Is TRUTH perished from your life?

Without proper support any structure will fail when a load is placed upon it greater than it can handle. This support is TRUTH.

In the late 1800's William James, 'the father of modern psychology' wrote of the notion that 'Truth was relative to time, place, and purpose." This philosophy makes provision for what once was truth to be changed according to circumstances, and situations.

Alcoholism is being considered a disease instead of a conscience choice. Pedophilia is being studied to see if a disturbance in the brain causes this desire, if so, then that will become a disease instead of a sin. Abortion has been a news worthy item for years as a choice.

What a world we would live in if we had an excuse for everything we did. All the sins were relative to time, place, and purpose. It is ok to steal food because I was wanting to feed my family. The good outways the bad syndrome. Very dangerous attitude. Do we truly rely on God anymore for our DAILY BREAD? Go to my blog about FAITH and check it out.

Read Deuteronomy 4:7-9 (the entire chapter is worthy of reading) God says in part ".....what nation that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this law....". He goes on and tells the people to teach them to their sons and their sons' sons. Truth does not change. And TRUTH must be protected by memory, and passing it along.

Years later in Jeremiah 7:28 we see that the nation does not obey the voice of God; nor receiveth correction; is cut off from their mouth (stopped passing it down); AND 'truth is perished'. Scary. Read chapter 8:7-12 (sound like AMerica?) Check out the next few chapters to see how God handled this.

Oh, Larry, this is the Old Testament and this is the history of Israel. Yep, you are correct. BUT, is there not a lesson to be learned for today? Is obeying God now different from obeying God then? I think not. He is longsuffering, but his judgements are still true.

Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the truth." And in Hebrews 13:8 we read, "Jesus Christ, the SAME yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Verse 9 tells us that 'it is a good thing that the heart be ESTABLISHED'.

Is your heart established today?

Things may look good today, and promising for tomorrow, but if you don't have established truth in your life it could all disappear. These two snow people I made a few years ago are gone. After I created them they were happy for a season. But they were subject and bound by the laws of 'thawing and melting'.
Today I am going to search my heart and be sure I am on the path that will help me NOT to melt when trouble comes. I want the truth in my heart.
"I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me."
Psalm 119:19

"Thy Word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it." Ps. 119:140

"FOREVER, O Lord, thy Word is settled in heaven." Ps. 119:89

Have a great day! and please feel free to post a comment.

Adam and Jesus

It's nice to know for certain about things. And one thing we can be thankful to God for is He makes it clear about sin. And He makes it clear about what to do about it. This video (12 minutes long) covers the dramatic events leading up to the immediate punishment for sin.
After seeing on the news all the debates about capitol punishment, water boarding, putting your hands on children in a punishing way, it got me thinking about the original sin. God was swift, some would say harsh, but one thing for certain, he was clear. There was no wondering if God hated sin or not.

Disobedience was the outward action. Was 'listening' to someone question God's Word the real sin? Was the 'willingness' to go against God's Word the real sin? We mostly judge sin and crime by the outward action, but God often warns of the inside.

'From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh'. Matt. 12:34

To lust on a woman is adultery. Matt.5:28

God looks inside. Like a seed, once it gets growing it is hard to stop. Once we see sin the way God sees it, we will definitely have a different attitude about what we look at, or what we think. Now maybe with these things in mind we can understand a little more about why God hates sin so much. By time is gets to the 'action', it has already caused internal damage.

This too is why it is such an insult for someone to think they can get to heaven by being good. I Corinthians 15:22

Faith that will or can?

There is often an area in our faith called doubt. Sometimes it shows up at the beginning, sometimes at the end, often in the middle, but is does show up. It is always between the 'can he do it' and 'will he do it'. An acronym I use for doubt is 'Defeat Over the Unknown By Thinking'. This is not a blind faith, but often we ask 'how is he going to do that, when the doctors say there's no hope?', or 'why would he do this for me?', or what do I need to do to help?, or 'when will he do this?' These are seeds of doubt festering in our mind.

We control only two parts of the prayer cycle.
*Making time for prayer. *And our measure of faith.

'Hath God said?' (Genesis 3:1) has reigned in the hearts of men since that time in the garden. This is why when Jesus talks about prayer he tells us to believe. He really sums it up in Matthew 21:22 where he says, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING, ye shall receive."
Hmmm, I ask you and myself, 'Hath God said?'

Jesus also tells us in Mark 11:24, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, BELIEVE that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." WOW, even my desires! Listen, this is awesome, and let me add that if you have the faith to believe God for answers, then your desires will be his desires. So, no winning lottery numbers, sorry.

Here are some passages you may want to check out.

Luke 11:1-13 Luke 18:1-8 Matthew 14:25-33

These are only three of many passages that cover asking, faith, and doubt. Look in the back of your Bible's concordance for those words and read the passages, not just the verse but the story around that verse.

Prayer is our only link with God to receive. Don't be afraid to expect things from God. He wants us to. If God had no intention or little intention of answering our prayers why would Satan make such an effort in causing us to doubt? Maybe he knows something we don't? Maybe.

Enjoy the video.

Bible Study-Step One

Studying is hard enough in itself but especially if you don't have the proper tools or even know what they are. I have prepared a little video to share the tools I use in my Bible study time.

There are five kinds of action here, and each builds itself on the previous: reading, studying, memorizing, using, and sharing. And they usually come in that order. We all know how to read, so this short series begins with studying. I hope you can begin seeing changes in your approach today.

"Commitment with accountability closes the gap between intention and results."--Sandra Gallagher

II Timothy 2:16 exhorts us to study.

Psalms 119:9 asks a question and gives a very, very clear answer.

Enjoy the video.

Cleveland Tea Party

This is how our Tea Party Started. It was a blessing since just last night we were fighting to get it in a community school.

Cleveland's Tea Party went well. My guess is between 1,500 and 2,000 people came out to show support. It is one thing to see these things on TV but quite another to participate. I want my readers to know this is more than just about taxes. We have lived in the 'complacent era' in America and things are beginning to quickly get out of hand.

How far are you willing allow things to go down hill?

Do you know what you can do? Most American's don't have a clue how to get things done in America. I think most think their voice doesn't matter. I didn't either until recently. And I am just starting out, so we can learn together.

Some things I have been doing to get involved.

I watch community newsgroups and websites to see what people are talking about and where certain things may be happening.

Most school boards announce their upcoming issues online. Find the website (call the school to get it) and save that site to your favorites drop down tab to easily find it again, and check it for upcoming issues. (Removal of pledge for example).

Know who your councilperson is, and senator especially. Your senator can be found at http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/index.html if you are in ohio. Our senators want to know what we want. Now, DO NOT say, 'yeah, sure they do'. That is the attitude that put us where we are today. Call them and see for yourself, but please don't expect them to meet you for coffee. But maybe your neighborhood councilperson will.

The next step is to go to a meeting and see what it is about. If you never been to one, just do it. Anything worth knowing about is worth stepping outside your comfort zone for. Yes, you will step out of your comfort zone, so be sure to have your comfy shoes on.

Read about the issues online using at least 3 sources.

This is a start. You will become more passionate about an issue once you learn about it. Then before you know it, you will be in your comfort zone again. A new one.

Don't get involved in too much or you will get burnt out and overwhelmed. My passion is about the pledge, and anything else I can get in the schools that have to do with America's beginnings. Including prayer and Bible reading if that should ever offer and open door somewhere. I am also passionate about reducing our tax base. That's enough for me. That's on the political side.

Here are a few photos that show the message of the tea party.

American Pledge of Allegiance

This was my stand at an Oberlin City School Council Meeting on April 14, 2009 about reinstating the American Pledge of Allegiance. I made sure I was the first to speak with a quick uplift of my hand when asked for comments.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and
to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
I learned this as a child in school at an early age. I don't know where
our children will learn this and be able to commit it to memory if not
here, in school.
With the act of burning our flag as a legal form of expression through
freedom of speech, it would be a good thing if our youth can at least
learn what it symbolizes before they go on to destroy it.
If the future of our nation (our children) are not taught to respect
what symbolizes freedom AND hope, how can we expect them to
grow up and embrace the HOPE that freedom has provided us?
It starts here. It starts TODAY. Thank you."

About three words in to my little speech most of the thirty (30) people that were at this meeting stood and placed their hands over their hearts and recited the pledge with me. I was so happy to see the support. My fellow Americans, there comes a time when we must say STOP with the raping of our symbols. Our flag is our uniform. It represents not only who we are but more importantly WHAT we are and what we stand for. To deny the pledge anywhere in America because it offends someone is like a McDonald's employee refusing to wear the uniform because it makes them itch.
You may ask; what can I do? Support America by attending meetings when things are in question about our country, or your beliefs.
You may ask; how can I know when something is in jeopardy? You can add to your 'favorites' the websites of your child's school committee meeting updates, get on an email list of events that let you know of events in your community.
Please take my poll about the Pledge. You are welcome to copy this post and pin it up at your place of business or anywhere you feel people need to be aware of our fundamental standards for America.
God Bless America.

The Pirates and the Devil

As I watch the story of the 4 pirates capturing a huge supply boat and taking the captain hostage, I had to wonder how this could be. They were better prepared. It reminded me of I Peter 5:8 " Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
The pirates were armed, and hunting for opportunity to complete their goal. The supply ship was floating along, unarmed, and obviously not ready to fight. God tells us to be serious minded, and alert to danger (sober and vigilant). The devil is subtle, wise, and very resourceful. We must be well read in God's Word, prayed up, and guarding ourselves with faith. As the devil will tempt, intice, and use peer pressure to accomplish his goals: tarnishing our testimony, and life.
Let this example of a small group of men controlling three (3) navy battle ships, confusing a government into indecisiveness, and ultimately getting their way, be a lesson for us to be sober and vigilant in our faith and walk. Don't let satan hold you hostage!