The Games Have Begun

From My Perspective - - -   
  It is frustrating to listen to the news and political commentary currently barraging us of late. It seems as though our propensity as a nation is toward the horrific, bad, and negative news – whether it is true or mere speculation. The Political Polls are a case in point – Polls that are indicating today that which they predict will occur several months from now when an actual election is held. With the expanded use and interest in the Internet, all kinds of email, gossip, suspicions and what is deemed to be “fact” is spread widely and indiscriminately in an almost constant stream.

To this end, CNS features this headline and story today: “Former Clinton Adviser: 'Very Possible' Obama Will Bow Out of Presidential Race.” The initial paragraphs of the column state the following: “In an interview with conservative radio icon Sean Hannity, former President Clinton adviser and campaign manager Dick Morris stated that, after speaking with a Democratic strategist, he thinks it is very possible that President Obama might acquiesce to requests from the Democratic leadership in Congress and bow out of the 2012 race, leaving the door open for him to return sometime in the future. I asked a top Democratic strategist the other day and he thought that it was possible that, in January, Harry Reid comes to Obama and says, Look you cost us control of the House last year, you’re going to cost us control of the Senate this year. For the good of the party you have to step aside’” said Morris. And, then, (Obama) pulls a Lyndon Johnson, he says I’m fighting to solve the recession, and problem is because of partisanship and my re-election people reject everything I say because of partisanship, so I’m going to not run for president and focus my full time attention on solving this recession’ and then go out popular, Morris added.” There’s more of this story but this is sufficient to give you a sense of how political rumor and innuendo will begin to inundate us with suspicions and prognostications about this “reliable source.”

In the first few years of the First Century, political times were cause for concern and the actions of some political leaders were harsh and cruel. When the Apostle Peter wrote his two letters (epistles) to the believers, the times were difficult and uncertain. The Church did not meet in one location – Christians were scatter in different locations. There is an interesting translation in The Message from I Peter 1:1-3, “I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!” Wow! Really? Do “scattered to the four winds” and “may everything good from God be yours” fit together and mesh?And then, Peter dares to state in I Peter 3:8-11 (ESV) these guidelines for attitude and action: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

How then are we to live during chaotic times and when despotic rulers are gaining with their agendas? Peter cautioned and instructed in I Peter 2:16-17, “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” Can these principles of behavior be applied and function in the 21st Century? When the affairs of life seem so bleak and when hope is almost gone, can we both pray for and honor those who have set us on a road of uncertainty and instability? Paul gave this counsel in I Timothy 2:1-4, I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This – we need to remember and do! Consider these things with me!

The World: Turmoil Or Tranquility?

From My Perspective - - -

The world’s economic woes are a reality and many have become aware of the plight of nations in this regard. With the turmoil and uncertainty in the Middle East; with the near collapse of nations economically as bankruptcy looms; and with the undisciplined spending and increasing debts of the United States – it seems as though there is no rational resolve for the stress of nations and the peoples of the world.

Meanwhile, The Liberty Prayer Bulletin Reports on the religious plight of nations. Two nations that share a common border are Iraq and Iran. In regard to Iraq, the following is being reported in terms of the churches in that nation: “On Monday 15 August a bomb exploded outside Saint Ephrem's Syrian Orthodox Church in Al Ummal Square, central Kirkuk, causing major damage but no casualties. It was the third church bombing in Kirkuk in two weeks. The previous night, four bombs exploded simultaneously inside Kirkuk's Saint Afram Syriac Orthodox Church. Whilst there were no casualties, it was the first time insurgents had managed to detonate bombs planted inside a church. On 2 August, 15 people were wounded including church staff when a car bomb exploded about 5:30am outside the Holy Family Syrian Catholic church in Kirkuk. Bombs were subsequently found and defused outside the Saint Giwargis Church of the East and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in the Almass district. Kirkuk Archbishop Louis Sako told Aid to the Church in Need, 'This is only happening because we are Christians. Maybe the people responsible want to empty the city of Christians. Please pray for us. Pray for peace and stability. We are afraid.' Pray for Iraq's besieged Christians.”

In Iran, the viewpoint is larger and broader than just the churches. The Liberty Prayer Bulletin Reports: “Under President Mahmud Ahmadinejad Iran has become more assertive in its quest to lead the Muslim world in Islamic Revolution. The regime has been greatly aided towards this by the war in Iraq which has dramatically altered the balance of power in the Middle East. To woo Arabs and Sunni Muslims into its axis, ascendant Iran is cranking up its anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric while taking every opportunity to demonstrate its superior Islamic credentials. Support for international terrorism, state violence and religious persecution are at an all-time high. The American Centre for Law and Justice reports at least 285 Christians were arrested in 35 cities in Iran during the first six months of 2011 without any public reaction.”

It appears that a threefold strategy is unfolding – (1) economic collapse worldwide and the devaluing of currency; (2) persecution of churches and Christians in Iran, Sudan and elsewhere; (3) plans for a military revolution and nuclear dominance in the Middle East. While these events are occurring rapidly in our world, it appears that the Governments of the world and the Christian Church can only opine with generalizations and speeches. All seem unprepared and devoid of reasonable alternatives and/or solution. When President of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Nations on September 23, 2011, he referred to it as the “Theater of the Absurd.” He then closed his remarks with an appeal to the words of the Prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 60. The context of the passage 60:1-6) is the future hope and reality for Israel with eschatological overtones: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Shebashall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.” This will occur suddenly! Consider these things with me!

Sooner Or Later?

From My Perspective - - -

Sooner or Later should be thought of as a question. Is an event or occurrence about to happen “now” or sometime in the “future” or not at all? While we go about our regular tasks, and keep up with the busyness of our lives, there are those whose thoughts are elsewhere, on much larger goals and purposes. To illustrate, on September 2^nd, 3011, an Op-Ed piece appeared in the New York Times titled, “Don’t Fear Islamic Law in America” written by Eliyahu Stern. It is connected to a statement by the publication: “New York Times Supports Sharia Law in USA.”

The article makes the following statements and assertions: “More than a dozen American states are considering outlawing aspects of Shariah law. Some of these efforts would curtail Muslims from settling disputes over dietary laws and marriage through religious arbitration, while others would go even further in stigmatizing Islamic life: a bill recently passed by the Tennessee General Assembly equates Shariah with a set of rules that promote “the destruction of the national existence of the United States. Supporters of these bills contend that such measures are needed to protect the country against homegrown terrorism and safeguard its Judeo-Christian values. The Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has said that ‘Shariah is a mortal threat to the survival of freedom in the United States and in the world as we know it.’ This is exactly wrong. The crusade against Shariah undermines American democracy, ignores our country’s successful history of religious tolerance and assimilation, and creates a dangerous divide between America and its fastest-growing religious minority. The suggestion that Shariah threatens American security is disturbingly reminiscent of the accusation, in 19th-century Europe, that Jewish religious law was seditious. In 1807, Napoleon convened an assembly of rabbinic authorities to address the question of whether Jewish law prevented Jewish people from being loyal citizens of the republic…”

In a nation where the assumed posture has become, and the hew and cry remains constant that there must be the maintenance of “the separation of Church and State.” In a nation that has disallowed Prayer and Bible Reading in Government Schools; the posting of the Ten Commandments in the Court House; the banning of the singing of Christmas Carols at any Government Social gathering; and the removal of The Crèche (Nativity Scene) from the public squares – how can Sharia gain recognition and be championed as being acceptable? In lieu of what is disallowed in our nation, the origin and meaning of Sharia is: the Code of Law derived from the Koran and from the teachings and example of Mohammed; Shariah is only applicable to Muslims; under Islamic Law, there is no separation of church and state.”  As a nation, are we willing to abandon our Christian Heritage?

The Eternal God has been very explicit in terms of His Unchanging Word. (a) Deuteronomy 5:6-7, “ I am the Lord your God who brought you out of…bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” (b) Deuteronomy 6:12-14, “…take care lest you forget the Lord…It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve…You shall not go after other gods…” (c) Romans 1:20-25, “…although they knew God, they did not honor him as God…Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images…Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts…because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” (d) II Kings 17:34-36, “They do not fear the Lord, and they do not follow the statutes… The Lord made a covenant with them and commanded them, "You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them, but you shall fear the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm.” We need to Honor the Lord and Lift Up His Name always!  Sooner or Later we may lose our freedom to do so. While we still can, we should urgently implement Hebrews 3:13, “…exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”Consider these things with me!

Bleakness Everywhere

From My Perspective - - -

Slogans are easy to say and print – but – many times very difficult to implement. One’s mind often thinks back to a different day of hope and possibility – 50 years ago - when a President stated: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I wonder what he would say to our country today. There was a gifted speaker who shared the possibilities of a future of equality in and for this nation when he said to cheering crowds: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Sadly, these two men who inspired multitude came to an untimely end as a result of an assassin’s bullet. There was another analytic and inspiring message that had a President saying: “Government is not a solution to our problem, Government is the problem.” He, too, almost fell victim to an assassin’s effort.

There is a restlessness, frustration and uneasiness as unemployment remains high; savings are evaporating; investments have depreciated; and homes have lost to foreclosure. The Associated Press contains a report that defines an aspect of the bleakness today: “In record-setting numbers, young adults struggling to find work are shunning long-distance moves to live with Mom and Dad, delaying marriage and buying fewer homes, often raising kids out of wedlock. They suffer from the highest unemployment since World War II and risk living in poverty more than others…New 2010 census data released Thursday show the wrenching impact of a recession that officially ended in mid-2009. It highlights the missed opportunities and dim prospects for a generation…coming of age in a prolonged slump with high unemployment…Their…high levels of underemployment and unemployment will haunt young people for at least another decade…the employment-to-population ratio for all age groups from 2007-2010 dropped faster than for any similar period since the government began tracking data in 1948.”

In the midst of Bleakness and uncertain times, what can and should a person do? The Government doesn’t have a ready solution – where should one turn for hope and help? Christianity Today reported on a Baylor Faith Study that included: “As belief in a divine plan grows, so does belief in a major part of the American dream. The survey asked if Americans agreed that ‘anything is possible for those who work hard.’ A majority who strongly agreed in God's plan also agreed with this statement about hard work. Support was lowest among those who did not believe in a divine plan. Those who do not believe in God's plan were half as likely to agree that anything is possible with hard work…A majority of those who strongly believe in God's plan also believe that able-bodied people who are out of work shouldn't receive unemployment checks…”

An argument can be made from the Bible for both sides of this discussion and survey. As part of Christian Faith and Practice, Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-36, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…” It speaks of one’s Care and Compassion toward all, and the reward Jesus bestows as a result. On the other hand, II Thessalonians 3:10-13 teaches, “…when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work…but as for you…do not grow weary in doing good.” This is condemning laziness and lack of industry, and includes condemnation for those who ignored the poor and were uninvolved with care for the needy. However, if one errs at all in this regard it should be in the care and compassion effort rather than the judgmental that allows one to miss and ignore bonafide need.  Consider these things with me!

Setup To Fail

From My Perspective - - -

Ridicule, Bullying, Taking Advantage of Another – all of these things occur among and in the interactions of person to person situations, or by a group toward a deranged, pitiful or helpless individual. Children in school are often subjected to being bullied or ostracized by another, or a group. It seems to be great sport to some if they can manage to cause another additional hardship and deprivation. An example of this is mentioned in the British Publication, Mail Online (an entertainment report of The Sun) for September 21^st, 2011, where the following entertainment report is given regarding the program – X-Factor. “Last Sunday, viewers watched...as Ceri Rees was subjected to her fourth rejection from the panelists - having made several attempts to reach boot-camp over the last six years in 2005, 2006 and 2008. The 54-year-old widow from Bridgend, Wales came under fire for her tone-deaf performance and was given a resounding chorus of 'No' on the final show of the audition rounds. She was allocated a generous seven minutes and 11 seconds of broadcasting; a sixth of the entire  show's running time.” An observer said she “…was sickened by the producers decision to keep the scene in for entertainment value, saying: …they shouldn't have aired that audition, she's clearly ill.”

In defense of their decision and action to have this person on camera and the telecast, but with words that are somewhat hollow and devoid of compassionate meaning - Mark Davies, director of communications at Rethink Mental Illness, told The Sun: “While we can't speculate on Ceri's mental health, she does appear vulnerable and it was clear she'd been set up to fail.Producers have a responsibility not to put vulnerable people in the spotlight when it's clear the intention is for the public to ridicule and laugh at them. It could be seen as a form of bullying. Neighbors in the South Wales area said Ceri lived in a world of her own in a one-bedroom bungalow since husband Clive died in 2007.But last night an X Factor spokeswoman insisted Ceri was happy with her television adventure.She said: The welfare of contestants is of paramount importance. We have psychologists to provide expert opinion if we have any specific concerns, or if the contestant raises any issues.”

 

In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus gives an illustration of a person in need of help and compassion. The man’s situation is dire. Jesus describes it: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” The thieves were doubtlessly given to ridicule, bullying, taking advantage of another, and cruelty. The thieves left this man “half dead.” On that road were – A Priest and A Levite – people who should’ve been ready and willing to make a difference in what remained of this “half dead” man’s life. However, they excused themselves of any personal involvement, crossed the road and passed him by. Jesus continues His illustration: “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he…gave money to the innkeeper, and said to him: Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.”Then Jesus asks this probing question: “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" The applicable question is: What would you have done? What have you done in the past? What are you doing now to make a difference in the life of the less fortunate and those suffering abuse at the hands of others?

The answer to the question Jesus asked was:"He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Your response might be – “Who?” “Me?” – and Jesus responds – “Yes!” “You!” – Get out of your comfort zones and be an individual who will make a difference in the life of another for Me - the one who is ridiculed, bullied, disenfranchised or set up to fail. Oh -  by the way, that’s part of the Great Commission duty, opportunity and privilege! Consider these things with me!

Cynicism and Confusion

From My Perspective - - -

It would be an ideal experience if one could accept everything at face value. However, our culture and world have become something other than trustworthy. It’s becoming almost a daily occurrence to either read about or hear about someone being demeaned or someone else being defrauded. One is left with the helpless and hopeless sense in regard to who can be trusted; who is reliable; and with whom can one share anything in confidence.

If any one of us had the ability to try to alter an event in history, where would we begin and to whom would we appeal? Would we be able to employ rhetoric and action to avert a major event from occurring? It’s easy to think of the cynicism that surrounded the account of Noah building an Ark in a day and time when it hadn’t rained and there hadn’t been a flood. The people in his day thought he was crazy and they mocked and ridiculed him as he labored. If you fast forward to the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the cynics were still alive and well. Rather than merely attempting to discredit the account of Noah, they took the first eleven chapters and became advocates for the demythologizing of Scripture. What this amounts to “…eliminating all mythical elements from a piece of writing, especially the Bible, so as to arrive at an essential meaning.” One of the most noted contributor and champions for the concept of demythologizing was Rudolf Bultmann (1884-1976) who had a long and illustrious career as an Evangelical Protestant exegete, theologian, and minister… He participated in the teaching that would introduce the concept of form-criticism of the New Testament… In 1941 his essay on The New Testament and Mythology was published, in which he called for the demythologizing of the New Testament.”

When Jesus was challenged by the Scribes and Pharisees for a sign, He spoke of Jonah – Matthew 12:38-40 – “…He answered them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” The Scribes and Pharisees were already a bit cynical regarding Jesus and His teaching so his reference to Jonah would only serve to feed that cynicism and negative reaction. However, Jesus would also go on in His teaching to reference Noah and the Flood in Matthew 24:37-39, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” This would only serve to add to their cynicism and ridicule of Him.

It all comes down to whose word will you accept as being true – (a) the cynics who spread their error and confusion, or (b) Jesus Christ Who declared in His reference to Jonah, the reality of His resurrection; and in reference to Noah, the suddenness and reality of the flood that served as God’s judgment upon a sinful culture? This past week, the Bulletin Supplement at Church was: Noah’s Ark – Everything I Need To Know, I Learned From Noah’s Ark. The 10 Things are: (1) Don’t miss the Boat; (2) Remember that we are all in the same boat together; (3) Plan Ahead – it wasn’t raining when Noah Began Building the Boat; (4) Stay Fit – when you’re 60 years old, you may be asked to do something big; (5) Don’t listen to critics and cynics who wish to confuse – just get on with the job that needs to be done; (6) Build your future on High Ground; (7) For safety’s sake, travel in pairs; (8) Speed isn’t always an advantage – the Snails were on board with the Cheetahs; (9) Remember that the Ark was Built by Amateurs – the Titanic was build by Professionals; (10) No matter how great the storm, when you’re travelling with God, there’s always a Rainbow waiting! Reject what the Cynics teach and those who spread Confusion! You can always have confidence in Jesus and with the Words He has spoken! Believe what Jesus believed! Trust Him only! Go with Him always! Consider these things with me!

Trying To Remember

From My Perspective - - -

In one’s lifetime, there are particular events and circumstances that are traced indelibly in one’s mind and are remembered for a lifetime. When I was a boy, the Japanese attacked the United States Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The carnage was great and the damage to Naval Vessels considerable. One Battleship stands as a landmark and monument to remind us of the events that took place. The USS Arizona served stateside during World War I. However, the Arizona is mostly remembered because of her sinking, with the loss of 1,177 lives, during the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the event that provoked the United States into entering World War II.  The nation has been called to remember another day - the Tuesday morning a decade ago – 11 September 2001. The day that started out normally – people at work; merchants readying their businesses for another day of commerce; restaurants preparing their food for the physical needs of their patrons; people on airplanes for their flights to particular destinations; etc. And then, at 8:46 A.M. – everything suddenly changed – forever. One of the airplanes was rammed in the 86^th floor of the World Trade Center by a terrorist. Then – shortly thereafter – another plane was rammed into the second tower And then – a third plane was flown into the Pentagon. A fourth plane was crashed at Shanksville, PA when brave passengers made a decision to try to end the carnage that was being perpetrated by terrorists. What were we called to remember?

Besides the devastation caused by the planes that were being used as missiles, we were being called to remember – the total number killed in attacks:  2,983; firefighters and paramedics killed: 343; NYPD officers who died: 23; number of port authority police officers: 37; number of people who lost a spouse or partner in the attacks: 1,609; estimated number of children who lost a parent that day: 3,051… Who can begin to measure the impact for the extended families of those who perished in these events? Who can comprehend the related maladies experienced by those who searched the ruins for any survivors and/or body parts? Who can estimate the psychological struggles experienced by many of those who were there and were involved? Who will soon forget his horrendous event and the scar that it has left? The 9-11 Memorial that has been erected where the World Trade Center once stood will serve as a constant reminder of this attack upon America.

One of the criticisms to the Memorial Event held yesterday was the decision made by Mayor Bloomberg to not include any prayer and no representation by the first responders. It seemed that it would be without any religious reference at all. To his credit and with the gratitude of many, President Obama began the proceedings with the reading of Psalm 46 – “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us…Come, behold the works of the Lord…He makes wars cease to the end of the earth…Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us…”

Rudy Giuliani, New York City's mayor at the time of the attacks, came up to the lectern, where he read a passage from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to win, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace…”

There is much to remember – not the least of which is that the eternal God is still able to deliver – and He will – if only one would turn to Him and seek His face. The Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies issued a list of Prayer Needs for this day of remembrance, the first of which was: “Pray For Revival  In The Church, Because the Greatest Danger is NOT Islam’s Strength – but – The Weakness of Christianity.” Try To Remember – And If You Remember – Then Follow Jesus Christ!  Consider these things with me!

The No-Go Or The Go-Go

From My Perspective - - -

Europe has been very accommodating for the “new” and unorthodox over the years. However, the policy of multiculturalism that has been allowed for several years may be ready to bite them. A publication – The Berean Call – has issued a very troubling report entitled: “The Rise Of Islamic "No Go" Zones.” The Hudson Institute has stated the following: “Three and a half years ago, one of the Church of England's most senior bishops…warned that Islamic extremists had created "no-go" areas across Britain too dangerous for non-Muslims to enter. His politically incorrect concern sparked a firestorm of denial and criticism. Well, the evidence of how multiculturalism "has gone wrong" is in. Soeren Kern at the Hudson Institute documented the proliferation of such no-go zones throughout Europe - autonomous Islamic "microstates" under Sharia rule (having rejected their host countries' legal systems), where non-Muslims must either conform to the cultural, legal, and religious norms of fundamentalist Islam or expect to be greeted with violence…”

In nations where permissiveness and promiscuity have been allowed to run amuck, it should have been obvious for those who have the ability to think and the courage of conscience to address the cultural descent that was occurring, that if they failed to step forward and confront such choices – something at sometime would arise and fill the vacuum. Since no one stepped forward, the following is what is occurring: “In Britain, where there are already as many as eighty-five Sharia courts in operation, an Islamist group called Muslims Against the Crusades has launched an ambitious campaign to turn twelve British cities into independent Islamic states, including Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester…In the Tower Hamlets in East London - or as the Muslims there refer to it, "the Islamic Republic of Tower Hamlets" – imams…issue death threats to unveiled women, and gays are attacked by gangs of young Muslim men. The neighborhood has been littered with leaflets announcing, "You are entering a Sharia controlled zone. Islamic rules enforced…"

“In France, there are an astonishing 751 so-called Sensitive Urban Zones (ZUS). "Sensitive" indeed: the nature of the ZUS, and chaos like the nightly burning of cars in Paris, are topics that the French media largely downplay to avoid accusations of racism or Islamophobia…The Dutch government has released a list of forty "no-go" zones in the Netherlands. In Brussels, Belgium, which is twenty percent Muslim, police have to patrol with two police cars, to watch each other's back. In Sweden, which an imam there has labeled "the best Islamic state," whole patches of the city of Malmö…are no-go zones. There and in Gothenburg, Muslim teenagers have been burning cars, attacking emergency services, throwing stones at patrolling officers and temporarily blinding them with green lasers…The Conclusion drawn is: “These dangerous enclaves are…the byproduct of decades of multicultural policies that have encouraged Muslim immigrants to create parallel societies and remain segregated rather than become integrated into their European host nations…what the Islamic supremacists want is not merely a place at the table…but their own separate table, utterly distinct from the man-made laws of infidels.”

What awaits the United States and the “church”? The direction of both have been downward and the influence of both has been greatly diminished. Why has this occurred? It may have something to do with the choices people make. The Lord issued choices to His people in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 – “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.” The words are plain and the choice should be obvious. Our culture has chosen permissiveness and promiscuity – the end result being God’s curse rather than His blessing. This is similar to the challenge and choice in Joshua 24:14-15, “…fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River. or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…” The choice to be made is obvious! Choose wisely and correctly!  Consider these things with me!

Looming Disaster Or A Time To Refocus

From My Perspective - - -

We began to get hints of problems within the United States Postal Service on May 18^th, 2011 when two headlines appeared – “4 Months Until Post Office Defaults...” and “Next Up For Bailout: Post Office...”  Other Headlines appearing that indicated the issues were not being fabricated were:  June 22 – “Post Office Halts Retirement Contributions for Employees...”; July 20 – “Post Office Home Delivery 3 Days A Week?”; August 11 – “Post Office Proposes Cutting 120,000 Jobs, Pulling Out Of Healthcare Plan...”; September 04 – “Broke: Post Office System May Shut Down Entirely This Winter...Unless Congress Takes Emergency Action…” The immediate need is for $5.2 billion to meet operating expenses. One of the raised concerns is that 80% of revenues received are needed and used for employee costs. At UPS, 52% of revenues go toward employee costs, and at FedEx 36% of revenues go toward employee costs. The above Headlines are grim and the possible result for 120,000 Postal employees is dire. This is just one illustration of several that could be mentioned.

Where is the solution to the problems facing the nation and individual lives? How can and will one survive in difficult times? Can the elected politicians solve the problem? They seem at their best and being most adept when they are casting aspersions and blaming others – Obama blames Bush; Democrats blame Republicans (and vice-versa); the poor blame the rich; One Race blames Another; Class Warfare is generated; etc. Where is the answer and resolve in times that are impacting people materially, physically and spiritually? Following September 11, 2001, Adrian Rogers addressed the aftermath of the terrorist with these thoughts: “The Christian’s Response To Terror.”

Adrian Rogers basic presentation included: “Many have asked how should Christians respond to what happened in America on September 11. The first thing I want to tell you is to trust God. He will see us through this. His anchor holds in the storm. Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe." Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." America may go to war with manmade weapons, but our safety and ultimate victory comes from the Lord. Second, we need to gather and pray…We need pray for God's kingdom to come and God's will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. God's word says, "I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, then giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." (1 Timothy 2:1). We need to pray for and we need to work for peace. Third, all the prayer in the world is not going to do any good unless we repent. In II Chronicles 7:14 it says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  We, as a nation, must repent. We, as Christians, who have stood back in apathy and allowed our nation to slide into a cesspool of immorality, need to repent for our sins…”

It is difficult to adapt to the cultural times that impact individual lives, especially those who wish to maintain Biblical and Christian values. The temptation is to cut corners and compromise – even though one knows better. In the early 1900s, A.B. Simpson stated in a sermon: “I shall never forget a remark George Mueller once made in answer to a gentleman who asked him the best way to have strong faith. The only way to learn strong faith, he replied…is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm in severe testing… Be not afraid, only believe. If you are afraid, just look up and say, What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee…” These are words from Psalm 56:3-4 (NKJV), “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You…In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” The Psalmist learned to trust The Lord Who is His Shepherd in all situations and at all times. Is this what you have learned and believe? Consider these things with me!

Differences - Then and Now

From My Perspective - - -

The Blog posted yesterday concluded with a reference to Genesis 47:13-27. Pharaoh has placed Joseph in charge of preparing for a seven-year famine. When the famine occurs, Joseph is also in charge of the allocation of grain and seed, etc.  Biblical Chronology places this period somewhere between 1897-1878 BC. The key to this Biblical event is that the Egyptians would negotiate away their possessions for food and survival. Genesis 47:18-19 is when the people are near the end of their resources and they are forced to come once again: “…when that year was ended, they came to him…and said… We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent. The herds of livestock are my lord's. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate.” It is a case of desperate times and failure to prepare for them that bring them to the place of desperate choices – giving away everything – including themselves – so that as subjects of the state – they can survive.

Yesterday’s Blog produced an email and reflection that made a very important point, namely, “None of our presidents of late seem to have had a vision or dream from the Lord. Neither have we had a prophet like Joseph who has gained the ear of our Leaders and credibility from decision makers of our country. Therefore Egypt and the USA are very different. Egypt stored up a reserve during years of plenty while the USA during years of plenty not only spent like wild but also accumulated a huge additional debt. Therefore for the USA, we do not have stored reserve to help during the lean years. However, we will likely have future inflation since we print more money with nothing to back it up like we did when we were under the gold and silver standard. The people in both cases lost there possessions and become slaves to the government…” There is an online sermon by a “Pastor Vern” on Genesis 47:13-27 where he states: “What can we learn from this? That turning to the Government instead of to God to be our provider in hard times only leads to slavery…The only reason the government wants to be our provider is to also become our Master…we see the same thing happening today – the Government today wants to ‘share the wealth’ – to take it from us and redistribute it back to us. It wants to take control of health-care, just as it has taken control of education and ration it back to us – and when Government rations it, then Government decides who gets it, and how much, and what kind. And if we go along with it, and do it  willingly, then we will wind up no differently than the people of Egypt did 4000 years ago – as slaves to the Government and as slaves to our leaders…”

Is there any practical hope and/or resolve for the people of God when confiscation and control become the norm for the day? Can the people of God have any hope in the 21^st Century when the economy seems so negative and the remedies seem so few? Genesis 47:27 should give the people of God reason for hope – “Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly.” Nothing was confiscated from them. They realized blessing and provision from the Lord. The only sacrifice on their part was relocation. Two hundred years later – when they violated the Covenant of God – they would become slaves of Egypt. With their unique advantage of being – “one nation under God” – that had as it's reality – “In God We Trust” – one would think that it would be faithfully adhered to and be passed on to future generations. It wasn’t done for very long then – and – it hasn’t been done lately in our own nation.

Just note that at the upcoming 10^th  anniversary of 9-11 at Ground Zero – there will be no prayer to God - either thanking Him for His protection and/or invoking Him to continue to guard, protect and bless us! Are we nearing the day – inching toward it - of confiscation, bartering for our existence, getting a computer chip (mark) to allow us to buy and sell, and slavery to the State? Be instructed and encouraged by the words of Psalm 33:10-12, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! Think about and consider these things with me!

When The Melting Pot Is Melting

From My Perspective - - -

We continue to live in very serious and momentous times. The world continues to be a dangerous place and the United States, with limited resources, can no longer respond with dispatch and generosity as it once was able to do. Some Headlines (taken from Drudge Report – August 31, 2011) conjure up all kinds of possibilities – not just in terms of the affairs of nations – but also in terms of if and how these things might fit into a spiritual sphere rather than being isolated to just the secular. The Headlines were: “Israel Moves Ships; Iran Moves Ships; Israeli Settlers to be given tear gas to defend homes…” Part of the body of the news report from the Associated Press states: “The Israeli Navy (INF) has decided to boost its presence and patrols near 15^th fleet to the Red Sea as well to "convey message of peace and friendship to all countries". Israeli security sources stated: …that two additional warships have been dispatched to Israel's Red Sea border with Egypt. Another source said that the operation was routine…that "two naval craft have been sent to the Red Sea. This is not unusual." It all sounds grim and dangerous.

In the United States, some of the major issues continue to be: illegal immigration; continued unemployment; entanglement in two ‘official’ wars with involvement in the affairs of other nations; the excessive national debt. The illegal immigration is not a new phenomena. In August, 1977, President James E. Carter sent a long message to Congress in this regard. Part of his written and expressed concerns were: “In the last several years, millions of undocumented aliens have illegally immigrated to the United States. They have breached our nation's immigration laws, displaced many American citizens from jobs, and placed an increased financial burden on many states and local governments. The set of actions I am proposing cannot solve this enormous problem overnight, but they will signal the beginning of an effective Federal response. My Administration is strongly committed to aggressive and comprehensive steps toward resolving this problem…” Has the problem been resolved? Thirty-five years later, the answer is a resounding NO!

Where are we headed as a nation? How about final enslavement to the government? In order to survive, every possession given over freely – just to get food! Could it happen here? Take time to read Genesis 47:13-27 carefully. It speaks of a time of great famine and great need in Egypt. Joseph was in charge and note what he ordered and did: “…there was no food in all the land, for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished by reason of the famine. Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land…in exchange for the grain that they bought. Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house. And when the money was all spent in the land of Egypt…all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our money is gone. Joseph answered, Give your livestock, and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock… So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the herds, and the donkeys. He supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock that year…when that year was ended, they came to him the following year and said to him, We will not hide from my lord that our money is all spent. The herds of livestock are my lord's. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate. So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for all the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe on them. The land became Pharaoh's. As for the people, he made servants of them from one end of Egypt to the other…”  

Have we as a nation forgotten God and removed Him from the equation of our personal and cultural affairs? Will we voluntarily bring all our possessions and ourselves to the government just so we can survive? The end result may be the loss of all we deemed as valuable, then enslavement, and then…??? Consider these things with me!