The seduction of a nation

— Posted inCulture and Society, tweet — 6 min read

Yesterday I watched video of Bill Clinton stumping for Maurice Hinchey, one of the most odious characters in a Congress that has quite a few. Clinton was heckled, and he took control of the situation by bragging on his four balanced budgets as president. The audience rose and cheered him with patriotic fervor, and the hecklers were drowned out.

I can only hope that Mr. Clinton gets on his knees each night and expresses thanks for the Republicans who drove him to the center and forced him to adopt policies such as welfare reform and the abandonment of his governmental takeover of health care.

I’ve been watching with displeasure as Clinton enjoys a massive rehabilitation in this season of need for the Democrat Party. It seems that even after 9/11, two wars and a near-depression, America has learned very little.

Until the appearance of Obama on the scene, Mr. Clinton was the most prodigious liar I had ever seen. But his strength wasn’t actually his ability to deceive. With Clinton most people knew they were being lied to. It was his ‘aw, shucks’ good ol’ boy demeanor that disarmed much of the public and let him get away with it.

Not so with Obama. I recall watching Obama during one of the presidential debates, in which he calmly and coolly defended his vote in the Illinois senate against providing pediatricians to protect the lives of aborted babies born alive. He maintained that he voted against the bill because Illinois law already provided for such protection, and therefore the bill was just prolife political grandstanding.

I follow these things and had heard otherwise, but Obama’s intelligence and apparent sincerity caused even me to doubt. Frankly, I have had enough problems with some elements of the prolife movement that I had to consider the possibility that my information had been incorrect.

So that debate ended with me being unsure about the character of Obama. Certainly, the man had much that was winsome. If his votes had indeed been reasonable, I could see why many would support him.

The conflict gnawed at me for a few days before I finally did the research. The Illinois bill that Obama used for cover stipulated that the abortionist himself was to switch hats in the case of an aborted baby born alive and now try to save the life of the baby he had been trying to kill.

Picture that. An abortionist drags a scalded, half-dead baby with limbs torn off out of the birth canal, and sees it’s still alive. He now has a choice. If the baby lives in a deformed condition, its mother would now turn on the abortionist with the finest legal guns in the country. All manner of horrendous publicity concerning him and his trade would ensue, and it is quite likely that he would lose his shirt and be put out of business.

Or he could simply go through the motions but let the baby die. Considering the moral caliber of most people drawn to the abortion trade, what do you think this guy is going to do?

I saw clearly that the Illinois law Obama used for cover was a sham. And I just as clearly saw that Obama was the coolest, most bloodless liar I had ever experienced. What was most troubling was the realization that perhaps only one percent of the nation knew the facts on the Illinois abortion bill. The rest would have been convinced of Obama’s sincerity and reasonableness in the matter, and they probably would have concluded that this man is indeed fit to serve in our highest office.

Now, two years later, many are learning the truth. We see how the promises to be a post-partisan uniter and healer were merely a David Axlerod ad campaign to sell Obama as something he is not. Obama has done nothing to build consensus; he hasn’t even tried. Consensus for Obama is agreeing with his  radical agenda, which he has pursued even while the nation was bleeding for jobs. And now that he’s in electoral trouble, the last remnants of post-partisanship have been cast off, revealing the divisive hyper-partisan attack dog that always hid behind the cool demeanor.

The troubling thing here is that with the resurrection of Bill Clinton, much of America is bearing witness that it has learned nothing. It is saying, “Lie to us if you must, we don’t care about the morality. Just give us prosperity”.

Back in 1992, Clinton ran for the presidency on the slogan, “it’s the economy, stupid”. Clinton and his wife had a radical social agenda, including unrestricted abortion rights, but the nation was in a slight recession and he capitalized on that fact. And the media helped him by burying the fact that we had already begun to emerge from the recession in the months before the election.

At that time, Ralph Martin wrote that to place the economy over moral issues as a voting criteria was to violate the biblical prohibition against taking a bribe to pervert justice (Proverbs 17.23). Much of America took that bribe, and we got what we got.

There is much irony here. The economy which had been recovering before Clinton was elected now began to stagnate and sink backwards, as the business community drew back in alarm at Clinton’s agenda, which included the nationalization of one-seventh of the economy, by means of taking over the health care sector.

It wasn’t until 1994, when the Republicans took control of Congress on a platform of reduced government, forcing Clinton to abruptly declare that “the era of big government is over” and to abandon his worst schemes, that the economy gained traction and roared on for years.

In Matthew 6.33, Jesus assures us that if we seek God’s kingdom first, He then will add to us everything we need. This is the lesson America has yet to learn. It’s not the economy, it’s the morality that we need to be concerned with. If we would return to the sound values we were founded on, if we would get humanist statism and political correctness off our backs, the natural creativity of our interrelationships would be unleashed and we would enjoy an economic renaissance the likes of which has not been seen. God wants us to prosper and do well, but He knows it must be done the right way (see 3John 1.2).

And the prosperity we would enjoy would not be the materialistic, hedonistic lust-fest we have seen. We would have our needs met, we would live with purpose and dignity, and we would be a light to the nations once again.

But it must begin by valuing truth above all, even over economic prosperity.

Elections are in three weeks. Consider prayerfully where this nation is spiritually, and where it needs to be. God promises that if we honor Him, He will honor us (1Samuel 2.20). Put God first and you have everything. Place an idol in your heart before him, and you end up with nothing.

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Free Internet Parental Controls

— Posted inChristianity, Culture and Society, Software, tweet — 2 min read

I’d like to make some of you aware of a free way to implement “parental controls” on your computers. (I used quotes there because the Internet has so many pitfalls that I’ve found this useful for myself.)

I have no connection to the service I’m going to describe. I just think some people would benefit by it. So here it is.

First, how it works. Every time you call up an Internet site, your machine sends out a DNS request, which finds the numeric site location on the Internet. Usually, your ISP takes care of this for you, but some companies have arisen that specialize in DNS service, and they often do a better (ie, faster) job.

One such company, OpenDNS.com, took an extra step and amassed a huge database on sites. Their services are free and you don’t even have to sign up, but if you do open an account (also free) you can configure it to block what you don’t want your computer to load. So you could block porn, liquor ads, violent sites, gross-out sites, etc. There are over a hundred categories you can parse through and make your own choices.

To activate the service, all you need to do is switch your DNS servers. Here is how to do it on an XP machine.

But if instead you make the change on your router, all machines on your home/office network will automatically be covered at the same time.

I’ve used this service for a couple of years, and found it excellent in every way. And I’ve installed it on friends’ systems also, to help them protect their kids.

I’m not an expert in parental controls, and there may be better ways to do them, but this way is very clever and AFAICS, quite effective. And it is absolutely free.

Be blessed.

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No American

— Posted inCulture and Society, tweet — 3 min read

Folks, elections matter. This November’s is only a midterm, but it is critically important. Because we have been given responsibility, we will be held accountable for how we vote. So much is at stake. Use discernment. Pray it through. Don’t vote for the ones who make big promises. Their promises are empty. Vote for the ones who will work to get the nation back to its historical moral and spiritual foundations. That’s the only true road to unity and healing.

The fleecing of a nation

— Posted inChurch, Culture and Society, tweet — 4 min read

Some think that God has no place in politics. But the Bible tells us that we are not to be overcome by evil. Cynicism must not rule us. We are to watch and pray and to occupy until the Master returns. We are to be faithful in “unrighteous riches”. We are to expose evil, rejoice in truth, and overcome evil with good.

Christianity’s radical growth

— Posted inCulture and Society, current events, tweet — 2 min read

There’s an excellent article today by Ryan Mauro on the comparative growth rates of Christianity and Islam, and also on the quality of the faith of those who believe. If you live in the West you’re probably under the impression that Islam is growing by leaps and bounds. It is – in the West, because of immigration and high birth rates, but that is not the case in the rest of the world.

Jesus Insists On Full Salvation

— Posted inBible, Christology, Faith, Spiritual Growth, tweet — 16 min read

There’s a well known story in the Bible, about a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years. She came to Jesus from behind, secretly touched the hem of His garment, and was healed. It seems like a simple story, but there’s much going on beneath the surface that you might not be aware of. When we examine the story, we find that both Jesus’ and the woman’s behaviors seem strange, until we understand the religious and cultural context of Israel back then. And in finding that key, we will come to see what is really the most important part of the story. First let’s take a look at what actually happened.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. ​​​

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.

She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”

And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”

And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’”

And he looked around to see who had done it.

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” – Mark 5:24-34

The scene is one of near chaos, as crowds throng around the Savior. Just previous to our excerpt, a Jewish synagogue leader named Jairus had come up to Jesus and fallen at His feat, pleading with Him to come and heal his young daughter who was dying. The girl was fading fast, and Jairus was uptight and in a hurry, so Jesus tells him “fear is useless; only believe”, and they start off to the girl. But then this woman with a chronic bleeding problem comes up from behind, touches Jesus’ cloak and is healed. Jesus senses that power has gone out of himself, and, despite Jairus’ desperation, stops and makes an issue of it. The disciples are incredulous – with all the people thronging around, many of them must have been touching Jesus. So what’s the big deal? But Jesus is intent on finding the person who was healed. Finally, the woman comes in great fear and falls to the ground trembling before Jesus, telling all. Jesus blesses her and continues on His way with Jairus.

There are some interesting questions here. Why did the woman come up to Jesus from behind? If she wanted a healing, why did she even from the outset intend on only touching Jesus’ garments rather than His person? Why did Jesus make an issue of this healing, when almost certainly many people in this vast crowd must have similarly been coming up, touching Him and being healed? And lastly, why did the woman finally come forward in fear and trembling, rather than with joy and exaltation at being healed of her long-standing disease? Indeed, the Gospel of Luke expands on why the woman even come forward at all:

And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. -Luke 8:47

According to Luke, the woman was not merely lost in the crowd, she was actually hiding in that crowd! What then was this woman so afraid of?

Jewish law

(more…)

4th of July Message, by Rick Joyner

— Posted inCulture and Society, tweet — 7 min read

This came in via the ElijahList today, and it gives some good food for thought. I’ve never seen the levels of anger and coarseness we now have in America. I can understand some of it, because we are rapidly abandoning our foundation and, unsurprisingly but yet distressingly, falling apart. But Joyner brings us back to what James 3 tells us is the true wisdom of God: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

God’s motivation was love (video added)

— Posted inChristology, salvation, Spiritual Growth, tweet — 6 min read

As humans, we tend to project our earthly experiences onto God, especially family of origin issues, and because of that, I’ve often had a hard time trying to relate to God’s love. I saw that love written in the Bible, I heard it preached, and I’ve certainly even had wonderful times of communion in prayer and worship, but generally I’ve not understood or even had a functional belief in God’s love for me.

A concentrated daily prayer blast for the nation

— Posted inCulture and Society, Prayer — 2 min read

I’m printing an email I got today proposing a concerted effort to pray daily for the nation (and the nation of any person reading here, because we are all connected and God cares about all nations).

This is a very simple idea, but I think it is a good idea. I have seen a lot in my day, from the bitter divisions during the Vietnam War era, to the Iran hostage crisis, to some very unworthy leaders in high office, but I have never seen this nation and its people as pitifully low as it is today. Clearly, if we do not change course we are going to pull down a whole raft of consequences upon ourselves, worse than anything we have ever seen. And every single prophet I’ve followed – even those more associated with a “personal Gospel” mentality – are saying the same thing.

I don’t know about the economics of these things, but maybe the unified blast of everyone praying at the same time will have a concentrated, leveraged effect. I’ve set my google calendar to pop up an alert every day at 8.59.

be blessed,

p.

I think this is one of the best e-mails I have forwarded, lets keep each other accountable!!! Praise the Lord

Someone has said if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Did  you know that during World War II there was an adviser to Churchill who  organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States , our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along.

Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR BELIEVING FRIENDS AND WHO YOU KNOW ARE SINCERE WHEN THEY PRAY!

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The Cost of Freedom

— Posted incurrent events — 1 min read

From HotAir comes this most eloquent and sobering testimony to the cost of freedom. The picture below says it all, but Ed’s write up tells of the quality of the life that was sacrificed. It was indeed high.

“Let no man rent asunder” we are told, but it happens all the time. May all the broken hearts in this broken world find comfort and strength in the Lord’s love and grace, looking to His great sacrifice for us, and the unsearchable promises it secured, for strength to carry on, face life’s ongoing challenges, and do the right thing.

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Facebook’s sordid history shows the dangers of indiscriminate social networking

— Posted inCulture and Society — 2 min read

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article7127721.ece (link is now behind a paywall – Jan, 12)

From the London Times there comes more insight into the mindset that drives Facebook, in its coverage of a bio-pic on FB’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg. I’m gratified that the story behind Facebook’s privacy incursions is getting an airing, as it’s important and long overdue. Unbridled greed has driven FB, while its client base, like sitting ducks, carries on, blissfully unaware of the damage this assault on privacy will do to individuals and society. If people knew they were being exploited for profit and exposed to dangers both online and in real life, they wouldn’t stand for it. Would they…?

It’s hard to disagree with Mark’s former girlfriend’s evaluation of him. More evidence, were any required, that money can’t buy everything, least of all, character. Far beyond the frustrations of its miserable interface, it turns out that Facebook has been disrespectful to others from its very inception, and has left a bloody trail of personal betrayal along its entire way.

Like many others, I also found the only Facebook opt-out button that really works – leaving Facebook via account deactivation. It’s too bad, because FB actually is a good way to follow thought-leaders and interact with likeminded people on various topics. But the signal to noise ratio was becoming worse and worse, as people would inform me of the most trivial aspects of their lives or inundate me with with dozens of updates each day.

I can see why Jesus needed to get apart each day to renew and affirm clarity, peace and perspective. And I can understand why He maintained layers of friendships. Not everyone was a disciple, fewer were apostles, and His inner circle consisted of just three. We need to exercise similar discrimination and order our relationships according to our calling in God. Unless we approach social networking with discipline, and until Facebook acknowledges its sins, using these sites can not only be a huge waste of precious time and energy, it can be dangerous.

Be careful, and be blessed.

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Raquel Welch speaks out on sexual morality

— Posted inCulture and Society — 1 min read

This was a pleasant surprise. Looking back, Raquel Welch examines the values that drove her career and continue to drive the culture, and she finds them wanting. She makes the salient point that when the sanctity of marriage is depreciated, and sex appears to be divorced from consequences, which is the false promise of abortion, there is less need for discernment and care in choosing a marriage mate. She’s right, and we have the scourge of family breakdown to show for it.

It actually sounds like Welch is pro-life, and possibly even in the Lord or on her way, though she doesn’t say so. In any case, this is an intelligent and perceptive look at the Pill, motherhood, morality, the family and the sexual revolution. Well worth a read.

It’s sex o’clock in America

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I’m leaving Facebook due to its horrendous privacy policies

— Posted inChristianity — 2 min read

Below is a detailed article on what FB is doing to our privacy. Through FB Connect and now its new Web-wide “Like” system, FB is trying to position itself as the very hub of the Web, but it’s doing so at the user’s expense. It’s all about targeted ad$, which is fair enough, but the user is not allowed anonymity, and by increasingly being effectively forced to share personal data, he is being exposed to many dangers both online and off. This is a case of putting raw profit over people’s well-being.

I’m tired of fighting FB every time it changes its ever-worsening privacy policy, and I’m tired of the intentional complexity and the obfuscation with which it shrouds the meanings of the settings. FB is privately held and virtually unaccountable, so I expect it only to get worse. And so, since FB does not allow user aliases (and even that policy is shrouded in contradictory language), I am deactivating my account. FB is not the only place one can interact, thankfully. I appreciate my friends there for sharing the good times and bad.

It’s unfortunate that so many do not understand what is being done to their privacy and safety as the Web becomes increasingly commercialized. It’s because so few understand and are willing to speak up that greedy businesses can get away with abuse of this nature.

Blessings.

How Facebook is putting its users last | Molly Rants – CNET News : Opt-out features, privacy loopholes, and increasingly confusing settings are starting to feel like a money-making plot that puts users of the social network last. Read this blog post by Molly Wood on Molly Rants.

Posted via web from paul1149’s mini-blog †

Edit: Check out this IM of FB CEO Marc Zuckerburg concerning his attitude toward privacy and trust. Business Insider.

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There is great gain in contentment!

— Posted inFaith, Spiritual Growth — 3 min read

Drivers on the road this morning – a damp, cold Monday – were rough, jagged, unpredictable, selfish, dangerous. I immediately adopted an attitude of meekness rather than fighting back. I decided I was not going to participate in the craziness. I took it easy and made my way sure.

What occurred on the road was symbolic of a reality operating in the spirit. The word that came to me was to be content. Paul has this to say about contentment:

1Cor 11:16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

2Cor 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Phil 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

1Tim 6:6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,

1Tim 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Being content in this world of discontent is a protection for our souls. It keeps us from making desperate choices that lead to disaster. And choosing contentment brings sweetness to a soul in turmoil.

Notice, contentment is a choice. We can make up our mind not to let discontent with our present circumstances upset our poise, not to let fear of the future or lust for gain distort our priorities, not to give anyone in a rage the power to control our emotional landscape. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is staid on You, because he trusts in You.” (-Is 26.3)

The ironic thing is that, often, being content also brings physical blessings on us – the very kind for which the world discontentedly strives. People who are content tend to draw friends easily, think clearly and have good priorities, do well at their jobs, handle responsibility well, avoid traps, and get promoted.

Nothing – nothing – is worth losing the peace Christ has brought to us. When the world loses its composure before your very eyes, don’t sign on to it. Regard it as an opportunity: keep your peace, and you will come out on the other side with spiritual promotion.

Posted via email from paul1149’s mini-blog †

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