July 30, 2021

You are Never too Old to Learn Something Stupid      -Attributed to Winston Churchill -

I am amazed to learn how many people have never learned about Critical Race Theory (CRT). Even worse, they seem to think it is a good theory. Many do not seem to understand where it came from and what it implies. Many desire to mandate this theory in public schools. However, the father of public education, Horace Mann, reminds us: “Moral education is a primal necessity of social existence. The unrestrained passions of men are not only homicidal, but suicidal; and a community without a conscience would soon extinguish itself ... There is one experiment which has never yet been tried... It is expressed in these few and simple words: 'Train up a child in the way he should go; and, when he is old, he will not depart from it'...Practical morals is a consummation of blessedness that can never be attained without religion, and that no community will ever be religious without a religious education. Both these propositions I regard as eternal and immutable truths ...That our public schools are not theological seminaries, is admitted ... But our system earnestly inculcates all Christian morals; it founds its morals on the basis of religion; it welcomes the religion of the Bible ...” I wonder what would happen if instead of atheistic CRT we taught our children:    Everyone has worth because each person is made in the image of God "In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and He blessed them..." (Genesis 5:1-2)      Everyone is equal because God is not a respecter of persons. "You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike." (Deuteronomy 1:17)      Everyone is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you "...you shall love your neighbor as yourself..." (Leviticus 19:18). Perhaps you noticed that these are Old Testament passages. However, I think you might find the same in the New Testament. See Romans 2:11, James 2:9, and Acts 10:34. And was it not Jesus who said the same thing in Mark 12:31? Search the scriptures to see if these things are so. Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred

July 23, 2021

 

Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage.  Anger that things are the way they are. Courage to make them the way they ought to be. ~St. Augustine~

When I think of righteous anger and audacious courage John the Baptist comes to my mind. He was an uncompromising individual not for his own sake, but for the glory of God and the good of God’s people. He came to Israel preaching repentance of sin and proclaiming behavior that was righteous which was only proper for God’s people… Anger and Courage in perfect harmony. I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I want to be a man who emotes apposite righteous indignation and expresses appropriate anger as I see our society accelerating toward oblivion. I want to do what Jesus did as He lived and served in a hostile culture. I want to flex two muscles simultaneously - Conviction and Compassion. Our world seems to be in short supply of both. Sometimes, so does the church. If you find yourself lacking in hope and in case you need a little courage, just remember; Courage is fear that has said its prayers. Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred

July 16, 2021

 

The Truth Does Not Mind Being Questioned A Lie Does Not Like Being Challenged

It comes as no secret that we are officially living in the land of the liar. The press, the entertainment industry, and often many in the government are governed by those who play fast and loose with the truth. In fact, for many, there is no such genuine item to be found. If you claim there is truth, let alone true truth, you are challenged and condemned as an intimidator, persecutor, or oppressor. One of the problems of our modern-day was the same in ancient days. It was and is the problem between knowing the distinction between a fact and a value. It is vital to realize the difference between facts that are objective and values that are subjective. It is true that good values that are actually good must find their support or their base in objective truth. But much of the arguments these days are over subjective values built on false “truth,” AKA a lie! Make no mistake, once you no longer believe there is an ultimate truth, you cannot make claim to any truth being truth in and of itself. It is simply a value you subjectively desire.  The fall of mankind was based upon a lie from the devil meant to deceive Adam and Eve. It worked. This makes sense since the devil is the father of lies. The devil continues to lie. Christians are not to be people of the lie, but we are to be people of the truth. The Bible makes some fascinating comments about truth. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. (John 14:6) Jesus was filled with grace and truth. (John 1:14) The church is to be the pillar of truth. (I Timothy 3:15) The Lord delights in truth. (Psalm 51:6) We are to render truth to all people. (Zechariah 7:9) If we are to negotiate and navigate living in the land of the liar, we must realize that our offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17) And the Word of God is truth! Objective true truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9) I invite you to read the rest of Psalm 119. Only 176 verses…… All about the Truth! Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred

July 9, 2021

You Must Run the Marathon Alone

The Olympics are coming soon. They will provide an international view of world-class athletes who have trained their whole life for this brief moment of time as the world watches. The premier endurance contest is the running of the marathon. It is based on the ancient 26-mile race from the plains of ancient Marathon to Athens and is viewed as a testament of a runner’s endurance, stamina, and tenacity. It is long, laborious, and lonely. It requires a long slow obedience in the same direction. It is the premier individual event. The Christian life is a race much like a marathon. And although we live our lives as individuals, we are also part of the body of Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit of the living God. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Therefore, since we also have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Mandate - Run the race The Method - Looking unto Jesus The Motive - Joy set before Him The Christian life is a race that is run every day. Each day we must strip off that which gets in our way or hinders us, and look, and focus on Jesus. Our focus is not only on how He lived but where He looked. He was looking to a future kingdom - His kingdom. (Heb. 2:5, 12:28; Rev. 2:26) It was a city that the heroes of the faith looked for, a country far away and is still yet to come. And it will come, and He will come. (Heb. 11:14-16; Rev. 21:2,10, 22:14) Until then…..” As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” (Deut.33:25) God will provide what you need to run the race that He has set before you. So, remember: We have the Saints Above to encourage us. We have the Spirit Within to empower us. We have the Savior at the right hand of God to entrust our lives. We have all we need to run and win. You may ask; What is winning? We do not run to receive an earthly wreath, but to hear the heavenly words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.” Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred

July 2, 2021

Teaching on Taboos...      The Loss of Civility and Conviction in Society

Why should the church think and talk about political issues? This is not a question that the church should avoid. It is a question it must not avoid. I can think of two reasons. The first is the offensive role of the church. “Preach the word in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction.” (2 Tim 4:2) The church needs to lead, feed, and protect the people of God, who are the church of God. That means teaching the Word in such a way as is biblically accurate and culturally relevant. And sometimes that means confronting the political culture.   The second reason is the need to be defensive and to “Guard the truth entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” (I Tim 6:20) There is so much misunderstanding and confusion per square inch in the church as to its role of being salt and light in a corrupt culture it could fill California.   In order to protect the church, Paul reminds us: “See to it that no one take you captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to elementary spirits of the world and not according to Christ.” (Col. 2:8) It seems to me that in order to beware you need to be aware! We need to know the truth and be able to speak against the falsehood.   We are entering into an age of sociological uncertainty by virtue of the collapse of public order and the loss of religion. “The declining faith in the supernatural has been accompanied by the rise of monstrous totalitarianism of the 20th century.” (Arthur Schlesinger - Atheist) And remember, “When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing -- they believe in anything.” (Augustine)   There is no doubt we are witnessing the corruption of cultural change. The question is, what is the church called and commanded to do? Retreat – React – Riot - Revolt? Now that is a theological question, and you can find many views in our culture and in your church. The question is and has always been: What sayeth the scripture?   Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred