01 December 2016

Namby Pamby -- Are We Raising a Generation of Wimps?

The Problem With My Generation

Maybe the U.S should enact mandatory conscription for men and women 18 and over. It might instill in them a sense courage or valuable coping lessons, like when you don't get your way in life you can't crawl into in a little corner and cry about it.

Click on the above link and hear what a 20 something thinks of his generation.








11 November 2016

Intolerence -- The True Colors of The Left



Video: High School Girl Viciously Attacked For Supporting Donald Trump

As much as the liberals claim President Elect Donald Trump is racist, it is clear at least from this video, some are intolerant of freedom of expression. While they paint Conservatives as racists and bigots, their actions and protests prove they do not believe in a free America. What is equally disturbing, as the young girl was defending her opinion the rest of the crowd were instigating a physical confrontation, and when she was attacked some continued messing around with their smartphones as if nothing was happening.

04 September 2016

Psalm 33:1–22 (KJV 1900)


1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: For praise is comely for the upright.
2 Praise the Lord with harp: Sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto him a new song; Play skilfully with a loud noise.

4 For the word of the Lord is right; And all his works are done in truth.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; And all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord: Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; And the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh Upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: A mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: Neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, Because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, According as we hope in thee.

(paragraph delineation mine)


14 August 2016

Psalm 119:169–176

169  TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170  Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171  My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172  My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173  Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174  I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175  Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

31 July 2016

Back Into The Fray...I Guess

I said I would stop commenting on political issues. I said I was out of politics. I'm hopeless.

It's like the scene in one of godfather movies where what's his name, the son of the godfather, is sitting in the kitchen with his wife and he says something like, "Every time I want out they keep drawing me back in!"

I use to be an avid news reader. There were certain websites I had bookmarked and spent a lot of time looking into things. I had to because I was debating certain people on f/suck, you know, those wacky Left Wing Democrats. Talking about "headbutting" your keyboard. Man O' Man, I never thought wrangling about political and social issues could get me so fired up!

What used to bug me were hacks who had no idea of what they were talking about. Do you know people actually copy paste whole arguments from other websites and claim it as their own? Unabashed Plagiarism. It's true. I knew a guy who did it all the time. The pathetic thing was all his fb friends thought he was so smart.

I finally had to put an end to it. Now I can proudly boast that I am no longer an active participant on fb. I mean it. I don't argue with people anymore. I don't click "like" except maybe once a while, and when I do it is not on political comments or memes.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I'm a expert on political theory, history, or can talk at great length on social issues and the like, but I know what I know. I spent a lot time on certain issues just so I could write half way intelligently about it.

What prompted this little post was something I read. Apparently Sanders (the commie) claims Trump (the liberal hack) wanted to actually lower the minimum wage. This is a quote from Trump defending his position:

"In fact, some of the folks on your network said, 'Wow that was really a lie; he said that I wanted to go less than minimum wage' — this is a new one because I'm the one Republican that said in some cases we have to go more than minimum wage, but what I like is states," -- Business Insider -Pamela Engel

Now I want to make one thing absolutely clear. I am not a intellectual snob. Never underestimate someone who talks or writes like an moron. You may think someone is dumb by the way they look or talk, but let me tell you my friend, in some cases they can run intellectual circles around you if you keep your mouth shut long enough.  

That said, I am not convinced this applies to Trump. Listen to the what he says.  "...but I what I like is states". Are you kidding me? This is the man who might be President of United States? And who are these people who nominated him for the Republican party? 

When I think about the candidates Americans are choosing it absolutely baffles me. (don't get me started on Obama and Hilary) But Trump? There must be a Sci-Fi explanation for this. There has to be. Like maybe the state of affairs in another Possible World is somehow colliding with our world and we can't tell the difference. Yeah, that's it! It must be! 





22 July 2016

YUKKING IT UP: President Barack Obama took a joking and tone-deaf detour -- Daily Mail


During the Presidents press conference after the Munich shooting, Obama slips in a "little humor". You can hear the press laughing. Is this right? Click the link: Munich: Radical Islamist Terrorist Shooting-- President Obama Laughing

The Preacher

Psa 107:9-15

9  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
10  Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
11  Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
12  Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13  Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
14  He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
15  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

I sometimes think all the preacher has to do is read the word of God. I understand this is not all he must do but the Bible has power of its own. When you read the words, and make the connections in your mind, then you begin to understand the great and awesome salvation He has given us in His son, Jesus Christ. 

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" 

19 July 2016

I'm Staying Out of Poltics, But...

I received an advertisement for a local church last week. On the front of the card there are two photos juxtaposed of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. On the back of the card is says, "Polls would indicate that a vast majority are disappointed with both options."  Then it goes on talking about a "third-party" -- God's Kingdom. Nice segue I guess.

Whether the polls would or do suggest a vast majority are not please with the candidates I don't know. I do know as a conservative I am definitely not please with Trump. I was talking with a friend the other day about how things turned out. He said, "It's almost surreal." I couldn't agree more. So who's to blame? Again, it's is willful ignorance: Ignorance and The Great Books.

Trump is not a conservative any more than Hilary is.

The frustration this primary election, heck, the last 8 years under Obama has cast a foreboding cloud over this great country. It shows. You see it in peoples faces. People form all walks of life talk about what's happening in the U.S and globally with concern, disgust, and dejection under this President. His administration is and has transformed this nation just like he said. And yes, the phony republicans in congress have done nothing to stop him. We are literally and figuratively bleeding out in so many ways. After this I'm done with politics. Well, at least on this blog I am.

Enough of my rant. So is Trump a conservative. No. I doubt he's even read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution. If he's elected he'll probably need a tutor to bring him up to speed. But don't take my word for it, read "Trump vs. Reagan: What Is a Conservative? by Ken G. Kengor. Click the following link: http://www.themoralliberal.com/2016/07/19/trump-vs-reagan-what-is-a-conservative/

13 July 2016

Proverbs 12:25

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.  Pro 12:25

02 July 2016

James Garfield

James Garfield was shot JULY 2, 1881 -- American Minute with Bill Federer: from the website, The Moral Liberal

“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.
If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption..." -- quote from the article. 
Click on the on the above link to read the full story.  

30 June 2016

Federal regulation of Internet coming, warn FCC, FEC commissioners

We knew this was coming.We know what the Liberal Democrats are up to.They want to silence opposition to their miserably failed ideology. They don't give a darn about your freedom of speech, liberty, the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights except where it benefits them.They hate America.They hate our heritage.They despise anything and anyone who speaks against tyranny.Yes, it is the right word. But if they want me to soften it so as not to offend I'll call it "Soft Tyranny".

Better?

Nah, don't think so..."Tyranny" is just fine.   

26 June 2016

The Exceeding Worth of Wisdom

Pro 2:1-22

1  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4  If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.1

6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8  He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9  Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

10  When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11  Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12  To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13  Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14  Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15  Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16  To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17  Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18  For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19  None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

20  That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22  But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.



1 Paragraph delineation mine

11 June 2016

Psalm 39


1  To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3  My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.
5  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6  Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8  Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9  I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10  Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11  When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12  Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

07 June 2016

Psa 34:1-22

1  A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5  They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12  What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15  The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16  The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20  He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21  Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22  The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.





03 June 2016

Should Proper Bible Study Be Taught in the Church






After years of learning and applying the inductive method to Scripture, I am now facilitating Bible study at a local church.1 Instead of asking the teacher questions I’m expected to gives answers and valid reasons for my approach and comments. It is both humbling and a challenge.

But the challenge I have witnessed (mostly when I was a student) is not what you may think. The problem is whether the method of proper study should be taught at all.
  
The most common complaint I here is that proper study is not spiritual enough. Expressions such as: too cold, fleshly, prideful, complicated, and does not edify are used against exegetical tools and their application. I have heard these complaints time and again over the years. When I was a student (I'm still a student) every once in a while a newcomer would drop in only to discover the teacher would not spoon feed them answers. Confronted with the idea they must do the work and think for themselves they often left after a few visits.

After writing a friend about this problem he wrote:

“There is, however, a difference between rationalism and being rational. The root is the confidence in, and the authority of, the Word. If we apply inductive methods apart from those commitments, then we do end up with a godless and rationalistic understanding of the Word. This is basically what happened with higher criticism and theological liberalism.”

The argument about faith and reason is nothing new. I agree in part with my friend, though it is my belief that if you trust the word of God the concern of turning the Bible into an intellectual exercise falls by the wayside. The only people who will end up on the Liberal side of Scripture, exalting Reason over faith, and striping the Bible of divine inspiration and miracles, are those who do not believe in the Christ of the Bible.

If you want a better understanding on the defense of Orthodox Christianity against Liberalism I recommend “Christianity & Liberalism by Dr. J. Gresham Machen. He writes:

“But if any one fact is clear…it is that the Christian movement at its inception was not just a way of life in the modern sense, but a way founded upon a message. It was based, not upon mere feeling, not upon a mere program of work, but upon an account of the facts. In other words, it was based upon doctrine.” Pg. 21.

“…Paul was convinced of the objective truth of the gospel message, and devotion to that truth was the great passion of his life. Christianity for Paul was not only a life, but also a doctrine, and logically the doctrine came first.” Pg.23.

Though these quotes from Machen’s book deal primarily with the threat of Liberalism in the early1900's (which still exist today) the terms doctrine, logic, and facts often cause some believers to cringe. In many circles these words are taboo. Words that shouldn’t be mentioned though we find the word doctrine in the Bible over and over: (Mat 15:9, Eph 4:14, 1 Tim 1:3, 1 Tim 4:1, 1 Tim 4:6, 1 Tim 6:1, 1 Tim 6:3, 2 Tim 4:3, 1 Tit 1:9) Scripture is spiritual, it is said, and we are spiritual by virtue of Holy Spirit. Doctrine and the methods of proper study have no place in the church. Though it may seem like an exaggeration, the sentiment of anti-intellectualism not only exists in the church but in secular institutions as well. It is a national problem. 

Like or not, the Bible for all its precious worth is an ancient document. It is historical fact, written by eye witnesses of the Truth to a particular people in their own time for specific reasons. (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:16-21; 1Jn 1:1-3) It speaks out of the context of God inspired authors to the context of its original recipients. (Gal 1:1-2) Every verse, paragraph, chapter, passage, and the Bible itself has context. 

The Bible has structure. It is one story with a beginning, middle, and end. Each narrative and letter are arranged by the author in a particular way so the reader, or those who listen to the Bible, can logically follow the story and epistolary arguments in a meaningful way. If this is denied as nonspiritual or cold-hearted, the denial must use the rules of communications to make its case. You may not care for the Inductive approach, however, you are de facto using its basic principles in daily conversation and reading. If anything, proper method sharpens or hones what you already possess. Not only did God create all things, which includes language, but he created the human soul with the ability to reason. Though marred by sin, man is a rational, thinking human being.  

The Bible is relevant. But as modern readers, we must do the work to get at the original intent before we can apply it to ourselves. Nearly 2000 years of cultural gap exists since the completion of the Bible so we should make every effort to bridge this divide. Besides proper method, we have many resources literally at our fingertips which can help us to go back in time not merely as objective observers, but in a sense, putting ourselves in the farmers place who threshed and tossed the grain to separate the wheat from the chaff. These suggestions are only part of what is involve in using exegetical tools. It is work. We have to think. But it is not astrophysics. Most people with a reasonable effort can learn and apply these principles. You do not have to be a scholar or a have seminary degree to do it.

Finally, the Bible says somewhere “…whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Is it not rational to obey this commandment using the resources and tools of proper study so we can dig deeper into the word of God? Is it not reasonable to apply simple, yet effective exegetical devices by which we can discover for ourselves the authors original intent before we apply it to our daily lives?

Not only is it a reasonable act of service but a safeguard. Not all teachers and preachers have the faith once for all deliver to the saints. Just as Paul warned the elders of  Ephesus, (Act 20:17-32) that savages wolfes would come in not sparing the flock, and men from among their own selves would lead people astray --the same holds true in our time. 

Whatever the genre be it narrative, prophetic poetry, or prose argument you must approach Scripture with a serious attitude, equipped with exegetical tools and have an orderly scheme in place. God gave us a love letter. It seems to me that we would want to know every minute detail of His loving kindness and the great salvation He gave us through His only begotten Son. As Jesus said, "...It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." (Mat 4:4)

I would like leave you with one more thing – a quote from Westminster Confession of Faith--Of Holy Scripture: 

1:6 The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men (Gal 1:8, Gal 1:9; 2Th 2:2;

2Ti 3:15-17) Nevertheless we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word:(Joh6:45; 1Co2:9, 1Co2:10, 1Co2:12)and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed (1Co11:13, 1Co11:14; 1Co14:26, 1Co14:40). 

1:7 All things in scripture are not alike plain in themselves , nor alike clear unto all (2Pe3:16):yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them (Psa119:105, Psa119:130).


































  













1 I use Inductive Method or Method in a broad sense. Proper method uses all or some of the various tools in Bible study depending on genre or the extent of the study itself. For an example See: The Hermeneutical Spiral – A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation by—Grant R. Osborne

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