At The Will Of The People.

  The Constitution of the United States, begins with these very simple yet, very profound words we the people. As important as is for our political leaders in government to remember that they  represent we the people,  it is just as important that we the people of this great nation, remember this as well. As citizens of this nation we are free to freely express our thoughts and feelings concerning how we may feel about leaders in government and we may evaluate the quality of their political effectiveness based on what they do or do not accomplish  in the their attempt to carry out the will of we the people.Americans all across this nation must remember that they are directly responsible for the type of government they wish to have because  Americans,  have the right to vote. As an American, one may say that the President or Congress or the Supreme Court,  is ineffective if  a majority of the American people,  share this same opinion then the American people have the right and the responsibility and obligation to vote and place new leaders in a given office who they feel comes the closest  in representing a majority of the American people.
  President James A Garfield, the nations twentieth president understood this fundamental truth and he expressed it very well in 1877, when he said the following; "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. If that be intelligent, brave, and pure it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature...If the next centennial does not find us a great nation...it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality  of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
  What President Garfield,  is basically saying is this the American people are responsible for the kind of people we want to have as our political leaders in government.Therefore, I am left to conclude that if the American people have grown lax and America's cultural values have  become so corrupt that men and women of  high moral character  can no longer be found to serve in the nations government it is clearly the fault of we the people because it is our responsibility to maintain God in our nations moral  consciousness  to ensure God's continued blessing on this county and our continued existence as a nation. I pray that  the American people,  will remember that in a very real sense the future of America, as a nation rest in their hands. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just,  some words, to think on.

Is America, Just Another Nation On Earth?

  I often use You Tube,  to research old news stories or other aspects of America's television cultural past. I happened to catch an old news sound bite where President Obama,  was again making the case that America really wasn't a Christian nation at least not exclusively. President Obama, as I understood  what he was saying seemed to suggest that America,  should be open to embrace other religions and philosophies around the world and he seemed to feel that America should strive to be a bit more enlightened like the other nations in Europe.
  The problem with this type of thinking is clear to anyone who understands why America was established as a nation. I found these words from Patrick Henry,  to be very enlightening for he seemed to be very well aware why America had been established as a nation and what the purpose was for America's existence. He expressed his feelings on this matter with these words."It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians: not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."Patrick Henry, knew that the gospel of Jesus Christ, was and is the essence of true freedom.The Bible says in John8:32"And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." John 8:36 goes on to say, "If the Son, therefore, make you free ye shall be free indeed."
  The evidence is clear America, was never established to just another nation on earth. The founding fathers understood that true freedom is first understood and experienced through believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowing this then,  the founding fathers wanted America,  to indeed be a Christian,  nation so that anyone who chose to come to this nation could worship God freely without fear of persecution. The founding fathers knew that people would have different ways to express their faith and they decided that each person should be able to worship God,  according to the dictates of there own individual conscience. They knew that God not government should rule in the hearts of mankind.President Obama, is wrong America was established by God,  to be a beacon of light for the truth of the gospel. I pray that all Americans,will wake up and remember why God,  blessed America, in the first place! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

A Letter From God.

  With the advent of the computer age I have found that the art of writing a heart felt handwritten letter has been lost to some degree.I am not trying to lobby for the post office but I will admit there is something to be said for collecting and saving and rereading a letter. I know it's much faster to email but somehow it just doesn't seem as special because it doesn't seem as personal. Think about this when you write to a company or an organization which response makes a greater impression on you? Would you rather receive a standard company form letter where your name has just been typed in  the blank but the letter is the same letter anyone else might receive or would you rather have a letter that is written to you personally in the writers own words and signed by the writer in their own hand writing. I think almost anyone would prefer a personal letter.Let's face it, a personal handwritten letter usually, takes a bit more thought and a bit more time to compose because the words are chosen more carefully because the person who is writing the letter wants the reader to know they were worth taking the time to write it.
  I remember when my wife was in the Philippines, and I was waiting for the time until I could go there and marry her in a nine month period from February  to October I wrote my wife 450 letters that were eight legal pad sized pages back and front. as I recall she wrote nearly the same amount to me. As I recall, we always had so much to say to each other. I went there to the Philippines and married my wonderful wife then I had to come back home and wait for her to go through the necessary immigration process. I remember writing her sometimes two and three times a week and my phone bill was nearly as much as the national debt! I didn't mind at all because all that mattered to me was making sure my wife knew I was thinking of her I was missing her and longing for the day when she was able to come to America and be with me. I remember reading each of her letters over and over again. I ran to my mail box everyday hoping to receive a letter from my wife You see every letter I received from my wife was precious to me and every word written in them was priceless. I remember the day I went to the airport I ran through each terminal gate and waited till I saw her get off the plane that was one of the happiest days of my life. My wife is the best wife any man good ask for. My little girl has taken up the tradition of writing her mother and I person home made and hand written Mothers Day and Fathers Day Valentines Day and Christmas cards and my wife and I keep everyone of them  to reread them  the future.
  God,  has written a letter to mankind. Christians, know it as the Bible and in his letter God, tells of his great love for mankind and how he demonstrated his love for a lost man kind by the sacrifice of his son the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, at Calvary and God,  sealed the letter of his love for man kind with the very blood of his son the Lord for you and for me.God now offers eternal  life with him to as many as will receive his son to be their Lord and saviour. God made a way for a lost mankind to live with him forever in heaven because he loved man who he created in hid image so much.
  When one becomes a Christian then, shouldn't it be only natural to want to read the Bible,  which is God's personal letter especially for Christians? Considering the great love God has shown for us should we not as Christians,  desire to read the letter in the form of his holy word the Bible  he has written to us?As Christians should we not desire to read his letter of love for us over and over again  to show our love for God and our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ? I confess I need to read God's letter of love, the Bible much more than I do and I pray that each Christian who reads these words would choose to make this same commitment. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

The Day Of The Passive Christian Is Past.

  Christianity, is under attack in America.The nation is clearly divided and the battle lines have been clearly drawn. The only question now is who will step up and declare which side your on. You have two choices on one side you can stand with the liberal progressives. I think many will choose to take this side because I have found that what a liberal may stand for today may change tomorrow depending on what is popular or cool in society at any given moment. I will confess, it is much easier to be a liberal if only because nothing is absolutely right to a progressive  liberal because nothing is absolutely wrong to a progressive liberal. The whole concept of right   and wrong to most progressive liberals is relative to their  present situation and therefore their ethics are determined accordingly, in other words anything that is viewed by society as wrong could be right under the right circumstances. We have laws against stealing, but many people might say it's okay to steal if your stealing because you were hungry.Liberals would prefer a society that had no moral absolutes, then each person could do that which was right in their own eyes and in essence be a law unto themselves and one might say, a god unto themselves.  This concept isn't new by any means it was used in the Bible in the book of judges and as I recall it didn't work to well.
  Your other choice is what many  might call the traditional  conservative old fashioned family values that are  based primarily on Judeo  Christian,  principals. As one might expect Christians, align themselves here. As a Christian , this is the side I have chosen and the choice I and my family have made. I will tell anyone that wants to know that this choice is no longer popular in much of America today. Christians are taught to follow God and God has certain moral absolutes that many liberals find very troubling. Christians know that God,  is not known  for the ability to compromise in fact God,  says, I am the lord your God I change not. Therefore what God says in the Bible,  to be right is always right and what God says is wrong is always wrong God doesn't change according to the given standards of any given society.
  Now what side will you take? Should you choose to stand up for your Christian faith there will be a price to pay for doing so.. Consider the heat the president of Chick-Fil-A is taking in the media and from the mayors of Chicago and San Francisco all because as a Christian, he dared to be honest and say that he favored the traditional definition of marriage. The liberal media is now seeking to crucify Dan Cathy,
  I'm afraid the day of the passive Christian,  is past.The liberals in American society today are going to force Christians,  to either stand up and be counted or shut up and just go along to get along in what will become the new progressive American society.Liberals, will not mind if you choose to be a passive Christian because a passive Christian will be ineffective and will pose no real threat to their liberal progressive agenda. Just for the record, the devil doesn't mind if your a passive Christian,  either because you will be no threat to him. I don't know what some may do but the day is surely coming in this country where sides will have to be taken. I can only repeat the words of Joshua, , in Joshua,18:24"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. I pray that Christians everywhere across this nation will stand and say the same. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.
 

There Is No Substitute For Experience.

  Recently, my wife and I discovered that we needed to repair a leak in our sewer line. I called a plumber and he repaired the leak. I want to ask you something, do you think I would have let the would be plumber in my house if I had never heard  of the company he worked for? Suppose he would have said this to me "Well,  sir I don't have any experience in the area of plumbing but I  like driving the shiny red  van around and the plumbing company decided to hire me because I was so likable." Do you think I would let such an individual any where near my sewer pipe? A few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine needed to have a very serious operation on her brain. I am pleased to say everything went well and my friend is as ornery as ever. Do you suppose my friend would have signed the consent papers to have the operation performed on her brain if the surgeon would have said," By the way ma'am, this will be my first time operating on anyone, I have no experience performing brain surgery but the hospital here decided to hire me because I'm just so likable." Some how I don't think my friend would have ever permitted such an individual to operate on her brain if only because she has a brain and would have more sense then to let someone with no medical or surgical experience operate on her brain!
  President Obama, is running around the country asking Americans,  to give him another term as president even though he had virtually no experience in public office before he ran for president in 2008. Yes he was a Senator from Illinois but the  only thing he managed to do while in the Senate was vote present when a vote was taken. I have no political experience but even I could have done that much! President Obama, has had four years of on the job training now. The trouble is, he hasn't learned much! Since Obama took office in 2009 America's credit standing has been down graded, the national debt has exploded to nearly 16 trillion dollars, the nations GDP this quarter is 1.5%, the nations unemployment remains above 8% for nearly 42 consecutive months now. Much of Europe,  teeters on total economic collapse, several major cities have had to file bankruptcy. Yet, despite all of this Obama says his economic plan has worked. Wow! that's a relief, I'd hate to think how much worse the  nations economy would be if it hadn't!
  Look, I know Obama, is a likable person. No doubt he's a good father he does a great musical impression of Al Green. The fact is however,  Obama's inexperience has almost  destroyed this nations economy.Obama's health care law has strangled  many  small businesses and even now Obama stands ready to tax many small businesses out of existence. Many doctors,  are quitting because of the constraints of the Obama, health care law.Yet, President Obama, is asking Americans,  to give him four more years so he can continue destroying this nations economic future because the polls say he is more likable the Romney. Everyone,  likes to be liked and be well thought of and have friends even the Bible, in Proverbs,  18:24 says,"A man that would have friends, must show himself friendly." The fact remains however, like it or not or perhaps, I should say, like Obama, or not there is still no substitute for experience. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Independence Is One Thing, Arrogance, That's Another.

  President Obama, is going out of his way to try and convince Americans,  that government must play a huge part in all of our lives.I realize there will always be those who truly need help  from the government and I think government should be there to help those who no fault of their own find themselves in circumstances that would make life very hard if government did not help them a person recently unemployed may need a little help for a time but living off government assistance should not  be a life time option unless your retired and have earned your social security or are  disabled to the point where you cannot work. I realize there are folks like this and I feel it's just fine if government provides help for those who  either earned it  or  really need it.
  The problem I have with  Obama's economic point of view is simply this he implies that without the aid of government no one could do anything! This type of thinking is simply not true.What has made America, so  great is the idea that each person has the freedom to think for themselves and no one owns an idea. A person may start a business or invent a new type of invention but not even government can  own the thinking process that creates the idea for the new business or the new invention. Alexander Graham Bell,  invented the telephone.Long before the telephone was invented it was an idea in the mind of Alexander Graham Bell.The government certainly uses telephones today but they can never own the idea of the telephone because that was the the inspiration of the genius of Alexander Graham Bell. The Wright brothers flew the first plane in Kitty Hawk North Carolina, in 1903. I'm glad the government was not involved in that process because if government would have been involved the idea of  man being able to fly would never have gotten off the ground.
  As a  Christian,  I know that imagination and creativity are God's gifts to humanity and each person is a creation from God, and no government on earth can own creative genius that is something that can only be given by God. Americans,  have always been known as a people that prefer to be independent and free  to express their ideas and develop their creativity which is limited only by the the will of the human imagination. God,  is the author of creativity to suggest that government can own creativity is the height of human arrogance. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain just, some words, to think on.

Freedom Of Speech It Seems That, Depends On Who's Talking.

  I just hate it when something breaks down at my house and a costly repair is required to fix the problem. I discovered  recently however, that the sewer line going into my home had a leak in it and had to be fixed and after quite a substantial cost I was able to have the leak repaired. I guess that's just part of the responsibility that comes with owning a home.
  I have noticed in the news that the White House,  has had it's share of problems dealing with leaks. I have a feeling if they don't get a serious handle on this problem and soon the cost to our nation as far as national security is concerned could be very great indeed. Leaks in Washington and the White House is certainly nothing new. I can remember leaks in the press during the Watergate scandal and things really haven't changed that much in Washington or the White House,  for that matter since then. What is different however,  is the kind of leaks the White House,  must deal with and answer for.These leaks threaten this nations national security not to mention America's credibility when it comes to the necessity of being able to keep international secrets. How can America ask our allies to work with us if they feel they can not trust us to keep our mouth shut!
  The White House it would seem has no problem placing political pressure on California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, to keep her mouth shut. one day on the news  Senator Feinstein, says,  that the White House,  needs to understand that the leaks in the press are coming from their own ranks and then the next day she walks back the entire statement she made the day before. the White House,  appears to be applying political pressure on Senator Feinstein,  and in essence telling her what she can say and what she cannot say. The last time I checked Senator Feinstein, was still an American,  and is guaranteed the right of free speech according to the Constitution of the United States. Sometimes,  I think if your involved in politics your freedom of speech is depends a lot on who's doing the talking. I am left with the impression, that if your a Democrat in Washington and you are in anyway connected to the White House,  your freedom of speech is only free after it has been filtered by a member of the White House staff. Think about this if the White House can tell Senator Feinstein, what she can, and cannot say when she talks to the media how much longer will it be before the governments tells every American citizen what they can and cannot say? You see, when a nation, begins to let government do everything for them it isn't long be fore the government has the power to do everything to them as well and everything government provides it can threaten to take away unless one says and does what the government tells them to. Many in the press and the media, are saying they feel Senator Feinstein, was Bookered referring of course to Democratic New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker. Cory Booker,  spoke his mind and said he found President Obama's attacks on Mitt Romney's business record at Bain Capital,  nauseating just hours later due to pressure from the White House Cory Booker was forced to walk that statement back. I have to ask, what kind of freedom of speech is that? II Corinthians, 3:17 says,"Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty." I'm afraid if President Obama along with all the other liberal progressives in government have their way the Bible,  may be the last place one will even find the word liberty and that's only if you will still have the liberty and freedom to even read the Bible. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on. 

Yes, I Guess, Life Does Go On.

  Iife  is a strange thing sometimes but even now I confess I am still amazed at the way life continues to go on from day to day. I noticed that on the news when the tragedy in Aurora Colorado,  first occurred.everything seemed to be frozen in time at least for a day or two even politics took a break as both Mitt Romney,  and President Obama,  took a break from political campaigning to reflect on the tragic events in Aurora Colorado. The last time I saw Americans this thoughtful and  reflective was on nine eleven. I think that it is a real shame that it takes a tragedy in America,  to make people stop and remember what really matters in this country and what makes this country so great. America,  is never greater  than when her people come together and work together and sacrifice together for the common good of all of her citizens. I think America,  should come together and work together much more often every time Americans,  work together America, as  country maintains her good name and solid reputation in the world. and the Bible,  says, in Proverbs22:1 " A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold."
  I suppose there will always be those who prefer that life gets back to normal and by that I mean I'm sure in just a day or two both President Obama,  and Mitt Romney, will get back to the  business of political campaigning and each of them will do their best to distort each others political record and thus each of them will attempt to carry out a political character assignation of the other in an attempt to gain all important votes. I suppose life does have a way of going on even if at times one would wish that it didn't. I can assure you  of this however politics will always go on but at least political character assignations are still far better than tragic real assignations like those that occurred on nine eleven or most recently, in Aurora Colorado. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

Christ Love Is Boundless.

  As I continue to watch the news I am astounded at the acts of bravery and self sacrifice that have been reported as a result of the tragedy that occurred in Aurora, Colorado. There have been  stories reported on the news that tell of four brave young men who shielded their girlfriends with their own bodies and thus took the bullets that would have been meant for them.
  These kind of  wonderful stories of  love and selfless sacrifice, remind me of a verse in the Bible,  in John 15:13 The verse reads as follows:" Greater love hath no man than this: "That a man lay down his life for his friends." Yes, this is indeed a great act of love but as wonderful as this act of love may be  we must remember these four young men gave their  life for their  girlfriends in other words these young men dared to lay down their lives for their girlfriends because they were able to love their girlfriends more than themselves. Romans, 5:7 talks about this kind of love when it says," For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: Yet, peradventure for a good man some, would even dare to die." Jesus Christ,  sacrificial love for a lost man kind is far greater and here is why Isiah, 64:6 says,  that compared to the righteousness and holiness of all mighty God, any acts of righteousness we could do in our own strength alone would be as filthy wags! Christ love was so great and so boundless for a lost man kind that God through the death of his son Jesus Christ shed his blood and gave his life on a cruel cross to save a lost humanity when we were vile and altogether unlovely and disgusting that is when Christ,  was willing to give his life and die for us. Romans, 5:8 says, "But God,  commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ,  died for us," When humanity's lost condition was at it's worst God's love through Christ,  was at it's best. As a Christian, I am left in awe at the boundless love of  Christ for a lost man kind John1:12 says," But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God,  even to them that believe on his name." Think about that from filthy sinners to Sons of God,  through faith in Christ. What boundless love is this? This love is so much more than I could ever be worthy of yet Christ,  freely gives his boundless love and forgiveness of sin to all who are willing to believe on his name. I can only say thank you Lord Jesus. As always, my friends these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

Remember What Really Matters..

  I am not a rich person by any means. The nations economy is so sluggish that many in America, right now are with out steady employment.I rind my self having to pay for all kinds of things and many times I am not sure how I'm going to do it. Over the past two months I have had to have my sewer line repaired, a new pair of Glasses, I am saving to pay for a set of braces for my daughter"s teeth and I just paid off my wife's dentist bill for getting a crown for her teeth not to mention I just paid to have the family car fixed.My credit cards have really been getting a work out lately. Sometimes,  I just don't know what's going to happen next and I really don't want to find out!
  As I Christian, I often find myself reminding God,  that Philippians,4:19 Says"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I will confess, that at times when my needs seem to great and too many my faith is tested and I admit to you I don't always pass the test. Yesterday, I found my self worrying about all of my bills. Suddenly, a thought came to my mind it was as if the Lord said to me "Are your wife and daughter worth more to you than mere money?" I thought to my self, Yes Lord, of course they are. The Lord, then seem to say to me is there any amount of money I could give you in exchange for the life of your wife or daughter?"" Oh no Lord, I said to my self. God,  then placed this thought in my mind and it seemed that he said to me, "Then be quiet my child and be grateful that last night you were allowed the privilege of hugging your wife and daughter and giving both of them a kiss goodnight because there are twelve victims in Aurora, Colorado will will never be able to hold their loved ones again on this earth and they know that all they money in the world won't bring their loved ones back to them.
 As I pondered these thoughts tears came to my eyes and I realized I had no problems and I had no right to complain to God about my needs I just thanked  him that I still had my wife and daughter and we were safe. Sometimes,  I suppose in my Christian life God just has to take a moment and remind me what really matters. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.

According To His Purpose.

  As a Christian, the Bible makes it plain that I am to trust God's permissive will even when my finite human reasoning cannot understand why God allows certain things to happen often,  to totally innocent people. I am quite human and my heart breaks for the victims involved in the tragedy in Aurora Colorado today. I am sure, I am not the only person wondering why God would permit such a terrible tragedy to occur.I wish I knew the answer to this question but I must confess, I do not have an answer.Trusting God seems easy when things seem to be going well and at least most things going on in your life seem to make some sort of sense. As a Christian however I am told to trust in the wisdom and the will of God and rest in the knowledge that his will is perfect even if I can't understand it and even if this knowledge provides little comfort during a trying time in my Christian life.
  Romans 8:28 says,"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and  are called  according to his purpose." As a Christian I find the only way I am able to know this truth of scripture is just to accept this by faith and I will admit to you right now there are defiantly times in my life when my faith as a Christian is put to the test and all to often I fail the test but God forgives me even then and then gently and slowly rebuilds my faith again.
  As much as I wish I could offer some meaningful words of comfort right now to the families and friends of the slain victims in Aurora Colorado right now I know that nothing I could ever say will bring any real comfort to them. Therefore, as a Christian all I can do is pray for them and ask God to comfort the families and friends of the victims as only he can. When a tragedy like this occurs all I can do is remember these words found in Deuteronomy, 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and our children forever that we may do all the words of this law. I realize Christians are now under grace and not under the law but the point of this verse seems to indicate that God''s purpose for some things will never be made known to us. There are some things that are known only by God. Christians then must trust the wisdom of God in all things and in all circumstances. Remember God has already told Christians, in Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my ways.'"For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways, higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." As a Christian then, all I can do is pray and ask God to help me trust him when I cannot know the purpose of his will. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Why God Is Greater Than Government.

  Almost everyday it seems I turn on the news only to hear President Obama, or one of his spokespersons talking about how important it is that the rich here in America must pay there fair share. I will admit there is this concept in American society that seems to imply at least suggest  that each person should be treated  fairly after all our founding fathers said all men are created equal so I suppose it's easy enough to believe each person should have an equal opportunity to achieve the American dream. I think it is fair to hope that each person may be treated the same in a civilized society. Why is it then, that I remember my dad saying to me "Son, life is not fair."
  The concept of what is fair is relative at best. What is fair to one person may not be fair to another. I find that often in American society the definition of what is fair can change at any given moment in any  given circumstance. As a Christian, I have even heard other fellow Christians,  say the following;"Why can't God, treat everyone the same?" "Why isn't God fair?" Well God, is not fair. What God,  is however,  is just and holy, and righteous these attributes are not merely descriptive adjectives of God's character they are the components that make up the essence of his nature, in other words these attributes not only describe God's character but they serve to tell mankind who God is.
  Many people have the wrong concept of God, even some Christians,  fail to  realize that God is just and righteous and holy and cannot tolerate sin. Those who would still ask that God treat everyone equally because that would be fair, I would ask them are you sure that's really what you want God to do? Had God decided to treat all of humanity equally and based on  human  reasoning and  on the human concept of being fair God would have no choice but to cast all of humanity in an eternal lake of fire that was originally prepared for the devil and his angels. God,  is holy, he cannot tolerate sin. Romans 3:23 says," For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 says, for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord." Romans,  5:8-9 says, "But God, commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ, died for us." Much more then,being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
  I have to say personally, I'm glad that because of the death of Gods son Jesus Christ and the shedding of his blood on a cross that stood on a hill called Calvary,God,  can be merciful to me a sinner.Titus 3:5 says,"Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest any man should boast." Finally Romans, 10:9-10 says,"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in thine heart, that God,  hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I am so glad that God,  chose not to do with mankind that which would be fair but because of the fished work of Christ death and resurrection is now able to show mercy and extend grace so that all who believe and receive Jesus Christ can be saved and live eternally in Heaven with him. Oh my, God's mercy is too marvelous for me but by his grace and through my faith in Christ,  his mercy was made possible for me and to any and all who may read these words God's mercy can be yours as well. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

I Shall Not Want.

  Lately, when I watch the news it appears to me that President Obama,  is trying to convince Americans,  Americans,  who run small businesses in particular,that if by chance they have some how managed to be successful they should remember that they were only successful only  because the government was there all the time helping them. President Obama, must have developed much of his philosophy of government by being a fan of the Beatles.  I know Sir Paul McCartney,  hangs out a lot at the White House these days and Obama seems intent on telling all Americans, I wanna hold your hand!
  As I Christian, I know and must always remember that it is God who provides all that I truly need.You will notice I did not say everything I want.I believe that if most Christians,  are honest with themselves, they will admit that they have a lot of things that they don't necessarily have to have to survive.David said in Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want." The word want in this instance means to be found wanting  or to be left in a position of need or distress. Therefore, What David,  is saying is I know the Lord is my Shepard and he will never leave me and I can trust him to provide what I need  for I know if I trust and follow him I will have need of nothing. King David,  found this to be so and said near the end of his life in Psalm 37:25  "I have been young and now am old yet, I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread."
  I know as a Christian,  God,  has given me a free will and only ask that I follow his will so my life can know the blessings of God, and my life can  find it's complete meaning and purpose, even though I am a Christian, God,  will never force me to follow him such goodness only makes me desire to follow him even more.I'm afraid the same cannot  be said for government. Americans,  who would choose to let  government,  be their god will find very soon,  that they will have no longer have a  free will of their own you see when the government provides everything for them and they  become totally dependant on government for everything  the government now owns them and they will become the governments slaves and government will be their master.Think about this, if the government provides your health care pays for your education, provides food stamps for you if you need food, section eight housing or mortgage protection if you need a home unemployment if you don;t have a job then could they not threaten to take all of these things away if you don't go to the church they  tell you to? Therefore,  now government will tell you what you will believe and you will believe it if you intend to keep receiving all of the governments generous provisions.
  All I can say is I prefer to let God, meet my needs. I choose to follow the will of God,  I choose to trust him. I cannot put my trust in government. I have no need that the government should hold my hand for I am safe in the hand of God. The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want. as always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

What Is Truth?

  Recently,  I had lunch with an old college friend. We talked for a while and in passing I ask him if he had decided who  he was going to vote for in the next election. His answer was quite revealing he said the following:" I really can't tell you who I'm going to vote for.""I guess I'll just vote for the candidate that tells the most truth or at best,  lies the least." I thought a great deal about the words my friend had said and in many instances he is correct to find any human being let alone a politician who would tell you the truth all the time is not only unlikely, it is not possible if only because truth based solely on human reasoning is limited and flawed simply because a humans wisdom and conclusions regarding truth are finite. Therefore, I conclude that if I am to embark on a search for truth I cannot a limited human source certainly not from a politician because their truth is often ever changing and is at best relative to various political situations thus to a politician what is true today may not be true tomorrow.
  As a Christian, I will try to vote for a politician who comes the closest to the traditional Christian values I believe in I tend to prefer a conservative type of government but this political preference in and of itself is not truth in the broadest sense of the word. As a  Christian,there is only one place I can go to begin to know not only what truth is but who truth is.For Christians , the Bible, makes it very clear God,  is truth, therefore, every word God, has ever spoken or will ever speak is truth because God is truth and is  eternal without a beginning and without and end Therefore,  God,  cannot change just as real truth cannot change. God's truth is consistent because real truth is the very nature of God. God cannot lie in fact if God,  can lie then God cannot be God.
  John 14: 8-9 Thomas ever the doubter ask Jesus to show the father to him as well as the rest of the disciples Jesus, had just told his disciples earlier in John 14:7" If ye had known me you would know my father also and from henceforth ye know him and hath seen him. Jesus was God in flesh John 1"1 makes it clear that in the beginning was the Word and the Word,  (Jesus the Son,) was with God and the Word,( Jesus the Son,)  was God. John 1:14 goes on  to say,"And the Word, was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his  glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth. Jesus, said in John 14:6 Jesus said," I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the father but by me." Jesus is indeed God of very God and man of very man therefore,  his word is truth. An atheist, is to be pitied for they do not acknowledge God and they cannot know what real truth is because their entire belief system is based on a lie. Psalms, 14:1 says, "The fool hath said in his heart there is no God." and God will not reveal himself to someone who is unwilling to admit that he exist. Hebrews 11"6 says,"Without faith, it is impossible to please God,for he that cometh to God,  must believe that he is and  that he  is a rewarder to them that diligently seek him." Christians,  can discern what is true by the power of the Holy Spirit as they read the Bible and grow in the knowledge of God remember God is truth. John 4:24 says, "God, is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in  truth." Therefore, as Christians,  seek God's will and wisdom in their daily lives, this is a form of worship of God because by seeking God's will Christians, acknowledge that God is truth.
  As a Christian , I know that truth based on human reasoning alone cannot be consistent so I don't seek truth  based on human reasoning alone  As a Christian through faith in God and his Son the Lord Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit I can know God and God is truth. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

Will Americans Choose To See And Hear And Know Nothing?

I have to have my eyes examined it seems my glasses are no longer strong enough to help me see clearly. As I consider the attitude of many in American society today, I find my self almost dumbfounded. America had been blessed by God more than any other nation on the face of the earth yet even now even many Christians, cannot see or hear God speaking trying to get America, as a nation to repent and return to the truth found in the word of God by following the Christian principals that are clearly out lined in the Bible. I find however that even among many Christians, an almost willing ignorance as far as following the teachings of Christ which every Christian should be able to clearly see and desire to put Christ teachings into practice. Yet, I hear Christians ask almost every day why won't God save America? I see even in many of America's  churches the truth of the gospel. Jesus, is the only hope for a lost mankind many churches however no longer preach that sin separates a lost mankind from the love of God I don't expect America to return to her Christian roots if I find the truth of the gospel of Jesus absent from many of America's churches.
  I think even many of us who would call ourselves Christians get caught up in looking for some kind of sign from God before they can realize that God has been speaking to America for a long time now. I'm afraid God looks at America, the same way Jesus saw the Pharisees, and even his disciples in Mark 8:18. Jesus had just fed a great number of people with only five loves of bread and two fish and yet the Pharisees, keep asking him to give him a sign to prove he was the son of God as he claimed. Jesus warned his disciples not to be so willingly  blind like the Pharisees, who were like unleavened bread far different from the brad and fish the large crowed had just eaten.. Jesus wanted his disciples to realize he was the bread of life but they thought he had said these words because they had no bread. then Jesus said, having eyes, see ye not?"" Having ears hear ye not? Do you not remember?" What Jesus, was saying to the disciples was do you now know who I an or are you as blind as the Pharisees? Christ disciples had just seen a unbelievable miracle yet they still were not sure who he was later in Peter would be told by the power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus really was.
 Some times, I think God looks at America and Says what more can I do to reveal my self to you? Even many who claim to follow me cannot see me working or hear me speaking to America. It seems many in America, have ears,  but cannot or will not hear, Eyes, but will not see.and a mouth but will not speak out and stand up for the truth of the gospel of God. No election or new political policy can save America only a ground swell of nation wide repentance is the only real hope for America, I fear however, America has been blind, deaf and dumb for too long and now it may be too late. I suppose only God will decide if that is the case. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Christianity, Is Following In Christ Footsteps.

  I am so very far from perfect and I will confess to you that even as a Christian, I have more than my share of faults and human short comings. My wife could probably tell you what my faults are even better than I could because she has to put up with all my faults and no doubt she is aware of some of my faults that I haven't even thought about yet! I am so thankful that Jesus, looks beyond my faults and accepts me just the way I am. I find Christ doesn't concentrate on all the things your not he seems to realize most of us know all the things we aren't. Jesus, takes a person where they are and as they are and slowly molds them in to what they can be. As a Christian, the chief purpose of man is to glorify God. Therefore as a Christian, my goal should be to be like Christ. I need to clear up a bit of a misconception concerning Christianity. True Christianity, is not my religion in fact, I will go so far as to say Christianity, is not a religion even though it is often called a persons religion  of preference of faith. I can only say that for me Christianity, is a choice I have made with my free will to follow in the foot steps of Jesus Christ,  and seek to live my life as much as possible according to the principals of his teachings which are found in the Bible a book I personally believe to be the word of God as expressed in the gospel of John chapter one.
  Psalms 37:23 says, "The steps of a righteous man, are ordered by the Lord." As I considered what this verse really means I thought back to the days of my youth. My first real Job was a carryout or a bag boy. I enjoyed the job I liked meeting people. I tried to pack the sacks as evenly as I could and I never wanted to pack the bags too heavy many elderly ladies could not lift the bags if they were too heavy and I tried to remember that I would not be there to unload their groceries when they got home. I was not the fastest bag boy but I tried to be the friendliest bag boy there. Many customers would wait in the store on purpose just so I could take there groceries out and we could talk about there day.
  One afternoon,  I looked at my paycheck and when I added it up I realized I had been over paid by thirty dollars I cashed the check and then I gave the manager back thirty dollars and told him I had been over paid he could not believe I would not only catch the mistake, but then seek too give the money back. the manager said to me are you sure? I told him yes and I even told him how the mistake had been made. The manager thanked me for returning the money a mistake had indeed  been made. He then asked me, "Why did you give the money back?" "No one else I know would have.the store would have just considered it a mistake in their accounting and written it off as a loss." I told him because I felt it was the right thing to do. The manager then said these words to me, "Jon,  you appear to me an honest man,  I was just wondering are you a Christian?" I said, " Yes sir" the manager said I thought so! I left for college shortly after that but as I was leaving the owner of all the seven grocery stores  called me into his office and said here is a bonus something to take to college with you he handed me  an envelope and inside was a  check for  several  dollars plus,  my regular last pay check. He smiled and said you don't have to give the extra money back it is a bonus to thank you for working here. The owner of the grocery chain then said I have head a lot about Christians, but now I've seen one. I never forgot  those words and what I am learning as a Christian,  is that you never know who is watching you. Paul told the early church to follow him as he followed Christ. To my fellow Christians if you are follow Christian,  trying to follow in Christ footsteps remember walk carefully, because you never know who may be watching you and attempting to follow you as you follow Christ. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just,  some words, to think on.

Shadows Of Things To Come.

  I am in my early fifties. My doctor has advised me for sometime now to go and get a colonoscopy. When I last talked with him I learned he was leaving the clinic and going elsewhere. I decided since he had been a good doctor to me and a good man as well and since cancer runs in my family I would go and have the colonoscopy. I was glad to know that this is considered a screening so my insurance would pay for it. Now for those who have not had the privilege of having a colonoscopy I would rank the thrill of this experience right up there with going to the dentist for a root canal, a tax audit by the IRS, or missing a nail and hitting your  thumb with a hammer! The actual procedure is not bad at all but drinking the terrible tasting junk they tell you you have to drink followed by an  extended stay in your bathroom oh my what a thrill and you do this once the night before the procedure  and then you do it again about for hours before you have your colonoscopy. I was happy to hear that I was just fine and that I would not have to have another colonoscopy for ten years. Believe me when I tell you, I will wait all ten of those years before I go through this experience again!
  I decided since my former doctor was no longer going to be my doctor that I had better get a new doctor. The clinic, assigned a new doctor for me but I find out from my insurance that the doctor I had been assigned was out of net work therefore my insurance wouldn't pay as much and that meant a greater cost for me. I called the clinic back and after much searching I finally found one of their doctors who was in the net work of my insurance. I had to  schedule an appointed to see the new doctor in two months. I asked why I had to wait so long to see the doctor she said the clinic had a shortage of doctors and many  of the doctors had gone into specialized practice  or left. I called back later to see why so many doctors were leaving she said some of the doctors didn't want to work at the clinic because of they didn't want any new medicare patients. I asked why she said she didn't know for sure but as I hung up the phone I couldn't help but wonder if this sudden doctor shortage and longer waiting time between appointments had anything to do with the cuts in medicare proposed in Obama's health care law. I can't say anything for sure but I wouldn't be at all surprised if this is the case. When Obama care goes into full effect in 2014 this health care law will cut 500 billion dollars from Medicare over ten years. I just have a feeling that being put on a long waiting list for an appoint with a doctor and an ever increasing shortage of doctors are only shadows of things to come when Obama's health care law goes into full effect in 2014. Americans,  have one last chance to repeal Obama's health car law.I hope Americans,  can realize how important it is to elect Romney,  and get a GOP majority in both the House as well as the Senate. I fear if this doesn't happen then many Americans better get used to long periods be tween doctor appointments and a constant shortage of doctors because if Obama's health care law goes into full affect in 2014 these type of situations will be just shadows of things to come. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

A Modern Day Daniel.

  I have to say, I always respect someone who says what they believe. I respect someone who is willing to speak what they believe to be the truth even if that particular truth isn't popular or very well received. I admit, that I was surprised and a bit impressed when I heard on the news that Mitt Romney, agreed to speak at the annual NAACP convention. I realize in one sense he had to go because he would have been called a coward or a raciest if he had chosen not to go. President Obama, I suppose feels that it is not necessary for him to attend after all the polls seem to indicate that he is guaranteed to receive 94% of the African American vote. I did hear that Vice President Joe Biden, was going to respond to what Mitt Romney said. Without a doubt when Romney said he would cut all unnecessary government programs including Obama care that didn't  go over well at the NAACP convention but I respect Romney for having the courage to say it.
  Let's face it,  Romney,  will not get many votes from  African Americans,  but any African American,  vote he could get is one less for Obama.. There is no doubt it would be much easier for Romney, to only speak to well established conservatives but what kind of courage does that take? Anyone can preach to the choir. I hope African Americans would ask themselves what kind of future can President Obama  deliver for them? Unemployment for African Americans,  now stands at 14.4 that's two points higher than it was in 2009 when Obama took office. The African American,  youth are in a real tough spot their unemployment rate now stands at 39%. I have to wonder is this the kind of hope and change they voted for when they voted for Obama, in 2008?
  Romney,  is offering African Americans, for that matter,  all Americans a chance at least for a real future. What Americans need right now are jobs. I believe Romney, has some experience in this area. Romney,  offers Americans a choice a government hand out with Obama, or a hand up and job creation with Romney. Romney, has often been called a flip flopper, but I am glad he didn't try to pander to the members of the NAACP during their convention. President Obama, does enough of that already! As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

Is America, Ready For Her Day Of Reckoning?

  I will confess to you, there are some days when I just hate to watch the news. The fact is though if Christians are listening God is trying to speak to a wayward America. I fear this may be God's last call for America,  to repent and return to the Christian,  principals that have made America the Great nation she is or at the least the great nation she once was.
  God,  has sent several warning sins to America just in the last month or so I will list a few. First, there has been wild fires in Colorado 350 homes have been lost at a cost of some ten billion dollars perhaps even more. Florida, just a few weeks ago received 22 inches of rain at one time and many homes and businesses are completely gone. America, is experiencing one of the hottest summers in this nations history hundreds of records as far as the heat and temperatures are concerned have been broken in state after state through out the nation.Draught now threatens many of the American farmers crops including corn wheat barley. Meat prices are sure to go up as well. Milk production is down cows aren't producing as much because of the heat wave much of this nation has been under.
  How are America's cities? Well, both Stockton and San Bernardino California, have now filled for bankruptcy. Scranton Pennsylvania Mayor Chris Doherty, is facing tough opposition from Scranton police and firefighters because he had to reduce both  departments pay checks to a minimum  wage of 7.25 an hour in order to meet his city's budget because the city's unions are asking too much money for their pensions.The world economy is not any better Greece, Spain, England, Ireland are all on the verge of total economic collapse.
  Are Americans listening to these warnings from God? I don't think so. Today,  in America, one in seven persons are on food stamps. The government has already increased the spending for this program to the tune of some 85 billion dollars a year. Some in government are purposing necessary budget cuts in the food stamp program but there are already liberals holding press conferences and rallies against making any such cuts. Americans, seem to want it all and they demand it all from the government. God,  hasn't been consulted and his wisdom hasn't been sought or even considered by America, for decades now. As result when America, faces  God's day of reckoning and America's economy collapses and America as a nation fades from existence at that point if America finally, call on God for help I feel America, really can't expect God to listen or even care at that point no matter what may happen to this nation.
  Isaiah 10:3  talks about what it will be like when America as a nation is forced to face God's day of reckoning the passage reads as follows:"And what will ye do in the day of visitation and desolation which shall come from far. "To whom will you flee for help?" I know that the saddest day in America's history as a nation will surely be when the day of God's reckoning comes and America, finally turns to God for help only to find that God,  has finally turned his back on America. I pray every day America will hear God's warnings and repent and return to the Christian values God,  instilled in America. I pray America's repentance will come soon  before God decides America's repentance has come too late. As always, my friends, these thoughts  remain, just, some words, to think on.

Yes, There Are Still Some Who Are Honest.

  Don't you just hate it when you and your family are having a perfectly wonderful day and something happens to change that situation? My family and I were visiting some friends recently and they live way out in the country so it;s about an hours drive to get to their house. We made it to our friends home alright and we had a great time while we were there. Twenty minutes after we left my family and I were on our way home when my wife noticed a strange light with a message on the dashboard that seemed to indicate some time kind of malfunction. We made it home and this was the weekend but as soon as we could on  Monday we went to a service garage and we were told we may have a problem with our transmission. The person who looked at our car recommended a local transmission shop. When my family and I got to the transmission shop we were told that our tork converter was about to quiet working and would have to be replaced. I was told the cost would be 800 to 1000 dollars and he couldn't even start on it for three days and he would have to be paid in cash because he didn't take credit cards and I didn't have that kind of cash on hand. I began to really worry and my faith was being tested I knew God would supply all my needs but what I didn't know was how. We left the transmission shop and my wife suggested getting another opinion. We drove our car very slowly to another garage and we told the serviceman there what our situation was and he said he knew of a better transmission  shop with better equipment and he felt sure they could help us and they took a  credit  card. We thanked the man and headed for the transmission shop he had suggested. When we got there all I can say is,  Wow! what wonderful people. The workers there took our car for a drive and said all that was needed was to have or transmission fluids flushed and a new transmission filter installed and it cold be done in thirty minutes  for 160 dollars and yes, they took credit cards and guaranteed their work. The man that fixed our car said he did not know why we were told that we would have to get a new tork converter. He said as far as he could tell it was working just fine and he had use the best the finest diagnostic equipment available. He said he had head a lot of bad things about the fist transmission place we had been to and often folks would come to him and he would have to fix transmissions that had been worked on there. I was pretty well convinced from what I had been told that the man at the first transmission place my family and I went to was only interested in making as much money as possible and knowing that my wife and I would know nothing different decided to charge us as much as he could. This is far from honest but some folks have no conscience and do business this way. I am so glad my family was able to find a transmission shop that was honest and really wanted to help people. The name of the place was called Precision Transmission,  in my home town of  Muncie Indiana. I would highly recommend them if you need to fix your car and you happen to be in Muncie Indiana. The kind lady behind the counter Wendy Riley,  I think is one of the most helpful and one of the friendliest people you'll ever meet anywhere.
  The Bible says, in first Timothy 6: 10 the love of money is the root of all evil and I know that those who live just to make money will will receive their just reward from God one day
  I think of all our politicians in government I think of our President, who seems to willing to tax small honest businesses nearly out of existence  I don't know if there are still honest politicians in our government today, I'd like to think so but I am happy to know there are still some folks in business in America who are indeed honest.. I know as a Christian I must strive to be honest with my self and others after all honesty, is still the best policy. as always my friends these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.

How Has America, Forgotten God?

  I visited some friends yesterday. They live way out in the country. I couldn't help but notice how dry the ground looked and many of the cornfields had corn that was no where near where it should be as far as how high it should be this late in July. When I arrived at my friends house he said that where he lives the total amount of rain that had fallen was only about a half an inch since the end of April and as as a result corn in many places could reach nine to ten dollars a bushel and meat prices would soon rise be cause of this.
  Where I live and all across this nation the heat has been unbearable wild fires are in Colorado.  Floods are in Florida, gas prices are beginning to creep back up and I have even noticed things like bread milk eggs and meat butter and many other things are getting harder to buy at the grocery store. As I thought about how tough things are in America right now, I thought to my self is this the beginning of the end of America? I believe the answer may be yes. I hate to say this but I believe Romans 1:28-31 describes much of American culture today it reads as follows:"And even as they did not like to retain God,  in their knowledge, God,  gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient."Being filled with unrighteousness,fornication, wickedness, covetous, maliciousness full of envy, murder, deceit, malignity, whisperers,  and backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boaster, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who knowing the judgment of God, that  they which commit such things, are worthy of death not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
 America, has reached a point where God is given credit for nothing. Think about this, when America stops a terrorist plot or a scientist makes a new discovery  you don't hear our political leaders giving God the credit. America, , seems to rest and rely on her own military might or scientific achievements or advancements in technology. A politician may say God,  bless America, at the end of a speech but that phase as become something said in polite political rhetoric God hasn't been acknowledged in a meaningful  way for some time now. Many churches don't preach the gospel of God or Gods love for sinners but his hatred  for sin. America in large  part in fact,  sin these days is not only tolerated but often glorified in the name of social tolerance. Consider Obama's recent acceptance of  gay marriage as an example.
  As I see it if America is ever to be truly, blessed by God again America,  is going to have to experience a serious spiritual awakening. I am afraid however,  as it stands now I don't see enough committed Christians in America today willing to make the spiritual commitment and personal sacrifice it would take before God could even begin to heal America. The next election could serve as a start but heart felt repentance and a true return to God's principals in our churches in our government and in our individual daily lives as Christians is what it will take for America, as a nation,  to once again retain God in her knowledge. The Question is will America ever be willing to repent and turn back to God ? All anyone can do is pray and wait. As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

America's Days May Be Numbered.

  I love my country and I am a stubborn patriot. I must confess however, America's days as a free nation may be economically numbered. No nation can hope to remain free if the government that runs the nation continues to enslave hardworking  middle class members of a given society. America, has become just such a nation and just such a society. Bill O"Reilly,  painted a very bad economic picture for the future of America recently on his Fox program The O"Reilly Factor. I will admit his numbers were disturbing. In 1992 according to O"Reilly, there were three million seven hundred thousand people receiving disability from the government and 33 people were working for each person who was getting disability. and 85% of all Americans were  paying taxes to make disability payments  possible for the people who really needed it. Today, the number of people getting disability has risen to 8 million and only 15 people are working for every person receiving disability and the number of people paying taxes has fallen from 85% in 1992 to 49% today. One does not need a degree in mathematics or economics to realize America,  can not be  sustained as a nation much longer if Americans,  choose to remain on this present path.
  President John F Kennedy, said that Americans, should not ask what their  country could do for them but ask ,what they could do for their country. Today,  I'm afraid many in America, have adopted the philosophy expressed  in Janet Jackson's song,  What have you done for me lately? Many in America,  today are not bothering to ask the the government to help them they are simply demanding the government help them in whatever way they deem necessary.
 While the political argument continues among many in America trying to decide if health care is a right or a privilege or the individual mandate is a tax or a penalty the fact is right now the Presidents health care overhaul remains a law that will indeed tax the nations pocketbook and the patience of many of the American,  people. The health care law is indeed a tax but it is the American people who will suffer the penalty with the health caw law's full implementation in 2014. Americans are about to make the greatest choice of their  life time. I believe the November,  election will either set America,  on a path of real recovery or a path of economic destruction. I would ask that many in America, make their choice carefully, because depending on the choice they make it could be the very last choice as a nation, that they are free to make As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

America, A Portrait Of Innocence Lost.

  Every once and a while,  I get on my computer and go to You Tube,  and watch old TV shows or even old TV commercials and public service announcements, I am constantly amazed how different those old TV shows were and some of those old TV commercials and public service announcements we be deemed rather silly by today's standards. The idea that a public service announcement could promote principals of good citizenship or good manners and common courtesy or how to behave appropriately at a party or on a date. My goodness, how silly and old fashioned those TV shows and public service announcements sure seem to be to many in America today.
  Call me crazy, but sometimes I long for some of those out dated cultural values. I admit I miss some of the innocent idealism of shows like Leave it to Beaver or Father Knows Best or The Donna Reed Show.  Andy Griffith, just past away and who can for get the down home traditional family values found in the fictional home town of Mayberry?  I know all to well however, that American society doesn't live in this era any more. American,  society today is so much more socially advanced and the youth today seem so much more socially aware of the word around them and yet, for all  the knowledge America's youth has obtained through movies TV and music not to mention the liberal public school system and all of the technological advancements America,  has made in the last sixty years or so, I am left to wonder at what cost? Have we not paid a price for much of America's cultural, and technological knowledge today? I believe we have. The cost for all this advanced knowledge has been the loss of America's innocence.
  I liken much of this knowledge to the same knowledge promised to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Genesis 3:5 says, that the devil who took the form of a serpent, promised Eve,  that if she ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil her eyes would be opened and she would be like God,  because she would be wise and  have the knowledge of good and evil. The devil told a half truth Adam and Eve"s eyes were indeed opened and the did experience the loss of their innocence and they became keenly aware of good and evil and the end result was eventual physical death and eternal separation from God. God,  had to cast Adam and Eve out of the garden lest they continue to eat from the tree of life and live forever in a body that would now slowly begin to decay because of sin. Man would have remained for ever separated for God had not God,  stepped in and become God,  in flesh the Son Jesus Christ became the second Adam and Christ,  death on the cross redeemed mankind and thus made it possible to as many as receive Christ to live again eternally with God,  in Heaven.
  My daughter,  is nearly ten and she attends a Christian,  school she is a straight A honor student yet for all her knowledge she remains quite innocent and unaware of many things that seem to pervade American culture today. I will admit I'm happy to keep it that way for as long as possible after all childhood can only be lived once and my daughter will grow up soon enough and once she does grow up she will have to be a responsible adult for a long time but until that time comes there is some knowledge I would rather she not have until  she can handle it .
  I looked at some research from 2009 and it stated that 46% of high school girls admitted to having at least one sexual encounter and 37%  of this 46% admitted to having unprotected  sex in spite of all the education they have received on the subject. and in many cases some children are introduced to drugs and alcohol as early as the sixth grade. Oh yes,  America, has bitten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil but I'm afraid in far too many cases today such knowledge comes  at the  cost of America's  innocence and I am left to wonder, was such knowledge worth it? As always,  my friends, these thoughts remain, just,  some words, to think on.

Will America Remain A Free Independent Nation?

  On July fourth 1776 America, declared the Independence from British rule and after six long years of war  on October 19, 1781 the back of the British,  was finally broken when General Cornwallis,  surrendered to General George Washington in Yorktown Virgina. What followed for America,  was several years of hardship and personal conflict. Finally,  during the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787 the delegates came together and put together the greatest document in all of human history second only to the Bible. This document, the Constitution of the United States, established a new form of government where the people rule the idea of a republic was not exactly new but it hadn't been utilized since the very early days of the roman empire. government would be limited and the rights and fruits of liberty were the gifts given to all men by God,  and the gift of liberty would be guaranteed by the principals laid out in America's constitution.
  Several wars and 236 years later America, has grown to be the greatest nation on earth. I am forced to ask myself however, how much longer will this be the case? The British colonies broke away from the rule of King George III of England,  in favor of a government where all men would be equally represented and President George Washington,  would be elected by the people and carry out the will of  we the people of the United States. Today,  government is anything but limited and constantly seeks to find new ways to impose unjust taxes on the American,  people all in the name of knowing what's good for all the American people. The problem is,  the government,  doesn't even bother to ask Congress,  or the people what they think about anything The government in particular President Obama,  acts  more like a king than a a president elected by we the people. The people  Many times the President by executive order imposes his will on the country and doesn't even consult Congress. Many people in America,  have been slowly rocked to sleep by the government with promises of free welfare extended unemployment benefits free health care free housing , food stamps. Therefore, many in America want to be more like the nations of Europe. God has blessed America, but many in this nation seem to be saying we don't want God, in government. let Government and Obama,  be king we would be like Europe or other nations in the world
  I believe I have heard this complaint before in I Samuel 8:1-22 the nation of  Israel, cried out to God and said they wanted to have a king like the other nations it seems they didn't want God to lead them anymore. God warned the people that a king would take their sons for wars and raises taxes to pay for those wars but Israel said we want a king. God, gave Israel, the king they wanted and they picked Saul,  he ruled over them for twenty years and the nation was in constant war with one nation or another. God,  blessed King David, but the sword of battle never left his house and his own son sought to over throw him.Solomon, was a wise king and a wealthy king he built palaces built massive armies and had many horses and chariots. Solomon had a thousand wives and much of his temple was built out of solid gold. How many taxes do you suppose he had to raise too pay for all these things and after his death his kingdom was divided and the nation of Israel eventually fell to Babylonian, in 586 BC.God,  gave Israel,  a king and he will restore their kingdom when Jesus Christ, of the house of David,  comes again to rule over the nation of Israel. Israel did not know what the consequences would be for them as a nation and when they ran a head of the will of God,  and demanded a king before God,  wanted them to have one the nation paid a price oh yes God still accomplished his will he always does but Israel always paid a price when they ran a head of Gods will.
  Now many in America,  seem content to cast God aside and let government be king. My fear is God may just decide to step aside and let America have exactly what many in this nation are asking for just as he did the people of Israel. I believe, if Americans,  chooses to let government become  a king America's days as a nation are indeed numbered. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Roberts Follows The Thinking Of Pontius Pilate.

  There is no question that many conservatives in this country right now feel  betrayed by Chief Justice John Roberts. Although some conservatives, may not consider Chief Justice Roberts a Judas of sorts because he changed his mind on Obama's health care law, I think Roberts,  decision sounds very much like the thinking of Pontius Pilate as he was faced  with the task of deciding if he should crucify Jesus. Christians will remember that Pontius Pilate served as a kind of governor of Judea from AD 36-26. Pilate, had already questioned Jesus, and Pilate had been warned by his wife to let Jesus go for she told him,"Have nothing to do with this man." Pilate really wanted to let Jesus Go. He offered the people a choice between Jesus or Barabbas. Piate, thought he was in the clear since he had told the people that he had found no fault  in Jesus. Pilate believed Jesus was a just man and had done nothing worthy of death. the people however chose Barabbas, and Pilate, was once again faced with what to do with Jesus. He tried to reason with the people but they said if Pilate were to let Jesus go then he would be no friend of Cesar's. Pilate wanted to advance his political career and if he wanted to do that he couldn't be seen as an enemy of Cesar. Pilate then called for a basin of water and washed his hands and proclaimed that he was now free of the blood of the innocent Jesus. Pilate then turned Jesus over to the people saying'"Do with him what seemeth good to you." and the Jews thought it good  to crucify Jesus.
  Consider now, the decision that was put before Chief Justice Roberts. He had planned, to vote to over turn the health care law and conservatives were counting on him and the other conservative judges on the court to do just that. Roberts, however had his legacy to think of and he valued the opinion of the media as far as how the media and much of the public viewed his court. Roberts, decided he wanted nothing to do with over turning a sitting president's main accomplishment. With this in mind he stated that the commerce clause was misused but that the health care law itself was constitutional because  government is granted the right to tax in the constitution. This logic gives judge Roberts what he reasons as the best of both worlds. He doesn't have to overturn the health care mandate and because he finds the health care law to be constitutional he can leave   the fate of the law to the will of the American people leaving justice Roberts free to wash his hands of his responsibility as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This then I feel is the judicial act of a supreme coward!
  Obama's health care law now rest in the hands of the American people Justice Roberts, has all but abandoned justice and has told the American people to do with Obama's health care law that which seemeth good to them. I guess Novembers election will once and for all express the will of the American people regarding Obama's health care law.
  You know,  at times, I wonder what will happen if God,  decides to remove his hand of blessing from America, and turns America over to her own devices. Maybe God will say to America I wash my hands of you as a nation run your country in a way that seems best to you but I'll have no part of it any more. I know from studying history no nation last very long once God decides a nation has served his purpose. I pray God will still see a purpose for America,  to remain a free and independent nation. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.

Where Are The Answers?

Without a doubt, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts decision on the constitutionality of Obama's  health care law has further divided  this nation. One thing is sure the media, is having a field day and the next election just became even more interesting. I am concerned for America's future as a nation. I will always care about certain decisions that are made in this nation after all I am a citizen, and decisions made in this nation will affect not only my self but my family as well. I believe however I have learned something which can bring a sense of great peace to many  Christians,  in America,  today. No decision made in America today will come as a surprise to God,  in any way. Christians,  should never depend solely on the wisdom of man. Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust, in the Lord,  with all thine heart an lean not on thine own understanding in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." As I see it, America, as a nation by enlarge  really hasn't found it necessary to acknowledge God,  in public thought or in matters of government for some time time now and frankly,  I don't see that about to change anytime soon.
  There is a hymn many Christians, often sing in church called, Stand up for Jesus, and one part of that song says these words, Stand up stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone the arm of flesh will fail you you dare not trust your own. Whatever goes on in America, Christians,  need to remember their first priority is the spreading of the gospel. Politics, may be important, God, however will accomplish his will  regardless of whatever politicians or judges may or may not do. Christians, can have this assurance in there own lives as well  Philippians 1:6 says,"Being confident, of this very thing that he that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." One may ask then what is a Christians,  mission in this world? Well, the will of God,  may be somewhat different for each Christian, the chief end of man is to glorify God. I find that finding ways for Christians to spread the gospel and sharing my faith with others is certainly one way to do that. Here is a thought for Christians,  in America,  today. What if the will of God, could be as simple as being a good parent to your children which also means looking after and providing for there needs teaching them to be kind to others and avoid that which is evil and do good. James 1:17 says, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin. Christians,  then know that we are to be both salt and light and not just hearers of Christ,  teachings but we must apply them in our lives  and thus reach the lost and bless the lives of others. Politics, and the wisdom of man will come and go but Christians can trust in the Lord and have faith in Jesus Christ,  for his wisdom will endure forever. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just, some words to think on.

God's Will, Will Be Accomplished.

  As a Christian, I am very concerned for America's future as a nation. I see the fires in Colorado, the floods in  Florida, the unrest on Wall Street. I see our nations stagering national debt I realize other nations such as Greece, Spain,  Italy, Ireland, England are on the brink of economic colapse. I see the ticking time bomb that is the middle east.Nations including  Iran Egypt Syria, all poised to attack Israel at any given moment. Above all else though, and by far the most important, I see America, who has all but forgotten God,  and the Christian principals, that once were practiced in this nation.and made America, the greatest nation in human existence. God, if he is acknowleged at all is only given polite lip service and this is often true even among many Christians,  in America, today. I have heard from some who say they are Christians, that it is just not their way to be openly vocal about their Christian,  beliefs. I would ask those Christians,  who feel this way to consider what they are saying. Let me get this straight, Jesus Christ, the Son of God,  can humble himself, come into this wicked sinful world  and get beat and spat upon and be nailed to a cruel cross and die for my sins, and your sins, the sins of all man kind a death I am sure that was anything but comfortable so that you might believe and recieve him as saviour and be saved from eturnal seperation from God,  in Hell and then as a Christian,  some one would say they don't feel comfortale about sharing their faith so that others might not Go to Hell, without Christ, and be doomed to an endless eturnity totally seperated from the love of God with no hope of escape. I ask you fellow Christian, don't we love our friends enough to at least offer the gospel of salvation to them? Are we as Christians,  so concerned about what others may think of us, that we would rather choose to be silent and let our friends we claim to care about die and go to Hell because we were afraid or ashamed to tell  them the gospel of Christ? I would tell my fellow Christians,  if the gospel of Christ, and the sharing of it makes you feel uncomfortable ask God to give you boldness and get you out of your comfort zone.
  Consider this,  God;s will will be accomplished,  with or wihout any help from anyone. God just chooses to work his will through those who follow Christ if they choose to let him so that Christians,  may experience the blessings of the power of God,  in their life. Fellow Christians, remember, the will of God,  will be accomplished the question is do Christians, want to get in on it! Romans, 1:16 says,"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth to the Jew first, but also to the Greek. Jesus,  told his followers to go into all the world amd preach the gospel. You don't need to worry about going to Africa, if you can't even tell your friends who live just across the street.
  You see, Jesus Christ,  is the only hope not just for America,  but for the whole world. I know if I  as a Christian, can trust Jesus Christ,  to save my soul can I not also trust him to take care of me no matter what may be happenning in the world at any given moment? Christians,  then through Christ,  can have peace with God, and thus experience the peace of God. Thus, Christians,  should remember the words of Jesus and trust and belive that God,  will always do that which is best for them and having this confidence we as Christians,  can say to God, not my will but thine be done. As always, my friends,  these thoughts remain, just, some words, to think on.