, the Lord has put down Bush/Cheney, passed by McCain/Palin, and exalted Obama/Biden.  He has work to do. 

(Read the rest here.)

The Suspense Is Growing

and everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see who is going to be the next POTUS (Pres. of the U.S.  That’s Secret Service talk.)

Here’s a video to help you review the candidates main points plus 3:56 minutes of absolute hilarious weirdness. (Be sure to watch the whole thing!)

 

 

Our Goal Is To Be Like Christ

Vitriol (def) Bitterly abusive feeling or expression.

Compassion (def) Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

My grandmother used to say "Don't wallow in the mud with the pigs" whenever I started bad-mouthing anyone or anything. I've been watching a horrifying thing happening: good, decent Christians becoming more full of vitriol towards which ever political candidate and party than full of compassion. I think it is good for all of us to take a deep breath and consider the words that are coming out of our mouths and the attitudes of our hearts. And, by the way, I definatly include myself in that.

Eph. 5:1-2 admonishes us "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

As we are expressing our political opinions this season let us remember that every person running for office, and every person on the planet, is loved by God just as much as He loves us. Let us look upon them as God looks upon them, let us love them as Christ loved us and died for us when we were lost in our sins and our hearts were as black as any other sinners. Let us pray for those who are running for office and not curse them because believe me, Christ isn't in heaven cursing them. He wants them to come to a saving knowledge of Him, and if they are saved, to do His will on the earth.

As Christians we dare not wallow in the mud of the popular culture and media. We dare not condemn another human being. We can look at their actions and opinions and say, "I do not support that and here is why" but we cannot move into hatred and name-calling, even in jest. As we know Paul in Eph. 5 also warns us against coarse jesting.

Today I urge you to take a long hard look at your attitude towards our candidates. I urge you to pray for the candidate you are not in favor of. Pray for their families. Pray for their staff. And pray that God would have mercy on our own hardened hearts and help us to love all mankind like Christ loved us. That, my friends, is the beginning of true revival in our land.

In Memoriam On September 11

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecc. 1:1-8

 

May the Lord help us always to rightly discern the times. And may we never forget the sacrifices large and small of those who have gone before us and those who are with us now. May He comfort those who mourn and bring the joy of His salvation to them. Amen.

Sarah Palin (For Molly)

Molly left a comment yesterday that she couldn't believe I hadn't blogged about Sarah Palin yet. I've been out of town and have spent the last 2 days listening to my 86 yr. old beloved mother-in-law rant (which she rarely does) about Sarah Palin. Mom's very definite opinion is that Palin shouldn't be a governor much less a VP pick because she has 5 kids, including a 4 month old baby w. DS. Keep in mind that Mom has had a front row seat in seeing what it takes to raise a special needs child: the work, the therapy, the dedication it takes to make sure the baby gets everything needed from the start to make the path easier in future years.

While I personally love the idea of a woman VP, over the last 3 days several things have bothered me. Here they are.

1. How is she going to give Trig what he needs during the important first years of his life? Parents & professionals know how vital Early Intervention is to babies with special needs. This is hard to do without mom & dad being very hands on. Sure, a nanny or sibling or therapist could do it but part of what makes it successful is the bond between parent & child. You just can't get that a couple of hours a day. I went back to work when Evan was 18 mths. old. I got up early in the morning to do his therapies. I worked with him from the moment I got home until he went to bed. (There is a lot to do, tactile stimulation, play games that are helpful for muscle, speech & brain development, etc.) That intense period of time laid the groundwork for his success in school and now his adult life.

2. She has 5 kids. As a VP how involved is she going to be able to be in their lives? Is her husband going to become Mister Mom? What's the plan? She wouldn't be around very much. It's not like being a VP of a small company, it's the U.S.of A. for crying out loud!

And this sad news just in:

3. Her 17 year old daughter is 5 months pregnant.

All of the above, in my opinion, means that Sarah Palin has unfortunately put her political aspirations above the good of her family. Honestly, she needs to be there for her family big time right now. Not gone for 8 weeks on the campaign trail. Not holding the position of V.P. for 4 years.

Yes, women should run for political office, but not at the cost of their families. If McCain had the same stuff going on in his family, I'd say the same thing. Pull back and regroup and make sure your family is healthy first.

Our children are our responsibility, our legacy, our priority. Sarah Palin needs to remember that.

P.S. McCain can kiss the Presidency good-bye. He knew that Palin's daughter was pregnant. He's been in politics since dinosaurs roamed the earth. He had to know what a fire storm this would cause. He and Palin have exposed that poor girl to nationwide ridicule and viciousness. McCain made this decision for purely political reasons in a desperate bid to look more "current" than Obama. McCain had a lot more experienced people (women included) to pick from. If his judgement is this poor when it counts the most, I am worried what his judgement would be like as President.

P.P.S. Do they still have write-in votes???

Some Trust In Chariots

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

and

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." Is. 30:1

 

I spoke on this subject a week or so ago, but I feel compelled to come back to it briefly. Our responsibility as Christians who live in America is to use the tools God has given us: prayer, the Bible, wisdom, to help know whom He wants us to vote for as President or for any other elected office.

A good way to help discern which candidate to vote for is to perform a simple litmus test doing two things. First, find out what the candidates have voted for if they have held office previously. Not what they have said in a flowery speech or promised in an interview, but what they really have supported through their actions. Second, compare that to the values given us in the Bible. How does it stack up? Which candidate more closely follows what God says?

I will point out here that a candidate who is not a Christian may more closely follow biblical principles in their politics than one who says they are Christian. Many people will automatically vote for someone who proclaims their Christianity without examining that person's political actions. Would you buy a house based solely on what the outside looked like or would you make sure to examine the interior and check the foundation? To go strictly by appearances is foolish.

I first voted when I was 18 years old and the Vietnam war was still going. Now I am 50 and have lived through a lot of elections, people! I've seen 'em come & go, promises made & broken, promised made & kept, wars ended and wars begun.

Through all this I have come to believe that God will hold us responsible for who we back as our country's "king". Because of this, I do my best to not vote lightly, not vote my emotions or vote my party. I do my best to try to hear from God on what to do and sometimes He has surprised me! 

So this political season, do the hard thing. Dig deeper. Do your research. Don't be moved by speeches or promises from either side. Refuse to be impressed by what appears to be a show of strength. Examine the candidates. Pray and ask God for wisdom. Most of all, be open to what God may say to you, even if it goes against your party leanings. And finally,

Check the foundation!