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Saturday, March 12, 2005The Season of Transition
 | | Winter in Minnesota will not leave without a fight. It tries to maintain it's influence. "Old Man Winter" wants it to be winter all year long. But the seasons must change and time must move on.
This time of year can be full of conflicts for me. You see, I was born and raised for the first part of my life in Los Angles California. I love the heat of summer and hints of spring make me long for the rays of the summer sun.
But, the last snows of winter are beautiful. They are heavy and wet and the fresh snow sticks to the branches of the trees. We get a winter wonderland view and it makes me think of the early scenes from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life".
So this time of year gives me that love hate feeling. Thank you for the beauty Lord! Thank you for the longing for the new seasons. |
posted @ 06:00 PM CST [link]
Why does Chuck ask such good questions?
Is The Religious Right Gullible, Naïve, or Willingly Ignorant?
By Chuck Baldwin
March 11, 2005
It is time to ask some hard questions about the preponderance of
leaders and organizations commonly identified as the Religious
Right. Are they gullible, naïve, or willingly ignorant? How can
anyone who truly believes that unborn babies deserve the right to
life continue to support President George W. Bush? His track
record on the life issue screams betrayal! Let's get real: on the
subject of protecting the lives of unborn babies, Bush is just so
much hot air!
American Life League president Judy Brown, columnist Thomas
Droleskey, Howard Phillips, Covenant News.com web host Jim
Rudd, and many others have provided the American people with
incontrovertible documentation regarding G.W. Bush's dismally
pathetic record on the life issue. They have chronicled facts
including:
Practically everyone in Bush's cabinet is pro-abortion. Bush is the
first president to authorize stem cell research. In fact, his appointee
to directorship of the National Institute of Health, Dr. Elias
Zerhouni, is a pioneer in embryonic stem cell research. President
Bush even blocked a vote on a congressional amendment that
would have banned the patenting of human embryos.
President Bush has done nothing to remove abortifacients such as
RU-486 from the shelves. He even supported the National
Organization of Women (NOW) in their racketeering suit against
Joe Scheidler and other pro-life advocates.
President Bush has approved millions of taxpayer dollars in
funding for Planned Parenthood. He has authorized federal funding
for abortion providers overseas to levels even higher than those
authorized by President Bill Clinton!
Speaking of overseas funding for abortion, President Bush's $15
billion AIDS package provides payments to organizations that
provide abortions including the International Planned Parenthood
Federation.
President Bush even admitted his opposition to overturning Roe v
Wade by stating emphatically, "there will be abortions. That's a
reality." Of course, the President's wife Laura has also publicly
said she is opposed to overturning Roe v Wade.
President Bush has repeatedly said that he has no litmus test on the
life issue when it comes to appointing federal judges. Why does
the Religious Right claim he intends to do something he has
plainly and repeatedly denied? Again, are they gullible, naïve, or
willingly ignorant?
Beyond that, how far will the Religious Right go in their
compromise and surrender of the life issue? Indications are there is
practically no limit to their sellout.
We are already hearing leaders within the Religious Right say they
will support the Republican presidential nominee in 2008 even if
that nominee is openly pro-abortion. Such talk is obviously an
attempt to begin calming potential concerns among pro-life
conservatives if and when the Republican Party nominates a pro-
abortion presidential candidate, which appears very likely to
happen.
For example, a recent national gathering of Republicans voted
Rudy Guiliani and Condi Rice as the top two choices to lead the
GOP ticket in 2008. Of course, both Guiliani and Rice are pro-
abortion.
It will more than interesting to listen to leaders of the Religious
Right postulate on how a pro-abortion Democrat is evil but a pro-
abortion Republican is righteous! Again, is the Religious Right
gullible, naïve, or willingly ignorant?
Perhaps disgusting is a more appropriate word to describe the
behavior of the Religious Right. In order to keep its most favored
special interest group status, it has compromised and capitulated
just about every cardinal principal, including the life issue.
As a result, Republican presidents and congresses will continue to
come and go, the Religious Right will continue to bask in the
warm glow of Republican acceptance, and millions of pre-born
babies will continue to have their little bodies torn apart by the
abortionist's scalpel.
Do not fear, however. At least a Democrat is not in the White
House. Obviously, that matters little to the more than 4 million
unborn babies who have been slaughtered in the wombs of their
mothers since G.W. Bush became President. What does matter, of
course, is that the Religious Right is happy to embrace the
Republican presidential candidate, his or her commitment to the
unborn notwithstanding.
Is the Religious Right gullible, naïve, or willingly ignorant? It
really doesn't matter. Whatever the motive or whatever the cause,
the Religious Right has ceased to be a credible proponent of
protecting the lives of unborn children, which leads to the greater
question: who will pick up the mantle as the voice for the unborn?
© Chuck Baldwin
NOTE TO THE READER:
Chuck Baldwin's commentaries are copyrighted and may be
republished, reposted, or emailed providing the person or
organization doing so does not charge for subscriptions or
advertising and that the column is copied intact and that full credit
is given and that Chuck's web site address is included.
Editors or Publishers of publications charging for subscriptions or
advertising who want to run these columns must contact Chuck
Baldwin for permission. Radio or television Talk Show Hosts
interested in scheduling an interview with Chuck should contact
chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com.
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posted @ 06:21 AM CST [link] [Karma: -5 (+/-)]Friday, March 11, 2005Repeat Divorces
An interesting article discusses the phenomenon of the increasing number of "repeat divorces".
A couple of questions come to mind.
1) Why do we have the throwaway society?
2) Why are people such poor judges of character?
3) Would marriages built on true dependence on Jesus Christ reduce this trend?
4) Why ask why?
Questions number 1 and 2 are pretty easy to answer I think; our sin nature. We want what we think will make us feel good now and we don’t want to listen to God to see what he says about the topic.
I think the fact that in the Christian community the divorce rate is the same as the non Christian world does not argue against question #3. Instead it would argue that many in the Christian community are not really Christians or at the very least not living a life that is dependent upon God.
posted @ 07:38 AM CST [link] [Karma: 10 (+/-)]
Quote of the Day: C. S. Lewis
"A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading."
C. S. Lewis commenting on the influence on his coming to faith of the work of G. K. Chesterton especially "The Everlasting Man"
posted @ 07:23 AM CST [link] [Karma: 5 (+/-)]Thursday, March 10, 2005Mainline Churches Have It Wrong Again
Here is a great article discussing how mainline churches are bashing the Bush budget plan.
Again, the mainline churches have it wrong. It is our responsibility to care for the poor. That means but us as individuals and us as a church body.
Whenever we hand off our responsibilities to "Big Brother" we get an inefficient ineffective politically motivated result. We do not get the result we were looking for.
posted @ 09:50 AM CST [link] [Karma: 5 (+/-)]
LESSONS TO ADULT CHILDREN: VOICE FROM THE CROSS
By Warren Coe
South Suburban Evangelical Free Church
John 19:25-27
INTRODUCTION
Several weeks ago we began a discussion on the last seven words before Jesus' death. During his hours of great suffering on cross, Jesus spoke seven times.
- These utterances have fascinated the Christian church thru the ages.
- Other than John 3:16 more sermon have been preached on these seven words than
- Year after year churches of all denominations feature them during Lent season.
Why this intense interest in the words of our dying Savior?
1st, last words of a dying man can often reveal a lot about the character of the man.
- Napoleon, I die before my time, & my body will be given back to earth. What an abyss, my deep misery & the eternal kingdom of Christ.
- Voltaire, French infidel cried out, I am abandoned by God & man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months of life.
- But when Jesus died, he asked forgiveness, granted eternal life to a thief.
2nd reason we're drawn to these words is they show Jesus's clear & alert mind even at end. He is thoughtful. He is prayerful. He is conscious of great sacrifice
3rdly, we see in these words, the very heart of the Christian faith.
- Dr. Bodey, "If all we had were these seven words, we could discover essence of Christianity".
We love these words of Jesus for the comprehensive truth they teach
EXPLANATION:
1. We began our study in Luke 23:34 when on the cross Jesus said, Father forgive them On behalf of those who crucified Jesus, our Lord prayed for their forgiveness.
- Malice, bitterness, wrath and revenge were absent from the heart of our Lord.
- He Looked upon soldiers & you and I with eyes & heart of forgiveness.
- We decided that Jesus serves as model for all who've been hurt or abused.
2. Then we took up the 2nd statement of Jesus Christ when he turns to the repentant thief & says, "Today, thou shall be with me in paradise..".
- Just as in his earthly ministry in where Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
- Jesus continued his work even on the cross in the last moments of his life.
- And today he is seeking unsaved to give them eternal life.
3. This morning we take up Jesus 3rd statement at Calvary. It is found in passage just read in John 19:25-27. Jesus says to Mary, Woman behold your son; Behold.
- We discover 3 lessons every adult child with aging parents must learn.
- That God places upon every adult child important responsibilities for parents
¡ñ In his dying words, he tells us how to care for our elderly mom & dad.
I.CARE FOR PARENTS IN SPITE OF PERSONAL SUFFERING V25
1. Its clear from John 19:26 Jesus is making provisions for mom so that when Jesus is dead, she'll be cared for. Mary is widowed¡ªJoseph most probably died when Jesus was a teen.
- She is probably around 50 yrs of age with little or no personal income.
- Mary was dependent upon Jesus, her oldest son.
- After Joseph died, it was Jesus responsibility to provide for Mary & siblings
2. But that will be ending. Jesus will be dead soon. As oldest son he must make provisions for mother. He cares for mom in spite of personal suffering.
- Luke at verse 25. Jesus' enormous sufferings are revealed.
1st soldiers who crucified are gambling for clothes.
2nd those who loved him most stand near by. Watching loved ones watch you die is painful experience as you see their pain.
3rd Jesus is undergoing tremendous physical & sp sufferings as result of the cross; there is physical pain of crucifixion & spiritual pain of bearing world's sins.
- In spite of personal sufferings, Jesus finds a way to help his defenseless mom.
- A mom's love is a great thing but Jesus' love for mom exceeds even a mother's love.
- We easily excuse ourselves from helping when sick.
4. It's never the right time for parent's health to decline or finances leave them impoverished. We often feel we aren't in the best position to help.
- Jesus teaches from the cross the essence of Christianity with his love for others, parents, etc.
- This love is costly. It is sacrificial. It gives in the face of personal suffering.
- I hope you have a plan of how you will help your parents when they need care?
The 1st lesson Jesus teaches is we must care for parents in spite of personal suffering
II.OBEY GOD'S 4TH COMMAND REGARDLESS OF FEELINGS V26
1. This brings us to 2nd lesson we learn from Jesus' words, Woman, behold you son We are to obey God's 4th command regardless of the feelings. This Lesson is radical.
- In telling mother that John would care for her; then telling John to care for her
- John was obeying God's 4th commandment of the 10 commandments.
- What is 4th commandment? Turn to Ex20:12. "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Honor means to give great respect, or to esteem as superior.
2. There are two interesting features about God's 4th commandment.
1st, there are no conditions given in command to honor; like if they are perfect parents or if only they do nice things, etc. Even bad parents deserve respect/honor
2nd, of the 10c only the 4th comes with a promise. "That your Days may be prolonged".
- God intends to give life and blessing to those who honor their parents.
3. Our Lord models a child's relationship with his/her parents by placing his mother under John's care. We are to honor our parents in spite of feelings.
- It was an act of Jesus' submission to God's will he exercised his last duty as Mary's son
- As in earthly ministry, here on cross, Jesus shows fidelity & obedience to Law
- He was always conscious of keeping & fulfilling the entire law of God in the Old Testament.
Here are specific ways to obey the 4th commandment: Write. Call. Visit. Help. Assist. Do what is best.
4. Some have wondered if Jesus was truly respectful given way he addressed his mom when he called her Woman. Another time he did this is at wedding in Canaan when...
- Bible teachers have grappled with this salutation & concluded no disrespect
- When Jesus uses it he reminds Mary of new relationship with himself. Savior!
- With highest respect & love, Jesus entrusts his mother into John's care & home.
Obeying God's 4th commandment is an act of will; God promises to bless us when we love and respect our parents
III. ENLIST THE HELP OF THE FAMILY OF GOD V27
1. Now the next lesson takes a bit of thought to discover. Like a vein of gold in a mine, it must be dug out. Look closely V27. After speaking to mom, who does Jesus address?
- It says Jesus spoke to his disciple. Do you find this peculiar? Go back to 1st Century.
- In Jewish culture as in many ancient cultures if husband dies, then 1st born becomes head of family. If 1st born dies, then 2nd oldest male is in charge.
2. Bible tells us Jesus had several brothers & sisters. Mark 6:3. These were the same who thought Jesus was mad & tried to commit him. By rights James should look after mom
- Bible seems to indicate that none of these siblings could be found near cross
- We are told that Mary the mother, Mary wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene. & John we at the cross.
- Why did Jesus commit mother to John's care & not James his brother? Not absence
3. This is going to blow your mind. Jesus conceived of a new community, the body of Christ, the church where a new command would be followed; that you love one another John 13:34
- Not that the family of God would eradicate nuclear family
- But in church of Jesus Christ, the nuclear family exists within context of body of Christ.
- The Heresy of Mary being mother of all Christians is not taught. Mary is in care of John & the church
4. In the same way John was commanded to look after Jesus' mother, we are commanded to look after each other & our families. This makes us radical in world's eyes.
- Mariano Di Gangi, Our Lord brings into being the brotherhood of believers. He fashions the fellowship of the household of faith. This is the new society, which is not segregated according to race, nationality. It is not predicated upon social standing or economic power. It consists of those whose faith meets at the cross & whose experience of forgiveness flows form the cross.
APPLICATION:
1. We have given careful thought to the words of our dying Lord. With the burden of physical pain & his infinite suffering for sin, Jesus speaks to his mom, to John & us
- To his mother he said, Woman, behold your son. To John, Behold, mother.
- In this last will & testament Jesus does more than provide for his mother,
- He gives us a legacy of lessons on how we are to treat our aging parents.
2. We learn from Jesus' words, Care for parents in spite of personal suffering. As Christ tended to mom's needs though suffering, we are to care for our parents
- Obey God's 4th commandment regardless of feelings. Obedience is a matter of mind
- Our parents in their need is our concern & responsibility so obey the 4th
- Enlist help of family of God. Jesus entrusted mom to John, not brothers and sisters; but to church & family.
3. The place of Calvary where Christ purchased our redemption was also a place to teach us about the responsibilities children have toward their parents.
- That salvation is more than restoring our relationship with God, the Father,
- And more than pie-in-the-sky in the sweet bye-bye. But it is practical.
- It's about parents & children and how adult children are to love mom/dad.
4. One of the most effective ways we communicate the life-changing power of Jesus Christ is in the way we treat our parents. If I can be so bold¡
- How we treat parents tells something about true nature of our relationship with the Lord
- If I brag about being a follower of Jesus but disrespect my parents, I'm hot air.
- But if I love my parents as Jesus loved his parents, then I probably have real deal.
posted @ 06:12 AM CST [link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)]Wednesday, March 9, 2005The Value of Life
Breakpoint published a fantastic commentary on the Value of Life. Some of you may think that I am very hard and jaded (and of course that my be true at times) but this commentary turned me into a bowl full of blubbering jelly (Is that a good metaphor? I think I may be catching my wife's mixed metaphor disease).
Check out the commentary here.
posted @ 12:58 PM CST [link] [Karma: 11 (+/-)]
Would you do it again?
I thought this might be a little encouragement for your day. Enjoy!
By Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com ()
"Would you do it again?"
"What?"
"Everything."
"Would I do everything all over again...the same way?"
"Yes, the same way."
"Even all of the mistakes and all of the bad things?"
I stopped for a moment to think about that one. Who would say yes to wanting to do the bad things all over again?
I took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I would."
There, I said it. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? Why in the world would I knowingly want to do the bad things over?
Who I am right this moment, all the good, bad and ugly, evolved from every step I took along the way to now.
To go back and do things differently would change me. For the better? I don't think so.
I learned what good is from experiencing the bad. I learned what right is from knowing wrong.
Throughout my day, I get these little flash back moments that pop up in my mind. Like a football instant replay, the image, the words rewind and play on the little screen in my memory bank. The only difference is, I have learned to stop it, control it, so that it no longer has a negative impact on me.
"The bad made me better," I said to my friend.
He looked puzzled.
"Had I done something wrong and never learned anything from it, I would be a totally different man today. I believe I'd be a man with fewer friends. I believe that I would not have all the blessings I now have in my life."
Some of the most valuable lessons I have learned came from pain, loss, and stormy times. Now, when I remember, I can see them more clearly. I can recognize the truth within it.
You can tell a child not to touch something hot. They have no idea why. They have no concept of what hot is. That is until they touch it. They do something they shouldn't do and hopefully learn from it. It's a tough lesson learned the hard way.
It's a fact that I can't go back and change those select things in my life that I now see as bad. I can't even go back and do the good things better.
What I can do, is to live this life in such a way that many years from now if someone asks, "Would you change anything?" I can honestly reply, "Yes, I already did."
"I believe in you!"
Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com
copyright 2005 Bob Perks I encourage you to
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I ask that you keep my name and contact information
attached so that new readers can find their way here.
Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without
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posted @ 07:17 AM CST [link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)]Tuesday, March 8, 2005Quote of the day: "Chase after crap; feel like crap”
This morning I was with my men’s group. We are going thru the book of Proverbs and we also spend time discussing life in general. How are we doing and how do we need encouragement, how can we pray for each other etc.
We have been dealing with the whole concept of chasing after the world and what are the rewards for that, or maybe what are the penalties for that.
Today a paraphrase of many Biblical concepts came to our mind. Be advised, the quote is a bit course, but it really sums up our thoughts and I think it also sums up scripture.
We blurted out…
“Chase after crap; feel like crap”
After that was out on the table, we just laughed and laughed. We could not stop laughing. This is a slightly course way of summing up a very deep truth.
Our happiness stems from keeping the most important commandment first.
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
So our little quote helped to put this truth back into perspective for us today, I hope it does the same for you.
posted @ 08:32 AM CST [link] [Karma: 7 (+/-)]
Minnesota Group prepares for 2nd Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Trip
Minnesota group prepares for 2nd Sri Lanka tsunami relief trip. In fact, the group will be leaving today for a month. My dad Don Moran will be going with this group and be performing relief work and miscellaneous support duties.
The main mission this time for the entire group will be rebuilding houses and continuing of education work with the children.
Get more details here.
Find all the information on help Shi Lanka at their web site www.helpsrilanka.us.
posted @ 08:17 AM CST [link] [Karma: 4 (+/-)]Monday, March 7, 20054-D Ultrasound
Fantastic technological advances give pro-life forces even more tools in the fight to end abortion. Check out this National Geographic article for details on the new 4-D ultrasound equipment. It gives you the ability to see the developing baby in much more detail. This gives regular people that might be on the fence about abortion the ability to see their little baby determine without a doubt that this “mass of cells” it is indeed a real baby.
Yes, I know the abortion battle is a spiritual battle, but in this spiritual battle, we can use both spiritual tools and tools of this world also.
posted @ 08:25 AM CST [link] [Karma: 6 (+/-)]
Women’s Equity
Why would a UN conference on women’s equity include a divisive discussion on "reproductive health services" (better know as abortion on demand)?
While it is true that if you leave men to their base nature, they behave like dogs in the street, why would we want women to be equal in that way?
Word Magazine has a great discussion on the conference. Check details here.
posted @ 08:09 AM CST [link] [Karma: 8 (+/-)]
More Barna Christian Parenting Poll (CPP)
Remember my comments last week on the Barna poll discussing Christian parenting, "Are Christians really Christians?". Well this week a 19 year old young punk David N. Bass expands the topic even more and with great effect.
This is a great warning to be in the world and not of it. We need to be constantly aware of our ways, but also considering how we can help transform the world by being salt and light.
Read this as a good reminder and a wake up call.
Have a great day.
Wayne
posted @ 06:11 AM CST [link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)]Sunday, March 6, 2005Put on a Garment of Praise!
This morning we had some worship music blasting in the kitchen (much to my wife's chagrin) as we were preparing for a day of worship.
The Robin Mark song came on "Garments of Praise" and we were just worshipping! It was awesome.
So off I go to the Bible to find out where that is from. The verse is from Isaiah 61
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
So, for those that are despairing today put on a garment of praise!
Have a blessed day of our Lord.
posted @ 08:58 AM CST [link] [Karma: 7 (+/-)]
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