Sorry friends, I've been gone a while.
The kitchen/dining room project has taken much of my time and energy.
Our Thanksgiving celebration went well thanks be to God. The floor was completed just the day before . It is looking great - all I need to do is the baseboards and have the tile installed above the counter tops.
To tell the truth, that's not what kept me from the keyboard.
I am trying to gain a new perspective on the travesty that has once again been inflicted upon our nation. Election Day was a great disappointment, no doubt about it, and I would be untruthful if I said that it did not affect me deeply. I really believed that there was no way that Obama could win.
I seriously needed to take a breather, a time to clear my head and look at things from God's POV.
At the time of Jesus' death, the nation of Israel was a Roman province. When Jesus was crucified, Tiberius was Emperor. When Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, Nero was Emperor. I thought that when comparing Nero to Obama, there are a few startling similarities, particularly the homosexual behavior. Nonetheless, neither man came under direct condemnation of Jesus or His Apostles.
Jesus never spoke a word regarding Roman governance. His message of hope and salvation was to the Jews, not the Romans. Yes, I know His gospel applies to all of us and rightfully so for it reveals God's nature and His love for mankind. But it was to the Jews first and the Gentiles second. In Mark 12:13-17 Jesus told us to comply with civil authority and pay our taxes. In Romans 13:1-7 the Apostle Paul tells us that God establishes earthly authority and that we are to submit to it.
Of course it is not as simple as all that. We are to obey God's commandments over the laws of men - many Christians paid the price for that over the centuries and they still do today in astounding numbers all over the world. But how does that apply to me today?
It is a matter of focus. I cannot allow politics or political considerations to control me or exert undue influence. They are but temporary distractions in a life that I should be preparing for eternity in concert with my family and friends.
If we are to make a difference, I believe our focus as Christians should be on personal evangelism. If you want to change the direction of a country, you must first change the direction of its people. There is no greater change you can effect in a person's life than leading them to salvation. But, and it is a fearsome consequence, as our nation abandons Christianity we must prepare ourselves for a satanic, hateful campaign against us that will be far worse than what we have ever experienced. The special light that was America is dimming; America is being held accountable by God just as every other nation.
The kitchen/dining room project has taken much of my time and energy.
Our Thanksgiving celebration went well thanks be to God. The floor was completed just the day before . It is looking great - all I need to do is the baseboards and have the tile installed above the counter tops.
To tell the truth, that's not what kept me from the keyboard.
I am trying to gain a new perspective on the travesty that has once again been inflicted upon our nation. Election Day was a great disappointment, no doubt about it, and I would be untruthful if I said that it did not affect me deeply. I really believed that there was no way that Obama could win.
I seriously needed to take a breather, a time to clear my head and look at things from God's POV.
At the time of Jesus' death, the nation of Israel was a Roman province. When Jesus was crucified, Tiberius was Emperor. When Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, Nero was Emperor. I thought that when comparing Nero to Obama, there are a few startling similarities, particularly the homosexual behavior. Nonetheless, neither man came under direct condemnation of Jesus or His Apostles.
Jesus never spoke a word regarding Roman governance. His message of hope and salvation was to the Jews, not the Romans. Yes, I know His gospel applies to all of us and rightfully so for it reveals God's nature and His love for mankind. But it was to the Jews first and the Gentiles second. In Mark 12:13-17 Jesus told us to comply with civil authority and pay our taxes. In Romans 13:1-7 the Apostle Paul tells us that God establishes earthly authority and that we are to submit to it.
Of course it is not as simple as all that. We are to obey God's commandments over the laws of men - many Christians paid the price for that over the centuries and they still do today in astounding numbers all over the world. But how does that apply to me today?
It is a matter of focus. I cannot allow politics or political considerations to control me or exert undue influence. They are but temporary distractions in a life that I should be preparing for eternity in concert with my family and friends.
If we are to make a difference, I believe our focus as Christians should be on personal evangelism. If you want to change the direction of a country, you must first change the direction of its people. There is no greater change you can effect in a person's life than leading them to salvation. But, and it is a fearsome consequence, as our nation abandons Christianity we must prepare ourselves for a satanic, hateful campaign against us that will be far worse than what we have ever experienced. The special light that was America is dimming; America is being held accountable by God just as every other nation.
17 comments:
We are witness to what seems a generation of strangers. Well-fed, subsidized, and continually-entertained Americans satirize and belittle the sacrifices and values of the servants that set the feasting table. Someday that table will be empty.
Nobility will have been forgotten. Selflessness will be rare. Strength, Faith, and patriotism may still be practiced by a frightened and hidden minority. I never imagined I'd witness this nation's suicide.
I will battle until I can no longer do so. I will preach the Gospel, and tend to the lost. I will teach long after they've stopped listening. So will you, Sig. I will continue to pray for remembrance. I must admit that, in my weakness, I fear for my family.
"The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
Yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away."
- Psalm 90:10
Nickie Goomba
I'm here with you, Nickie and Sig. Thank you for what you have given to us, your fellow bloggers. I agree, our own character and relationship with God must be paramount or our ventures will fail. God is the ultimate judge.
Well considered words. I... realized what you are saying some time ago, too. More like during Bush the Seconds reign. But I can't completely let go of hope for America, which would require, it seems, a impossible political change.
I would rather be martyred to the potential for heaven then to rule in hell, on earth or otherwise. And if it comes to that, then so be it. Until then or I find my way to judgment naturally, I'll simply believe, and be, as close to what I understand God wants me to be.
Oh, and good on you for the kitchen! I need to get on my own, and have been... plotting my own 'demise' that way, as well. Congratulations and bon appetite.
The Libs took 100 years to make this country in their image. It's time to push them backwards even if it takes us 100 years.
Nickie - God bless you and all those who still strive to serve. If we fail it will not be due to lack of effort for this is not our fight, but the Lord's (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Opus - if you are with us then we are in great company.
Doom - it is so simple. Romans 10:9-11
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Salvation is simple so that man cannot boast nor claim of his own works that which God has accomplished.
Salvation is not gained through secret knowledge or through some intellectual exercise.
Salvation is not earned because we are incapable of satisfying God's righteousness.
Salvation is a gift from above gained by taking God at His word.
Odie - True words my friend. It is time for us to settle in for the long haul.
To summarize my thoughts. The losers and moron and terminal dependents have chosen temporary personal comfort over the correct path.
We now travel into darkness where freedom is fleeting and doing the right thing will begin to feel absurd.
Good luck to you Sir. Glad the home project turned out well. They don't always :)
Yeah, Tiberius, Nero, the list is endless and will be until the last day. Render unto Obama that which is Obama's (or at least what he thinks is his) and unto God that which is God's.
When you combine religion with politics it creates a climate where your political adversary is now also in league with the forces of evil. Do not assume that because I am a liberal I am also an atheist or Muslim or pagan or devil worshipper; I was born and raised a Christian, I still wear a cross with pride, and my spirituality informs my political decisions, but I never assume my conservative friends are evil.
To help those among us that are in need, as per Matthew 25, is wholly Christian, if they have become dependent upon government services then we need to find a way to improve their lot so they can get off government assistance, but that does not mean we refuse them food or shelter as if they are lazy slackers and moochers.
Kid - Our nation's Journey Into Darkness began a long time ago. Human nature, being what it is, favors the easy way out. Thanks to the government, it is now far easier to take that path. No need to struggle (that builds character), just piss and moan to your congressmen and have them ease restrictions on accessing those sweet, sweet federal programs.
UG Pewster - It is amazing that Rome on one form or another lasted longer than 1,500 years. We'll be lucky to go another 100 years at this rate if the Lord doesn't tarry.
Luke - I never minded giving someone a hand up. I draw the line at hand outs. Charity was better left in the hands of the Church. We have four or more generations of people who have never worked, breed like rabbits and leave their young ones to fend for themselves.
As an LEO, I worked the ghetto sections for over a decade and I saw what goes on. It was sickening. Welfare is a curse, it removes self initiative and violates Paul's command that if a man doesn't work, he shouldn't eat.
I now serve as a co-chair of a county task force to help parolees stay out of prison. Overcoming a lifetime of irresponsibility and abuse is a daunting task. Some make it, many don't. But the first thing they do is go on public assistance. If it helps them to get on their feet, then go for it. But for so very many it is an end unto itself.
Go have a nice conversation with a city cop or parole officer to get a good idea of how the welfare system is scammed and how your hard earned tax dollars are used for everything but sustenance.
In the other hand, our world view is shaped by our religious beliefs or lack thereof. Communism, socialism, capitalism or whatever ism you choose is forged by these beliefs to produce a worldview. This shapes our political understanding of man's role in general and our role in particular.
I really don't think you can divorce the two.
Luke, If I may....
If you reward bad behavior you get more of it.
We are not talking about people with disabilities real or imagined. We're talking about people with all their faculties who have decided to jump into the government wagon, which in today's terms also means jumping into the union wagon - public and private.
These people exempt themselves from economic conditions in the country and place themselves above those they feed off of - Taxpayers like me who have done everything (meaningful) right and are now nothing more than food for these parasites of society who have done little but extort outrageous benefits from their host companies (public) and communities(public) and now add very little value in return. Exceptions for truly exceptional people like Sig and probably most police and some firefighters and teachers.
As a group however, they are a self-absorbed greedy parasite that will destroy this country. They're doing a damn good job of it now.
Hey, local podunk fire dept. Because people finally refused to ok a tax increase, fired 90 NINETY firefighters and kept 13 and called it good. Fired 100 teachers and 90 again NINETY Administrators and called it good.
What were those people doing to deserve sucking all that taxpayer money, then retiring at 50 for a 35 year all expenses paid vacation w/ Cadillac Health benefits.
You're being raped. Unless you're on of them then you're taping the rest of us.
Open your eyes and see what's going on. You're liberal? You vote liberal? You're part of the problem.
democrats are nothing more than a lying thieving enslaving mob.
This country can take care of people who need taking care of without even breathing hard.
Here's an example. Your dictator party passed the affordable care act. It will neither be affordable, rates are already up 35%, nor will it cover more people. In fact, senior citizens will soon find themselves on endless waiting lists for critical care because they're not in the budget. They'll be told to take their pain pills and stfu.
That's a classic liberal program.
Hey, I'd like to know, when the government can't even run a fricken Post Office how is it your brains find it acceptable to take over Health Care. It has to be a mental disease.
I couldn't sleep the night of the election, haven't been so mad in I don't know when. Now I know it's actually better this way. Now I know it puts the differences of those who follow God into stark relief against those who won't. I'm not saying libs such as "Luke" are evil, I AM saying those who aren't evil will soon join the rest of us in objecting to where this nation is headed, that applies to having the GOP in charge also.
We'll soon find ourselves divided not so much by political ideology as morality. The time of persecution is returning, we'd best steel ourselves for it.
My own biggest worries are my young children. As a 60 yr. old father I doubt I can protect them as well as if I were at least 20 years younger. Then again, 20 years ago I was just getting my feet back onto planet Earth after a 17 yr. drinking career, I'd have been more of a hindrance then now. In another 20 yrs. I'd be a complete joke as regards the protection of my family. So this is probably for the best.
But we're in for it now. Time to commit ourselves to God as much as possible, may His will be done.
See you in the reeducation camps, I'll be the fat guy with a tattooed right forearm and a double load of attitude.
I cannot recall ever anything about President Obama having homosexual tendencies before.
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