The Light for Today

I AM THE PROBLEM, I AM THE ENEMY

2010-11-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

Got into to a tiff with a liberal on facebook the other day...it started when he was trying to paint all people who want to be back under the US Constitution as "extremist." I butted in and here are the last three exchanges...I'm not replying to him again...(he has enough truth to melt both polar ice caps) There is a copy of how the exchange went below...

Ed Anthony...@Doug…according to you, I am part of the problem...and you're right, I am...I didn't fight communist on 3 continents, around the world to come home and discuss the "pros and cons" of a socialist, Marxist state, and I sure as h**l am not going to try to find common ground with people who condone beating of their women and having sex with children and animals. (Islam) You need to take your "academic posing," for a long walk on a short pier. That dog don't hunt no more. In an effort to appear well informed and even handed with all people and lifestyles, you end up giving credibility to the absurd. You’re just like all the other liberals who live in a “theoretical world” where you never have to deal with the realities brought on people by the variations of communism and Islam. There is no “up” side to either of the two systems being offered by the left today.
If you ever come out of your “made-up-in-your-mind-only” reality and deal with the messy real life issues you will be able to see why I’m part of the problem for the anti-American “LEFT!”
The Obamassiah is right, I am not only his enemy, I am his worst nightmare. The nightmare that “control freak” despots all over the world used to tremble to think of my kind. I’ve ranted enough, now I’ll show you the difference between “Right” and “Left.”
#1.) The left wants all people to have the same social remuneration and rights that someone else has without have to earn them. (Equal misery of scarcity)
#2.) The right wants all people to be endowed with benefits of freedom, so they can become all they have the personal capacity to accomplish.
One way says, come kneel here and I’ll give you what you need…
The other says, there it is, help yourself…have all you want…

Doug Chandler…@Ed Anthony: You're not only part of the problem, but you sound like a real, live crackpot. Guess what? England, Sweden, France, Germany and Israel, not to mention scores of other countries, have all tinkered with socialism or... social programs to a much greater degree than the United States has -- and none of them has become anything close to a communist tyranny. Neither has the United States, which has had a mixed economy since FDR.
Or perhaps you want to call Eisenhower and Nixon, all of whom proposed government programs of their own, communists as well? No liberal that I know is discussing the "pros" and "cons" of a Marxist state, but I do know of one person unable to make rational distinctions -- and I'm writing to him now.
Muslims? Guess what, Ed? I know dozens of American Muslims, some of whom I consider friends, and not one has sex with children and animals. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Ed Anthony…@Doug...SEE!...you're proving my point about “liberals and academic posing," you are NOT thinking in terms of the real world…you’re trying to explain to me how and why a little bit of sewage in my drinking water has been there all along and that a little bit of sewage in the drinking water will, some how be more fair to others and be good for all of us, and look at how all the other people have done so well with sewage in their drinking water, etc…Doug, just how large do the “solids in the drinking water” have to be before you’ll wake up and “smell the water?”

I AM FLYING MY FLAG AT HALF MAST OUT OF RESPECT FOR A FALLEN GENERAL

2010-06-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

The last time America had a crisis about a General having a different idea about how to prosecute a war and was fired by the President, was when Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur over the conduct of the Korean war. We all see how well that turned out because a politician sitting in the White House, nose open to the UN directives, knew what to do better than a combat tested General. That is a war that has never declared a truce. That’s right Louise, we have had ONLY a cease fire agreement with North Korea in place all these years.
These remarks, while in appropriate, had to be expected. It’s nothing new. The people who are upset over the General’s remarks would wet their pants over what went on in the Vietnam war. One other note here, The Vice-President is NOT in the chain of command.
The Obamassiah called this man in and blew smoke all up his six. He made him believe he was behind him all they way, then dropped a rock on him when he asked for what was needed to end this thing. The Obamassiah was threatened by the puppet-master behind him, because he had called in a guy who could do the job of ending this war with honor. The puppet-master does NOT want this war to end; he does NOT want the Gulf spill stopped or cleaned up; he does NOT want the border control issue settled; he does NOT want the global financial crisis to end; and the coming “pandemic” will be to MAKE America submit to the gub’ment health-care plan. With all of this in place, the puppet-master will be in the driver’s seat for introduction of his One-World system for One Financial system, One Global Government and One World Religion. Welcome to the New-World Order .. So the destruction of the Gulf of Mexico, the State of Arizona, the American Healthcare and financial systems and one General, in the order of things, is no big thing. That’s how the puppet-master sees the world.

Have You Truly Come To Christ

2010-05-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

By the way of introduction let me bring before you the following Scriptures:
1. “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).
2. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
3. “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him” (John 6:44).
4. “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me: and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
5. “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26,27).
6. “To whom coming, as unto a living Stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious” (1 Peter 2:4).
7. “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25).
The first of these passages applies to every unregenerate man and woman on this earth. While he is in a state of nature, no man can come to Christ. Though all excellencies both Divine and human, are found in the Lord Jesus, though “He is altogether lovely” (Song 5:16), yet the fallen sons of Adam see in Him no beauty that they should desire Him. They may be well instructed in “the doctrine of Christ,” they may believe unhesitatingly all that Scripture affirms concerning Him, they may frequently take His name upon their lips, profess to be resting on His finished work, sing His praises, yet their hearts are far from Him. The things of this world have the first place in their affections. The gratifying of self is their dominant concern. They surrender not their lives to Him. He is too holy to suit their love of sin; His claims are too exacting to suit their selfish hearts; His terms of discipleship are too severe to suit their fleshly ways. They will not yield to His Lordship - true alike with each one of us till God performs a miracle of grace upon our hearts.
The second of these passages contains a gracious invitation, made by the compassionate Savior to a particular class of sinners. The “all” is at once qualified, clearly and definitely, by the words which immediately follow it. The character of those to whom this loving word belongs is clearly defined: It is those who “labor” and are “heavy laden.” Most clearly then it applies not to the vast majority of our light-headed, gay-hearted, pleasure-seeking fellows who have no regard for God’s glory and no concern about their eternal welfare. No, the word for such poor creatures is rather, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment” (Eccl. 11:9). But to those who have “labored” hard to keep the law and please God, who are “heavy laden” with a felt sense of their utter inability to meet His requirements, and who long to be delivered from the power and pollution of sin, Christ says: “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”
The third passage quoted above at once tells us that “coming to Christ” is not the easy matter so many imagine it, nor so simple a thing as most preachers represent it to be. Instead of its so being, the incarnate Son of God positively declares that such an act is utterly impossible to a fallen and depraved creature unless and until Divine power is brought to bear upon him. A most pride-humbling, flesh-withering, man-abasing word is this. “Coming to Christ” is a far, far different thing from raising your hand to be prayed for by some Protestant “priest,” coming forward and taking some cheap-jack evangelist’s hand, signing some “decision” card, uniting with some “church,” or any other of the “many inventions” of man (Eccl 7:29). Before any one can or will “come to Christ” the understanding must be supernaturally enlightened, the heart must be supernaturally changed, the stubborn will must be supernaturally broken.
The fourth passage is also one that is unpalatable to the carnal mind, yet is it a precious portion unto the Spirit-taught children of God. It sets forth the blessed truth of unconditional election, or the discriminating grace of God. It speaks of a favored people whom the Father giveth to His Son. It declares that every one of that blessed company shall come to Christ. Neither the effects of their fall in Adam, the power of indwelling sin, the hatred and untiring efforts of Satan, nor the deceptive delusions of blind preachers, will be able to finally hinder them - when God’s appointed hour arrives, each of His elect is delivered from the power of darkness and is translated into the kingdom of His dear Son. It announces no matter how unworthy and vile he be in himself, no matter how black and long the awful catalogue of his sins, He will by no means despise or fail to welcome him, and under no circumstances will He ever cast him off.
The fifth passage is one that makes known the terms on which alone Christ is willing to receive sinners. Here the uncompromising claims of His holiness are set out. He must be crowned Lord of all, or He will not be Lord at all. There must be the complete heart-renunciation of all that stands in competition with Him. He will brook no rival. All that pertains to “the flesh,” whether found in a loved one or in self, has to be hated. The “cross” is the badge of Christian discipleship: not a golden one worn on the body, but the principle of self-denial and self-sacrifice ruling the heart. How evident is it, then, that a mighty, supernatural, Divine work of grace must be wrought in the human heart, if any man will even desire to meet such terms!
The sixth passage tells us the Christian is to continue as he began. We are to “come to Christ” not once and for all, but frequently, daily. He is the only One who can minister unto our needs, and to Him we must constantly turn for the supply of them. In our felt emptiness, we must draw from His “fullness” (John 1:16). In our weakness, we must turn to him for strength. In our ignorance we must apply to Him for wisdom. In our falls into sin, we must seek afresh His cleansing. All that we need for time and eternity is stored up in Him: refreshment when we are weary (Isa 40:31), healing of body when we are sick (Ex. 15:26), comfort when we are sad (1 Pet 5:7), deliverance when we are tempted (Heb 2:18). If we have wandered away from Him, left our first love, then the remedy is to “repent and do the first works” (Rev 2:5), that is, cast ourselves upon Him anew, come just as we did the first time we came to Him—as unworthy, self-confessed sinners, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.
The seventh passage assures us of the eternal security of those who do come. Christ saves “unto the uttermost” or “for ever more” those who come unto God by Him. He is not of one mind today and of another tomorrow. No, He is “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever (Heb 13:8). “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1), and blessedly does He give proof of this, for “He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Inasmuch as His prayers are effectual, for He declares that the Father hears Him “always” (John 11:42), none whose name is indelibly stamped on the heart of our great High Priest can ever perish. Hallelujah!
Ain't Jesus good?
Be blessed by being a blessing...

Nothing is Neutral

2009-12-31T18:21:00.000-08:00

Christians are NOT allowed the luxury of neutrality.

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matt. 12:30... “For he that is not against us is on our part.” MK. 9:40... “And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” LK. 9:50... “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” LK. 11:23

NARRATION: It was 6:45am. She hates unloading the dishwasher anytime of day but she was doing it. Loudly. After a particularly rowdy session of removing bowls I said something to her about the noise. Her point was she wasn't being loud on purpose...my point was that she wasn't trying to be quiet either. We take virtuous refuge in the things that we didn't intend as if to say, “Since I didn‘t intend that to happen, it must have been God‘s will.” We think we are not accountable for those consequences which we did not intend to happen. But here's the thing...
"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need."
Paul is saying that it isn't enough to just not steal anymore...now you must labor honestly...for the purpose of having something to share.

It isn't enough to not intend harm...for every action or thought that we don't intend we must be clear that we are seeking the opposite. We are NOT allowed to just do as we please and then say, “Well since “that” was not my intent, I’m not guilty of causing it to happen.” The whole world operates on this premise. You in all probability did not intend to cause the auto accident, but you may still be charged with causing it. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our “intent” is always on trial. Our motivation for doing something is just as important as our actions. Another good example of this principal is found in “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: (meaning that “we had no relationship, therefore, these works are not motivated by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, ie., John 16:8-10) depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt. 7:22-23. He calls those works of iniquity, what we would call good works.

I didn't intend to be rude. But was I seeking kindness?
“Old brother so-in-so is just plain spoken like that“…No he’s not, he is self-centered and just unloads his mouth regardless of who it may hurt, he just don’t care enough to try to be kind by being careful how he speaks to people. To him, “If he didn’t mean to be rude, and someone has their feelings hurt, it’s their problem.” “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:32. This is a call to be intentional about being kind.

I didn't intend to be disrespectful. But was I seeking to show respect?
This is always an easy fix; The rule of thumb is always, “Would you want to be treated, spoken to, or “respected” the same way you are treating, speaking to or showing respect for this person?” Whatever you are doing, would you want that done to you? Remember, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” I Pet. 2:13-17.

I didn't intend to tear down. But was I seeking to build up? I didn't intend to hurt you. But was I really seeking the best for you even at a cost to me?
People will say, “Well, what I said was the truth.” That may be, but the question is “Was it also necessary to say that out loud?” Is this what will truly be best for edifying this person at this time? “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Rom. 14:19... “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. I Thess. 5:9-11... “… Let all things be done unto edifying.” I Corin. 14:26.

I didn't intend to be hurt by you. But was I seeking to be longsuffering?
Again, this is making sure we not only KNOW the difference between “patience” and “long-suffering” but practice the difference. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” II Pet. 1:4-9... “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” I Tim. 6:11... These all have to do with condition or circumstances. We are working to grow in our condition of “divine nature.” We are to add to our circumstances of “following after these things.”
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 5:19-25... “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph. 4:1-6. These scriptures deal with people.

It isn't enough to NOT intend the wrong thing. We have to purposely pursue to do the right thing. We must be so aware of what we don't want to happen as a consequence of something we do, that we become very intentional in what we do want to happen.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph. 5:1.

We are to be an intentional body of believers, because He was intentional.

Gideon - Mighty Man Of Valor

2009-10-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Judges 6

The Conditions: Israel had forsaken God and His commandments. Much like America today, one sub-group pitted against another sub-group, every man was doing what was right for his sub-group in his own eyes. No absolute right or wrong, what I say is right for me, is what is right. “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6

We encounter Gideon (an un-likely hero) in verse 11, when an angel from the Lord comes to him as he is hiding the wheat from Israel’s enemies. He is threshing the wheat in a winepress. Some have regarded this as Gideon being a coward and hiding from the enemy. He is hiding the wheat. A mark of an honest men is, he will not place at risk that which is not his. We see even clearer, later on, that this is the actions of a prudent man. He had not heard from the Lord so he did not presume to attempt to change the circumstances the Lord had the nation of Israel in at this time. Valor does not presume, it does not run where it has not been called.

In the greeting in verse 12, the angel greets him with the description the Lord has for him, “thou mighty man of valor.” The Lord often sees others so differently from how we see them or how they see themselves. And he greets him by telling him that the Lord is with him. When the Lord calls on someone, it is usually someone who is busy, and usually busy doing something for someone else. (The indication from scripture is he was threshing wheat for the community) God tends to call that which is closest, cleanest and caring enough to make the effort.

In verse 13 we hear a beautiful confession of God’s power, a confession of God’s past blessings on the nation and a confession of the national guilt for turning away from God and His commandments. This was a man who saw very clearly that God had indeed turned away from Israel and her wickedness. And notice, there is no hint that he is complaining and charging God with being un-fair. He as much as admits that the nation is receiving just as they deserve.

The beauty of humility is seen here in verses 14 & 15, when Gideon is charged with going and being the one to deliver Israel, (in his own strength) pleads his own weakness and in-ability. Anyone called of God who does not rehearse his shortcomings, is doomed by his presumption. It is not a sign of trying to evade God’s call, it is a sign of wisdom to confess one’s inability to be successful without the hand and help of the Lord. It is preparation for a heart that is humble before God. God does NOT call extraordinary men to do ordinary things, He calls ordinary men to do extraordinary things.

The reassurance of the help and presents of God Himself in the undertaking and success of task is again given to strengthen the warrior in verse 16. This is much like our commission to “Go and make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19-20. We are told in the closing statement that the Lord Himself will be there with us.

In verses 17-21 we see the wisdom of caution and obedience. The giving of a sacrifice of food was a heavy thing. He was hiding food from the Midianites when the Lord came to him. He understood that the Lord expected him to trust and obey His commands. He is not doubting God, he is proving to himself that he will trust and obey, even when it’s not easy. Valor that is brave enough to trust and obey the Lord, can over come ALL the man-made obstacles it faces.

In verse 24 we see the spirituality that always comes with true valor. This is part of the “servant” idea that Jesus spoke of when He walked the earth. True Valor does not have to seek it’s own glory. Men of valor do not great things to advance themselves, but for the good of others and the glory of God. Gideon builds an alter to the Lord as a statement that as he does this it is being done for the glory of the Lord. Selfishness is a repugnant character trait in all cultures. The Bible tells us, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Col. 3:17

In verses 34-40 we are treated to the truth that “Divine Inspiration and Divine Fellowship” are the marks of True Valor. Gideon was inspired by God to send an invitation to all the people listed. God fearing, authority respecting people will always be drawn to assemble with and fellowship with a courageous man. People in rebellion, will always be repelled by valorous leadership from the Lord. This is what makes them rebels. Some have said that Gideon putting out the fleece was a sign of un-belief. Please note that when alone, he offered sacrifices and was obedient. It was only AFTER the others were gathered that he asked for this sign to reveal the will of God as he knew it to be, might be revealed to those gathered. It was for their sake, not his own that he asked for the sign. Again, true valor was concerned with the faith of the weaker brothers. In the New Testament we are admonished, “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” Romans 14:1 -- “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1 -- “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” I Thessalonians 5:14 Concern for others, especially the weak is always the mark of true Valor.

The Big Lie (Told Again by President Obama @ UN)

2009-09-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

I HATE A LIE! It led me to produce the quote, “When a person, who is honestly mistaken, is confronted with the truth, he ceases to be mistaken or he ceases to be honest.”
One lie in particular is continuing to be propagated by the “one world government” folks here and at the UN. NOW our President has just stood at the speakers desk at the UN (09/23/09) and repeated the lie and spoke of the USA being committed to putting a homeland in the “Occupied Territories” for the Palestinian people. Unfortunately, the Big Lie of Israel's "occupation" has been repeated so long and so often that even people of good faith have come to believe it and to accept it. Now Mr. Obama has stated that this is his worldview and is basing his foreign policies on that lie! In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel was attacked by the Arab states. They fought for and recovered the "West Bank, Jerusalem and other lands.” Now Mr. Obama says they have to give it back. With this kind of thinking, “Do we have to give back Texas?”
Are the "occupied territories" really occupied territories?As Adolf Hitler discovered, the Big Lie will eventually be accepted as the truth. The Big Lie, the monster whopper of our time, is that the provinces of Judea/Samaria, often called the "Bank," are "occupied territories."
What are the facts?>A Brief History: Most of the area now called the Middle East was part of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire before World War I. Germany lost the war and so did its ally Turkey. The Ottoman Empire ceased to exist and the League of Nations assigned Britain and France as the mandatory powers. France assumed mandatory control over what is now Syria and Lebanon. Britain assumed mandatory control over all the rest, including "Palestine," which comprised all that is now Jordan and Israel, including the "West Bank." The Golan Heights, which Syria now claims as its age-old patrimony, was originally part of Palestine.
>In 1917, the British issued the Balfour Declaration,(Google this) under which Palestine was to be the homeland for the Jewish people. In 1921,Winston Churchill, who was then Colonial Secretary of Great Britain, separated all the land east of the Jordan River from the territory designated to be the Jewish homeland, and awarded it to the Hashemites, who established the kingdom of Transjordan.
>The Arabs, whipped up by their fanatic clergy, fiercely opposed the presence of the Jews on what they considered "sacred Moslem territory." There was constant warfare between the two groups, which the British tried to arbitrate, always favoring the Arabs, whom they considered more important to their imperial interests. (Spelled OIL)
>In 1947, the British decided that they had enough and resigned the Mandate. They left the Arab-Jewish antagonists to their own devices and turned it over to the United Nations. Their solution was to partition Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab state. The area west of the Jordan River (the ''West Bank") and the Gaza Strip were allotted to the Arabs. Jerusalem was to be an "international" zone. After much soul searching, the Jews accepted the partition and, in April 1948, declared their independence in the area allotted to them by the partition. The Arabs rejected the partition out of hand. On the very day of Israel's birth, five Arab armies invaded the nascent Jewish State. In what must be considered an almost Biblical miracle, the rag-tag Jewish forces decisively defeated the combined Arab might. But Israel had suffered enormous casualties - 6,000 dead, about one percent of its population. Israel not an "occupier:" Israel stayed in control of most of the area east of the Jordan River, except for the Gaza Strip, which stayed under Egyptian control. The "West Bank" and the eastern part of Jerusalem stayed under the control of Trans-Jordan, which promptly renamed itself Jordan and proceeded to ruthlessly expel all Jews and to obliterate all vestiges of over 2,000 years of Jewish presence in that land.
>In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel recovered the "West Bank," the eastern part of Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, conquered Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, and conquered and annexed the Golan Heights. During the 19 years that Jordan and Egypt were in possession of the ''West Bank" and the Gaza Strip, it didn't occur to them or to anybody else that the Palestinians should have a state or even that they were a distinct nationality. That claim did not arise until after the Six-Day War.
Jews have been living in Judea/Samaria since Biblical times. The area was made judenrein (free of Jews), following the Nazi model, by Jordan, when it was in possession of the territory. After 1967, Jews moved back into the territory and a great hullabaloo was raised and is still being raised about the not more than 200,000 "settlers," who do not occupy more than 2 percent of the area. But there is no concern about the hundreds of thousands of Arabs, who, lured by the prosperity of Israel, have flooded into the area, nor of the more than one million Arabs who live in Israel proper and who enjoy full rights of citizenship.
>Israel acquired the territories (the "West Bank" and Gaza) in defense of an aggressive war waged against it. No country in history has ever been asked to return such territories. Do the Poles return the huge chunk of Germany that they acquired in the wake of World War II? Do the Czechs return the Sudetenland, do the French return Alsace-Lorraine? Of course not! Only Israel is being asked to return such territories. The last sovereign of the "West Bank" and of Gaza were the Ottomans. The "West Bank" and Gaza are unallocated territories. To speak of Israel as "occupier" is preposterous; to speak of it, as all of the Secretary Generals of the UN do, and now the President of the United States of America does, as "illegal occupiers," is poisonous slander. He knows better. But unfortunately, the Big Lie of Israel's "occupation" has been repeated so long and so often that even people of good faith have come to believe it and to accept it.

FLAMEFacts and Logic About the Middle East P.O. Box 590359. San Francisco, CA 94159

A Remark On Mr. Obama's Plans

2009-07-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

With Mr. Obama's "town hall meeting" on TV today, he removed any doubt I may have had about him being a "Marxist" style communist, in spite of his Muslim predisposition. I watched it as long as I could. But when he came to the point where he said that we could look at Canada or England we would see some short comings, but “we can do better than that.”

THAT is ALWAYS the mark of a true Marxist. They believe that the only reason all of these socialist/communist governments have NOT worked in the past, is because “they” were not in charge.

For the sake of your children and grand children in the America of tomorrow, you had better get in touch with your Congress Critter and put the fear of GOD in them about this "Health-care" take-over and the "Cap and Trade" mess. So far, he has not dug a hole too deep for us to get out of, but if these two bills succeed in becoming law, it's all over but the sad singing and slow walking.

Pray for the troops.
Ed

What The Early Church Fathers Believed About The Rapture

2009-04-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

As more people come out of the touchy-feely, God is love, easy believism theology and embrace the doctrines of the Reformation, many of these people fail to discard the errors that some of the Reformers were unable to discover in their limited lifetimes. They were too busy undoing all the damage done by the Popes to the scriptures, grace and God's glory to study prophecy. Mainly, the reformers could see Israel no where so that God could have a people to which He could deliver His promises in the Old Testament. They, wrongly, assumed that the church was a replacement for Israel. If one will look, Israel, never in its history, has ever possessed all of the land God had promised to Abraham. The Popes assumed that the church was replacing Israel and this unfulfilled promise would be fulfilled to the church. But the church and Israel are two separate entities.(Read Rom. chapter 11.)

Many of the Covenant Calvinists embrace the Roman Catholic ideology of amillennialism. Furthermore, many within this tradition, and even within the premillennial family, assert that the doctrine of a pre-trib rapture did not develop until the 1800s. Such statements are terribly inaccurate.

I agree with Dr. Richard Mayhue, and Dr. Wayne Brindle when they state: "The timing of the rapture is not a cardinal doctrine that should divide God's people, but those who interpret the Bible literally find many strong reasons to believe that the rapture will be pre-tribulational" (The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy, 289).

No matter whether one believes in a pre-trib rapture or not, there are historical statements that verify that people have indeed believed this teaching before the 1800s. It is clear that the early church immediately following the apostles held to a premillennial view of Christ's coming to earth. These theologians embraced two key truths concerning Christ's return to earth. The idea of an any moment return and a coming of Christ to rule as the political and spiritual king over the world were advocated by many of the earliest theologians. Here is a partial list of some of the theologians who embraced the doctrine of imminency and/or the future kingdom rule of Christ:

Papias (60-130)

Clement of Rome (90-100)

The Sherpherd of Hermas (96-150)

Ignatius of Antioch (98-117)

Barnabas (100)

The Didache (100-160)

Justin Martyr (110-165)

The Epistle of Barnabas (117-138)

Irenaeus (120-202)

Tertullian (145-220)

Hippolytus (185-236)
Cyprian (200-250)

Lactantius (260-330)

From these men we see the doctrine of Christ's soon return within a premillennial framework. The doctrine permeated the early church. And some of these men even had direct contact with the apostles and held to this belief. A little “individual research” rather than accept whole hog what one’s seminary professor teaches may be in order for most pastors today.

Two Pretribulational References in the Early Church
1. The Shepherd of Hermas (95-150)The Shepherd of Hermas was written between 96-150 AD. This document provides a statement that resembles a teaching of a pre-trib rapture doctrine. Though it is not exactly as found in modern day scholarly pretribulational writings, it still shows that an idea existed in some degree that God's people could escape the future tribulation that was to come on the whole earth. The text reads:
"You have escaped from the great tribulation on account of your faith, and because you did not doubt in the presence of such a beast. Go, therefore, and tell the elect of the Lord His mighty deeds, and say to them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming. If then ye prepare yourselves, and repent with all your heart, and turn to the Lord, it will be possible for you to escape it, if your heart be pure and spotless, and ye spend the rest of the days of your life serving the Lord blamelessly."
This is not a systematic teaching, nor does it answer all of the questions that one may have. But it does give a reference to the teaching that God's people can escape the great tribulation.”

2. Victorinus ( Well known by 270 and died in 303 A.D.)Victorinus wrote a commentary on the book of Revelation. In one place he made an interesting statement that reflects his idea that the church would be removed prior to the tribulation. Of course his ideas were not systematic, and some will argue that he contradicts himself in other places, which may very well be true. But even with such an admission it still serves us well to see that early in the church history someone taught in some sense that God's church could escape the tribulation period by being removed from the earth. His commentary notes in Revelation 6:14 indicate a pre-trib reference:
"And the heaven withdrew as a scroll that is rolled up. "For the heaven to be rolled away, that is, that the Church shall be taken away. "And every mountain and the islands removed from their places intimate that in the last persecution all men departed from their places; that is, that the good will be removed, seeking to avoid persecution.
This reference gives light into a developing idea in the earliest periods of the church. There was an idea that God's people could be spared the terrible time of wrath that God would pour out on the earth by removing the saints. The saint's departure from the earth would occur so they would not undergo the terible wrath at the beginning of the judgments of God upon the sinful unbelieving world.

Here Are Three Clear Summary Points from the Early Church Fathers' Teachings:
These early church fathers expected Christ to physically return to earth followed by a 1000 year kingdom rule on earth.
By many of the writings we can see they believed in the possibility of an any moment return of Christ with some statements that resemble a pre-trib view point.
Even though the early church was under heavy persecution these teachers believed there would still come a distinct time of great tribulation in the future.

Ephraem of Nisibis (306-373)Ephraem wrote an important sermon "On the Last Times, the Antichrist and the End of the World." As a prominent theologian and prolific writer of the Eastern Byzantine church, he advocated for a pretribulational rapture position for the church. Dr. Grant Jeffrey has noted that he had a profound love for the Scriptures. Below is a selected quote that concerns the escape of God's people from the horrible tribulation. He stated:
"We ought to understand thoroughly therefore, my brothers, what is imminent or overhanging. Already there have been hunger and plagues, violent movements of nations and signs, which have been predicted by the Lord, they have already been fulfilled, and there is not other which remains, except the advent of the wicked one in the completion of the Roman kingdom. Why therefore are we occupied with worldly business, and why is our mind held fixed on the lusts of the world or the anxieties of the ages? Why therefore do we not reject every care of earthly actions and prepare ourselves for the meeting of the Lord Christ, so that He may draw us from the confusion, which overwhelms the world? Believe you me, dearest brothers, because the coming of the Lord is nigh, believe you me, because the end of the world is at hand, believe me, because it is the very last time. Or do you not believe unless you see it with your eyes? See to it that this sentence be not fulfilled among you of the prophet who declares: "Woe to those who desire to see the Day of the Lord!" Because all saints and the Elect of the Lord are gathered together before the tribulation which is to about to come and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins. And so brothers, most dear to me, it is the eleventh hour, and the end of this world comes to the harvest, and angels, armed and prepared, hold sickles in their earth exists with blind infidelity, arriving at its downfall early. Commotions are brought forth, wars of diverse peoples and battles and invasions of the barbarians threaten, and our regions shall be desolated, and we neither become very much afraid of the report nor of the appearance, in order that we may at least do penance; because they hurl fear at us, and we do not wish to be changed although we at least stand in need of penance for our actions!”
Notice that there is a clear teaching on the rapture of the saints before the terrible tribulation period. This theologian admonishes the people not to desire to see the Day of the Lord? Why? Because in his mind to see the day of the Lord means a person is not a believer. The believers will be snatched away and taken to the Lord before this time period begins. Look closely at what he says again:
"See to it that this sentence be not fulfilled among you of the prophet who declares: "Woe to those who desire to see the Day of the Lord!" Because all saints and the Elect of the Lord are gathered together before the tribulation which is to about to come and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins."

Scholars Dr. Ice and James Stitzinger provide some other insights as to what this theologian taught concerning the end times. They note that Ephreum "develops an elaborate biblical eschatology, including a distinction between the rapture and the second coming of Christ. It describes the imminent rapture, followed by a three-and-half-year-long Great Tribulation under the rule of Antichrist, followed by the coming of Christ, the defeat of the Antichrist, and the eternal state. His view includes a parenthesis between the fulfillment of Daniel's sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks (Daniel 9:24-27)."

Keep in mind that this reference is 1500 years before the time that many critics of the pre-trib view claim this doctrine developed. Many falsely advocate that the idea of a pre-trib rapture view developed in 1800s through J.N. Darby or through some sects and mystics. Such a view does not hold water, though it is popular in many circles.

Ed Anthony

What the Protestants & Puritans Believed About The Rapture

2009-04-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Here Is A List Of Teachers and Theologians AFTER the Protestant Reformation
Who Believed In A Pre-tribulation Rapture

At the time of the Protestant Reformation a major shift in how one interpreted the Bible caused the church to adjust in her views on the end times. Predominately under the Roman Catholic Church the Bible was interpreted allegorically. Scripture dealing with end times, prophetic texts, for the most part suffered from the hands of those who would not take the text literally. However, as the Reformation grew and as people began to return to a literal interpretation of the Bible the more people shifted to see that Christ was going to come back to earth to rule and reign. Many of the Puritans and Pilgrims, the 2nd generation of the Reformation movement, adopted the idea that not only was Christ going to reign on the earth but he would also translate his church saints before the awful time of his outpouring of wrath. Several of these scholars in some form or another held to a pre-tribulational rapture position.
1. Joseph Mede (1627): Clavis Apocalyptica
Some believe that he in this work made a distinction between the rapture of the saints in contrast to the second of Christ to earth.

2. Increase Mather (1639-1723)Increase Mather was a pastor, scholar, and was the first President of Harvard College. Paul Boyer has noted that this Puritan scholar proved "that the saints would be caught up into the air beforehand, thereby escaping the final conflagration." This teaching from Mather was an early formulation of the rapture doctrine it seems.

3. Peter Jurieu (1687)Peter Jurie in his book "Approaching Deliverance of the Church " (1687) taught that Christ would come in the air to rapture the saints and return to heaven before the battle of Armageddon. He spoke of this secret Rapture prior to His coming in glory and judgment at Armageddon.

4. John Gill (1748)Dr. John Gill was one of the most brilliant scholars of his day. This Calvinist Baptist theologian wrote a full commentary set on the Bible in 1748. In this commentary he made a statement in his notes on 1 Thessalonians 4 that supported a time difference between the rapture of the saints and the coming of Christ to earth. He said:
“....here Christ will stop and will be visible to all, and as easily discerned by all, good and bad, as the body of the sun at noon-day; as yet He will not descend on earth, because it is not fit to receive Him; but when that and its works are burnt up, and it is purged and purified by fire, and become a new earth, He'll descend upon it, and dwell with his saints in it: and this suggests another reason why He'll stay in the air, and His saints shall meet Him there, and whom He'll take up with Him into the third heaven, till the general conflagration and burning of the world is over, and to preserve them from it.…”

5.Morgan Edwards (1742-1744) the Founder of Brown UniversityEdwards was a prominent Baptist Leader in his day. When he came to America he was recommended to a pastoral role by the famous John Gill. He founded the first Baptist College in the colonies. This college later became known as Brown University, a well known Ivy League University of our times. Edwards taught that Christ would return for his church saints 3.5 years before he returned to establish the Kingdom of Christ on earth, the 1000 year reign of Christ.
He specifically said:
"The distance between the first and second resurrection will be somewhat more than a thousand years. I say, somewhat more--, because the dead saints will be raised, and the living changed at Christ's 'appearing in the air' (1 Thess. 4:17); and this will be about three years and a half before the millennium, as we shall see hereafter: but will he and they abide in the air all that time? No: they will ascend to paradise, or to some one of those many 'mansions in the Father's house' (John 14:2)."
This is proof that the Pre-Tribulation was not a "late teaching" and this is about as serious students of scripture to be found anywhere.
Ed Anthony

Lies, Freedom and Gun laws

2009-04-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well, they are at it again! I believe that this time they are going for the take down. With what I’m seeing, I believe that the Marxist/Socialist Obama administration is going for the “Full Monty” to take down the US Constitution and take away America as we have known it. Those of you who say I am overstating the case may as well move on down the road to the jingle of the “bell-cow” you follow. You are not going to like hearing these truths.

First, the main stream media (MSM) is having a field day deriding and ridiculing the “patriot tea parties” all across our nation. These useful idiots can not grasp why anyone would not want everyone in lockstep with big government and would dare to speak against the party line. There goes our 1st. amendment.

Second, anyone who holds certain politically incorrect views like “Constitutional government - Right to life - One man One woman is a marriage - Right to keep and bear arms and what I work for belongs to me” are now being put on government list and categorized as “a threat to America” by Homeland security. The most demeaning part of this report paints the brave men and women who put their life and limbs on the line to protect these ingrates’ rights to be stupid, are the most disparaged and put down. This, by the way, is a flanking movement against both our first and especially our 2nd. amendment rights. They are listed as kooks, psychotic or deranged, therefore they can’t own firearms.

Third, the American public is being lied to at every level and about every subject brought before this administration. This is NOT the first time America has had to endure this from it’s elected leadership. My fear here is, I believe this administration has a far darker agenda than we have ever faced before. Lying is not the issue, the un-American, un-Godly agenda they are attempting to hide behind those lies is the real danger to us and our freedoms.

Last, but certainly not least, The spear point of their attack is NOT taxing, redistribution of wealth, health care or even kissing Iran’s butt until they faint in submission. The most power is being brought against our 2nd. amendment right to keep and bear arms. Now, anyone with the IQ of a doorknob and has attended at least one remedial reading class in elementary school can see that is two items in this 2nd. amendment right. #1 = “to keep” (that would be “keep or secure” in your home, your work place and even in your buggy-wagon-car-motorcycle or truck) #2 = “to bear” (means to wear, to carry) Throw aside all of the politically correct BS, lawyer double-speak, judge-stuttering and look it up in a dictionary - old or new it says the same thing. Any law that restricts the clear reading given here is a violation of Constitutional rights. Should there be some limits? We can discuss that at another time. But not if we are being lied to.

This brings me to the conclusion. It’s not bad enough that our President, in less than 100 days, has traveled all over the globe apologizing, bowing and scraping before Islamic kings, and playing “lets-make-nice-kissy-face” with the lunatic, rogue despots of the world, but even to our friends he lies and pledges to do things for them that we have no control over. That’s FALSE hope for them and chains for us. Case in point: “President Obama stood before the Mexican President, world press and public to declare that 90% of all guns recovered by Mexican authorities at crime scenes, could be traced to the USA.” Now, all of the anti-Constitution, Marxist/Socialist, America-haters, the bell-cows and sheeple will accept that as fact, agree with tighter gun laws and move on to the slaughter. As of this writing FOXNEWS seems to be calling Mr. Obama on this one. The truth is, “ONLY 17% of all guns recovered at crime scenes” can be traced ANYWHERE! 90% of those can be traced to America. All this proves is that we already have the best, most efficient (almost too efficient) system of gun record keeping in the world. The other 83% of recovered guns in Mexico crime scenes come from God-only-knows where. In this case as in almost all others, America is NOT the problem; America is the solution.

I have listed a few sites where you can find truthful information that will put things in perspective and help make rational decisions about what is real. Two quick points; #1. If you are focused on children’s gun-deaths - GOOD!. Consider that abortions still kill almost a million children a year. (Bigger problem that guns.) #2, To the pacifist out there, if you won’t stand up to despots, rogues and usurpers of authority, if you have nothing so dear, nothing so precious to you that you will fight against liars, thieves and enslavers to defend, I’m so sorry for you. Please do not hinder those of us who are willing to defend your right to be slothful in these things. In fact I would tell you:
"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."

Resource sites:Alcohol linked to 75000 U.S. deaths a year - Addictions- msnbc.com
Alcohol abuse kills some 75000 Americans each year and shortens the lives ... the rate of alcohol-related driving fatalities to 4 deaths per 100000 people ...
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6089353/ -

College Student Alcohol-Related Deaths: 36 or 1400 Per Year?
An estimated 36 college students die in alcohol-related incidents each year, much lower than the 1400 estimated by Ralph Hingson in 2002 and now raised to ...
www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/YouthIssues/1140106101.html -

ACS :: Cigarette Smoking
Each year, a staggering 440000 people die in the US from tobacco use. Nearly 1 of every 5 deaths is related to smoking. Cigarettes kill more Americans than ...
www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2X_Cigarette_Smoking_and_Cancer.asp - 35k -

Annual Causes of Death in the United States | Drug War Facts
(2000): "The leading causes of death in 2000 were tobacco (435000 deaths; .... die each year because of adverse reactions to their prescribed medications. ...
Marijuana - Prisons & Jails - Cocaine & Crack - Race and Prison www.drugwarfacts.org/causes.htm

Gun-related deaths in the USA
Statistics and causes
The definitive source for US injury death statistics is the Centers For Disease Control National Center for Injury Prevention & Control website which provides statistics on all deaths by injury, not just gun deaths. To get the number of gun deaths for a year just set the Cause of Injury to Firearm. If you only want to know the number of child gun deaths per year then choose the custom age range and input 0 years ( <1 ) as the lowest age and 17 years as the top age. Be sure to select "No Age-Adjusting Requested" if you are only interested in a particular age group.
Note that the CDC child gun death figures are typically half of the figures that the gun control lobby publishes. The difference is in the definition of a child. The gun control lobby counts young adults that are 18 or 19 years old as children, but they do not count 20 year olds as children. You can choose from one of two possible reasons, depending on your level of cynicism: 1. The standard CDC age groups used to go from 0-19, 20-39, etc and the gun control lobby couldn't figure out how to select a custom age group. 2. Counting 18 and 19 year olds as children doubles the number of so-called child gun deaths, and more child gun deaths means more support for gun control.
In 1999 there were 1776 gun deaths in the 0 through 17 age group and 3385 gun deaths in the 0 through 19 age group. By subtraction we find that there were a whopping 1609 gun deaths in just the 18 through 19 age group. Historically the 18 through 24 age group is the highest crime-committing group. At age 18 part-time drug dealers leave school and become full-time drug dealers. Despite the misinformation, criminals in general and drug dealers in particular are the group of so-called children most likely to be shot by their fellow criminals. You can verify this by reading the local gun death news stories in any city newspaper. School shootings are so rare that every one gets national television coverage, but drug dealers are shot so often that they are barely mentioned in their local newspaper.
Older people's gun deaths are most likely to be suicides. Suicides typically make up 56.5% of all gun deaths according to the Bureau Of Justice Statistics. In fact, drugs and suicides account for more than 2 out of every 3 gun deaths in the USA.
The best way to prevent gun deaths is to treat depression and other mental illness, teach children not to sell or use illegal drugs, treat drug addiction, and have police concentrate on enforcing drug laws. However, the gun control lobby says that we should spend billions of dollars on gun registration and gun licensing instead of using the money to treat depression and combat drugs. The accidental gun death rate has been falling since 1930 and US accidental gun deaths per year were down to 824 by 1999 according to the CDC.
Cut and paste the web sites, read for your self. If we lose the battle over the 2nd. amendment, everything else becomes a moot point! We lose it all when the 2nd. amendment goes down the drain!
Ed

He was ahead of his time.
We are at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long climb from the swamp to the stars, and it has been said if we lose that war, and in so doing lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening.
--Ronald Reagan, 1964

NO HE CAN'T

2009-04-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

This is another re-print. This one is from Dr. Anne Wortham. She is a very serious thinker and writer who I think you will enjoy! She is awesome and honest.

Ed
Anne Wortham is Associate Professor of Sociology at Illinois State University and continuing Visiting Scholar at Stanford University 's Hoover Institution. She is a member of the American Sociological Association and the American Philosophical Association. She has been a John M. Olin Foundation Faculty Fellow, and honored as a Distinguished Alumni of the Year by the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. In fall 1988 she was one of a select group of intellectuals who were featured in Bill Moyer's television series, "A World of Ideas." The transcript of her conversation with Moyers has been published in his book, A World of Ideas. Dr. Wortham is author of The Other Side of Racism: A Philosophical Study of Black Race Consciousness which analyzes how race consciousness is transformed into political strategies and policy issues. She has published numerous articles on the implications of individual rights for civil rights policy, and is currently writing a book on theories of social and cultural marginality. Recently, she has published articles on the significance of multiculturalism and Afrocentricism in education, the politics of victimization and the social and political impact of political correctness. Shortly after an interview in 2004 she was awarded tenure.

by Anne Wortham
Fellow Americans,
Please know: I am black; I grew up in the segregated South. I did not vote for Barack Obama; I wrote in Ron Paul's name as my choice for president. Most importantly, I am not race conscious. I do not require a black president to know that I am a person of worth, and that life is worth living. I do not require a black president to love the ideal of America.

I cannot join you in your celebration. I feel no elation. There is no smile on my face. I am not jumping with joy. There are no tears of triumph in my eyes. For such emotions and behavior to come from me, I would have to deny all that I know about the requirements of human flourishing and survival - all that I know about the history of the United States of America , all that I know about American race relations, and all that I know about Barack Obama as a politician. I would have to deny the nature of the "change" that Obama asserts has come to America.

Most importantly, I would have to abnegate my certain understanding that you have chosen to sprint down the road to serfdom that we have been on for over a century. I would have to pretend that individual liberty has no value for the success of a human life. I would have to evade your rejection of the slender reed of capitalism on which your success and mine depend. I would have to think it somehow rational that 94 percent of the 12 million blacks in this country voted for a man because he looks like them (that blacks are permitted to play the race card), and that they were joined by self-declared "progressive" whites who voted for him because he doesn't look like them. I would have to wipe my mind clean of all that I know about the kind of people who have advised and taught Barack Obama and will fill posts in his administration - political intellectuals like my former colleagues at the Harvard University 's Kennedy School of Government.I would have to believe that "fairness" is the equivalent of justice. I would have to believe that man who asks me to "go forward in a new spirit of service, in a new service of sacrifice" is speaking in my interest. I would have to accept the premise of a man that economic prosperity comes from the "bottom up," and who arrogantly believes that he can will it into existence by the use of government force. I would have to admire a man who thinks the standard of living of the masses can be improved by destroying the most productive and the generators of wealth.

Finally, Americans, I would have to erase from my consciousness the scene of 125,000 screaming, crying, cheering people in Grant Park, Chicago irrationally chanting "Yes We Can!" Finally, I would have to wipe all memory of all the times I have heard politicians, pundits, journalists, editorialists, bloggers and intellectuals declare that capitalism is dead - and no one, including especially Alan Greenspan, objected to their assumption that the particular version of the anti-capitalistic mentality that they want to replace with their own version of anti-capitalism is anything remotely equivalent to capitalism.

So you have made history, Americans. You and your children have elected a black man to the office of the president of the United States , the wounded giant of the world. The battle between John Wayne and Jane Fonda is over - and that Fonda won. Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern must be very happy men. Jimmie Carter, too. And the Kennedys have at last gotten their Kennedy look-a-like. The self-righteous welfare statists in the suburbs can feel warm moments of satisfaction for having elected a black person. So, toast yourselves: 60s countercultural radicals, 80s yuppies and 90s bourgeois bohemians. Toast yourselves, Black America. Shout your glee Harvard, Princeton , Yale, Duke, Stanford, and Berkeley. You have elected not an individual who is qualified to be president, but a black man who, like the pragmatist Franklin Roosevelt, promises to - Do Something! You now have someone who has picked up the baton of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. But you have also foolishly traded your freedom and mine - what little there is left - for the chance to feel good.

There is nothing in me that can share your happy obliviousness.

"When a man who is honestly mistaken is confronted with the truth;

he ceases to be mistaken or he ceases to be honest!".....Ed Anthony

The Land Of Golden Opportunity

2009-03-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

NOTE: I wrote this about 1982 or '83, not long after I started as a "Lay Evangelist" and church planter in the SBC. Working in an area where there was not a lot of wealth or white folks, I found out what many in the church believe about the gospel. That experience produced this tract.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful land called the Land of Golden opportunity. There was much wealth in this land and the people were very kind and good to each other. Their hearts were warm and they wanted to be good neighbors. They were a strong and healthy people and being very industrious they worked hard.

Now the King of this land of Golden Opportunity wanted his subjects to do many and marvelous things; So in order to promote all of these activities, He made a decree that 10% of the citizen's income would be owed to the King. Now because the people loved their king and believed in Him, many gave more than 10%. Some even gave special gifts.

One day news reports carried the 'announcements that a terrible tragedy was taking place in other lands. An epidemic of the dreaded disease of “NO HOPE” was running rampant in all the world and many people were sick and dying. It seemed that young and old, rich and poor were being stricken with the terrible disease. And then the call came. Could the people of the land of golden opportunity help?

Now the King, Who was also the Great Physician, reminded His subjects that they were forever free from this terrible disease called “NO HOPE” because He had given THEM the remedy. The remedy was so powerful that just one injection was needed and it insured that never again would that person suffer from “NO HOPE.” But best of all, it was FREE and there was an abundance for everyone. Then the King announced that He was going on a journey, but that He would be back soon. Before He left, He opened the treasury where the remedy for “NO HOPE” was kept. He also announced that he would give them the keys so that they could help their neighbors and save them from dying with “NO HOPE.” The King gave them a “GO TELL” commission to go and heal all people of “NO HOPE.” The people were overjoyed that they would be able to help their neighbors. So immediately they set to work.

They decided the first thing to do was organize. With proper organization, and administration, one could be assured of success in any endeavor. So they appointed committees to organize the people. Of course, there were a lot of committees. After all, there had to be one to organize the men, one to organize the women, and one to organize the young people. As they continued it was obvious that other committees were needed. One to deal with transportation was vital. And of course there needed to be a committee responsible for seeing that fun and music were included in the program, how else would they be able to hold the interest of the people? On and on things went, until it became apparent that the people needed someone with a lot of training, possibly an executive type, to run such a huge organization. And they realized that they would have to pay him a large salary. Of course he would need a big office. So they built large buildings and filled them with plush carpet and large velvet chairs. After all, they asked themselves, wasn't it all for a very good cause?

The next project of the people of the land of golden opportunity was to construct buildings where many thousands could gather and get the very best, most up to date “CARE” for "NO HOPE." They would be told all about the disease “NO HOPE” -- How they got the disease -- How they could make themselves more comfortable with the disease -- How they could find ways to make the disease less noticeable and so on. We will use a “COME SEE” plan.

Then one day along came someone and tried to point out that millions were sick and dying and that all they needed was one injection and that it was free! But the planners just thought he was trying to block their progress and get some attention and money for his own program.

There continued to be news reports that many people were dying all around the land of Golden Opportunity. The reports made it clear that it was impossible to tell how many of those alive today would be alive tomorrow. Time was running out, the remedy had to be delivered soon. As powerful as the remedy was, it would not bring back to life those who died with “NO HOPE.”

But the people of the land of Golden Opportunity would not hear the reports! They were too busy, too involved with their own wonderful organization. They would meet every year and tell the world, look at us, look what we have done. Look at our Multimillion dollar program for our neighbors and just as soon as we get more money, we will make it even larger. They applauded their own achievements.

And besides, there are still a few people out there who are actually distributing the remedy using that old fashioned “GO TELL” stuff.
*************************************************************************************

One day the King will return just like he said he would. Can you hear His questions and their answers?
"Why are the people of the world still dying of "No Hope"?"
Then they will say:
“Look at all of our fine buildings, plush offices and velvet chairs we have built in your name, Lord.”
“Look at all of our committees and boards organized - spliting hairs and churning out tons of programs and paper work to impress people in your name Lord”
“Look at all of our fine executive types who have been educated, schooled, pampered and polished in your name Lord.”
“Look at the great salaries, pension plans, and travel allowances we have given them as they go about in their silver slippers to tell other executive types how to promote more of these plans, programs and allowances in your name LORD.”

And then He said, that He would say this…………
“Lord, Lord, have we not ………….in your name …” (vs. 22)
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore, whosoever hearth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7: 22-24 KJV)
**********************************************************
Ed

Our silly gods and American idols (Repost)

2009-03-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

There are times when articles cross my desktop that make me think, "I wish I had said that and said it just that way!" This is one of those times.
In my humble opinion Bill Maher, like many in Hollywood, does ALL of his thinking between his nose and his chin!

Our silly gods and American idols
By Rod Dreher
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com Not that he cares, but the Almighty surely deserves our thanks for arranging to deny celebrity atheist Bill Maher, the Iron Man Nightlife Decathlete, an Academy Award nomination for his anti-religion documentary. But Maher got his licks in anyway, saying on last week's Oscar telecast: "I know, it's a touchy subject. But someday, we all have to confront the notion that our silly gods cost the world too greatly."
Too right! Our silly gods have plainly taken a lot out of humanity's hide, as a quick tour of the popular pantheon will attest.
The god of money has been a particularly effective smiter of our hopes and dreams. His cultic devotees performed their rituals in the towering cathedrals of Wall Street, his evangelists carried the Go$pel to the masses through the media, and his Prophet, Alan Greenspan, commanded the devotion of the princes in the capital city and beyond. We believed the Oracle of the Federal Reserve had unlocked the secret of permanent prosperity by sacralizing the market, a mystery religion whose miracles were not to be questioned by mere mortals.
When the Prophet finally admitted last October that he had found "a flaw in the model" - that markets are made up of humans, who suffer from a flawed nature — the time to save ourselves from the consequences of idol worship had long passed. Greenspan the Once-Great: Look on his works, ye Mighty, and despair.
The god of hedonism, in whose service the priapic Maher qualifies as a snake-handling holy roller, has exacted a painful tribute as well. How has hedonism's first commandment — "If it feels good, do it" — worked out for us?
Marriage and the traditional family are disintegrating, for one. According to a 2007 study by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, four in 10 babies born in America today are to single mothers. Younger adults cohabitate and have children outside of wedlock, says Pew, "at rates unprecedented in U.S. history." Social historian Barbara Dafoe Whitehead has lamented that at the current rate, fewer than half of America's children born today will spend their entire childhood in an intact two-parent home.
The deleterious effects on children from weak, broken or unformed families have been copiously documented. One can't look forward to enduring an economic depression with so much social capital depleted.
Habits of thrift and prudent self-denial, dull though they may be, built this nation's middle-class wealth. But over the past 40 years or so, we dropped that boring old virtue. Why deny yourself anything? A big house, a great vacation, a new car — such were the ephemeral blessings bestowed upon communicants of the Church of Consumerism. This is how America went from a nation of savers to a country crippled by debt. Hedonism is a demanding and jealous god.
And let's not forget the god of progress, whose cult is indigenous to our shining city on the hill. America was born out of the Enlightenment, which took as an article of its secular faith the idea that humankind was moving irreversibly toward a brighter future, under the guidance of reason. Modernity's notions of progress required weakening or outright decoupling society from the bonds of religion and tradition. To the progressive — and in the historical sense, almost all Americans are progressive — the past has no binding claims on the present.
But what happens to the progressive society when a storm blows up and strains at its foundations? That society may find that it's "like a fool who built his house on sand."
One of the "silly gods" denounced by Maher said that, and his words were recorded in a silly book upon which Western civilization was built. That book has a lot to say about the god of money, none of it good. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? And: You cannot serve both G-d and Money.
Nor will you find in the Bible's pages a brief for the god of hedonism. "I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure," mourned the writer of Ecclesiastes, "and behold all was vanity and striving after wind." In the Christian bible, St. James warns rather more darkly, "You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter."
So, yes, let's confront our silly gods, the golden calves whose worship has brought us to this day of reckoning. It was the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Sound advice. We should try that sometime.

“CONQUERING THE CONTINUING CRISES”

2009-03-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a seldom considered truth. Human life is a constant confrontation—and (hopefully) resolution—of crises. If a person does not maintain a conquest of these crises, he will die. Every human being faced a major crisis at birth (and this is more true today than ever!), and this crisis is only the first among many. In his book, Where Is God When It Hurts?, author Philip Yancey has a long paragraph that is worth examining many times. “Imagine what it would be like if you had had full consciousness as a fetus at the time of birth and could now remember all the sensations:

"Your world is dark, safe, and secure. You are bathed in warm liquid, cushioned from shock. You do nothing for yourself; you are fed automatically, and a murmuring heartbeat assures you that someone larger than you fills all your needs. Your life consists of simple waiting—you’re not sure what to wait for, but any change seems far away and scary. You meet no sharp objects, no pain, no threatening adventures. A fine existence. One day you feel a tug. The walls are falling in on you. Those soft cushions are now pulsing and beating against you, crushing you downwards. Your body is bent double, your limbs twisted and wrenched. You’re falling, upside down. For the first time in your life, you feel pain. You’re in a sea of rolling matter. There is more pressure, almost too intense to bear. Your head is squeezed flat, and you are pushed harder, harder into a dark tunnel. Oh, the pain. Noise. More pressure. You hurt all over. You hear a groaning sound and an awful, sudden fear rushes in on you. It is happening—your world is collapsing. You’re sure it’s the end. You see a piercing, blinding light. Cold, rough hands pull at you. A painful slap. Waaaahhhhh! Congratulations, you have just been born.” Fortunately, you have no memory of that trip down the birth canal.

Now, think of a parallel crucial reality in the Christian life, the moment of your New Birth. In a study of the New Birth, I have elsewhere explored the “painful” nature of the experience, both on God’s side (Calvary) and ours (conviction). The New Birth is a crisis experience, and it is only one of many in the Christian life. One crisis after another faces the newborn person, and many of the crises will typically last a lifetime. The human being is like a person with an upper respiratory ailment, who must always carry his oxygen tank with him, or die. The human being has this advantage: the world is a vast oxygen tank; but let him stop inhaling its vital ingredients and he will die. The human being is like a man walking across a minefield; he must negotiate the situation very carefully, or he will never walk that way again.

I want to mention some of the evident crises, suggesting that only disciple-making will enable the believer to fully face and resolve these crises in his life. Many believers carry the ravages of one or more of these crises, unresolved, into church every Sunday (and more) and do not (probably cannot) resolve them there. The very mechanics of church services preclude the likelihood of resolution in church. Like Adam hidden among the trees of the Garden, church members are hidden in the crowd in church pews. There is no “personal therapy” to address the crises they face continually in their daily lives. Let me attempt to identify some eight of these continuing crises. Please note that this list is only suggestive, not exhaustive.

First, there is the information crisis. The new believer does not know anything yet as he ought to know. In fact, he doesn’t even know his ignorance. He must learn many things to even be able to know how much he doesn’t know! Just yesterday, I read this sentence: “Theological minimalism (translate, ignorance of the Bible) is not permissible in the Biblical portrait of a disciple of Jesus Christ.” Every Christian should accept I Peter 3:15 as a major goal of his life: “Give the Lord God His proper place in your heart, and always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have in Christ.” Note the words, “prepared”, “answer” and “reason.” A Christian is “a-person-in-preparation” on a continual basis. The word translated “answer” is the Greek word “apologia,” from which we derive our word “apologetics,” the science of intelligent defense of the Christian message. And “reason” involves intelligent thought. So the information crisis must be resolved by each Christian.

Then, there is the identity crisis. Just as a newborn human infant doesn’t even know what a “human” is, or that he is one, so the newborn believer doesn’t know who or what he is. He has just been born; he has had no opportunity to study “spiritual embryology” and learn the truth about himself or his new life. In a day of wide-spread “identity theft,” the Christian must remember that he has a crafty Enemy who has logged a long history of identity theft—and he would love to victimize you today. Do you know the truth about who you are in Christ?

Then, there is the inventory crisis. Though he became an instant “spiritual millionaire” the moment he was saved, he doesn’t have the slightest idea of that truth or of what it means. He is like a baby into whose bank account an inheritance of $100 million was deposited at birth, but he knows nothing about money, value, wealth, stewardship, expenditure, etc. Do you see how important disciple-making is in “walking him through” these things (and many, many more) item by item? Christian, do you know how much you are personally worth to Christ, and what vast resources you have to function and to serve on His terms as a Christian?

Then, there is the immaturity crisis. Babies are not born mature, and the mere fact of birth does not guarantee maturity. This is especially true spiritually. In fact, without good “parental care,” the newborn will likely never adequately mature. The New Testament has much to say about this crisis and its cure, but it cannot be simply taken for granted. The Christian community needs an army of “spiritual pediatricians” who can assist babies in matters of hygiene and growth. Again, disciple-making builds these skills into the disciple.

Then, there is an idealism crisis. To see this crisis, all you must do is observe or interview Christians with regard to moral and ethical issues in today’s culture. The veteran Christian is often completely shocked to see that there is little ideological difference morally and ethically between a Christian and a non-Christian. The Christian has often absorbed his moral views from his culture instead of forming them from Scripture. Furthermore, many of these ethical infants are in church on a regular basis, but somehow, the morality of the Master never reaches their conduct and practice. In fact, the standards of Jesus and the Bible get absorbed in social and selfish interests, and the Christian becomes a kind of moral chameleon. This would be dealt with face to face and item by item and as often as necessary in disciple-making.

Then, there is an interpersonal crisis. A baby must be taught social skills regularly in his growing years if he is to emerge as a relational human being. If he is allowed to drift, his relationships with others will be influenced, damaged and then controlled by his own selfishness. He may try to monopolize and manipulate people subtly (or aggressively) for his own advantage. This is often a major crisis in a believer’s life, and may never be resolved. He has “spiritual surges” in special church meetings and on other occasions when he becomes convicted and tries to correct this problem, but he often slowly drifts back into inadequate relationship patterns. Again, disciple-making addresses this problem and offers and applies the Biblical answer as necessary.

Then, there is an insight crisis. Or it might be called the illumination crisis. According to the Bible, no person (including a saved person) can truly understand revealed truth without a miracle of the Holy Spirit. An unsaved person receives his first miracle in this area the moment he is saved. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see.” When he is born again, it is as if God issues him a new set of eyes. In the hush of his heart, he might say, “Where in the world have I been? I see!” But just as a newborn baby’s eyes must grow and develop and be trained for proper use (and as he grows, discrimination must be taught in what he is to look at), so it is with a newborn Christian. Again, the New Testament has a great deal to say about the resolution of this crisis, and every Christian should master the related Scriptures and be able to use them to help other believers. This is reasonably guaranteed in disciple-making.

Then, there is an implementation crisis. Or it might be called the incarnation crisis. The issue is, How does a believer incarnate or implement all the demands, dimensions, delights, etc., of the Christian life? One Christian said with a groan, “It’s easy to ‘love your enemies’—until you get one!” Most Christians never realize how impossible it is for the flesh, the performance of the self-life, to “live the Christian life.” “The Christian life isn’t merely difficult—it’s impossible!” one struggling believer exclaimed. The reason many Christians never realize this crisis is that they “tame down” the Christian life to casual dimensions, totally removing the miracle element. Their entire Christian life is a casual, tame go-to-church-and-see-my-friends, enduring all the pontifications and hoping I can get an occasional blessing from one. Frankly, any resemblance between the Christian life as it is revealed in the New Testament and the daily life of the typical Sunday morning church-goer is purely coincidental. Alexander Whyte, the great Scottish pastor, said, “The true Christian life requires moment-by-moment miracles.” I agree. Thus, if you are not living a life that requires moment-by-moment miracles, you are not living the Christian life of the New Testament. A “pew potato” Christian will never know the need for such miracles, but a Spirit-walking disciple/disciple-maker lives with this necessity every day. Furthermore, the powerful Presence of Jesus Christ is specifically promised to the person who lives to fulfill the Great Commission (in which the only command is to “turn people into disciples”).

No wonder Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him (adjust to Him in faith and make Him known), and He will direct your path.”

Note the three mandates we are to fulfill, (Trust - Depend on the Lord - & give all recognition & thanks to the LORD! Then, enjoy the promise of His guidance. These are good “first steps” in facing the crises that every Christian encounters.

WHEN IS A SIGN NOT A SIGN?

2008-10-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

"If your child enters a classroom at any public school wearing a "T" shirt that says, "Jesus Saves" and shows a picture of what people accept as a likeness of the Lord Jesus, or the cross, "What would happen to your child?" The child is sent home to change, or worse, suspended, because the courts have ruled that this is a form of “intimidation” of other folks who are “non-believers”.
If that is true…………….and it is, then….

When is a sign NOT a sign?
by Pastor Ed Anthony BTh. (Retired)

I took the Obamasia’s advice and voted early. (That is what Minister Farrakhan called him) Saturday morning past, my wife and I went and filled out our paper ballots and had them counted by the machine. I like the system we have for voting in Escambia County. I even commented to the pole workers that I wish the rest of the state could get their act together as well as Escambia County. The machine keeps a count and then there is a paper trail if a recount is needed. I also like the people conducting the poling. The pole workers were ready to help folks understand what they needed to do, they were knowledgeable, courteous, polite and it was a very smooth operation. A salute and commendation to Mr. Stafford and staff for a job well done. Thank You!

Upon entering the courthouse, clearly marked by signs and arrows, we encountered a very pleasant lady giving directions and answering questions for people entering the building. (Not all were there to vote) She told my wife and I what cards and form of I.D. we would need once we were up stairs.

Once out of the elevator, we encountered the only “fly-in-the-ointment” of the entire process. As we turned the corner to go down the hall we encountered several adults and several older teenagers standing in the hall. It was impossible to NOT notice the yard-size signs emblazoned on their “T” shirts advocating “Obama/Biden ’08”, complete with facial pictures of the two candidates. As my wife and others approached the people wearing the “T” shirt-Signs, they would step back, form a gauntlet and everyone would have to pass between the “yard-signs” worn as “T” shirts. To some more gentle folks, this could be very intimidating. (This is the reason for the below listed Florida Statute.) It insures that our “secret ballot” process is free from fear of reprisal and revenge for not voting in compliance with one party or another. Let some brave soul go into that same hallway and try to put up a “Vote McCain/Palin sign and let me know how that turns out for you. This is what all the wars were fought for and why every veteran put his life on the line; so we could ALL vote our conscience, without fear. My wife and I have traveled across much of the former Soviet Union, and across much of Central America, both under communist rule and post communist rule and as practicing Christians we don’t let this conduct bother us. But this is America, a free nation, a nation of laws and this type of activity is NOT, and should NOT be tolerated. There were several people out on the sidewalk, over 100 feet away, conducting their free-speech rights in accordance with the law. So It can be done. I am sure this was a violation of the Florida Statute shown, word for word, below.

The reason I was able to hold my peace till I could write this letter is because I am NOT surprised by this behavior by the supporters of Obamasia. His entire campaign has been shrouded in a fog of smoke and mirrors. It has been one half truth (All lie) after another; deflection of questions with an attitude of “Don’t worry about it, trust me, I got the “change we need” in the bag,” answers. This is the same attitude, talk and tactics used at poling places across many of the former Soviet and South American nations. Their voting is “supervised.” The US Constitution says our voting will NOT be supervised, but guarded.. It is plain that these people’s “T” shirt activity violates the spirit of the law, if not in fact the letter of the law. Will some law enforcement agency step forward and protect EVERYONE’S civil rights,...equally?

Now, because of Marxist attitudes seen in the Obamasia, and hearing him expound his Marxist philosophy, some “blunt” questions were put to “Babbling Joe Biden,“ by a TV station in Orlando. The TV station is now officially being black-listed. When asked a question about being a Marxist, Joe answered the way a Marxist would answer, now the Obamasia’s campaign is responding just like a Marxist camp would respond. They will attempt to shut off, and intimidate. Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Acorn, refusing to produce a valid Birth Certificate, et al, have been the major influences and factors in this man’s political education and understanding all of his life. This is WHY the campaign is run the way it is run. His whole understanding and world view is though the rose colored eyeglasses of Marxism. Starting with his mother the “political platform is Marxism - the practical plan is re-education and brainwashing - the activities are organize for revolt and rebellion - the goal is the overthrowing of the US Constitution and subversion of freedom and liberty to bring ALL people under one system of CONTROL. Socialist are nothing more than Communists with bow-ties, trying to placate the Bear, in hopes that he eats them last. Remember, “All that is needed for evil to win, is for good men to do nothing!”

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 KJV

I knew that to bring this to the attention of Mr. Stafford would only have placed him in the position of having to incur the wrath of the local NAACP over some trumped up foolishness about people’s first Amendment rights to free speech. I simple asked for a copy of the Florida Law copied below, to which he immediately gave me the copy requested. (I do not know if he was even aware of what was taking place in the hall outside his office. Everyone was very busy inside, so I do NOT fault him or his staff)

"NO SOLICITATION" RULE
Florida Statute 102.031(4)

No person, political committee, committee of continuous existence, or other group or organization may solicit voters inside the polling place or within 100 feet of the entrance to any polling place, or polling room where the polling place is also a polling room, or early voting site.
The term "solicit" shall include, but not be limited to, seeking or attempting to seek any vote, fact, opinion, or contribution; distributing or attempting to distribute any political or campaign material, leaflet, or handout; conducting a poll; seeking or . attempting to seek a signature on any petition; and selling or attempting to sell any item.
The Supervisor or the Clerk may take any reasonable action necessary to ensure order at the polling places, including, but not limited to, having disruptive and unruly persons removed by law enforcement officers from the polling room or place or from the 100 foot zone surrounding the polling place.

BTW, I did NOT vote for Senator McCain so much as I voted against Barack Hussein Obamasia! You’re allowed to do that in America! Florida, You can’t afford to sit this one out. Again, look to James 4:17 people.

Samuel Adams, speech at the Philadelphia State House, August 1, 1776:
"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."

Ain’t It A Shame The “Grey Lady” Ain’t Down?

2008-06-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

I speak of course of the New York Times. Why any red blooded, patriotic American would purchase this yellow sheet rag is beyond me. I would hand scrub the bottom of the bird cage, daily, if this were the only newspaper available. I would wrap fresh fish in my best shirt before I would buy a copy of the “Pravda” to use to get the fish home. Pravda was the name of the official propaganda newspaper in the former Soviet Union before communism went belly up there.

Why do we go to the trouble of classifying certain reports and memos if something is not done when the New York Times publishes them on the front page? Of course the newspapers have the right to freedom of speech, but I’ve read the constitution many, many times and that amendment does NOT cover aiding and abetting the enemy by revealing secret documents. After the many times they have revealed State secrets and sensitive information, “Why aren’t the editors and owners sitting in a cell beside “Scooter Libby?” He’s in jail because he could not remember how he had answered a question from over a year earlier, we know that Richard Armitage from the state department was the true source of outing the “False Plame,” nothing ever done to him and the communist gutter-snipes at The new York Times walk free after publishing classified documents on the front page.

I’m NOT going to recommend that anyone firebomb this communist nest of subversives in the middle of the night, or some other illegal activity, but I am amazed that a Timothy McVeigh type somewhere hasn’t gone after them already. It would be wrong if this were to be done, but I could come closer to understanding that than I can the Murrah building in Oklahoma City. I would rather see charges brought against them and some jail time for the damages they have done time and time again to the troops in the field.

I must admit, I waited for weeks expecting the Supreme Court to come back with a verdict of “No, the second amendment is a statement giving the right to be armed to the military.” In the middle of this, the strongest campaign to destroy our national economy of late, in a direct attempt to take over our nation, I really expected the internationalist to have the Courts disarm us. Everything I am seeing on the news is activities conducted by internationalist interest aimed at bringing America to her knees. I know there are many who will poke fun at and jeer my statements in regards to this, but a casual scrutinizing of world news events will show anyone with the I.Q. of a boiled egg that America is in deep compost. Fear is what the communist and socialist use to keep the masses in line. With food and fuel prices going through the roof and jobs and opportunities to make a living going through the basement floor, America is being made to look the wrong way at a time when it’s crucial that we hold on to our values, faith and gunpowder.

The saddest of all the news is from Isaiah chapter one, verses 21-23, “21 How is the faithful city [America] become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. [Abortion] 22 Thy silver [Represents Salvation in the Old Testament] is become dross, [Saved people in corrupt churches] thy wine [Joy] mixed with water: [By preachers who won’t preach against known sin in their churches] 23 Thy princes [Elected leaders] are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: [Special interest groups] they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.”

This, my friends, is the spiritual condition of our nation. Unless we take immediate steps to throw the bums out and start all over again, I’m fearful that America may end up in the hands of an angry God. “Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:” Isaiah 1:24.

Again I tell you, “When a man who is honestly mistaken is confronted with the truth, he ceases to be mistaken or he ceases to be honest.”

Have a great "4th. of July" celebration and pray for the troops.

It’s All Part Of The Plan

2008-06-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of “manure-spreading” taking place in our nation today about oil and food prices. And at the rate I’m seeing it being spread, we should break out in a harvest of mushrooms any day now, the likes of which the world has never seen.

Let me throw a fast ball at you first. REGUARDLESS OF HOW MUCH OIL YOU PUMP OUT OF THE GROUND, IF YOU CAN’T REFINE IT, CRUDE OIL IS NEXT TO USELESS FOR TODAY’S USE! The US has not built a new refinery in 30 plus years. NO, Ethel, the oil companies only control the ones now in service, the tree huggers control the ones yet to be built. This means we must tell our elected officials in Washington to give back the environmentalist bribes or get out of town. Next, tell the oil companies, “Set a realistic index of projected US needs, year by year, for the next 20 years. Make plans to refine to each needed yearly capacity in the next twelve to eighteen months.” Make sure the oil companies understand that THEY will fund the cost of any mess they make. ALL OF IT! Then, Drill here, Drill now and tell OPEC, “You sell oil for $136.00 a barrel. Fine, we no longer sell you wheat and corn for $7.00 a bushel. It’s now $136.00 a bushel. Can’t afford it? Tough! Drink your oil! Ought to go well with a nice thick grilled filet of camel rump!

Now, the curve ball. Tell the automobile industry, “STOP SITTING ON TOP OF TECHNOLOGY HIDDEN UNDER YOUR PATENTS!” “This violates our nations anti-trust laws (remember them) and they could be rescinded.” “This could open the market to a whole new transportation industry.” Give them eighteen months to show some real and meaningful accomplishments or the patents are gone and now they have the same twenty years to get their act together that the oil companies have.

Thirty years ago, my dad was showing me ideas he had on hydrogen converters for automobiles. They were not practical (because of size and weight) at that time for anything other than Trains. We discussed Solar, wind, water and Nuclear power. Now there is some other ideas whose time has come. The point is, this is NOT cutting edge technology, it’s been around for years. Thomas Edison told Henry Ford in 1907, “Give me five years and I’ll develop an electric car motor that won’t stink up the air and scare the ladies, children and horses.” (How many of you know that Thomas Edison gave Henry Ford his first real engineering job?) Henry Ford answered Mr. Edison that maybe one day in the future, but right now, he had a new plant in the works and it would be too costly to retool everything. Did you know that the US had supercharged two stroke diesel engines in some of our WWII tanks? Did you also know that in 1965, I drove a five ton truck to get my military driving license, that was called a “multi-fuel” because it would burn any grade of gas, any mixture of gas, diesel, alcohol, jet fuel, kerosene or paint thinner? Don’t try to convince me that General Motors can’t do this today. It will make me break out in mushrooms.
I talked to a fellow a few months back who is taking old cooking oil and motor oil and using it to produce diesel for all of his company vehicles and equipment in his own place. He said it’s costing him about $.28, (twenty eight cents) a gallon. Even with big government’s greedy hands and profit for the oil companies, we should be around $1.50 a gallon, tops. Did you know that a train has the capacity to move a ton of freight over four hundred miles with one gallon of fuel? Know any busses other than electric, that can do that? We were once the most resourceful nation of people on earth. Back then there were no Hyphenated Americans. We understood that we were all in the same boat and there was plenty of room for everyone. The difference today is, “We now have all of these politically correct special sub-groups who have to have special treatment for one reason of perceived mistreatment or another. Drop the hyphen in front of American. What ever it was, It Happened - It Ended - Get over it! Get in the struggle to save our nation from our elected leaders.

Now the strike out pitch. NONE OF THIS WILL EVER COME TO PASS. THE DEMOCRATS ARE WORKING TO TURN US INTO SLAVES FOR THE INTERNATIONALIST (Read UN) AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO RAPE AND STEAL ALL THEY CAN BEFORE THE DEMOCRATS ARE SUCCESSFUL. Our leaders are NOT going to stand up and take our nation back BECAUCE they KNOW we are NOT going to throw them out if they don‘t. Look at what they are doing to the greatest free nation of people that has ever existed in the history of mankind.

I’m not saying that we can’t change the way it is, I’m saying we won’t. Almost all will silently continue to follow the bell cow to the slaughter house. A few will shout to the high heavens, but we will be drowned out by the cry for more free health care, someone feed, raise and educate my children while I fulfill myself. That is very sad because it makes true the old adage, “The world will not end with a bang, but with a whimper!”………….Ed

TO: John McCain and the RNC,

2008-06-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is a reprint of a letter from a close Brother and friend Col. Harry Riley. The reason I am re-posting it here, is because I totally agree with every jot and title. (Read your Bible if you don't know what a jot and title are.) Please click on the links and see the various positions presented by the different articles......Ed

TO: John McCain and the RNC,
Your latest solicitation for our money has a lot of "I want…" statements in it. Merely saying "I want…" does NOT impress me and won't get the job done! I would like to hear some "I WILL…" AND MEAN IT ! If you want our money, and our vote, then "WE WANT" some ACTION from the RNC and John McCain!

GET YOUR HEAD OUT AND PAY ATTENTION…. WE ARE SERIOUS AMERICAN CITIZENS THAT VOTE!

We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that we WILL DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW, AND PAY LESS! The stupidity of sitting on trillions of cubic feet of our own natural gas and billions of barrels of our own oil while begging Arabs for more is beyond insanity!

We WANT refineries, clean safe nuclear power, and STOP BURNING OUR FOOD FOR FUEL!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that the borders WILL be closed and NO illegals will get ANY amnesty or special consideration ahead of those waiting to enter legally!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that employers of illegals will be prosecuted. The illegals will go home on their own… and real wages for real Americans will rise!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that federal funding will be withdrawn from "sanctuary cities"…. immediately! I obey the federal laws… so should city officials… or defund and prosecute them.
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that ONLY strict constructionist federal and Supreme Court judges will be nominated, AND that they will be supported, in hearings! Abiding by our Constitution has worked to get us here... it will work for our future!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that NO new taxes bills will be signed!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that there will be NO carbon tax schemes and NO so called "global warming" or "climate change" agreements catering to the fear mongers claiming "man-made" climate change. The world climate has ALWAYS changed and puny mankind cannot control it! The facts, evidence, and tens of thousands of scientists, say it is a pure hoax, a lie, and a grab for money and power and it MUST be stopped before it destroys our economy!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that ALL earmarks will be vetoed!
We WANT an absolute, unequivocal, commitment that Social Security will be reformed and made solvent to end the illegal Ponzi scheme that will devastate the retirement of so many!Newt is offering you a "Platform For America"! READ IT!http://www.americansolutions.com/actioncenter/petitions/?Guid=bf4a5257-45e3-4a94-97fc-57e2d7ecb6f9
It is a comprehensive list of what the overwhelming majority of "Americans" have said we want! If you are smart, you will use it in a Republican Platform! It is a winner for you politicians and for we American citizens!
Also check out http://buchanan.org:80/blog/2008/06/pjb-bush’s-black-list/

When John McCain, and the RNC, make these strong commitments, we will again support Republicans with OUR money and our vote!
But, NOT UNTIL THEN... IT IS TOO IMPORTANT!!!

DO YOU HEAR US…. OR ARE YOU NOW DEAF TO REAL AMERICAN VALUES?

The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time

2008-06-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

As I watched the South Dakota and Montana primaries come to a close the other night, the words to an old country and western song came to mind. “The girls all get prettier at closing time.” Look at this, the democrats have chosen someone even more out of touch with reality than we thought possible. A candidate with a more liberal voting record than ANYONE else in the Senate, and with direct connections to big time criminals - home grown terrorist and extreme racial/religious bigots, has been stood up before the nation for President by the democrats. As we get nearer to closing time, the old gal is getting prettier all the time? After all the jokes and cartoons, it’s hard to believe that Hilary Clinton could come in as “the lesser of two evils.”

You with that racist branding iron in your hand, “Where were you when democrats threw Oreo cookies (black on the outside and white on the inside) onto the stage during an appearance of Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele?” - “John Sylvester, a white liberal democrat in Madison, Wisconsin, and Obama supporter, characterized Dr. Condoleezza Rice on his radio talk show as a stupid, servile black woman, calling her an “Aunt Jemima.” Why do democrats get a pass on racist acts? I think black people like Dr. Rice, Michael Steel, Ambassador Allan Keys or General Colin Powell are great candidates for President and vice President. I don’t believe that any one can, with reason, challenge the intelligence, love of country, and courage of these people. But this is based on their judgment, education and experience, not their speaking ability. Remember, “Talk is cheap.” I disagree with them on some issues, but I have a great deal of admiration for all of these people. They are not extremist. I was ready for a black man to be president a decade ago. No, my friends, I have no problem with an African-American becoming the President, I just don’t believe THIS African-American is the one America needs at this point in time.

I’ll give you that He is a sincere, smart, honest young man who means well. But when one examines his positions on so many issues, he’s either out of touch with reality or very naive. And he has that history of voting “Present.” on so many issues as if to say, “I haven’t got a clue.” I believe that he is so very unaware of the influence his social contacts have made on his mind over the last twenty years. My “Auntie” used to tell me that if I laid down with dogs, I’d get up with fleas. He has made some remarks in unguarded moments that have revealed his inner soul. He has fleas. Nothing wrong with having fleas, it’s keeping them after you are told how to get ride of them that is wrong. He keeps trying to stand by these “bad influences.” By being around these left wing lunatic-extremist from the Illinois democratic party, his worldview and attitudes toward certain people groups are stereotyped. It’s impossible to associate with these people for twenty years and not be influenced by them. Your thinking is colored by the things they say and do. I believe that what made America great was, “God; Guns; and Guts. And that has nothing to do with bitterness about anything. I’m a happy old gray headed WASP. But then, I wasn’t raised to try to blame my problems on everyone else.

What would the MSM do with a young “White Man” running for President, who would list as his spiritual advisors Dr. Wesley Swift and pastor Richard Butler? [They were the founders of the Church of Jesus Christ, Christian: Aryan Nation] What if this young man had conducted business and social affairs with the likes of David Duke, and even been in some organization and had meals in the home of Timothy McVeigh? Who by the way, considered himself a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, Christian: Aryan Nation. The MSM would not stand for one minute a white candidate who was associated with these religious extremist, racial bigots, known criminals and home grown terrorist. Rev. Wright is no more a scholar than Rev. Richard Butler. Both are crack-pots who twist the Word of God to suit their own needs. Bernardine Dohrn & Bill Ayers, are not one speck different from Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh. They are still unrepentant about their bombings, and openly admit they wish they had done more. Tony Rezko is a convicted high level criminal who did real estate deals and raised money for Mr. Obama. They are all cut from the same piece of cloth. A right wing idiot or a left wing idiot are still both idiots and a mob boss is a mob boss. If it is unacceptable for the white candidate to have associations like these, why is it NOT a problem for the African-American candidate to have these same associations?

But in the spirit of unity, I have a few suggestions for Mr. Obama. The first one is, “Stop trying to hang George Bush around John McCain’s neck. If John is anything, he’s a mavrick. He is known for being a pain in the Republican backside. That worked when the Clinton’s hung Newt Gingrich around Bob Dole’s neck, but it’s not going to fly again and it makes you look desperate to use the old politics you claim to be changing. Second, stop trying to twist John McCain’s words about the troops being in Iraq for a hundred years. Everyone with the IQ of a hockey puck knows what he was talking about and you are spinning and it’s not true. Again, it makes you look desperate and dishonest. And lastly, Don’t put Hilary on as your VP. Her and Bill come as a pair. They have been “snaking” people as long as you have been in this world. They will over shadow you because they always have their own agenda. Make her the ambassador to the UN. They deserve each other!

Careful Louise, All The Squirrels Ain't In The Trees

2008-05-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well it seems that over the week-end while all of us normal Americans were celebrating America, some of the barnyard swine got restless. While we were honoring the fallen heroes who provided our freedom, some of the anti-American squirrels came down out of their trees. And it seems they are running wild all this week.

Sharon Stone’s explanation of how the world functions makes one believe that she has had something other than her finger going up her nose. Surely no one in their right mind would stand up and proclaim that all of the people who died in the earth-quake in China, got just what they deserved. Tell me she was high on something. But please don’t tell me this woman was in her right mind and really believes that several thousand children deserved to be swallowed up in the earth because of what the communist rulers in Beijing are doing to the Dalai Lama. Surely she can’t think that the seventy-three year old man, whose wife fed him for days while he was trapped under the rubble, should have his house fall on him because of communist party abuse toward the people of Tibet. If “karma” was a fact would not her mouth have grown as shut as her mind by now? I believe the only reason she apologized was because she never dreamed there would this much blow-back.

Next, the squirrel of all squirrels our best ex-President, Jimmy “the-peanut-brained” Carter. Stands up before the whole world and shares the “classified?” information he has been privy to about who has how many nukes. I’m certain the Israeli people are not real happy about being outted as to how well armed they may or may not be. Isn’t there some sort of standard about intelligent behavior that we can use to legally declare this poor tortured soul incompetent, take away his passport and put a muzzle on him. You know he has to be in a great deal of pain. It has to hurt to be so eat-up with stupid. And like the man says, “You can’t fix stupid!”

You just know that God the Father is so pleased with Trinity United Church of Christ. You know, where rev. Jeremiah “G-D-America” Wright was the pastor and spiritual adviser for about twenty years to Barrack Obama. This place has a longer line of the most filthy-mouthed, hate filled, speakers (You can’t call them preachers of the gospel) than any so called pulpit has ever had to endure. Father? Michael “potty-mouth,” Pfleger was the latest speaker to pass up the chance to speak to these people about their souls and “play-to-the-crowd” with wild, inflammatory, racist remarks. This false prophet - wolf in sheep’s clothing, should be shunned like he has leprosy, by everyone until his repentance becomes as notorious as his sin. No! I’m not buying his apology either. He knew what he was going to say when he went in there. It’s just a sad, long line of clowns, out there skinning the sheep. If any of the denominational leadership had Biblical courage, they would de frock these wolves in sheep’s clothing. Memo to the members: When your “preachers” use foul words - cursing, from God’s sacred desk, they are NOT speaking for the Lord Jesus - it’s NOT Christian.

What can we say about Scott “momma’s-fine-little-man” McClellan? I didn’t trust him when he was working for the White house and I like him even less now. I am NOT a big fan of the current President nor his party. I guess the reason I am skeptical about his claim that the Bush administration was so skillful at deceiving the public, is because as I would grade them, “This administration has at least matched, if not surpassed the Carter administration for incompetence in execution of a plan and lack of ability to intelligently defend it’s people and positions.” I don’t know if what “momma’s-little-man” has written in his book is true or not. I do know that where I come from, if he sat through all he accuses the Bush administration of doing to deceive the American people, said nothing and continued to take a paycheck, we have a name for him. It’s WHORE! A US government position as spokesman for the President of the US is NOT the place to "find yourself." He should be grown and know who he is and what he stands for by now. I apologize to all prostitutes in Brownsville, Ensley and everywhere else.

What Are You Doing To Make A Difference?

2008-05-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

Alonzo Stagg was one of the country’s outstanding football coaches, he kept substitutes on the bench constantly alert by suddenly popping questions at them while the game was in progress. One afternoon he turned to a fourth-team substitute who had played the role of human tackling dummy in practice all season and demanded of him, “What would you do if we had possession of the ball, one minute to play, the score tied, and we had only four yards to go for a touchdown?” The substitute stammered, “I guess I’d move down to the end of the bench so I could see better.”

It is tragic but true that most American’s are only “bench-warmers” in the business of American political life. Most of both political parties are only institutional “couch potatoes.” The only difference is that some have gotten into position for a better view than others. And now, they can’t understand why the whole country is going down the toilet.

Perhaps the greatest ongoing battle being fought on earth today is the battle for truth. The battle rages on many fronts and under many banners. For a Christian, the battle is simplified. The issue is the truth of God pitted against all the ideologies, philosophies and world-views that oppose it. Yes Ethel, both political parties oppose truth, adamantly and aggressively. You see, nothing is more infuriating to the natural human mind than the fact of the extreme narrowness of truth. Contrary to the popular teachings of the communist/socialist movement in our public schools, there is such a thing as absolute right and wrong. Many of the opposing views are formidable and mouthed fervently by militants, which increases the necessity of someone being fully armed with apologetic skill and love. For Christians we are to “speak the truth in love,” the Bible says. This is not an easy assignment for anyone today.

If I, a WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) make the public observations about the high illegitimate birth rate of the black community, as Bill Cosby does, I’m branded a racist. If I comment that the immigration laws of our nation need to be obeyed, I’m accused of hating Latinos. In either case, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s not really me that is being rejected, it’s the truth I am speaking. But speak this truth we must if we really love and care about people. After all, regardless of their ethnic origins they are all God‘s creation.

In summation, truth is not variable and should not be flexible to any honest American, regardless of race, creed, color or political party. Someone said, “We live in an age that grants “plausibility” to every idea and “certainty” to none.” But God’s truth is absolute, not relative, whatever the secular mind may think and the secular mouth may argue. Our society must stop granting credibility to the absurd. “Wrong is still wrong, even if everybody is doing it; and right is still right even if nobody does believe it!” And truth is not negotiable in that no price will entice the truly honest person to sell out the truth.

This brings us to a couple of questions. “What are your moral values about lies, sex outside of marriage, stealing, etc.?” “What is you authority for these values, where did you get them?” “Have you ever sat down and questioned your way through these values to see if they have any foundation in reality?” “What are you doing, starting with yourself, to make a difference in the world?” “Are you all consumed with pleasing yourself?” The Bible says in Proverbs 23:23; “Buy the truth and sell it not.” Jesus tells us in John 8:32 that the truth will set us free. Are you doing something to make a difference in this world, or have you simply moved to where you have a better view?

Have a great memorial day week-end. Good people gave their life that you may enjoy life!

Whatever Happened To My Grandparent's Democrat Party?

2008-05-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

That’s the question of the hour for so many “former democrats” like myself. My mother’s father would have voted for the jack-ass it’s self if they had put his picture on the ticket. I can still hear my father’s mother saying, “If you want to go back to “Hoover Days” (meaning the depression) just let them republicans get back in office.” All of my family agreed, fifty years ago, that the democrat party was the party “of the common man.” And was considered the only place where the common man could have his voice heard. So, What happened?
My observations may help some to understand how the party got in the mess they are in now. The simple answer is, “They took a hard left turn somewhere back up the road.” But then the republicans have made the same left turn in their thinking and attitude as well. (Just not as far to the left and not as fast) It all started publicly in the sixty’s when both parties started “giving credibility to the absurd.”
America and liberty were in a world-wide free-for-all with the repressive philosophy of world dominating communism. And when irrational, repressive ideas were presented by spoiled-brat college children, many said, “Hold on, we need to listen.” When children who had been taught by socialist/communist professors, spewed these vile un-American absurdities, many adults gave the ideas credibility by open discussion. The children were being told that, “Everyone can have it all.” And “the state” can create utopia right here, right now, for free. We now know that’s just not true, someone has to pay the piper. Over the last forty years the U.S. deficit has proven this to be a fact. But not willing to admit the ridiculousness of the communist philosophy, the boomer generation of democrats plunged on in an effort to prove that the only reason socialism/communism had not worked anywhere before, was because “they” were not in charge. They are totally convinced that the more “central control” - the more “power” the federal government has, the more problems it can fix. They have lost those beautiful words from Abraham Lincoln, “….Government OF the people, BY the people, FOR the people shall not perish from the earth.” It Has. The ideology of the democratic party today is “Government OF the “elite” OVER the masses, FOR their own good.”
This is evidenced by the idea of an all powerful DNC that can dictate to each state when, where and how they may hold their state elections. And the DNC has assumed the authority to punish, by however stringent a means they deem necessary, the states that do not obey their dictates. How can the DNC begin to think they have the authority to disallow the votes of the people of Michigan and Florida? The right to vote is guaranteed by the US Constitution, NOT the DNC! This was an unconstitutional deal when it was ordered. They do NOT now have, nor have they ever had the authority to remove the constitutional right to vote from anyone in any election. Party bosses (same name in the communist party) do not want to trust the people with the decision making process, so they have invented this idea that some people are more equal than others, therefore they have “super delegates” to make sure that if the people screw it up and don’t vote the way party bosses (read DNC) want, these super delegates can correct it. Evidence of this is the pressure to have Hilary Clinton get out of the race. WHY? Almost half the people in the party want her in the race. The fact that Clinton and Obama agreed to this unconstitutional idea of not counting the votes of these two states is finial evidence that they too, are both flawed in their basic understanding of government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” They are part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Now the DNC faces the mess if the nomination goes to Clinton, the Black populace will riot in the streets, and may be with good cause. If the nomination goes to Obama because of a backroom deal to divide up the Michigan and Florida vote other than as they were cast, it’s going to split the democratic party wide open. The only way out for honest democrats, is march into the convention, demand to be seated and counted. After the Presidential candidate is elected by the people, they should demand a re-write of their by-laws so that the people of each state are put back in charge of elections instead of the omnipotent DNC. If the attitude and philosophy of the party was as it should be, the DNC, being farthest from the people, would have the least power and control. The state leaders would have more responsibility and accountability because they are closer to the people. Then we can get back to “One person, One vote” government, you know, “of the people, by the people, for the people.” That is as it should be in both parties.

"When a man who is honestly mistaken is presented the truth, he ceases to be mistaken, or he ceases to be honest!"
Ed Anthony

A Thumbnail sketch of “Black Liberation Theology” And Where It Came From

2008-04-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

“The-ol-o-gy n. From the Greek theos, God + logos, word [[ The study of God]. For the Christian church, this is mainly centered around a systematic approach to doctrinal teachings called “Christology.” As one studies the person of Jesus Christ, such topics as the humanity of Jesus - the Deity of Jesus - the character of Jesus - the work of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus come before us. In the New Testament, one can find scripture after scripture that instructs us in how we, as Christians, should be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, but not one scripture that holds us responsible for forcing others into accepting Christianity as some philosophical government-based system says they should. In short, we conform ourselves to the image of Christ, but we are not to be about the business of forcing conformation on others. We are to set an example, create a positive atmosphere of Jesus Christ and be a gentle encouragement for them to approach. Christianity is all about ones own personal relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While this relationship with Jesus will have major implications for our interactions with our church, government, political activism, and all other human relations, Christians not responsible for making the world fair, or gravity function. The acceptance of the necessity of Christ for the atonement of sin should remind us that misery, sickness, death and struggle are in this world because of man’s sin. Much of today's theology ignores this fact.
In essence, liberation theology explores the relationship between Christian, particularly Roman Catholic, theology, government and political activism. Particularly in areas of social justice, poverty and human rights. The main methodological innovation of liberation theology is to approach theology from the viewpoint of the economically poor and oppressed. According to this teaching, the poor are a privileged channel of God's grace. Consequently liberation theology is an interpretation of Christian faith through the suffering of the poor, their struggle and hope. It is also a critique of society (government) and faith and Christianity in general through the eyes of the poor. When one adds “Black” before the words “Liberation Theology” one reduces theology to God’s only interest being people of color. Black liberation theology marks as unimportant all concepts not connected with the black struggle in America. It also assumes that God must “Take from one, whites, so as to have to give to others, non-whites.” It is the same basic reasoning used in the communist/socialist ideology, only now, God becomes a respecter of persons based on the color of ones skin. Dr. Martin Luther King put his finger on this problem when he spoke of people being judged by the “content of ones character as opposed to the color of ones skin.” These nagging questions beg to be answered. Why would one feel more comfortable attending an Afro-centric church? Why attendance at a church that encourages blacks to separate themselves from the rest of American society? How can one claim to be part of the universal family of God and think this way? If this is a true church and legitimate theological view, how will it reach across all ethnic groups, as commanded in the great commission, and unite the people of all nations when it comes across as “black and angry?” The truth is black liberation theology has a great deal in common with the Black Power movement that also developed in the 1960s. One was revolutionary and theologically confused, the latter militant and radical.
In liberation theology, an unhealthy overemphasis is placed on those parts of the Bible where Jesus' mission is described not in terms of bringing peace (social order) but bringing a sword (social unrest), e.g. Matthew 10:34 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”, Luke 22:35-38 “And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.” and Matthew 26:51-52. “And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” These passages are interpreted as a call to arms to carry out what proponents see as a Christian mission of justice -- literally understood by some to mean the overthrow of government if necessary. Liberation theology is an attempt by some to end what they perceive as “class struggle” by the marrying of Christianity and Communist/Socialist doctrine to form a church/government vehicle that will be the best for all of mankind. (NOTE: (This comes mainly from bad eschatology, “The belief that man can correct his own problems and establish a righteousness on earth that will entice Jesus to return and take His place on His throne to rule forever.”) Writer’s opinion being interjected.
The primary architect of Black Liberation Theology in North America is James Cone. A Protestant minister who grew up in Arkansas under the heavy hand of segregation, Cone observed first-hand the way white Christians treated blacks. Eventually Cone developed a “black theology” of liberation from oppression, racism, and poverty. Cone argued that the white church and white theologians had all failed in their duties to uphold biblical principles of helping the poor and marginalized of society. Because of this, it was no longer acceptable to leave the interpretation of the Bible to white Christians. Blacks must take responsibility for their own religion. In his book Black Theology and Black Power, Cone writes:
“A moral or theological appeal based on a white definition of morality or theology will serve as a detriment to our attainment of black freedom. The only option we blacks have is to fight in every way possible, so that we can create a definition of freedom based on our own history and culture. We must not expect white people to give us freedom. Freedom is not a gift, but a responsibility, and thus must be taken against the will of those who hold us in bondage.”
Most of the time, Cone was critical of the ideas of European theologians that were part of the American experience. He noted, for example, that many white Christians emphasized ideas like justification by faith and grace as central Christian themes. Against this he argued that, from the perspective of black Christians, the idea of liberation from oppression was much more important and had a much more immediate relevancy to their lives. Thus traditional, orthodox understanding of the scriptures was stood on it’s head. The story of the Jews’ liberation in the book of Exodus naturally figured prominently in Cone’s arguments. Cone also cited the prophets, many of whom were frequent critics of the status quo. The problem here is that often, because of their particular struggle and worldview, man will “put words” into the mouths of the prophets rather than hear the ones they really spoke. Black Liberation Theology as taught to the people in the African-American community seeks to find a way to make the gospel relevant to black people. It assumes that it is only black people who must struggle daily under the burden of poverty and oppression. It declares that it is all white people who are the enemies of black people. Another below quote is made by James Cone. He defines black liberation theology this way:
"Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community ... Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love."
As stated before, black liberation theology deals primarily with the African-American community, and attempts to find a way to make Christianity real for blacks, otherwise they will reject it. Black Liberation Theology tries to explain Christianity in a matter of the here and now, versus the afterlife model. As such it is very "egocentric" (self-centered) both for the congregation as well as the pastors preaching this “another gospel.” The true Christian worldview is a "theocentric" (Christ-centered) view.
Marxist concepts for dealing with the doctrine of perpetual class struggle are also significant in all forms of liberation theology. Black liberation theology also emphasizes what proponents describe as individual self-actualization as part of God's divine purpose for humankind. They also teach expropriation of personal property as decided by this institution created by a marriage of church/government. In addition to teaching at some Roman Catholic universities and seminaries, liberation theologians can be found in more and more Protestant-oriented schools. They tend to have considerable contact with the poor and interpret sacred scripture partly based on their experiences in this context.
The traditional interpretation of Marxism/Communism holds that all large-scale industries and private properties should be expropriated and held by the state. Leon Trotsky even absolutely rejected any payment to the private owners. Trotsky was very adamant on the issue of not compensating private owners. Remember what was done to Dr. Zhivago in the movie of the same name?
Trotsky has written:
“The program of the equal distribution of the land thus presupposes the expropriation of all land, not only privately-owned land in general, or privately-owned peasant land, but even communal land.”
Expropriation - is the act of taking possession of an item of property from its owner in exchange for little or no compensation and irrespective of the wishes of the original owner. The term is used to refer to acts by a government. It is commonly referred to as the act of removing property from an owner especially by public authority - for example, expropriated the property of owners who lived in the path of the new highway. It is sometimes used in the context of redistribution - for example, taking wealth from the rich to feed the poor. Similar to Robin Hood. As one can see, this makes for very entertaining movies but very suspect motives of government authorities. Jesus Himself, while here on earth refused to be made a “divider” over men. Luke 12:14.
Self-actualization — a concept attributed to Kurt Goldstein, is the instinctual need of humans to make the most of their abilities and to strive to be the best they can. Working toward fulfilling our potential, toward becoming all that we are capable of becoming. In this scheme, the final stage of psychological development comes when the individual feels assured that his physiological, security, affiliation and affection, self-respect, and recognition needs have been satisfied. As these become dormant, he becomes filled with a desire to realize all of his potential for being an effective, creative, mature human being. "What a man can be, he must be." The main problem with this concept, is that it is NOT Biblical. Man is born lost, selfish, egocentric and is thoroughly decadent. He must have a standard of right and wrong established for him by a higher authority. This points back to original sin; man wanted to be his own source of good and evil, therefore he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and thus was cast out of the garden. This is the central failure of liberation theology. The proponents of liberation theology assume to know the beginning from the end and therefore are able to judge what is good for the Goose and what is good for the Gander.
Conclusion: True Christian Theology teaches that we are all God's children — black or white, rich or poor. However, the Black Liberation theology teachings do not grasp [loving thy neighbor as thyself.] The religious left leaning of the Black liberation theology movement has caused them to leave their first love and replace it with a social approach to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They forgot that “Yesterday, today, forever Jesus is the same.”(Hebrews 13:8). “If any one says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20).

Rev. Edward Anthony BTh.
Missionary/Evangelist
Impact Ministries Inc.
Pensacola, FL. 32534
www.impact-min.com

YOU AIN'T GONNA LIKE LOSING

2007-08-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, Wayne Simpson, sent me this post. I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you right here. It has good points to think about. Some people will not let you be at peace with them. It doesn't matter what you believe about how or why we are in Iraq, or if we should be there or not, we're there and we MUST win.

President Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terrorism. But the mistake was not his decision to go to war in Iraq. Bush's mistake came in his belief that this country is the same one his father fought for in WWII. It is not. Back then, they had just come out of a vicious depression. The country was steeled by the hard ship of that depression, but they still believed fervently in this country. They knew that the people had elected their leaders,so it was the people's duty to back those leaders.
Therefore, when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not or whether the war was going badly or not. And war was just as distasteful and the anguish just as great then as it is today.
Often there were more casualties in one day in WWII than we have had in the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter. The people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty. Americans put aside their differences in WWII and worked together to win that war. Everyone from every strata of society, from young to old pitched in. Small children pulled little wagons around to gather scrap metal for the war effort. Grade school students saved their pennies to buy stamps for war bonds to help the effort. Men who were too old or medically 4F lied about their age or condition trying their best to join the military.
Women doubled their work to keep things going at home. Harsh rationing of everything from gasoline to soap, to butter was imposed, yet there was very little complaining. You never heard prominent people on the radio belittling the President. Interestingly enough in those days there were no fat cat actors and entertainers who ran off to visit and fawn over dictators of hostile countries and complain to them about our President. Instead, they made upbeat films and entertained our troops to help the troops' morale. And a bunch even enlisted.
And imagine this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a pledge of allegiance, and with prayers for our country and our troops! Back then, no newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities where bombs could be set off to cause the maximum damage. No newspaper would have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies. A newspaper would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or Japanese soldiers were being "tortured" by being forced to wear women's underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog or did not have air conditioning.
There were a lot of things different back then. We were not subjected to a constant bombardment of porno- graphy, perversion and promiscuity in movies or on radio. We did not have legions of crackheads, dope pushers and armed gangs roaming our streets.
No, President Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism. He made the mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our fathers. He believed that this was still the country that our fathers fought so dearly to preserve. It is not the same country. It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorra and the land of Oz. We even have the wicked witch of the west as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives.
We did unite for a short while after 911, but our attitude changed when we found out that defending our country would require some sacrifices.
We are in great danger. The terrorist are fanatic Muslims. They believe that it is okay, even their duty, to kill anyone who will not convert to Islam. It has been estimated that about one third or over three hundred million Muslims are sympathetic to the terrorists cause...Hitler and Tojo combined did not have nearly that many potential recruits.
We either win it - or lose it - and you ain't gonna like losing.

Pray for our troops, and their leaders!
God bless the USA!

This is Extortion, Plain & Simple

2007-07-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

If the President "caves in" to this latest demand coming in September by the Socialist/Communist Democrats and Republicans now in office - if he sets this arbitrary time table for removing troops from the battlefield, then true Americans are without a leader and there could, and may should be, riots in the streets.
This is not a call for violence, nor is it a defense of President Bush or to be understood at all as a defense of the conduct of the war in Afghanistan or Iraq. I have serious disagreements with the administration over many aspects of their conduct of the war. But loyal, patriotic Americans will not and should not tolerate the leaders of the house and senate interfering with the office of the President as commander-in-chief. All of the prating about a “mandate” to end the war aside, it was NOT a mandate to remove the commander-in-chief’s authority in the military chain of command or run around encouraging our enemies and enacting new foreign policy. These are acts of treason and by law and reason, cannot be allowed to take place. Every act that shows us as double-minded about the war effort, gives hope to a terribly degraded enemy. These acts will cause everything in our nation to be reduced to anarchy. Some want and call for that. There is a movement out there being conducted by international interest, that has as it’s goal, to OWN America and control all of it’s wealth and people. The leadership of America is being reduced by the internationalist to being nothing more than “bell-cows” for outside interest.
This act of declaring the war lost/and or un-winnable by Harry Reed & Nancy Pelosi is the political/moral equivalent of the President declaring himself as President-for-life and suspending both houses and the courts. Their act, in it’s simplest terms is extortion. One can not point to someone else’s incompetence or bad behavior to justify their unlawful actions. Americans need to rise up in September and be heard supporting the troops.
This usurping of authority by blackmail, is the strategy of thieves and thugs, not honorable men and women. It has, too long, been the coin of the realm in our nation’s capitol as well as many state and local governments. In this case, it endangers the lives and safety of our Armed Forces by encouraging the already too bold terrorist.
There are many Americans, I believe, who will NOT allow this to take place, even if they have to resort to violence. I shudder for our Country as these “black-mail” tactics are employed to circumvent the President and impose their own political agenda at the expense of our troop‘s lives. I don’t believe that our founding fathers ever dreamed that such schemes would be allowed to take place. I also believe this type of scheme is the reason why the second amendment was written into the US Constitution. This is the very reason they saw a need for armed private citizens. (NOTE: It seems to be rather stupid to think the founding fathers would use the bill of rights in the Constitution to state the obvious, that our military would be armed.)
It is apparent to me and I’m sure many others, that the personality disorders that drive these ego-maniacs to want total control, in this nation, of every aspect of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is what’s behind all of this. What we have been watching for seven years, is the “ripening of the fruit” from the tree of Narcissism. The demos lost so much face in the 2000 elections and again in 2004, that it has pushed them over the edge into desperation mode. The disgust shown the Republicans in the 2006 elections was a mandate for ethics, not surrender. Our voters elected desperate people in 2006 and desperate people are dangerous people and will often provoke peaceful, passive people into violate conflict. Our nation moves ever closer to open sectarian strife.
I call on all Americans, Pray to whatever higher power you believe in and those who reject the idea of a higher power do whatever it is you do when you feel the need of “outside help.” We are in serious trouble as a nation, and “we the people” are the only ones who can fix it. To do that, we must come together first, as Americans.
Many years ago, a lot of us could see the writing on the wall. The communist were making a bid to take over our nation and destroy our constitutional republic form of government. Somewhere in that conversation the idea was presented that out of the Military Academies was a secret group of men who would go on to become the Generals and Admirals known only to themselves, who would step forward in a crisis, throw out the Socialist/Communist politicians and restore the US Constitution. I don’t know if that is true or not, but if that is true, fellows, if you are out there, NOW might be about time.

The High Price Of Free Corn

2007-07-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

The Wild and Free Pigs of the Okefenokee Swamp
In a realistic style, this story illustrates what the U.S. government and the UN are doing to the people of America and the world. When thinking of Constitutional violations by our politicians, think of this parable.
Some years ago, about 1900, an old trapper from North Dakota hitched up some horses to his Studebaker wagon, packed a few possessions, especially his traps -- and drove south.
Several weeks later he stopped in a small town just north of the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. It was a Saturday morning -- a lazy day -- when he walked into the general store. Sitting around the pot-bellied stove were seven or eight of the town's local citizens.
The traveler spoke, “Gentlemen, could you direct me to the Okefenokee Swamp?”
Some of the old-timers looked at him like he was crazy. “You must be a stranger in these parts,” they said.
“I am. I'm from North Dakota,” said the stranger.
“In the Okefenokee Swamp are thousands of wild hogs,” one old man explained. “A man who goes into the swamp by himself asks to die!”
He lifted up his leg. “I lost half my leg here, to the pigs of the swamp.”
Another old fellow said, “Look at the cuts on me; look at my arm bit off!”
“Those pigs have been free since the Revolution, eating snakes and rooting out roots and fending for themselves for over a hundred years. They’re wild and they're dangerous. You can’t trap them. No man dare go into the swamp by himself.”
Every man nodded his head in agreement.
The old trapper said, “Thank you so much for the warning. Now could you direct me to the swamp?”
They said, “Well, yeah, it's due south -- straight down the road.” But they begged the stranger not to go, because they knew he'd meet a terrible fate.
He said, “Sell me ten sacks of corn, and help me load them into the wagon."
And they did.
Then the old trapper bid them farewell and drove on down the road. The townsfolk thought they'd never see him again. Two weeks later the man came back. He pulled up to the general store, got down off the wagon, walked in and bought ten more sacks of corn. After loading it up he went back down the road toward the swamp.
Two weeks later he returned and, again, bought ten sacks of corn. This went on for a month. And then two months, and three. Every week or two the old trapper would come into town on a Saturday morning, load up ten sacks of corn and drive off south into the swamp.
The stranger soon became a legend in the little village and the subject of much speculation. People wondered what kind of devil had possessed this man, that he could go into the Okefenokee by himself and not be consumed by the wild and free hogs.
One morning the man came into town as usual. Everyone thought he wanted more corn. He got off the wagon and went into the store where the usual group of men were gathered around the stove. He took off his gloves.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “I need to hire about ten or fifteen wagons. I need twenty or thirty men. I have six thousand hogs out in the swamp, penned up, and they’re all hungry. I’ve got to get them to market right away.”
“You’ve WHAT in the swamp?” asked the storekeeper, incredulously.
“I have six thousand hogs penned up. They haven’t eaten for two or three days, and they’ll starve if I don't get back there to feed and take care of them.”
One of the old-timers said, “You mean you've captured the wild hogs of the Okefenokee?”
“That's right.”
“How did you do that? What did you do?” the men urged, breathlessly.
One of them exclaimed, “But I lost my arm!”
“I lost my brother!” cried another.
“I lost my leg to those wild boars!” chimed a third.
The trapper said, “Well, the first week I went in there they were wild all right. They hid in the undergrowth and wouldn't come out. I dared not get off the wagon. So I spread corn along behind the wagon. Every day I'd spread a sack of corn.
“The old pigs would have nothing to do with it. But the younger pigs decided that it was easier to eat free corn than it was to root out roots and catch snakes. So the very young began to eat the corn first.
“I did this every day. Pretty soon, even the old pigs decided that it was easier to eat free corn, after all, they were all free; they were not penned up. They could run off in any direction they wanted at any time.
“The next thing was to get them used to eating in the same place all the time. So, I selected a clearing, and I started putting the corn in the clearing.
“At first they wouldn't come to the clearing. It was too far. It was too open. It was a nuisance to them.
“But the very young decided that it was easier to take the corn in the clearing than it was to root out roots and catch their own snakes. And not long thereafter, the older pigs also decided that it was easier to come to the clearing every day.
“And so the pigs learned to come to the clearing every day to get their free corn. They could still subsidize their diet with roots and snakes and whatever else they wanted. After all, they were all free. They could run in any direction at any time. There were no bounds upon them.
“The next step was to get them used to fence posts. So I put fence posts all the way around the clearing. I put them in the underbrush so that they wouldn't get suspicious or upset, after all, they were just sticks sticking up out of the ground, like the trees and the brush. The corn was there every day. It was easy to walk in between the posts, get the corn, and walk back out.
“This went on for a week or two. Shortly they became very used to walking into the clearing, getting the free corn, and walking back out through the fence posts.
“The next step was to put one rail down at the bottom. I also left a few openings, so that the older, fatter pigs could walk through the openings and the younger pigs could easily jump over just one rail, after all, it was no real threat to their freedom or independence -- they could always jump over the rail and flee in any direction at any time.
“Now I decided that I wouldn't feed them every day. I began to feed them every other day. On the days I didn't feed them, the pigs still gathered in the clearing. They squealed, and they grunted, and they begged and pleaded with me to feed them -- but I only fed them every other day. Then I put a second rail around the posts.
“Now the pigs became more and more desperate for food. Because now they were no longer used to going out and digging their own roots and finding their own food, they now needed me. They needed my corn every other day.
“So I trained them that I would feed them every day if they came in through a gate and I put up a third rail around the fence.
“But it was still no great threat to their freedom, because there were several gates and they could run in and out at will.
“Finally I put up the fourth rail. Then I closed all the gates but one, and I fed them very, very well."
“Yesterday I closed the last gate and today I need you to help me take these pigs to market for slaughter.”
The price of free corn?
The parable of the pigs has a serious moral lesson. This story is about federal money being used to bait, trap and enslave a once free and independent people.
Federal welfare, in its myriad forms, has reduced not only individuals to a state of dependency; state and local governments are also on the fast track to elimination, due to their functions being subverted by the command and control structures of federal “revenue sharing” programs.
Please copy this parable and send it to all of your state and local elected leaders and other concerned citizens. Tell them “Just say NO to federal corn.”
The bacon you save may be your own!

THANK GOD FOR YOUR BIRTH IN THE USA

2007-07-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

THANK GOD FOR YOUR BIRTH IN THE USA!

"This is the most important day in the life of The United States of America and in our lives as Americans. This is NOT taking away the importance of “The Resurrection” - “The Christmas Celebration” of the birth of our Lord and Savior or the day we were brought to salvation by the Holy Spirit. This is the celebration of thanksgiving to the Lord that there is a great FREE nation that exists and we were born into it!"........Ed

I am just as grateful for the grace of God being given me for my birth as a citizen of the United States of America as I am grateful for Him choosing me for salvation. I could have come into this world in a godless communist nation as millions did, or perhaps I could have come into this world in a “false-god” Muslim nation and never have a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ as millions of others have.
This month we celebrate the “birthday” of our nation. July 4th. 1776, was the day the “Declaration of Independence” was signed and we became a nation of “equal in value people” created as such under the leadership of God Almighty Himself. We became a nation of people who declared to the world, for the first time in the history of mankind, that mankind’s rights were “endowed” by no less than God Himself, not kings and parliaments of men. We have lost that precious truth some where along the line. We are being taught that “the government” is to be our “all-in-all” support and supply system. We are hearing more and more of this godless communistic and socialist philosophy being spoken by even the leaders who claim to be “born again Christians.” The Lord God is to be our supply, our shield and our nurture. He does this by using our hard work and best efforts to honor Him and provide for ourselves. He multiplies our efforts with His grace and mercy. We have a Lord God Almighty in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not need a “nanny state” type of government attempting to draw us into idol worship.

WE’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY
We have come a long way in the past 40 years. We’ve created a dysfunctional society where self reliance, pride in one's self and a sense of God’s Word being the supreme standard of right and wrong has been thrown aside.. Instead, God’s Word is no longer studied, esteemed or even valued.
We have allowed our government and media to say to people that you are not at fault for what you do. You are victims, little children who can't look after yourselves. The government has worked it’s way into a “great benefactor” that must be obeyed at the point of a gun. Rather than “rights” and blessings of protection and provision coming from the Great Creator God, all now comes from an omnipotent government.
We have told our minorities that everything that goes wrong is the result of racism. Shift blame for every failure in your life to someone else, you cannot succeed in a racist society. Assume no responsibility for your mistakes.
We have told the dysfunctional that we will look after you no matter how egregiously you act. We have excused crime saying that poverty creates crime, when we all instinctively know that it is the crime that creates poverty.
We have told young women that it okay to have babies without being married and having the father in the home being a responsible adult. There is no stigma attached to bearing illegitimate children - in fact if you have a baby we will shower you with money and benefits so you can move out of your parent's house and have even more babies. Even if this guarantees your babies will be raised in poverty. We have told young men that it is okay to father as many children as you can. The government will assume the father's traditional role and look after the mother and babies.
And most importantly, we have called morals old fashioned and judgmental. What right does society have to say that something is right or wrong? And what have we gotten for this? (not to mention over $1 trillion we have spent on the poor) Citizens who, at the first sign of trouble, stand around bewildered. You see it on the news. Faces screaming, "Helpme!", "Tell me what to do!" God help us, we're reaping what we sowed.
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Psalm 37:23 says "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." This simply means when you come into the light, (You are born again) when God the Holy Spirit “quickens” you and frees your mind from the bondage of the devil's control, you begin to walk in the knowledge of God, your steps are ordered, established, solidified, straight, upright, and honest because God is in control of your mind. He manifest himself in your thoughts; that leads to a change in your attitudes and that directs your actions and behavior. This is NOT what you do, this is what GOD, through the Holy Spirit is doing in and through you. He is NOT violating your “will” He has made you alive and free from sin and for the very first time you can now, of your own self-will, choose to surrender your will to Him Who has set you free. You were a slave to sin, He paid the price to set you free and you chose to stand against the doorpost, have the hole pierced through your ear and willingly become His slave. My will is no longer free, I have surrendered it to Him Who purchased me. Only those people who have had the righteousness of Jesus imputed to them are entitled to have the Lord delight in them and “direct their steps.”
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PRAYER REQUEST
1) Please be praying for our friends in India. I have not been able to get a response to my emails and letters. The last contact I had with them, pastor Subash was out of jail on bond and had gone back to the village where he had been arrested and was preaching again. He had six people make professions of faith and two ladies insisted on being Baptized, in public, right away. They sent me the pictures and I have not heard from them since.
2) Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. The Bible Institute is continuing to grow (slowly) and the workers are facing difficult times because of the economy. Brother Nestruck, the former President of the National Bible Institute, is now the President of the entire Baptist Union of Ukraine and our friend, pastor Kasprov, who was the senior pastor of the Khmelnitsky region has moved up to Vice-President of the Baptist Union. All in all, our people are making a difference in their nation for the Lord. I was always so very proud of their love for, and devotion to the Lord Jesus. And over there it’s not always easy or convenient to serve the Lord. Please keep them in your prayers.
3) Please be praying for IMPACT MINISTRIES as we are going through a slump in funding. The opportunities to preach always slow down during the summer and that is the main source of income after the gifts of our faithful friends and the IMPACT family. We could not do all that we do without the faithful prayers and monthly support of the churches and individuals who help us. We are helping support a very special young lady, daughter of one of our disciples, who is on mission working at a home for troubled youth down in Trinidad. She should be home sometime around late August or early September. After this she has been accepted for a two year assignment in South Africa. We hope to help raise support for this work as well. Please pray for her safety and well being while she is there and as she travels back to the US later.
4) Pray for Miss Marie and I, as we have moved our church membership to West Highland Baptist Church. We have found a sweet fellowship where we believe we have been lead by the Lord to go to work. Pastor Larry Galbreath has been a close friend and brother for well over twenty years and we look forward to all the work that the Lord has for us to do for Him together. We are still available for discipling classes to develop “equippers” in the local churches, to help make preparation for mission trips, revivals and to do preaching supply. Please remember that we come on a love offering basis. Our health has been pretty much level for some time now. I’m just not as strong as I once was, but as long as I pace myself I don’t hurt too bad as I work. Miss Marie is having some trouble with her knees and the heel of her left foot but other than that we are doing quite well for our mileage! …Ed

A Call for Senator Fred Thompson to Step forward

2007-05-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is what my congressman says; Washington, D.C. - Congressman Jeff Miller (R-Fl-01) issued the following statement in regards to tonight's Republican presidential debate:

"I look forward to watching tonight's debate and seeing how each of the ten Republican candidates outlines their vision for the nation. Although there are several talented leaders in tonight's debate, it's my belief that the next president won't be on the stage this evening. I believe that Senator Fred Thompson is the right person for the job and I am excited about the notion of his candidacy. Senator Thompson is exactly what this country needs right now. He brings a conservative voice and a proven track record of leadership to the race. He is an outstanding communicator and would bring a national optimism to the country not seen since Ronald Reagan was in office. Fred Thompson doesn't need to be in this race; America needs Fred Thompson to be in this race."

While I enjoyed the GOP debate last night, and I lean very heavily in this same direction as Congressman Miller. I liked what I saw in several people last night, and as some spoke and answered questions, it confirmed what I already thought about them being RINO's. While Newt may be smart and all that, I don't see him being able to take out Hillary or Obama at the national level. I do believe Fred Thompson can do that.
My heart broke when Ron Paul let his words get turned around on him. I know what he was trying to say, and I agree with him on that point. I don’t think we “caused 9-11” but the collective weight that accumulated over years of being too involved in other people‘s business was a major factor. The US is involved in other people's business far too much. But that's not what everyone else heard, and Rudi jumped all over it. That sound-bite will be used against Ron Paul till he goes to his grave and that's a shame. He was trying to tell the truth.
Study the true history of our foreign policy moves since WWII and in every case, you'll see Korea was a cease-fire, not a truce, Vietnam was a cut, run and abandonment of friends; Iran crapped all over us about supporting the Shaw and still couldn't pick a fight with us because of our yellow president at the time; the Moslems in Afghanistan took our guns and dollars and fought the Russians knowing that one day we would be next. Castro asked the US for help against a gangster being bought by the Mob (read Joseph P. Kennedy friends) - The nation of Taiwan is hanging by a thread and that's why they are negotiating with Red China. It’s the same reason the president of Iraq went to make nice with the president of Iran. He knows that one day we will cut and run. He’s just covering his own butt.
This is why the founding fathers wrote instructions into the constitution forbidding the signing of treaties, and getting all involved with other people's business. It makes people hate us. Don't you hate a busy-body meddling in your business, even when you know they mean well? Are we to Defend ourselves? Yes! Give aid and comfort to people fighting despotic government? Yes! Be an active negotiator (NOT A POLICEMAN) of peace deals between our neighbors? YES! Expose our sovereignty as a nation for the making of a treaty with someone else? NO! Every agreement that has been penned in the UN, including our joining, is a violation of our constitution.
This is NOT taking a protectionist position, it is good common sense used every day in people's personal lives. I am a Christian and I come to the aid of my neighbors in their times of trouble, I show myself to be a good neighbor by being very cheerful, generous and sympathizing OVER A GOOD FENCE! I believe this was the worldview and language used by the founding fathers in the US Constitution. And this idea of drawing a gun, using it just to wave around and then attempting to "talk" your way to peace is idiotic. When you muster the fighting forces, it must NEVER be a bluff. Only bullies bluff. NEVER threaten military intervention unless you intend to set a goal for the military, and then get out of their way and support them till they win. This half-assed fighting of an un-declared war makes combat far more dangerous than it has to be. I’m looking for a President who understands the US Constitution and will follow it.

God Bless the troops, God Bless America!
Rev. Ed Anthony SSGT. '65-'73
National Co-Chaplain GoE

Theology to think about & A call to for men to become spiritual leaders

2007-05-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Theology to Think About!
The church must not assume that just because they have success at producing well mannered and nice people, that their souls have been saved. A church full of mannerly, nice people, satisfied with their own good manners and niceness - not willing to request further of GOD for service in His aspirations - turned away from GOD to their own schemes, are just as needful of deliverance as any pagan. And these people will always prove to be even more problematic in finding salvation because they believe they have no need. While it is true that redemption brings about improvement in the individual, here and now, improvement is not the goal and ~certainly is not salvation. That would be "new wine" in old skins, and just a “patch” on an old garment. The will of GOD is and always has been " the total conformity to the image, of Jesus Christ" by every believer. (Romans 8: 29) The old man has to die, not just be improved upon. "...old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5: 17) Have you been made new?

A CALL FOR MEN TO BECOME THE

SPIRITUAL LEADERS OF THEIR FAMILIES
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians. 13:11
This passage of scripture teaches that there needs to be a clear point in time that can be pointed to and understood as the "time of change". In the Jewish world, for a young man, there was a public ceremony marking the time that he became a man. It was understood that this ceremony, called a "bar mitzvah", was the marking of the time that a boy became adult, or "son of the Law". The Jews required candidates to learn and commit themselves to the Biblical duties of manhood before they were recognized as adults. Some changes were expected of him by everyone who knew him. The entire community of GOD'S people were expected to help him in this time of transition. During this time of change the young man became accountable to GOD himself for obeying the Commandments and keeping the Law. (You hear this called the "age of accountability" by church people today). It was during this time that he would need all the help he could get from the Elders and religious leaders. It was this time when he was the most vulnerable to the teachings of error. It is when we attempt to change, especially for the better, that the world and the evil one becomes aware of us trying to move from our earthly father's house to our Heavenly Father's house. This time of change, this time of heightened vulnerability, can be a time that we are over powered and crushed if we do not have mature, GODLY spiritual help in facing this change. That is, among other things, the work of the church.
Sadly, many today have never made the cross over because they do not get the help they need to make this transition. And because their fathers did not receive any help with their change either, even they have very little help to offer to them now. Men, until you get you and your family under the authority and ways of GOD there will be little help to be found in the secular world. They are suffering the same susceptibility to misunderstandings and misfortunes you are. They can't tell you how to get your wife and children to a place they have never been. Many of you are still locked in to your old ways of throwing furniture when you don't get your way, throwing away relationships when you have to work at them and having a childish temper tantrum when life happens contrary to your wants. You do it at home, at work and on the highways. Your wife, your children and the rest of us in the community need you to grow up and start being part of the solution and not continue as part of the problem. The reason you are still where you are, spiritually and emotionally, is because nobody was there to help you make the crossover to being an adult. So you are still wandering around aimlessly wasting your furniture, relationships and life. You need to experience an unmistakable, public moment when you know that you are changed. When others can expect to see a difference in you. A time when from here on out, you can expect to see a difference, for the better in yourself. You deserve it and so do the rest of us.
"Change is not cheap". Going from a child to an adult is a tough change. Change isn't easy for anyone and some never change because it means they will have to have a funeral. The child, the past, has to die. The Bible calls it the old man. "And that ye put on the new man, which after GOD is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:24. When you surrender to the Holy Spirit of GOD and allow Him to fill (control) your life, then He teaches you from scripture and helps you make the commitment to "change" or grow up. When a child speaks, understands or thinks as a child, it's with their "emotions" in charge. You know a "going with the feeling" kind of thing. Well, when you become an adult, you put away your "feelings" in favor of speaking, thinking and acting like what is moral, righteous and honest. A child does what's easy because it feels good, an adult does what's right because that's the difference between adults and children.
This is not speaking down to anyone but spiritually speaking, those of you who are not born-again believers, walking daily in the power of the Spirit of GOD, are still involved with childish things. Remember when you were seven years old and would scream at your mother that your little brother had twenty-six butter beans on his plate and you only had twenty-four. Well, you're still there spiritually and emotionally. Now, instead of butter beans it's tree stands, bass boats and big wheels on your truck. When you become a man, grow up to spiritual responsibility, the toys of your childhood are still fun, but they don't dominate and control your life. You can try to dodge change by pointing to a good position you hold with the company or a chain of very successful businesses in an effort to prove that you are all right. This doesn't make you an adult spiritually or emotionally, it makes you a business man.
When this spiritual change you need takes place, when you are born again, Ephesians chapter four gives you a list of things, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can expect to have change in your life:
Verse 26, says, "Don't go to bed mad, you can forgive, it's a choice you have now as an adult."
Verse 27, says, "You are not in this alone, you have help resisting the devil".
Verse 28, says. "You don't have to steal anymore, and you can make enough with your own hands to support yourself and the poor and needy."
Verse 29, says, "You will have a new language that will encourage your children and other people around you." Verse 30, says, You have GOD'S help in making GOD happy with your life until the day you leave this world to meet Him".
Verse 31 says, "You will be free from all that child cussing, wife slapping and stomach churning bitterness in your life."
Verse 32 says, "You are free to forgive, be tenderhearted and live in joy and peace. You don't have to prove to the world that you are a man. You can expect different things of yourself now. You know you are a man because you know that Christ Jesus made you a man. You know that He has paid your cost for crossing over and becoming a child of GOD, now spiritually an adult, with old things passed away, and all things become new. (II Corinthians 5: 17) . . Ed
~

Prescription for God honoring Worship and Praise

2007-04-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

For every thing the Lord requires from us, He also gives us a “pattern” of how to do what He wants. One of the most used patterns given by the Lord Jesus was the “Model Prayer.” This is often referred to as the Lord’s prayer. But He taught this prayer to His disciples when they asked Him to teach them how to pray.

LESSON: When the disciples had reached that place spiritually that they really wanted to know how to pray, they asked Him, and because their hearts were right toward Him, He taught them how to pray. The same holds true for worship and praise. When we have our hearts right with the Lord, and ask Him, He will teach us how to worship and praise Him in a way that is pleasing to Him.
I used the word “Prescription” in the title, but please understand this is just the weakness of vocabulary. This is NOT like those “self-working” math problems. You can not simply take this pattern, repeat it and get the same results as those who study and apply it to their life. This procedure or arrangement of events is from scripture and it is NOT just some motions you can go through and God has to show up. This is an inventory of spiritual and emotional places (attitudes) in the human psyche that each and every individual has to be in to receive the fullness of the presents of God. As each one experience matures, it will lead to the next as it’s natural order is to lead to that next spiritual/emotional attitude. Each attitude or level of worship and praise becomes more focused on the Lord Jesus and more intense to the believer while in the presents of the Lord God. It may be understood as a believer moving through the rooms - mansions - of the Lord’s Heaven. Each grows more beautiful and astounding as the worshipper moves closer to Him. It is a focusing of your attitude on certain aspects of your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ one by one in a certain order that has been prescribed by the Lord Himself in scripture just as He did with the first disciples and the model prayer.

1.) Thanksgiving Celebration: Our first duty as Christians is to get cleaned up by confession of sins so that we may approach the Lord in worship. (This is best done on the spot at the time of reproving by the Holy Spirit.) Don’t wait till you are in the church building to start confessing sin. Get that business out of the way so that you may be able to enter His “Gates” (that’s the opening in the outer perimeter) with Thanksgiving. People leading worship often try to stir up emotions to get people to join in celebration and being joyful toward the Lord. If the believers are truly “Grateful and full of Thanksgiving” no one will have to “persuade” them to celebrate. It will be the natural outpouring for all that the Lord has blessed them with as well as all He has protected them from since the last time they we gathered. As the celebration intensifies it will morph into the next attitude.

2.) Adulation: As a believers celebration becomes more intense because of the focus on how wonderful the Lord God is to mankind, it will take the next natural turn to being a heart full of adulation for the Lord Himself. This will express it’s self just as the birds do when they burst forth in song when spring breaks bright, sunny and warm. If chased away, he will only move higher in the tree, further into the woods and sing even louder. Adulation is open glorifying of God Almighty as Perfect Very God, creator of all the universe, Owner and Master of all. Adulation will naturally follow thanksgiving celebration as night follow day. As adulation is practiced corporately it will lead each individual into a focus on the Lord Jesus in their own personal relationship with Him.

3.) Adoration: When this happens, the believer is still functioning as part of the praise and worship but it is now on a personal level. They are not singing because the people around them are, they are not singing because this is their favorite song, or the choir sounds good or any of those things. It has now become a matter of a song in their heart that must be expressed to their Lord Jesus. It is that place spiritually where the believer wants, more than anything to express his or her own personal love to the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Owner and Master. It is that sweet declaration of un-ending love and devotion, knowing that without His grace we will never be able to carry through our love for Him. As the soul of the believer has been massaged, sweetened and made smooth and soft it naturally is in need of the hand of God writing the words of God on that soul. This moves us to the next level.

4.) Proclamation: At this point, the end of expressing our personal love and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, we are ready for the Holy Spirit to come with the word of God that He will write on our hearts. Our hearts are clean, grateful and full of love for the Lord, now He will wash us with the “water of the word.” This is where we have no need to be washed all over but our feet only. (See John 13) Now after He washes us with the water of the word, we can have fellowship with Him. Proclamation is nothing less than the reading and explaining of scripture as it is compared with other scripture. It is a process of “lifting” the great truths of scripture up before the believers, explaining them in true context and holding them in the light of other scriptures on the same subject. The proclamation needs to be in a logical format for the understanding of the believers. The plain, dignified approach of the scriptures telling a narrative should set the best example of the presentation of God’s message for that local body of believers. Being too creative can distract from the message by shifting the focus from the creator to the creature. It is sometime during this process of lifting up and explaining the word that each and every individual one at a time will move on to one degree or another to the next logical transformation in the believer’s attitude.

5.) Acclamation: This is the real crisis point in the entire service. This is that point where the believer makes a conscious decision to accept or reject the message. Were they washed in the water of the word, or did they just get wet? For acclamation to take place, the message has to be internalized by the individual believer on a level that transforms their actions by the renewing of their mind. The Proclamation of scripture must be willingly received and embraced as the full, final authority or true, full acclamation did not take place. And that is the ultimate goal of proclamation. It is possible for a partial acceptance to take place and later the Holy Spirit lead that person to a full transformation by the renewing of the mind and acclamation of the truth as revealed in scripture. The last station for the believer is one that does not take place at the “gathering” of the saints.

6.) Dissemination: This last position or attitude of worship and praise takes place in the world, not at the meeting place of the believers. Because of the “meeting with the Lord” that has taken place -- because of the true worship of Jesus (Thanksgiving - Adulation - Adoration - Proclamation and the Acclamation) in spirit and truth, that has taken place -- the believer has been transformed by the renewing of their mind. If you will, they were transformed into having the mind of Christ. If all else associated with the worship and presentation in glory of our Lord Jesus Christ takes place and this “dissemination” does NOT take place, THERE HAS BEEN NO WORSHIP! If the first five attitudes do not result in dissemination, there was no thanksgiving - no adulation - no adoration - no lasting proclamation and no acclamation. This happens far more often than not, and is usually never noticed if there was a large enough and loud enough celebration. Everyone declares what a meaningful meeting it was, goes home unchanged, and the world remains the same as it was too. True worship will result, not in just you worshipping Jesus, but you will also have a burning desire to see everyone else come to love and worship Him too. That’s dissemination.

A Lack Of MOral Authority In America Today

2007-04-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Mob mentality in the streets rebelling against legally elected government authority: Government prosecutors rigging evidence to convict innocent people because it is politically expedient for them to be re-elected: Entertainment personalities publicly degrading and insulting innocent people with off hand characterizations: Hypocrite so-called-ministers demanding justice or mercy when it suits their pocketbook. It is a time “When every man does that which is right in his own eyes.” Moral authority has been relegated to the “feelings” of the individual and America is wondering why it is in the mess it’s in.

We have developed into such an adversarial society that many of our children are becoming combat veterans before they graduate from High school. After recent events, we can look for another round of "gun control laws" being made. There may be more things that need to be done to keep guns out of the hands of the irresponsible, but I always get nervous about law makers passing laws under duress. GOD knows they have enough trouble getting it right when it's just day to day business. They don't need the additional pressure.

The problem we face here is not about guns. It's about authority. If gunpowder had never been invented, this controversy called "gun control" would be called "bow and arrow control" or "sling and rock control". Guns, spears, arrows etc. don't kill people. People kill people. Don’t try to laugh that off. The truth will set you free. Remember, “If guns cause violence,” then they same reasoning says “erasures on pencils cause mistakes.”

Face the real issue. It's about "authority". We have taught "rights" over "responsibility" for so long, that any attempt to make people act responsible looks like a violation of someone's rights. This brings about rebellion. When an individual person makes a choice to end another person's life, they have taken on authority that they don't have. To assume this authority a person has to come out from under and throw off all established Divine, parental and civil authority. This is called rebellion and at this level it usually is not the first time rebellion has been seen in this individual's life. One does not make one giant step from being in total submission and obedience to parents, school official and civil authorities, to walking into a building and shooting down anyone who moves.

Influences in our lives will either move us toward being good or move us toward being evil. When you add together the effects of gangsta’ rap and Goth heavy metal - the other music-videos, and the impact of violent video games, you end up with a rebellious worldview. Add to this television's amplified teaching of one's right to assert their preferred perversion and the prevailing notion that "freedom" means "no moral restraint", you end up with rebellion as a standard attitude. Immoral behavior becomes funny or cute, thereby becoming common place and acceptable. As for the music and videos, allow your children to pour garbage into their minds, after awhile you get garbage out. Children are not being taught to properly claim their rights by submission to higher authority. They are learning everything they learn from the cursing, fighting and immoral lives of the adults in the rebellious and broken homes they are growing up in.

Most churches hardly even touch on "moral freedom" any more. Moral freedom is not the right to do whatever your glands tell you to do; it is the power of a disciplined life that gives you the strength to do what you know is right. Remember back when we allowed a hand full of people to throw GOD'S Book out of our schools? Now you hear people ask, "Where is GOD when all of this shooting takes place?" He's out there where you threw Him years ago when you became so enlightened that you didn't need His influence in the lives of your children any more. Is it really any wonder that “in the schools” is where it's all being played out before us?

The Bible is the only proven standard we have. People must be under the authority of an absolute standard of right and wrong for character training. We do not come into this world desiring to respect and acknowledge the rights of the people around us. Children must be taught that other people are not just props to complete the stage of their life. Next, people must be under authority for the sake of their own conscience. The most frustrated and miserable people you know are the ones who always find a way around discipline and authority. They go through life making excuses and shifting blame on to someone else for their bad choices.
To accept authority is to accept responsibility for obedience. People who have no discipline hold other people responsible for their happiness and when life fails to meet their implanted desires and expectations, they blame others, grow to hate authority even more and then go off like volcanoes damaging all of us. If not physically, emotionally damaged.

There are three places for you to learn about authority. First, there is the family. It was here that GOD established the place to start learning to live under authority. Parents can't say, "I'll wait till they start school and let the teachers discipline them". You can't afford to wait till they are old enough to understand. Please, parents, don't tell children to do something if you are not going to make them do it. They just grow up doubting the orders of all who will be in authority over them, even those who may be trying to give them instructions that could save their life. The next place is the government. No, it is not school. School is there to educate them about the government's authority over them, not fix social issues or teach discipline. The basic two functions of government authority is to restrain or punish evil and to protect and reward those who do good. Lastly, the best place to help the family teach authority is in a GOD fearing, Bible believing, teaching and preaching church. A high view of scripture is a sign of respect for and submission to authority. GOD'S authority. WHO IS YOUR FINIAL AUTHORITY?

GOD is the source of all authority, He is "...King of kings and LORD of lords". (I Timothy 6:15) This means all authority is GOD given. Wherever authority is exercised, it is an area of jurisdiction assigned by GOD along with the resources and power to function for society's good. Submission is an attitude of reverence for GOD given authority whereby you willingly place yourself in obedience as an act of faith.

Obedience is the moral freedom to live a creative life under the protection of this divinely appointed authority while conforming to their rules of order. If you are having trouble with these words: "Obedience", "Authority" and "Submission" then you are part of the problem and until you change your attitude you'll never be part of the solution.

Why do you have so much trouble with this basic knowledge of order? Our head functions as authority in relation to our bodies to provide protection, provision and give direction to our lives. It is the same purpose and benefits for being under the authority of GOD. To do anything else is to be out of your head. The Bible speaks to this in, "Children obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. Look around you, how well are things with us and how much longer can man live on this earth?

Hope rides alone by Eddie Jeffers

2007-04-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

This is an article written by a 22 year old soldier in Iraq. I hope it will impress you, inspire you to do something to change the course of our nation, and I hope it blesses your heart as it did mine. ....................Ed Anthony

Hope Rides Alone By Eddie Jeffers

I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others. I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there. There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not. And to think, I volunteered for this... And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought. But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler. I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class. People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy. Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam. In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war. Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job. It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right. America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you. But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders. We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause. Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't. Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news, and let's stand and fight!
Isn't that what America is about anyway?

‘AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD’”

2007-03-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

“THIS MATTER OF
‘AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD’”
Over the more than twenty-five years of my ministry as a pastor and as a discipler, I have received and amassed a series of questions which always triggers much thought and gives me much incentive to explore and explain this subject. The questions all have to do with “an intimate relationship with God.” I have received such questions in some form or another several times during my ministry, but seldom (if ever) in a close succession like I wish to deal with here. I want to address, for you, some of those questions and my answers learned from many older and wiser men in the ministry, in this short teaching lesson. Some of this is based on what I have personally learned over the years, by experience, but most I have been taught by men of God who have gone before me.
I am asked, “Does the Bible teach that we can have an intimate relationship with God?” My answer was, of course, Yes. It not only teaches that we can have an intimate relationship with God, it teaches that the only possible real relationship with God is the intimate relationship. This is why Jesus taught that the New Birth is a “must” (John 3:3, 7), because without it, man has no relationship with God at all. Though the unsaved man lives out his entire life with God as his “frame of reference,” he has no relationship with God until he is born again. His spirit remains dead in him, hence he is dead in his trespasses and sins. By means of the New Birth, man receives the very life of God within himself, the Holy Spirit comes along side man’s dead spirit and makes his spirit alive. At that precise moment he is born again, quickened, and is thus brought into identification (a more intimate relationship with anything or anyone is not possible) and union with God.
In John 17:3, Jesus said to His Father, “This is life eternal, that men may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent.” The word “know” is exactly the same word that is used in the Septuagint (Greek) Version of the Old Testament in such verses as Genesis 4:1, “Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain.” The word “knew” pictures in both cases the greatest possible intimacy, a physical intimacy in the case of Adam and Eve and a spiritual intimacy in the case of man with God. But the word in each case is an expression of the deepest possible intimacy. Yes, it is fully possible and absolutely necessary for one human being to have an intimate relationship with God. The old catechism question and answer said it well, “The chief end of man is to know God and to enjoy Him forever.” It might also be added that one of the chief purposes of God is to know man and to enjoy him forever!
“Where in the Bible can we find examples of human beings experiencing an intimate relationship with God?” My answer was, On page after page. I want to preface my explanation at this point with a few necessary remarks. Most people seem to have a terrible misunderstanding of “an intimate relationship with God.” They seem to think that such a relationship must always be perfect or there is no relationship at all. In my measured understanding, this misunderstanding is the product of very shallow thought. When human beings are involved in a (any) relationship, they always prevent its perfection because they are sinners, and the distortion of being sinners necessarily twists to some degree any relationships they may have. This is the reason man needs to be saved, and the reason salvation is/must be by Grace. Without grace, without God acting toward man in grace and mercy, there could be no salvation at all. This is what makes the message of Christianity a “Gospel”. It is the Best News any man can ever hear, know and experience. The Gospel tells us that, despite man’s helplessness and hopelessness in sin, God has graciously acted to open the way for man to come into intimacy with Himself. Later in this series of vignettes, it is my hope to show why the awareness of this Gospel may be the most important factor in establishing a climate, an atmosphere for daily intimacy with God.
My relationship with my wife is certainly not perfect (after all, my wife is a woman—a quite admirable Divine arrangement, but one that throws into the relationship an often baffling “mix”—and she would firmly admit the same thing with regard to me, a man), but in spite of its imperfection, my relationship with my wife is intimate. We both are aware of the absence of perfection in our relationship (we have not yet found a way to surmount that difficulty), though we work constantly to improve our relationship. The mutual effort we put into the maintenance of our relationship creates a deeper understanding of each other, and creates in each of us a greater appreciation for each other. Any relationship requires careful and regular attention, and the same is true of one’s relationship with the Lord Jesus. I work steadily to adjust my relationship with God, correcting any breakdown or distortion I am aware of, and maintaining the disciplines of the relationship as regularly as I can. The human imperfections in any relationship, properly understood and accepted (without excuse or extenuation), still do not detract from intimacy in that relationship. The Gospel of the grace of God assures me that every deficiency is covered—if I am intent on “leaning toward Him” as I take the successive steps of my daily pilgrimage.
Biblically, the spotlight of our attention might be thrown upon the stories of Enoch in Genesis 5:21-24, a story of remarkable intimacy with God. And that of Abraham in Genesis 15 through 21, as well as the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. Note in every case that the relationships of these believers with God were not perfect, but were always covered by the grace of God. Throughout the Bible, one person after another had a believing, struggling, singing, shouting, protesting, etc., relationship with God—and the protesting was often the greatest show of intimacy, because it showed how much God meant to the believer. Carnal, timid people tend to ignore God because of their own failures, but truly spiritual people engage in full, honest and real relationships with Him, and especially so when they are aware of failure. Some of the signs and symptoms of these relationship are positive, some are negative, but they are intimate. I have been engaging in a Quiet Time examination of the book of Job for nearly a year now. The thing that has most impressed me about Job is his open, honest, uninhibited exchange with God in the most intimate possible way, while always maintaining personal confidence that God has final dispatch of all matters and is open to our approach with any matter we want to bring to him. Job’s intimacy with God is the feature that allowed a major subtle change to occur in him (Job) in the last chapters of the incredible book that bears Job’s name. The same will happen with any human being who engages in regular intimacy with God. He will discover vistas of mystery and mercy, love and grace, disclosure and honesty, that he never would have known apart from such a relationship.
I do not mean to leave the impression that intimacy with God was most evident only in Old Testament characters. The lives of all of the Apostles of Christ were marked by intimate exchanges with Him—in conversation, in observation, in learning, in communion, etc. It was through the deepest scrutiny of personal intimacy that they arrived at their Spirit-taught conclusions about His identity, His integrity, His Purpose, etc. It was this intimacy that established the “power base” of their lives and enabled them later to “turn the world upside down.” One has only to read the extensive accounts of John, Peter, Paul and others to see great examples of intimacy with God through Jesus Christ.
“How would you define an intimate relationship with God?” It is surely something of an oversimplification, but I would begin with the word Jesus used. Intimate relationship with God or with Jesus Christ can be defined as “abiding.” It would be valuable here to read and/or re-read John 15:1-8 and I John 2:28 as examples of the use of this word. Someone interpreted this as “centering” on Jesus Christ all day long every day. This is a good definition, even if it requires much amplification. This brings into the picture all the “means of grace”, all the supportive means of relationship-building and relationship maintenance, that are essential. The list includes the daily dependent study of the Word of God, turning the Bible into a territory of encounter and intimacy, not a mere object of academic study. Another means of relationship is open, realistic prayer, the “talking” and communing side of the relationship. Another is fellowship and worship with other believers who are engaged in an open, all-cylinders-active, relationship with God. Another is witnessing and soul-winning, an activity in which God “jumps rails” and joins you so that the intimacy of relationship is enhanced. The one setting I have often found to be very quickening of my own relationship with Him is the open, free, uninhibited small group of disciples in a disciple-making setting, expressing transparency, freedom, happiness and honesty together as expressions of their own free relationship with Jesus. I have left many meetings of such disciples wonderfully aware of the near Presence of our Lord, more intimately aware of His Person and His Purpose, and more determined to know and serve Him better. “While we were musing, the fire burned.”
Perhaps this lesson will open the door for future suggestions about
“How to Improve Your Daily Quiet Time.”

After Action Report Gathering Of Eagles I 03/17/07

2007-03-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

An after actions report from Rev. Ed Anthony (Jmpmstr82) National Co-Chaplain “Gathering of Eagles”
I wrote an article a few years back to encourage another army, the Lord’s army. It’s about being tenacious and faithful to our calling and duty in life. With some slight adjustments, I wish to share it here:

"Keep about your work -- proclaim the truth, do the work of a soldier, fulfill your duties with honor. Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the arguments of the communists rabbits. Do your duty, be honest to your calling. Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let critics malign, let enemies accuse, let the devil do his worst; but see to it nothing hinders you from fulfilling with joy the duty post that was assigned you. God has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you to defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehoods about yourself which the enemies of this nation are so proficient at generating. Do not waste time tracking down every rumor that threatens your reputation. If you focus on this, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for our national best interest. Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends or family, and despised and rejected of men. But cover yourself with eternal glory by seeing to your assigned duties. Pursue with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, “Mission Accomplished” and “Lord, I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do" - “I have been the noble soldier, I have defended my Nation with honor and dignity to the death!”……Ed Anthony circa 2001

My hearts desire and prayer to God is that this breath of fresh air continues to blow throughout our nation and calls us back to a free, constitutional Republic as it scatters the socialist and communist who would destroy it. I do not recall ever being any more grateful and proud to stand with a gathering of people in my life than in Washington DC on March 17, 2007. The hook line of my report to the Eagles is, “Stand Fast with joy in your heart for the opportunity to serve your country once again.”
Let me say first, I am grateful for the leadership of Col. Harry Riley and Capt. Larry Bailey, as well as the leadership of the other groups and chapters of Veteran organizations. I also want to thank the many people who willingly invested the long hours and personal expenses just to serve the rest of us. I know of much behind-the-scenes sacrifice that went on to make this event come off as well as it did. You all showed the dedication and leadership qualities that have always marked this as a great nation. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifices. You have made me grateful to have you as brothers and sisters. God bless you and the Bible promises He will not forget your faithful service to His people. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10.
With all of the joy and celebration of the triumph of good over evil comes a sobering thought to my mind. These foolish miscreants lead by wicked and evil forces from the dark shadows are NOT going to lay down and roll over. On the trip to DC, I shared with Col. Riley my thoughts on this, “If we hand these people their butt-in-a-bag, in DC, before the entire nation, they will return the next time more determined and vicious that ever before.” Eagles, we must not let down our guard. The “string-puppet-stand-before-the-camera” so called leader of ANSWER spoke what everyone in the anti-American camp considered to be the condition of our resolve, “No one will show up, in forty years, they never have before.” But the puppet-masters pulling his strings from out of sight miscalculated where so many Vietnam Veterans where emotionally. Many of the Korean, WWII and other veterans, as well as many Americans have had enough of this lying, slanderous vilifying of the greatest, most generous nation of people to have ever existed in the history of mankind. If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times, “Enough is enough, Not this time, No more, Not ever again, and NOT ON MY WATCH!” The time was ripe for our actions.
If anything, NOW is the time to move out and take even more ground. We must show up in even greater numbers the next time. Gathering of Eagles II must bring more civilians into the mix, more college age men and women, more youth and we must ALWAYS be a gathering where people can bring their whole families and know they will be respected and safe. As an ordained Baptist pastor, I am always keenly aware of the language and deportment of the people around me. With very few exceptions and mild ones at that, this was as clean and honorable a public family gathering as I have ever attended. I saw honesty, transparency and clean hearts in the people’s eyes. When I looked around, I saw clean, neat people be polite and respectful to each other. I saw bright eyed, clear faced men and women caring for and comforting each other, even though strangers. I saw a trooper weeping before the three soldiers memorial and out of the crowd stepped another trooper and they embraced and shared words of comfort with each other. This was the America I was raised to believe in, this was the America I am so proud of, this is the America I’ll defend.
When I looked across the no-man’s-land I saw confused nihilist, dirty, ragged, and dull eyes full of hate and fear. A hate for anything clean and good because in their heart of hearts they know they can’t measure up to the standard set by brave men and women. Full of fear because they know if not today, maybe tomorrow they will be exposed for the uselessness, corruption and sickness that they are. My message for this pathetic rabble is:
“Eagles are a part of your future, get used to it!”
Eagles, Patriots, much loved brothers and sisters, we must take up that age old vow to defend our constitution against all enemies both foreign and domestic. Up until now, there have not been sufficient forces to face down the “fifth column” in our nation. We, and they, now know better. We can, We will, We must, stand in the gap for our country once more. America needed us then and we responded, America needs us now more than she did then. God bless our troops, God bless the Eagles, God bless the USA.

“The people who would have freedom and rights are those who would dare to defend them.”… Ed Anthony

Rev. Ed Anthony Psalm 144:1
Pensacola, Florida
National Co-Chaplain
Gathering of Eagles

A Gathering of Eagles on March 17, 2007

2007-03-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

To All Americans,
We are just ten days out from our Gathering of Eagles event in Washington, D.C., March 17, 2007..........Eagles are souring........
Our preparations are going well and all expectations point to a large, perhaps huge out pouring of participation...support for the principles that under-gird Gathering of Eagles has resonated favorably across America and indeed, around the world....it's the right thing to do.......and the right time to do it.
The encouraging numbers we are anticipating has required beefing up our support mechanism...........we have tentative arrangements made for: EMT/Ambulance service; porta potty comfort stations (Lincoln Memorial will also be available); a sound system for our formal program of entertainment, speakers, etc. from 10:00 to 11:30; Stage area, conference tables, chairs, canopy(s), speakers, etc.; there will be a concession nearby to purchase subs, novelties, etc. Stardust radio and others will do "live" broadcast of our event........this is a glimpse of what we are doing....many loose ends to tie up.......but it's going smoothly. It's a big event.
Remember, Gathering of Eagles is an event....we are not an organization...this is not something we had the luxury of two years planning, committees to research tasks, no main stream media support, no advertising campaign, no money in the bank....in short this is a "faith based" undertaking........we sent a request for financial help and you are responding......you have provided just over $15,000 so we are well on the way to having enough funds to cover all our expenses......but our needs exceed what we have received, so if you can contribute, please do. www.gatheringofeagles.org has a means to contribute on line via paypal/credit card or you can send check or money order payable and to:
Vets for the Truth
ATTN: Gathering of Eagles
PO Box 291Chocowinity, NC 27817
Our movement is getting broad attention......as you can view on our www.gatheringofeagles.org web site, dozens of organizations, bloggers, etc are spreading the word. Several have been interviewed on Internet Radio, we're getting some attention from major talk shows (Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, Michelle Malkin) but the best is each one of "you", the grass roots that are using email list, letters to editors, calling in to talk shows, sending letters to the major media (Fox, CSPAN, CNN) in large numbers eventually will get their attention.
Please remember to pray for us as we step forward to stop the desecration of the Vietnam Wall and other monuments to our service heroes. We will not allow the likes of these anti-American God hating Communist to do as they did back in January when they spray painted the steps of the capital. We, the veterans, paid with our blood and lives for their right to “peaceful” protest against anything our government is doing. But they will NEVER have the right to damage and vandalize monuments to service men and women and other public property. You don’t have to be a Veteran or service member to join us. Just a patriotic American who is fed up with the anti-American, communist loving, socialist moon-bats who gather to complain about men and women in uniform doing their job, protecting America.
God Bless America
God Bless our troops
Remember; Life has a flavor the protected will never taste!

What was your conversion; Counterfeit or Christian? Part II

2007-01-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

What was your conversion; Counterfeit or Christian? Part II
II. TRUE CHRISTIAN CONVERSION
There is only one conversion that may properly be called "Christian." The trouble with a doctrinal or emotional or moral conversion is the same in each case. In each case I am left with the same sinful self. I may have a new set of ideas, a good feeling, or a new set of ideals, but my person is basically the same. My inner life and character remain unchanged. Such a person cannot understand the real nature of spiritual life. He does not know that a real birth, “birth from above,” the term Jesus used, has occurred. “Except a person is born from above (gennetha anothen), he cannot see the kingdom of God,” said Jesus. Just as a person is born physically to get into the human family, so he must be born spiritually to get into the family of God. The only answer to the problem of my old sinful self is Christian conversion!
Two questions arise with regard to Christian conversion: First, “What is the meaning of conversion?” and secondly, “What are the means by which it occurs?”
First, what is the meaning of Christian conversion? The word "conversion" is not an exclusively Christian word. In fact, conversion is a quite common word with universal usage. We speak of converting fuel to energy; we speak of converting a factory from one kind of manufacturing to another; we speak of converting a check to cash. In the distinctively Christian sense, conversion means that the direction of one's life is changed; that one's mind is changed; that his inner character is radically and absolutely revolutionized and transformed, and something completely new and different (indeed, Someone) is now at the center of his life. Author George Grant wrote, “According to the Bible, conversion is not simply an ethical or philosophical revision. It is a transformation of the very soul. It affects every detail of life. A converted individual is altogether different than he was before. He has new motivations, new standards, and new objectives. He has a new outlook, a new way of thinking, and a new way of living. He is born anew (see II Corinthians 5:17).” The simplicity of this will confound some, but a Christian conversion is simply conversion to Jesus Christ.
Robert Munger wrote, "During my college days, there was a boy whose room down the hall from me was a continual mess. It always looked as if a tornado had just recently torn through it. When a room is branded `messy' by college students, it's really messy. One evening we were endeavoring to crowd into this room, and he said somewhat apologetically, `I guess that what I need is a little system.' `Oh, no,' one of his friends quickly said, `what you need is not a little system. What you need is a little wife to live in this room and take care of it.' Even so, every sinner needs a new relationship, a new Resident, to live in his messy heart to forever cleanse it and change it.
The word "convert" simply means "to turn." In fact, the word "conversion" has in it several significant different shades of meaning. It simply means "to turn around," or to do a 180 degree turn. But it also has several accessory ideas in it. It means "to turn toward" a certain object. The difference is that between a wheel turning on its axis and a flower turning toward the sun. In Christian conversion, the human heart is attracted toward Jesus by the drawing power of the Holy Spirit, just as that flower was attracted to the sun by the warmth of its radiance. It means also "to turn from one object to another", and the two objects are seen to be in direct opposition to each other. So Christian conversion is the turning of the sinner from sin and selfishness to Christ. It means "to turn back to a point from which it had been turned away." This introduces another dimension of Christian conversion. Conversion involves a great miraculous crisis that fixes the heart forever on Christ, but it also involves the process of overcoming all of those seductions of Satan, sin, and the world which would attempt to distract us from Christ. Someone has correctly said that there are two types of Christian conversion. One could be called “revolutionary”; this type is sudden and dramatic and powerful. The other could be called “evolutionary”; this type also involves a moment of transformation, but the preparation for it occurs through slow development and is much less dramatic. The process that always follows the moment of transformation is what Sam Shoemaker called "continuing conversion". A magnetic needle may be mechanically forced to point to the south, but as soon as it is freed from the mechanical pressure it will turn automatically again toward the north. Even so, a truly converted person may be temporarily and artificially distracted by the world, the flesh and the devil, but his heart will always finally overcome the artificial distraction and return to its “polar north,” the Person of Jesus Christ.
In short, conversion is the establishing of right relations with a living Lord and Savior. Christian conversion means that your life has been brought under the management of Jesus Christ. Robert Munger said it like this: "During the Second World War, thousands of bombing planes were sent on missions of destruction. After the war a few of them were taken over for commercial service. They are called `converted bombers.' A converted bomber is the same plane that once carried a lethal load of destruction. It has the same wings and fuselage, the same type motors, the same cockpit and instrument panel. But there are several differences. The bomb racks are gone. The gun turret is gone. The plane now has a new owner. It carries new cargo. It has a new pilot. This is true conversion." Even so, if you have been truly converted to Christ, you have a new owner and a new pilot, and you carry a new cargo. An almighty and loving God now owns your life; its pilot is Jesus Christ, who guides and controls you through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; and you now have a new direction, new ambitions, new dynamic, and new resources for the living of an abundant life in Christ. This is why Dr. E. Y. Mullins called conversion "the Christian life in germ form." In it is concentrated all of the elements of the Christian life which follows. So conversion installs into the believer the “DNA”, all the spiritual “genes and chromosomes” of the Christian life.
The other crucial question is, what are the means by which conversion occurs? The way is simple, but it produces an absolutely revolutionary change in life and living. First, you must repent of your sins. In fact, the Bible specifies that it is "repentance toward God" (the One against whom I have sinned). Repentance is sometimes defined as being sorry for our sins. But repentance means far more than that. Repentance means to adopt God's way of looking at things: God's way of seeing yourself and your self-centeredness (S-I-N, Self-Ish-Ness), God's way of seeing the solution of your sinproblem, God's way of seeing life and its responsibilities, God's way of looking at the world. To repent is to renounce the past and to turn your back on what you are, what you did, and how you viewed things. When you do this, you do not lose your identity, you gain your true destiny! When you truly repent, the mind of God becomes your point of reference for everything! Then, the other step is faith. Again, the Bible specifies that it is "faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." This involves complete surrender and total commitment to Jesus Christ. The faith that converts is the faith that shifts the center of gravity in a sinner’s life from self to Jesus Christ.
An American preacher told of this beautiful incident which occurred at an all night prayer chain in his church. Different church members had signed up for 30minute segments to form an allnight prayer chain. He had volunteered to pray at 2:30 in the morning. When he arrived at the church and entered the sanctuary, the woman who had taken the 30minute segment before him was still kneeling in prayer at the prayer altar. He waited at the door, but it became apparent that she was struggling with something in her life that was unsurrendered to God. Her prayer increased in fervency as the minutes passed. Finally, when she had prayed fifteen minutes overtime, the preacher walked down the aisle of the church from behind her and said gently, "I'll take over now." There was a moment of silence, then the praying woman looked up at him and with a radiant smile, she said, "Everything is all right. The Lord Jesus just told me that He would take over now." She had been so intense in her prayer that she had unknowingly transferred his words to Christ. What a beautiful illustration of the meaning of Christian conversion. Conversion is never Christian until Jesus Christ has taken over our entire lives. When Christ becomes central in everything, you are converted.
Our real trouble is that He (Jesus) has been on the margin of our lives, and our lives have been dominated by something else entirely, usually self! If Jesus Christ is not central in your life, you have not been converted to Him, or you had a counterfeit conversion.
Charles Simeon, the great Cambridge pastor, was asked about the process of conversion. He wrote, "Conversion is contrary to the course of nature, and can only be brought about by God's almighty power. Before conversion, the person's heart and mind flow steadily downward—away from his Creator, by a natural tendency—toward destruction. After conversion, all its tendencies are changed, and it flows upwards from destruction, back again toward its Creator. Is this due to mere human agency? Certainly not! All the resources, all the capabilities, all the efforts of all the inhabitants of the globe could not do it. It is done by the invisible, infinite, miraculous power of God. Tell the worldling (who knows nothing of this power) these truths, and he will not only ridicule the whole idea, he will ridicule you for entertaining it."
Many years ago, a well-known Harvard psychologist named William James wrote a well-known book entitled Varieties of Religious Experience, in which he attempted to describe conversion. He calls conversion "the harmonizing of the divided self." He quotes many instances from Christian biographies. Professor James wrote, "To be converted, to be regenerated, to receive grace, to experience religion, to gain an assurance, are so many phrases which denote the process, gradual or sudden, by which a self hitherto divided and consciously wrong, inferior and unhappy, becomes unified and consciously right, superior and happy, in consequence of its firm hold upon religious realities."
Friends, that description is like trying to explain sunshine without referring to the sun! Christian conversion is inseparable from Christ and impossible without Christ. If the divided self is ever to be harmonized, it must be through the forgiveness of sin, the cleansing of the heart, the shifting of the inner center of gravity from self to Christ, and all that is bound up in the phrase "eternal life".
Conversion (of some kind) is common to all religions, but Christian conversion stands alone. It is not an end in itself but a means. It may be approached from a thousand points along different avenues, but ultimately it resolves itself into union with Christ through faith. Christian conversion is the supreme fact of human experience, and it is the biggest experience known to man. It is the determinative factor of the Christian and of the Christian church, allowing the fellowship of the Christian church to become a veritable river of Divine life. Otherwise, it would be a stagnant pool.
Charles Spurgeon, the great London pastor, said, "I have seen hundreds and thousands who have given their hearts to Jesus, but I never did see one who said he was disappointed with Him. I never met one who said Jesus Christ was less than He was declared to be. When first my own eyes beheld Him, when the burden slipped from my heavy-laden shoulders, and I was freed from condemnation, I thought that all the preachers I had ever heard had not half preached the truth of it, they had not told half the beauty of my Lord and Master, so good, so generous, so gracious, so willing to forgive; it seemed to me as if they had slighted Him with small words, that they had almost slandered Him; they painted His likeness, doubtless, as well as they could, but it was a mere smudge compared with the matchless beauties of His face. All who have ever truly known Him will say the same." As a deeply “satisfied customer,” I whole-heartedly concur with Mr. Spurgeon’s words, lamenting only the poverty of language to define and describe Christian conversion.
In his autobiography, Eighty Adventurous Years, Sherwood Eddy told how he was a selfish and cynical student at Yale until he went to hear evangelist Dwight L. Moody preach. He wrote, "Before Mr. Moody has finished, I saw myself as I was. I also saw Moody as he was, an uneducated man using bad grammar, but under God shaking the continent of America as he had moved the colleges and cities of Great Britain. A great thirst suddenly sprang up in my heart. Oh for a man to arise in me, that the man I was might cease to be! That night I forgot about my `good time', my good life, my good works. I went out into the field and by a big rock I wrestled with my own selfishness and sin. That night marked the turning point in my life. Jesus Christ came to dwell in me, and God became forever real to me."
Remember the words of our text: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God." We sometimes think that a child needs an adult's understanding to be saved, but actually, every adult needs a child's heart to be saved.
Dear friend, what about you? Have you been converted—by Christ, to Christ, into Christ? If you have never been converted to Christ, let the testimony of the scriptures lead you to Christ. Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out."

What was your conversion; Counterfeit or Christian

2007-01-27T06:32:00.000-08:00

WHAT WAS YOUR CONVERSION; COUNTERFEIT OR CHRISTIAN?”

(Matthew 18:3 Proverbs 14:12 II Corinthians 13:5 Matthew 7:21-23)

Matthew 18:3, "Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

II Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we no prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Conversion is the central, personal miracle of Christianity, the miracle that makes Jesus Christ perennially contemporary in human experience. It is the first and fundamental work of the Holy Spirit. All the powers and wonders of the Christian Gospel proceed from this center. Because of its very importance, we might suspect that Satan would seek to counterfeit this matter of conversion. And we would be correct in our suspicion!
Dr. E. Stanley Jones, on page 26 of his book entitled Conversion, says, "Probably twothirds of the membership of the churches know little or nothing about conversion as a personal, experimental fact." But these same people came into the church on a statement that they had been converted! Were they deliberately declaring a falsehood? No. Most of them at the time actually believed that they were converted. Thus, it is absolutely necessary that we define the meaning of conversion-both negatively and positively. We must tell what it is not as well as what it is. In this study, I urge you to face the question, "WAS YOUR CONVERSION TRAGICALLY COUNTERFEIT OR TRULY CHRISTIAN? Eternity is too long for you to be wrong!

I. COUNTERFEIT CONVERSION
First, we must note that there are several counterfeit types of conversion that are labeled "Christian." And the counterfeits usually have such a similarity to the genuine experience that they can easily be substituted for it. Many people have received a "religious inoculation or vaccination." When we are vaccinated, we are given a little of the disease and it keeps us from getting the real thing, the big thing. Thousands of church people have just enough religion to "inoculate" them against having a real relationship with Jesus Christ. It is necessary that the counterfeit be identified in order that we may be sure that our conversion experience was genuine.
The first counterfeit conversion is what we might call - a doctrinal conversion. A doctrinal conversion is simply a conversion from one set of ideas to another set of ideas. It is a conversion from one set of beliefs to another set of beliefs. For example, here is an atheist. He says that he does not believe in God, in Jesus Christ, in the Bible as the Word of God, in salvation, in immortality, or in any of the doctrines of the Christian faith. But by some means (perhaps by discussion with an intelligent and informed Christian), he one day becomes finally convinced in his mind that these and other doctrines of the Christian faith are true. He makes a public profession of his faith (his newfound belief in the doctrinal truth of the Christian faith), is baptized, and becomes a church member. Was his conversion truly Christian, or was it tragically counterfeit? Is he a Christian? No! He has merely changed one set of ideas for another. He has traded in the idea of atheism for the more satisfying ideas of the New Testament and of the Gospel of Christ. He has new ideas, but he also has the same old sinful heart and the same old untransformed life. He believes intellectually in all the doctrines of the Christian Gospel that are presented to him, but his conversion is only intellectual.
Perhaps a simple illustration will help here. Suppose I go to my doctor and he tells me that I have a vitamin deficiency. He prescribes some vitamins for me to take daily, and I begin to follow his orders. But suppose that one morning I come to the refrigerator to lift the vitamin bottle out. As I do so, the label or wrapper of the bottle comes off in my hand. Holding the wrapper in my hand, I begin to read from it the list of ingredients in the vitamins. It is conceivable that I might become vitaminstarved while reading the contents without taking the tablets themselves. Even so, many take the table of contents of the Christian faith --- its doctrines and beliefs - but they do not take Christ Himself as the Redeemer, Savior, and Absolute Lord of their lives. They starve to death spiritually while reading (and believing) the menu! They have been victimized by a counterfeit conversion.
No one would dream of confusing a marriage certificate with a marriage. You might hold a marriage certificate without a marriage. You might hold a marriage certificate in your hand all the days of your life and still not be married, and the certificate would be a poor substitute for the relationship.
Many people treat Christianity as primarily a set of interesting moral or religious ideas which can be conveyed by teaching and argument. People cannot be argued into the Kingdom of God, because what is entrusted to the church is not so much a set of ideas as the living reality which lies behind them. It is the crucified, risen and living Christ who stands at the center of the Christian faith, not a mere set of religious propositions.
There is a story which is told about the agnostic philosopher Bertrand Russell. One day, he was walking down a road when he suddenly stopped and said to a friend, "The ontological argument is right after all!" In other words, that a certain philosophical evidence or "proof" for the existence of God was valid. On another day, earlier in human history, a Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus was walking down a different road when he encountered the risen and living Christ. Russell had encountered an idea; Saul had met a Divine Person. And there is all the difference in the world between the two experiences. That encounter with the risen Christ certainly gave rise to a set of ideas, but lying behind them as their source and origin was the risen Christ.
“Mental assent to a set of ideas, rules or beliefs isn't the same as the experience of encountering Jesus Christ.“ The central question of Christianity is not, "Do you believe this idea or that idea?" but, "who do you say Jesus Christ is?" Once this question is answered adequately and accurately, the question is, "What is your personal relationship with Him?"
I would not be misunderstood at this point. I am by no means saying that doctrine is unimportant. Doctrine is important, but it is like a signpost to point the way to a real, intimate personal relationship to Jesus Christ. If I wanted to go to Shreveport and did not know the way, a signpost could help me. But woe to me if I climb up and sit on the signpost itself, as though that would get me to Shreveport! Doctrines are like signposts that point the way to the Savior. But if you have only believed the sign without meeting the Savior, you have had a counterfeit conversion.
Another counterfeit conversion is the merely emotional conversion. The emotional conversion is simply a conversion to a feeling, or by a feeling. In this type of counterfeit conversion, feeling is everything. The person who has had this type of conversion spends a large part of their life after the conversion trying to feel right. If they feel right, they are confident that all is well between them and God. But if for any reason the feeling is not there, they are miserable, and run to find it again. They go to church, to evangelistic services, and special conferences in order to get the “feeling.”
Again, an illustration might help to reveal the counterfeit. This is an actual case history, a true story. The person was a small child at the time. She was in an evangelistic meeting one night. In the invitation, the congregation sang a hymn which was deeply moving and packed with emotion. Gripped by the song, the little girl began to cry. The pastor saw her, walked to where she was standing, and asked her if she believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins. Of course she answered, "Yes," because she had been raised in a Christian home and had always believed this. Then the pastor put his hand on her shoulder and led in prayer, thanking God that she had come under conviction of sin. She said years later, "That was where he was wrong. I had had no conviction of sin at all. I was crying because the music was sad, the emotional pitch of the service was very high, and the emotion of the moment had gotten me." But the pastor told her that she was converted, and because he said so she tried to believe it. So another unconverted person was added to the rolls of the church.
Again, I would not be misunderstood. Emotion may be a very vital part of genuine conversion, but it is not equal to conversion, and should not be regarded as the test of conversion. A merely emotional conversion is a counterfeit.
Another counterfeit conversion is the merely moral conversion. In this type of conversion, a person who has been morally bad becomes morally good. This is the kind of conversion that is often referred to when someone says, "I made a change." This is a conversion to a set of ideals or to a moral standard. It is possible to make a complete moral change and never be converted. In place of one set of conduct patterns, the individual acquires another which is more acceptable and praiseworthy. There is many a man who used to curse, and thought that when he quit cussing, that made him a Christian. There is many a man who used to drink, and thought that when he quit drinking, that made him a Christian. This is counterfeit conversion.
So it is possible to have a psychological conversion without a spiritual new birth. It is possible to profess conversion without any vital transformation taking place in the life and character of the “convert,” to assume the name of Christian without any real change within. And the profession may be in good faith because of a lack of experience! This leads to the tragic possibility of a person evaluating Christ and Christianity through the blind eyes (II Corinthians 4:4) of a mere natural man (I Corinthians 2:14). Only the truly born-again person will know the vast difference between the profession of a natural man and the conversion of a spiritual man.
The fact of the matter is, a person can be converted to almost anything—to the minister, to the church, to the youth program, to the Sunday School, to some dynamic Christian—and none of these, either singly or together with others, adds up to a Christian conversion.
What was your conversion; Counterfeit or Christian?

ARE YOU IN THE FAITH?

2007-01-25T07:32:00.000-08:00

#WHAT WAS YOUR CONVERSION,
COUNTERFEIT OR CHRISTIAN?”
(Matthew 18:3 Proverbs 14:12 II Corinthians 13:5 Matthew 7:21-23)

Matthew 18:3, "Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

II Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we no prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Conversion is the central, personal miracle of Christianity, the miracle that makes Jesus Christ perennially contemporary in human experience. It is the first and fundamental work of the Holy Spirit. All the powers and wonders of the Christian Gospel proceed from this center. Because of its very importance, we might suspect that Satan would seek to counterfeit this matter of conversion. And we would be correct in our suspicion!
Dr. E. Stanley Jones, on page 26 of his book entitled Conversion, says, "Probably two thirds of the membership of the churches know little or nothing about conversion as a personal, experimental fact." But these same people came into the church on a statement that they had been converted! Were they deliberately declaring a falsehood? No. Most of them at the time actually believed that they were converted. Thus, it is absolutely necessary that we define the meaning of conversion both negatively and positively. We must tell what it is not as well as what it is. In this study, I urge you to face the question, "WAS YOUR CONVERSION TRAGICALLY COUNTERFEIT OR TRULY CHRISTIAN? Eternity is too long for you to be wrong!

I. COUNTERFEIT CONVERSION
First, we must note that there are several counterfeit types of conversion that are labeled "Christian." And the counterfeits usually have such a similarity to the genuine experience that they can easily be substituted for it. Many people have received a "religious inoculation or vaccination." When we are vaccinated, we are given a little of the disease and it keeps us from getting the real thing, the big thing. Thousands of church people have just enough religion to "inoculate" them against having a real relationship with Jesus Christ. It is necessary that the counterfeit be identified in order that we may be sure that our conversion experience was genuine.

The first counterfeit conversion is what we might call a doctrinal conversion. A doctrinal conversion is simply a conversion from one set of ideas to another set of ideas. It is a conversion from one set of beliefs to another set of beliefs. For example, here is an atheist. He says that he does not believe in God, in Jesus Christ, in the Bible as the Word of God, in salvation, in immortality, or in any of the doctrines of the Christian faith. But by some means (perhaps by discussion with an intelligent and informed Christian), he one day becomes finally convinced in his mind that these and other doctrines of the Christian faith are true. He makes a public profession of his faith (his new found belief in the doctrinal truth of the Christian faith), is baptized, and becomes a church member. Was his conversion truly Christian, or was it tragically counterfeit? Is he a Christian? No! He has merely changed one set of ideas for another. He has traded in the idea of atheism for the more satisfying ideas of the New Testament and of the Gospel of Christ. He has new ideas, but he also has the same old sinful heart and the same old untransformed life. He believes intellectually in all the doctrines of the Christian Gospel that are presented to him, but his conversion is only intellectual.
Perhaps a simple illustration will help here. Suppose I go to my doctor and he tells me that I have a vitamin deficiency. He prescribes some vitamins for me to take daily, and I begin to follow his orders. But suppose that one morning I come to the refrigerator to lift the vitamin bottle out. As I do so, the label or wrapper of the bottle comes off in my hand. Holding the wrapper in my hand, I begin to read from it the list of ingredients in the vitamins. It is conceivable that I might become vitamin starved while reading the contents without taking the tablets themselves. Even so, many take the table of contents of the Christian faith --- its doctrines and beliefs - but they do not take Christ Himself as the Redeemer, Savior, and Absolute Lord of their lives. They starve to death spiritually while reading (and believing) the menu! They have been victimized by a counterfeit conversion.
No one would dream of confusing a marriage certificate with a marriage. You might hold a marriage certificate without a marriage. You might hold a marriage certificate in your hand all the days of your life and still not be married, and the certificate would be a poor substitute for the relationship.
Many people treat Christianity as primarily a set of interesting moral or religious ideas which can be conveyed by teaching and argument. People cannot be argued into the Kingdom of God, because what is entrusted to the church is not so much a set of ideas as the living reality which lies behind them. It is the crucified, risen and living Christ who stands at the center of the Christian faith, not a mere set of religious propositions.
There is a story which is told about the agnostic philosopher Bertrand Russell. One day, he was walking down a road when he suddenly stopped and said to a friend, "The ontological argument is right after all!" In other words, that a certain philosophical evidence or "proof" for the existence of God was valid. On another day, earlier in human history, a Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus was walking down a different road when he encountered the risen and living Christ. Russell had encountered an idea; Saul had met a Divine Person. And there is all the difference in the world between the two experiences. That encounter with the risen Christ certainly gave rise to a set of ideas, but lying behind them as their source and origin was the risen Christ.

“Mental assent to a set of ideas, rules or beliefs isn't the same as the experience of encountering Jesus Christ.“ The central question of Christianity is not, "Do you believe this idea or that idea?" but, "who do you say Jesus Christ is?" Once this question is answered adequately and accurately, the question is, "What is your personal relationship with Him?"
I would not be misunderstood at this point. I am by no means saying that doctrine is unimportant. Doctrine is important, but it is like a signpost to point the way to a real, intimate personal relationship to Jesus Christ. If I wanted to go to Shreveport and did not know the way, a signpost could help me. But woe to me if I climb up and sit on the signpost itself, as though that would get me to Shreveport! Doctrines are like signposts that point the way to the Savior. But if you have only believed the sign without meeting the Savior, you have had a counterfeit conversion.

Another counterfeit conversion is the merely emotional conversion. The emotional conversion is simply a conversion to a feeling, or by a feeling. In this type of counterfeit conversion, feeling is everything. The person who has had this type of conversion spends a large part of their life after the conversion trying to feel right. If they feel right, they are confident that all is well between them and God. But if for any reason the feeling is not there, they are miserable, and run to find it again. They go to church, to evangelistic services, and special conferences in order to get the “feeling.”
Again, an illustration might help to reveal the counterfeit. This is an actual case history, a true story. The person was a small child at the time. She was in an evangelistic meeting one night. In the invitation, the congregation sang a hymn which was deeply moving and packed with emotion. Gripped by the song, the little girl began to cry. The pastor saw her, walked to where she was standing, and asked her if she believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins. Of course she answered, "Yes," because she had been raised in a Christian home and had always believed this. Then the pastor put his hand on her shoulder and led in prayer, thanking God that she had come under conviction of sin. She said years later, "That was where he was wrong. I had had no conviction of sin at all. I was crying because the music was sad, the emotional pitch of the service was very high, and the emotion of the moment had gotten me." But the pastor told her that she was converted, and because he said so she tried to believe it. So another unconverted person was added to the rolls of the church.
Again, I would not be misunderstood. Emotion may be a very vital part of genuine conversion, but it is not equal to conversion, and should not be regarded as the test of conversion. A merely emotional conversion is a counterfeit. A counterfeit “emotional conversion” in the past is the hardest to overcome. But we must remember that all of the looking back and desperately wanting that bogus moment to become a “true conversion to Christ,” will NOT make it anything other than what it is, an emotional conversion. All of the looking back at the moment and knowing what you wanted to happen -- what you meant to have happen -- what you hope happened, and what you wish had happened will NOT change the fact that ALL it was, was a “merely emotional conversion.” A good rule to go by is, “Don’t go tell GOD that you are satisfied with what happened back there, go ask Him if He is satisfied with what happened back there.” Don’t tell Him you are saved, ask Him if He has saved you and be prepared to DO whatever He tells you to do about it.

Another counterfeit conversion is the merely moral conversion. In this type of conversion, a person who has been morally bad becomes morally good. This is the kind of conversion that is often referred to when someone says, "I made a change." This is a conversion to a set of ideals or to a moral standard. It is possible to make a complete moral change and never be converted. In place of one set of conduct patterns, the individual acquires another which is more acceptable and praiseworthy. There is many a man who used to curse, and thought that when he quit cussing, that made him a Christian. There is many a man who used to drink, and thought that when he quit drinking, that made him a Christian. This is counterfeit conversion.

It is possible to have a psychological conversion without a spiritual new birth. It is possible to profess conversion without any vital transformation taking place in the life and character of the “convert,” to assume the name of Christian without any real change within. And the profession may be in good faith because of a lack of experience! This leads to the tragic possibility of a person evaluating Christ and Christianity through the blind eyes (II Corinthians 4:4) of a mere natural man (I Corinthians 2:14). Only the truly born-again person will know the vast difference between the profession of a natural man and the conversion of a spiritual man. Any time a person has been tormented by emotional and psychological problems for many years, relief can “feel” like a new birth. When the wisdom of the scriptures penetrate the burden of darkness from a psychological lie one has carried for many years the freedom of relief can very easily confuse a person into thinking they were converted to Christ.

The fact of the matter is, a person can be converted to almost anything — to the minister, to the church, to the youth program, to the Sunday School, to some dynamic Christian — and none of these, either singly or together with others, adds up to a Christian conversion.

II. CHRISTIAN CONVERSION
There is only one conversion that may properly be called "Christian." The trouble with a doctrinal, emotional, a moral conversion or any other conversion is the same in each case. In each case I am left with the same sinful self. I may have a new set of ideas, a good feeling, or a new set of ideals, but my inner person is basically the same. My inner life and character remain unchanged. Such a person cannot understand the real nature of spiritual life. Therefore they are un-able to “live in the spirit” for any length of time, because they are still birthed in the flesh. They do not know that a real birth, “birth from above,” the term Jesus used, has occurred. “Except a person is born from above (gennetha anothen), he cannot see the kingdom of God,” said Jesus. Just as a person is born physically to get into the human family, so he must be born spiritually to get into the family of God. The only answer to the problem of my old sinful self is Christian conversion!
Two questions arise with regard to Christian conversion: First, “What is the meaning of conversion?” and secondly, “What are the means by which it occurs?”

First, what is the meaning of Christian conversion? The word "conversion" is not an exclusively Christian word. In fact, conversion is a quite common word with universal usage. We speak of converting fuel to energy; we speak of converting a factory from one kind of manufacturing to another; we speak of converting a check to cash. In the distinctively Christian sense, conversion means that the direction of one's life is changed; that one's mind is changed; that his inner character is radically and absolutely revolutionized and transformed, and something completely new and different (indeed, Someone) is now at the center of his life. Author George Grant wrote, “According to the Bible, conversion is not simply an ethical or philosophical revision. It is a transformation of the very soul. It affects every detail of life. A converted individual is altogether different than he was before. He has new motivations, new standards, and new objectives. He has a new outlook, a new way of thinking, and a new way of living. He is born anew (see II Corinthians 5:17).” The simplicity of this will confound some, but a Christian conversion is simply conversion to Jesus Christ.
Robert Munger wrote, "During my college days, there was a boy whose room down the hall from me was a continual mess. It always looked as if a tornado had just recently torn through it. When a room is branded `messy' by college students, it's really messy. One evening we were endeavoring to crowd into this room, and he said somewhat apologetically, `I guess that what I need is a little system.' `Oh, no,' one of his friends quickly said, `what you need is not a little system. What you need is a little wife to live in this room and take care of it.' Even so, every sinner needs a new relationship, a new Resident, to live in his messy heart to forever cleanse it and change it.
The word "convert" simply means "to turn." In fact, the word "conversion" has in it several significant different shades of meaning. It simply means "to turn around," or to do a 180 degree turn. But it also has several accessory ideas in it. It means "to turn toward" a certain object. The difference is that between a wheel turning on its axis and a flower turning toward the sun. In Christian conversion, the human heart is attracted toward Jesus by the drawing power of the Holy Spirit, just as that flower was attracted to the sun by the warmth of its radiance. It means also "to turn from one object to another", and the two objects are seen to be in direct opposition to each other. So Christian conversion is the turning of the sinner from sin and selfishness to Christ. It means "to turn back to a point from which it had been turned away." This introduces another dimension of Christian conversion. Conversion involves a great miraculous crisis that fixes the heart forever on Christ, but it also involves the process of overcoming all of those seductions of Satan, sin, and the world which would attempt to distract us from Christ. Someone has correctly said that there are two types of Christian conversion. One could be called “revolutionary”; this type is sudden and dramatic and powerful. The other could be called “evolutionary”; this type also involves a moment of transformation, but the preparation for it occurs through slow development and is much less dramatic. The process that always follows the moment of transformation is what Sam Shoemaker called "continuing conversion". A magnetic needle may be mechanically forced to point to the south, but as soon as it is freed from the mechanical pressure it will turn automatically again toward the north. Even so, a truly converted person may be temporarily and artificially distracted by the world, the flesh and the devil, but his heart will always finally overcome the artificial distraction and return to its “polar north,” the Person of Jesus Christ.

In short, conversion is the establishing of right relations with a living Lord and Savior. Christian conversion means that your life has been brought under the management of Jesus Christ. Robert Munger said it like this: "During the Second World War, thousands of bombing planes were sent on missions of destruction. After the war a few of them were taken over for commercial service. They are called `converted bombers.' A converted bomber is the same plane that once carried a lethal load of destruction. It has the same wings and fuselage, the same type motors, the same cockpit and instrument panel. But there are several differences. The bomb racks are gone. The gun turret is gone. The plane now has a new owner. It carries new cargo. It has a new pilot. This is true conversion." Even so, if you have been truly converted to Christ, you have a new owner and a new pilot, and you carry a new cargo. An almighty and loving God now owns your life; its pilot is Jesus Christ, who guides and controls you through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; and you now have a new direction, new ambitions, new dynamic, and new resources for the living of an abundant life in Christ. This is why Dr. E. Y. Mullins called conversion "the Christian life in germ form." In it is concentrated all of the elements of the Christian life which follows. So conversion installs into the believer the “DNA”, all the spiritual “genes and chromosomes” of the Christian life.

The other crucial question is, what are the means by which conversion occurs? The way is simple, but it produces an absolutely revolutionary change in life and living. First, you must repent of your sins. In fact, the Bible specifies that it is "repentance toward God" (the One against whom I have sinned). Repentance is sometimes defined as being sorry for our sins. But repentance means far more than that. Repentance means to adopt God's way of looking at things: God's way of seeing yourself and your self-centeredness (S-I-N, Self-Ish-Ness), God's way of seeing the solution of your sinproblem, God's way of seeing life and its responsibilities, God's way of looking at the world. To repent is to renounce the past and to turn your back on what you are, what you did, and how you viewed things. When you do this, you do not lose your identity, you gain your true destiny! When you truly repent, the mind of God becomes your point of reference for everything! Then, the other step is faith. Again, the Bible specifies that it is "faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." This involves complete surrender and total commitment to Jesus Christ. The faith that converts is the faith that shifts the center of gravity in a sinner’s life from self to Jesus Christ.
An American preacher told of this beautiful incident which occurred at an all night prayer chain in his church. Different church members had signed up for 30 minute segments to form an allnight prayer chain. He had volunteered to pray at 2:30 in the morning. When he arrived at the church and entered the sanctuary, the woman who had taken the 30 minute segment before him was still kneeling in prayer at the prayer altar. He waited at the door, but it became apparent that she was struggling with something in her life that was unsurrendered to God. Her prayer increased in fervency as the minutes passed. Finally, when she had prayed fifteen minutes overtime, the preacher walked down the aisle of the church from behind her and said gently, "I'll take over now." There was a moment of silence, then the praying woman looked up at him and with a radiant smile, she said, "Everything is all right. The Lord Jesus just told me that He would take over now." She had been so intense in her prayer that she had unknowingly transferred his words to Christ. What a beautiful illustration of the meaning of Christian conversion. Conversion is never Christian until Jesus Christ has taken over our entire lives. When Christ becomes central in everything, you are converted.
Our real trouble is that He (Jesus) has been on the margin of our lives, and our lives have been dominated by something else entirely, usually self! If Jesus Christ is not central in your life, you have not been converted to Him, or you had a counterfeit conversion.

Charles Simeon, the great Cambridge pastor, was asked about the process of conversion. He wrote, "Conversion is contrary to the course of nature, and can only be brought about by God's almighty power. Before conversion, the person's heart and mind flow steadily downward—away from his Creator, by a natural tendency—toward destruction. After conversion, all its tendencies are changed, and it flows upwards from destruction, back again toward its Creator. Is this due to mere human agency? Certainly not! All the resources, all the capabilities, all the efforts of all the inhabitants of the globe could not do it. It is done by the invisible, infinite, miraculous power of God. Tell the worldling (who knows nothing of this power) these truths, and he will not only ridicule the whole idea, he will ridicule you for entertaining it."
Christian conversion is inseparable from Christ and impossible without Christ. If the person is ever to be harmonized with GOD the Father by Jesus Christ, it must be through the forgiveness of sin, the cleansing of the heart, the shifting of the inner center of gravity from self to Christ, and all of that is bound up in the phrase "eternal life". That is “regeneration,” -- “born again” or true conversion to Christ.
Conversion (of some kind) is common to all religions, but Christian conversion stands alone. It is not an end in itself but a means to becoming a life of glorifying Christ. It may be approached from a thousand points along different avenues, but ultimately it resolves itself into union with Christ through faith. Christian conversion is the supreme fact of human experience, and it is the biggest experience known to man. It is the determinative factor of the Christian and of the Christian church, allowing the fellowship of the Christian church to become a veritable river of Divine life. Otherwise, it would be a stagnant pool.
Charles Spurgeon, the great London pastor, said, "I have seen hundreds and thousands who have given their hearts to Jesus, but I never did see one who said he was disappointed with Him. I never met one who said Jesus Christ was less than He was declared to be. When first my own eyes beheld Him, when the burden slipped from my heavy-laden shoulders, and I was freed from condemnation, I thought that all the preachers I had ever heard had not half preached the truth of it, they had not told half the beauty of my Lord and Master, so good, so generous, so gracious, so willing to forgive; it seemed to me as if they had slighted Him with small words, that they had almost slandered Him; they painted His likeness, doubtless, as well as they could, but it was a mere smudge compared with the matchless beauties of His face. All who have ever truly known Him will say the same." As a deeply “satisfied customer,” I whole-heartedly concur with Mr. Spurgeon’s words, lamenting only the poverty of language to define and describe Christian conversion.
The Bible says, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God." We sometimes think that a child needs an adult's understanding to be saved, but actually, every adult needs a child's heart to be saved.
Dear friend, what about you? Have you been converted—by Christ, to Christ, into Christ? If you have never been converted to Christ, let the Holy Spirit use these words to lead you to Christ. Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out."

Modern Child Abuse

2007-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Modern Child Abuse
"And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up thou bald head. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. (2 Kings. 2:23-24, KJV.)

Some would call it child abuse, but the truth is the people at Beth-el, the house of GOD, had nurtured a bunch of rebels who had "NO FEAR” of the LORD. In our world today, we've done the same thing with our children. And I dare say many are being eaten by the “bears” of every day life and everyone wants to know, “Why would GOD allow something like this to happen to children?” The LORD should allow our sins of disrespect to bring grief upon us. Look around you, not only do these today not fear the LORD, they wear little pagan signs (certain jewelry, hairstyles, tattoos, and clothing) saying they don't fear the LORD. Many today flaunt their wickedness as if daring GOD to do something about it. Many leave a life and household of respect for authority and assume the “gangster” life style of imaginary menace and build a life of disrespect for everyone and everything. Such are those who ignore or oppose and ridicule GOD’S servants today in their effort to find respect and self-esteem for themselves. But they are searching without “Knowledge” or “fear of the LORD.”

For proper clarification of this Old Testament miracle with the modern day message, note the conjunction "And" that connects this to the passage before it. The truth here is plain. When the servant has been used by his Master, he must understand the devil WILL NOT let it go unopposed. Unpleasant truth it may be, but after a period of victory and success, Christians can expect sweltering, intense trials of their faith. After the power of GOD has attended his efforts to give glory to Jesus, he can count on experiencing a frenzy of retribution from the devil. Nothing infuriates satan like seeing his victims delivered from spiritual death, and bondage. He then turns on the obedient Christians in an effort to make them believe that they have been abandoned by GOD. It is one thing to know this theoretically and quite another to live it out in real life! The Bible says, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" (I Peter 4:12 KJV)

At the city of JERICHO, (the city of the curse) Elisha, is received with respect. The men of the city honor him and seek his help. Here he is able to be an instrument of blessing. At Beth-el (house of GOD) he is treated contemptuously, and ridiculed. Now where have we seen this happen before? One would expect to find blessing, not curses in the house of GOD. Upon reading this account, it seems that children then, are the same as now - wild, rude, and lawless unless they are taught better. But note the parallel with today. When there is an un-grieved Spirit in the church, the hand of GOD restrains the baser outburst of us all. But when the Spirit of GOD is grieved and quenched, by even a few, the restraining hand of the LORD is removed and moral decline is seen in all subdivisions of the community. Even in the children. Many have no understanding of why so many of their children die at an early age. This is what was spoken of earlier about “many being eaten by the “Bears” of everyday life.” “Honor thy Father and Mother” was the first commandment given with a promise. They are not raised to respect their parents, and therefore they will have no natural inclination to respect and obey any other authority either. Many children, if not most, today are allowed to grow older knowing only to respond to their glands and passions. This is where and how they become involved in all manner of un-godliness.

If parents today acted according to Proverbs 13:24, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” - 19:18 “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” - 22:15 “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” and 23:14 “Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” - they are likely to be summoned before the courts for "child abuse". What we have recorded here is the days of Israel's degenerate living. “Juvenile delinquency” is one of the sure, main marks of a time of apostasy among any people. It is in the rebellion of the younger generation that destruction of the established, proven moral values is brought about. This is true in every society that has ever existed. It was true among GOD’S people in Elisha's day, and it remains true in the church today."

Remember, it was here at Beth-el, the house of GOD, that Jeroboam became afraid of losing control of GOD'S people, and so he "made two calves of gold” and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods," (1Ki.12:28-33) “THE CURSE OF CONVENIENT CHRISTIANITY“ is practiced in most of our churches today. Almost every church today, in some form or another has a program to pander to the baser requirements of the world. All have a taint of trepidation about appealing to the natural man in their “church growth” plan. Where once GOD'S smile was, now rests His frown. Where once His blessing rested in abundance now rests the desolation of His curse. In this scripture, this accounts for the severity of judgment against what was more than just a silly prank. What occurred was a deep, hidden manifestation of hatred of the true GOD and his faithful servant. The same "no fear" is seen all over western Christianity today. Israel's worship of Baal was far more heinous than the idolatry of the Canaanites. The church’s disregard of GOD’S Word, Will and Ways is far more grievous and insulting than the disrespect of the lost, pagan world.

If you will pay close attention you can see here proof that Apostates are always the fiercest prosecutors of those who cleave to the truth. Their faithfulness is a condemnation of those who have forsaken the truth of GOD‘S word for their own proclivity about right and wrong. Our generation is hard pressed to perceive that the punishment here fit the crime. The Bible says, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (Ps.105:15) "He that receiveth you receiveth me,...(Mt.10:40) An insult done His people, is regarded by the LORD as an insult against Himself. “…as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethen, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) Today apostate leaders teach lies about what the Bible teaches about truth, and then make fun of the true servants of GOD as they declare Jesus as the ONLY hope of mankind and His ways as the only ways. THE CURSE OF GOD NOW REST ON MANY A CHURCH AND PLACE WHERE HIS MINISTERS, PASTORS AND EVANGELISTS, WERE MOCKED, ABUSED AND RUN OFF IN DISGRACE BECAUSE THEY DARED TO SPEAK THE TRUTH OF GOD!

You'll know soon if GOD has taken His hand off of you, it'll show up in your children. Had Elisha sinned by calling down curses? This must not have been the wrong thing to do. Instead of rebuking HIS servant, GOD sent bears to fulfill his curse. Divine intervention would have prevented it if it had been the wrong thing to do. It is ALWAYS God’s will that “sin with a high-hand,” (Knowing better, but doing it anyway) be paid for with terrible suffering on the part of the “willfully wicked.” It was a fair warning about the judgment that Israel faced for their sins. It is a fair warning to the church today for the reckless direction she is taking in regards to His word and raising the next generation of believers.

In closing, for you who say this is Old Testament law, we, the church, are under grace and GOD will not deal with us in such manner, you need to read Acts chapter 5 about your GOD of grace in the life of Ananias and Sapphira. It's the same GOD in the New Testament that we find in the Old Testament. He does not change in His standards of morality or expectations of holiness from one Testament to the other. God wants to and indeed does deal with all of mankind in love. But we must remember that true love dictates that discipline be instilled in the objects of His love. The Bible teaches that GOD takes no pleasure in people being condemned. But you are going to have to humble yourself and teach your children to humble themselves before GOD. And that is NOT child abuse. Indifference to GOD and His word in one generation leads to full-blown rebellion in the next generation. It's not spinelessness to show "the fear of the LORD.” It's the beginning of knowledge. Knowledge that will lead to eternal life in Heaven for you and hopefully position your children where they can hear and respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit when He calls their name. (Ephesians 6:7 & 8).

IMPACT NEWSLETTER JAN 2007

2006-12-29T14:38:00.000-08:00

THE LIGHT FOR TODAY JANUARY 2007
A Monthly Publication of IMPACT MINISTRIES Inc.
8611 Ryan Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32534-3658 (850) 475-7020
Pastor Ed Anthony Missionary / Evangelist
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We are praying for you to have the most profitable and fruitful year for the Lord Jesus ever. I have a couple of things that I do at the beginning of every new year. Everyone else gets excited at Christmas but I get excited at the new year. The New Year is Jesus’ gift to me, What I do with it is my gift to Him! So, the first thing I do is obey Psalm 105:1-5. “1. O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. 3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. 4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. 5 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;..”
Regardless of what the last year has brought “earnestly recall” the deeds of the Lord, “earnestly remember” the wonders He has preformed for past generations of Christians. - Meditate on His Mighty works and deeds He has done for His people in the past. HE WILL DO IT AGAIN! This always gets me excited, remembering what the Lord did last year, makes me hopeful about what He is going to do this year. There are so many things we feel that the Lord is leading us to in this coming year. Before I get into that, let me tell you of some of the wonderful things “WE” (You, the Lord, Miss Marie & I) have been able to do just this month. Because of your generosity we had a great Christmas to give one little boy and his mother, as well as a great deal of help to two other families. We saw one family rejoined for Christmas and possibly could be put back together again the way it should be. The India project is coming along fine, the lessons and other literature needed is being found and the courses are being laid out year by year. As of now, it looks like we will have a two year basic disciple/church worker course and a third year to offer on an over-view of the Old and New Testament. None of this is possible without your faithful monthly support and daily prayers. Some other good news, we have one church that in their last business meeting of the year, stepped out in faith by putting Impact Ministries in their budget at $100.00 per month. We are grateful to pastor Larry Galbreath and the sweet people at West Highland Baptist Church. Several other churches as well as some individuals have responded with such generosity. Thank you and may God bless you a hundred fold for your prayers and faithful monthly support. I am inclosing in this month’s newsletter a copy of a tract I wrote to the church over twenty-five years ago. It was the first tract I ever published. It deals with the problem of the church hording wealth and trusting in material goods rather than depending on the Lord to meet their needs.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE LAND
OF GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful land called the Land of Golden opportunity. There was much wealth in this land and the people were very kind and good to each other. Their hearts were warm and they wanted to be good neighbors. They were a strong and healthy people and being very industrious they worked hard.
Now the King of this land of Golden Opportunity wanted his subjects to do many and marvelous things; So in order to promote all of these activities, He made a decree that 10% of the citizen's income would be owed to the King. Now because the people loved their king and believed in Him, many gave more than 10%. Some even gave special gifts.
One day news reports carried the 'announcements that a terrible tragedy was taking place in other lands. An epidemic of the dreaded disease of “NO HOPE” was running rampant in all the world and many people were sick and dying. It seemed that young and old, rich and poor were being stricken with the terrible disease. And then the call came. Could the people of the land of golden opportunity help?
Now the King, Who was also the Great Physician, reminded His subjects that they were forever free from this terrible disease called “NO HOPE” because He had given THEM the remedy. The remedy was so powerful that just one injection was needed and it insured that never again would that person suffer from “NO HOPE.” But best of all, it was FREE and there was an abundance for everyone. Then the King announced that He was going on a journey, but that He would be back soon. Before He left, He opened the treasury where the remedy for “NO HOPE” was kept. He also announced that he would give them the keys so that they could help their neighbors and save them from dying with “NO HOPE.” The King gave them a “GO TELL” commission to go and heal all people of “NO HOPE.” The people were overjoyed that they would be able to help their neighbors. So immediately they set to work.
They decided the first thing to do was organize. With proper organization, and administration, one could be assured of success in any endeavor. So they appointed committees to organize the people. Of course, there were a lot of committees. After all, there had to be one to organize the men, one to organize the women, and one to organize the young people. As they continued it was obvious that other committees were needed. One to deal with transportation was vital. And of course there needed to be a committee responsible for seeing that fun and music were included in the program, how else would they be able to hold the interest of the people? On and on things went, until it became apparent that the people needed someone with a lot of training, possibly an executive type, to run such a huge organization. And they realized that they would have to pay him a large salary. Of course he would need a big office. So they built large buildings and filled them with plush carpet and large velvet chairs. After all, they asked themselves, wasn't it all for a very good cause?
The next project of the people of the land of golden opportunity was to construct buildings where many thousands could gather and get the very best, most up to date “CARE” for "NO HOPE." They would be told all about the disease “NO HOPE” -- How they got the disease -- How they could make themselves more comfortable with the disease -- How they could find ways to make the disease less noticeable and so on. We will use a “COME SEE” plan to reach the people they said.

Then one day along came someone and tried to point out that millions were sick and dying and that all they needed was one injection and that it was free! But the planners just thought he was trying to block their progress and get some attention and money for his own program. There continued to be news reports that many people were dying all around the land of Golden Opportunity. The reports made it clear that it was impossible to tell how many of those alive today would be alive tomorrow. Time was running out, the remedy had to be delivered soon. As powerful as the remedy was, it would not bring back to life those who died with “NO HOPE.” But the people of the land of Golden Opportunity would not hear the reports! They were too busy with their wonderful organization. They would meet every year and tell the world, look at us, look what we have done. Look at our Multimillion dollar program for our neighbors and just as soon as we get more money, we will make it even larger. They were so focused on their institutions and reputations. They applauded their own achievements.
And besides, there are still a few people out there who are actually distributing the remedy using that old fashioned “GO TELL” stuff.
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One day the King will return just like he said he would. Can you hear His questions and their answers?

"Why are the people of the world still dying of "No Hope"?"

Then they will say:

“Look at all of our fine buildings, plush offices and velvet chairs we have built in your name, Lord.”

“Look at all of our committees and boards organized and churning out tons of programs and paper work to impress people in your name Lord”

“Look at all of our fine executive types who have been educated, schooled, pampered and polished in your name Lord.”

“Look at the great salaries, pension plans, and travel allowances we have given them as they go about in their silver slippers to tell other executive types how to promote more of these plans, programs and allowances in your name LORD.”

And then He said, that He would say this…………

“Lord, Lord, have we not ………….in your name …” (vs. 22)
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore, whosoever hearth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7: 22-24 KJV) IS YOUR WORK ESTABLISHED ON THE ROCK AND nothing but THE ROCK OF JESUS CHRIST?

KIND DOGS AND MEAN MEN

2006-12-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

"And being in torments in hell, he lifted up his eyes...Then he cried out and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me...for I am tormented in this flame." (Luke 16: 23 & 24)

This is a contrast between “Kind dogs and Mean men,” or those who GOD has helped (Lazarus = “GOD is my help“) and those who helped themselves. (The anonymous rich man) There is a contrast of “Existence” between the two men. There is a contrast of “Endings” and a contrast of “Eternity’s.” We need to focus on these differences. And if this story is not true (nothing in the text says that it is a parable or just an illustration) then we have nothing to fear by continuing with a greed driven, "help myself to all I can" life style. On the other hand, if it is a true story, (and it is) we need to contrast our life with GOD'S Word to see how our actions, attitudes and way of life stack up spiritually. Jesus described this as a real account, of a real man sent to a real place, and He used it as a warning about the dangers of covetousness, greed and unbelief.

There are several SPIRITUAL lessons from this “sermon” by Jesus that we need to look at today. The first lesson is, "Hell is a real place of flame and torment!" There is a lot of talk going around churches today that, "GOD is love" therefore He really wouldn't send anybody to such a bad place. Therefore Hell must not exist. This is the foolish reasoning’s of a depraved society who has been taught to believe that they came from monkeys. Because they believe this lie about where they came from, they think they can act like animals and there will be no reprisals for their actions. There is a Holy GOD, and there will be a judgment day for everyone. Jesus teaches here that there is a place called HELL and that people will be aware of the sinful and selfish lives they lived. All the time that this man lived, he never thought anything was important except "what made him happy". HELL will be a place of unhappiness and a FIRE that will burn forever. If that is a lie, then Jesus told it and you really don't have anything to worry about, because everything else he said is in question as well. Did He lie, or is this the truth? Is there really a place like Jesus described here? If it's the truth, just how much trouble are we in?
The second lesson is, "Their prayers will not be answered there!" This
man had everything he wanted in this life, simply because he wanted it. Some of you think that if you could just have more money, another car, another house or another mate, that you would be happy. You also believe that because you want it, that you should have it. That's a very selfish way of thinking about this life. That was the problem with this man. That's why the contrast here that "EVEN THE DOGS WERE MORE KIND TO LAZARUS THAN HE WAS." In our world today, it is just as it has always been in this world, there are "GIVERS, TAKERS AND WASTERS". Everyone falls somewhere in one of those categories. This man was a "taker." We see nothing in the scriptures that tell us he ever did anything but take. We never read where Lazarus received those "crumbs" from the rich man's table. All that is recorded is that the dogs were kind and brought a measure of comfort to Lazarus. Much of the church is what the world calls "consumers". That is just another name for takers and wasters. Some are not just takers but are wasters as well. I have started churches in Ukraine and the entire church could "thrive" for a year on what most families waste in a couple of months on things that they would most likely be better off without anyway. So many people today never give anything back. They take and the only thing they leave behind is what is flowing in the sewers.

The third lesson is, "That once you are there, there will be no way out, you will know the truth that you have known all along.” But once you’re there, knowing the truth will NOT set you free. This is not a story of "good works" bringing about salvation. This is a story about "salvation" bringing about good works. As a matter of fact, one of the most horrible truths we have to face is that when Jesus used the phrase, “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:44) He was telling us that people will remember every opportunity they had to receive and serve Christ. The phrase “their worm dieth not,” refers to their memory. They die, but their memory lives on in the next life. You will, for all eternity, remember the times you, knowingly ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit of GOD from something a preacher/teacher said, something you read in the scriptures or even what a friend shared with you. Truth “THERE” will do you no good.
The truth that you know "HERE" will not do you any good, "UNTIL YOU ACT ON IT AND LET IT CHANGE YOU". It's not that you don't KNOW that Jesus is the Son of GOD, and that He is the only way to the Father, you've just never let that information move on you and change you. One day, when it's too late, it's going to be "too late" forever. You will not have a way out and you will have to remember that you blew it.

The last spiritual lesson I want you to see is, "Your attitudes will be the same there for eternity that they were here on earth.” This man still thought that Lazarus existed to serve and wait on him. He still though of himself as better than Lazarus. The most freighting thing I can tell some of you is, "What you are growing into in this life, and what you are now, "IS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE FOR ALL ETERNITY!" The rich man not only had to be tormented in flames for all eternity, but he also had to live with what he had become in this life. For some people, no punishment could surpass having to live with what they are right now, forever. Some of you keep promising your family, your friends and yourself that one day you are going to change. But you are only deceiving yourself. You're not going to change anything, you're going to keep putting it off, just like this man did, until it will be eternally too late. The truth is, YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOURSELF! You need supernatural help from Jesus. Until you act on those two pieces of knowledge, until you submit yourself to the LORD Jesus as your LORD, Master, Owner and SAVIOR, you will be just like you are now, forever. And that would be a shame, because now, in this life, you KNOW BETTER!

Statement Of Faith And Brief BIO

2006-12-22T19:02:00.000-08:00

I.M.P.A.C.T. Ministries Inc.
(Our Name Is An Acronym) INDIVIDUAL MISSIONARY PARTICIPATION AND CHRISTIAN TRAINING
Statement of Faith
(What We Live By, Believe and Teach)
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, inerrant Word of GOD. It is authoritative and we seek to order our life thereby. We believe there is no salvation apart from the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We strongly believe that if one cannot clearly articulate the basic tenants of their faith and calling, it could be because they do not have either.

1. We believe in the one GOD Who created the universe; all in it; He is eternal and unchangeable. He is one GOD, co-existing in three persons, The Father, The Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
2. We believe Jesus was GOD Who embodied human flesh, was born of a virgin, did many miracles and dwelt on earth just as it is recorded in Scripture.
3. We believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit to be to the world for the reproval of sin, righteousness and judgment. He empowers us to be world-visionary disciples who are able to reproduce other world-visionary disciples, who will be able to reproduce other world-visionary disciples, etc.
4. We believe salvation to be a free gift of grace from GOD through the finished work of Jesus on the cross acquired by faith alone in His substitutionary death. We are His servants! We further believe that all who are saved by GOD will endure to the end and will never be cast out.
5. We believe we are all that man in Romans chapter three; “We were dead under sin, vs.9; We were not righteous, vs.10; We did not understand, we did not seek after GOD, vs.11; We did no good, vs.12; We used deceit, there was poison under our lips, vs.13; Our mouth was full of cursing and bitterness, vs.14; We were involved in evil activity, vs. 15; Destruction and misery was our way, vs.16; We knew no peace, vs.17; We had no fear of GOD before our eyes, vs.18; We were guilty before GOD, fallen short of His Glory with no way to know Him when He came to us. vs.19 - 25.
6. We believe that we are all that man in Ephesians chapter two; “We were dead in our trespasses and sins and GOD in His rich mercy and by His precious grace made our spirit come alive; He gave us the faith to believe in Him unto salvation”, Ephesians 2:1-5. “His kindness and our salvation are a gift of grace through the work of the LORD Jesus and not by our works”, Ephesians 2:6 through 10.”
7. We believe that the elect are all the servants of GOD in Ephesians chapter one; “He is in control of all events and nothing has ever come to us except it passed by our Father’s Throne first”, vs.11; We can trust Him in control for our best. He knows even the fall of sparrows and the number of hairs on our head; Matthew 10:29 and 30.
8. We believe that we are all that one who GOD came looking for and saved by His grace. “He did not drag us kicking and screaming into the kingdom of GOD. Our GOD is not a supernatural mugger. “He loved us with an everlasting love and drew us with cords of loving kindness, Jeremiah 31:3, John 6:44”. “When we were lost, undone, dead in our sin and unable to help ourselves, He made our soul to thirst after Him, Psalm 42:1 & 2.”
9. We believe that we serve a GOD Who is Sovereign in ALL things. “He is Omnipotent, nothing is too hard for Him to do, Psalm 115:3, Genesis 18:14.” “He is Omniscient, He has always known everything, Romans 11:33, Psalm 147:4 - 6.” “He is Omnipresent, He is and always has been everywhere yet separate from all things, Psalm 139:7 - 13, Acts 17:24 - 28”.
10. We believe that because we are children of the GOD Who is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, He is also Immutable. “GOD has no need to change, He is, always has been, and always will be, perfect in all of His character. Any change would indicate a move toward more perfection, or away from perfection. Either change would mean less Holiness before or less Holiness afterwards, Malachi 3:6”.

Missionary / Evangelist
In 1983 Brother Ed Anthony was the originator of the Government Street Baptist Chapel in Pensacola, Fl. This was the first out reach by the SBC’s Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to the African-American community. From there Brother Anthony became the Singles Minister at West Pensacola Baptist Church. There he wrote his first book, “Single, Not my choice”. This was a self-help recovery workbook for those going through Death or Divorce. In September 1988, Brother Anthony was called as pastor to Corrydale Baptist Church by the twelve remaining members. In fifteen months the church was listed in the Florida Baptist Witness as the #10 church in the state for “member-to-baptism ratio” and the #10 church, state wide for “percentage-of-non-designated-gifts” given to the Cooperative program. (January 11, 1990 issue.) While at Corrydale, Brother Anthony developed contacts in the former Soviet Nations that would lead to his on going missions work there. From there Brother Anthony moved to Walton County to become the pastor of New Harmony Baptist Church. Here he established a radio ministry on several stations and could be heard every Saturday morning across much of south Alabama and northwest Florida. In September 1995, Brother Anthony resigned from New Harmony Baptist Church and organized IMPACT MINISTRIES Inc. to enter into full time mission work. Brother Anthony teaches at the Khmelnitskiy Regional Bible Institute, Ukraine which is accredited by the East European Seminary. He develops programs for planting churches, training teachers and church leaders and has conducted seminars on sermon preparation and delivery. He specializes in training “equippers” for the local church to be able to properly disciple their new converts. He has also preached crusades in small village churches as well as large regional churches in Ukraine. From 1995 - 2000 IMPACT MINISTRIES planted sixteen churches in the Khmelnitskiy Region. From those original churches there are now (as of 2005) 48 self supporting churches. They are all functioning with the IMPACT MINISTRIES “Jesus model of discipling technique”, planting churches, and teaching others this formula for church planting. IMPACT MINISTRIES Inc. operates under the principle that it is more cost efficient to train and equip nationals to reach and disciple their own people than to maintain a full time foreign missionary on the field. IMPACT MINISTRIES Inc. helps maintain full-time Nationals on the field through the Regional Bible Institute.

What we can do for you and your church
We build world-visionary disciple makers, who are able to produce other world-visionary disciples, who in turn will reproduce themselves in others, who will build others; and so on and on. We plant churches using this “Jesus Model” of discipling and teach those churches to disciple others as described in 2 Timothy 2:2. & Colossians 2:7. When invited, we will come in to teach this “Jesus method” of operating the local church. We train “equippers” for the local church and teach them how to establish their own program of involving their people in the mission of reaching people for Jesus Christ. We operate as a minister of education for the pastor and a resource for the church.

Our motto and founding verse of scripture is:
“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death …” Lk. 1:79

Rev. Ed Anthony

Answered Prayer

2006-12-22T18:51:00.000-08:00

This beautiful story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa. I don't remember how I came to have it, but it blesses my heart every time I read it. I pray that during this Christmas season, you will be inspired to believe more in the power and blessing of prayer. He does hear, He does answer.

“One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had and another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst" And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.
As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. "All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."
The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon." While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there?
The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting.
Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Little Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, if God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! “Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?" Of course, I replied! That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon.” "Before they call, I will answer" (Isaiah 65:24)
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Your Efforts For His Kingdom Are Important

2006-12-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

Your Individual Efforts Are Important To Jesus and His Kingdom

"Keep about your work -- preach the Word, share your testimony, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." "Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs; don't even stop to bark back at the dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the world’s rabbits. Do your work. Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let critics malign, let enemies lay blame on you, let the devil do his nastiest; but see to it nothing distract you from fulfilling, with joy, the work that God has selected for you. He has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you to defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehoods about yourself which Satan’s or God’s servants may start. He has not sent you to track down and correct every rumor that threatens your reputation. Don't develope an offended spirit. If you become occupied with these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord. Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a rock. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men. All of these things befell our LORD Jesus. But do as He did, see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do."…...Ed
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The Light for Today

2006-08-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

“… a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.” (Luke 1:1)If you are a new Christian, this is the “start” of a new way of life for you. There will be habits and actions that you will want to change. In fact it is the start of a new life because you have been born again. The place you must go to work is in your attitudes. You must start a “re-newel of the mind” process. (Romans 12:2) If you have been saved for some time now but have never had anyone sit down and use a consistent and deliberate biblical plan of discipling you (teaching you how to walk pleasing to the LORD and reproduce your faith in others) then this is the start of a “re-newel of the mind” process for you as well even though you may have been a Christian for some time now. The reason it is important for every Christian to start this re-newel of the mind process is because it is GOD’S Will for you to be conformed to the image of Jesus. (Romans 8:29) You will have to do this with the help of an older, maturing Christian. It will not “just happen”. In your mind, with your attitudes, is where the life-change for Christ will commence. Being a Christian is NOT about being like some Christian we admire, or acting according to some list of denominational rules. It is about growing, as ourselves under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, in Christ. This is done by the Holy Spirit residing in another maturing Christian. This is the process called “discipleship” and is much like family. This is where older children love, nurture, watch over and teach younger children to become happy, productive, responsible members of the family generation after generation.

In keeping with good teaching principles we will use the word “START” as an acronym. As a child of GOD, born of and filled with the Spirit of GOD, you now enjoy certain privileges and assurances from GOD Himself that you never had before. These assurances are unique to the family of GOD. They are always present as you strive to follow the Spirit’s leading. Memorizing these scriptural assurances is the best way for you to have spiritual weapons, armor and strength. You will need these to be present in your life for living your new life in the Spirit instead of in the flesh as in the past. You now need to START walking in the Spirit, not in the flesh. The Bible says: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of GOD; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13. The scriptures are written for you and you only as a believer, so that you may KNOW you are a child of GOD. Next, the Bible says: “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11. This is why we memorize scripture. That we may KNOW that we have eternal life and are pleasing to our heavenly Father. We do not live according to the Word of GOD “so we WILL be saved,” we live according to the Word of GOD “because we ARE saved.” When we are “born again” we have a desire to please Jesus more than a desire to please our self. “PEACE” is the first “fruit” of the presence of the Holy Spirit. This means that the conflict between what I want and what Jesus wants for me is over. It means that I have surrendered my will to His. I now have “peace that passes all understanding” because I trust Him to do what is best for me in every instance of my life. By memorizing these scriptures from the acronym “START” below, and other scriptures, you will be equipped to face the spiritual warfare that is sure to come your way now that you are a child of GOD.

Salvation is Assured - 1 John 5:11 & 12 “And this is the record, that GOD has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of GOD, hath not life.” In addition to this memory verse about the assurance of your salvation, read also the words of Jesus in John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hearth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath ever lasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Jesus Himself promised that upon hearing the word of GOD, if we are lead by the Spirit of GOD to place full faith and trust in Jesus we will: #1. -- Receive “everlasting life”: #2. -- Shall not “come into condemnation”: #3. -- Shall “Pass from death unto life”. This is a three-fold assurance from the LORD Jesus Christ Himself that we can have salvation and never have to worry that we may “lose” or “through away” our salvation.

Trustworthy Guidance is Assured - Proverbs 3:5 & 6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
Answered Prayer is Assured - John 16:24 “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Repentance Acceptance is Assured - 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Temptational Victory is Assured - 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There has no temptation taken you but such is common to man, but GOD is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye be able to bear it.”
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START Today to be ASSURED that as a child of GOD;
Things are now, and always will be, well with your soul!