Martyrdom Accomplished – Now Bring on the Virgins!

A common shared belief among those practicing the faith of Islam is that the greatest thing one can do is to sacrifice one’s life for Allah, the god of Islam. Great rewards lie in store for those who make such a sacrifice, including a number of virgins in paradise!

Big news on this date, January 9, 2015, is that the three persons responsible for what is described as a massacre in Paris, France are now dead. One was killed early on and the two brothers who eluded authorities for a while were finally cornered and then killed in a gun battle with police.

The media, as could be expected, are having a field day with this happening. They thrive on shootings and killings – you know, with an attitude that is translated, “We have to get our people on the scene with endless babble so we can outdo our competition, have higher ratings, and then make more money because we can charge higher advertising rates – after all, the name of the game is to make lots and lots of money!”

What about those who did the killing? While most will reject the idea because they want to hold on to a false assumption that Islam is a “religion of peace” the fact of the matter is that these individuals are among the most dedicated Muslims you will find anywhere in the world today!

Their holy book, the Quran, speaks much about Allah and devotion given to Allah. The Quran also stresses that only Islam is the true faith and to be strictly followed and practiced if one is to be a faithful Muslim. Christians and Jews are specifically identified as being infidels (unbelievers) and it is the goal of Islam to work toward a world where no infidels exist and Muslims are totally in control. Before that can happen, the world must be purged of all who are infidels and refuse to convert and become Muslim in faith.

The highest recognition is given to those who become “martyrs” in the cause of Islam. And there will be those in the world of Islam who will regard the three in the Paris massacre as having made the ultimate sacrifice and have gone to their rewards, including being given a number of virgins in the paradise that will be their eternal home!

An aside here – on 9/11 when four commercial aircraft were hijacked and later crashed intentionally, the Muslim who took over piloting the one that crashed near Shanksville PA was quoted in his last words as saying, “Allah is the greatest!”

But the media will give little or no attention to this issue whatsoever. It is much easier (and more comfortable) to label them as simply “terrorists” – it may cause too much difficulty to identify them as the very dedicated Muslims which they were.

There will be many who will sharply disagree with most of the foregoing statements about Islam, its dedicated followers and the ultimate goal of Islam.

It is rather easy to obtain a copy of the Quran free on the internet and download it for storage in one’s computer. Find out for yourself what the Quran teaches, and particularly how infidels are to be treated if they refuse to accept Islam and its god, Allah! I especially would like someone to explain to me what is the meaning of the command to not take Christians or Jews for friends.

Here in the states the claim can be made that Muslims and Christians live peacefully together in many places. They can be friends and close neighbors. There have been efforts to have sessions of conversation about faith, how all can “work together” to improve community, nation, etc.

However, many Muslims are similar to too many professing Christians and willing to compromise their faith. Each is a very radical faith claiming to be exclusive and allowing for no other religious expression in existence! Christians, if faithful to the teachings of their Bible and taking the exclusive claims and demands of Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, as being absolutely true, will not back down from the conviction that He indeed is the only way of forgiveness, salvation and the hope of an eternal Heaven! Further, we are under His command to confront the entire world with His claims and call – to the entire human race living in this world at any point in time!

Islam and Christianity are basically incompatible in their purest expressions. The main difference is that Christianity operates on the principle of God’s love, not forcing by threat or violence for anyone to become a Christian. Islam, on the other hand, is militant and at times very violent – the approach is, “Convert and become Muslim, or you die!” Recent beheadings taking place in some places in the world are undeniable proof of this fact!

“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” [Spoken by Jesus in John 16:1-3 (KJV)}.

How to Be Effectively Involved in Middle East Affairs!

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establishes, and till he makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. [Isaiah 62:6-7 (KJV)].

We hear something every day about things happening in that part of the world known as the Middle East. The present resident of the White House in Washington DC makes his comments on a regular basis about what our republic is doing and how it will be involved as conflicts seem to be ever expanding in different locations. Other nations are getting involved also in one way or another now that ISIS has moved to the forefront and is considered to be a threat to world stability!

As noted in comments in another place, world leaders have yet to realize they are dealing with the most dedicated Muslims you will find anywhere in the entire world! The United States and Israel are certainly priority targets as ISIS seeks to purge the world of infidels and usher in a “purified” world where Islam is in full control of all nations. That means complete eradication of all infidels—all who are not Muslim by way of a practicing religious faith or who refuse to convert and become Muslim when given the choice! The holy book of Islam, the Quran, specifically directs that Muslims not take Christians and Jews for friends. The reason is simple – Christians and Jews along with all other non-Muslims are identified to be infidels and pose a corrupting influence to the Muslim who wants to be faithful to Allah!

However, in spite of what ISIS and other groups of dedicated Muslims are doing, a dedicated Christian can exert influence on Middle East events that will have greater and longer lasting results than all the Muslims together will be able to accomplish!

God has revealed a lot of things about the future of Israel. The nation and its prominent city, Jerusalem, are in for dramatic changes. The original covenant God made with Abraham was far reaching in its scope and the end is not yet. The Old Testament prophets gave explicit details as to miraculous changes that would take place according to God’s time table for the Israelite people. Here are just a couple or so to show what a different world it will be at some point in the future:

The word which Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem. And it will come about in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord will be placed on the top of the mountains, and be lifted up over the hills; and all nations will come to it. And the peoples will say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob: and he will give us knowledge of his ways, and we will be guided by his word; for out of Zion the law will go out, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will be the judge between the nations, and the peoples will be ruled by His decisions: and their swords will be turned into plough-blades, and their spears into vine-knives: no longer will the nations be turning their swords against one another, and the knowledge of war will be gone forever. [Isaiah 2:1-4 (Bible in Basic English)].

Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. [Zechariah 8:1-3 (KJV)].

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. Zech 14:8-11 (KJV)

These are but a few statements of the great changes in store for the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. They are more than enough to stir the emotions of those who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who believe that God will fulfill all His promises regarding the Israelite people.

But there is a way by which we can be directly involved in the affairs taking place in the Middle East rather than sort of sit on the side lines, witness what takes place from day to day and shake our heads in dismay and say, “Something ought to be done about that situation!”

Consider this:

We are clearly instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem – how else can you interpret such a command as found in Psalm 122:6-9: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.” [Psalms 122:6-9 (KJV)].

Second, we are to be persistent in “bothering” God about this matter until He takes the action necessary: “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. They will never be silent day or night. Whoever calls on the Lord, do not give yourselves any rest, and do not give him any rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it an object of praise throughout the earth.” [Isaiah 62:6-7 (God’s Word)].

What is your response to God’s challenge to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to keep insisting that He will make Jerusalem to be an object of praise all over the world? Yes, it is your golden opportunity to be directly involved in the affairs of the Middle East and not simply a frustrated observer!

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. [1 John 5:14-15 (KJV)].

Playing the Devil’s Advocate for a Moment!

{Jesus continued,} “I have said these things to you so that you won't lose your faith. You will be thrown out of synagogues. Certainly, the time is coming when people who murder you will think that they are serving God.” [John 16:1-2 (God’s Word)]

They are referred to as “extremists” and “terrorists” with the references intended to separate them from the main body of those who practice the religion of Islam. In recent times the group known as ISIS has been labeled in such terms. They have killed quite a large number of non-Muslims and this includes Christians. They have beheaded individuals, and recorded these “executions” on video. Outrage has been continually expressed and world leaders scramble to put together a plan and muster military groups to combat what is perceived to be a threat to the peace and well-being of people in many different places in this troubled world.

But stop and think this through as well as doing some reading in the holy book of Islam known as the Quran. These persons so vilified and threatened by leaders such as the present resident of the White House in Washington DC are actually among the most dedicated Muslims you will find anywhere in the world! They are simply attempting to purge the world of infidels (a term used frequently in the Quran) and to usher in an age in which Islam dominates and controls the entire world! The laws as outlined in the Quran which are regarded as extremely harsh by non-Muslims will be the standard for all living persons. And of course, all living persons will either have converted and become Muslim or will be put to death as infidels. Infidels have no legitimate right to existence in a purified Muslim world! One command given in the Quran is that Muslims are not to take Christians or Jews for friends. The reason is simple – Christians and Jews are among the infidel crowd and they are a corrupting influence.

But there is a problem among Muslims just as there is a problem among Christians. There are Muslims who are willing to compromise their faith and do not have the degree of dedication that the ISIS bunch has. A Muslim “scholar” presented his interpretation of the statement about taking Christians and Jews for friends – he would be regarded as a “liberal” – actually a traitor to the faith! Just as in Christianity we are plagued with “scholars,” teachers, church leaders, and pastors who do not believe the Bible is actually truthful in what it says! This is seen especially in denials that Jesus Christ is God revealed in human form, and performed many miracles during His ministry here on earth. The worst is the denial that He is exclusively the only way of salvation and reconciliation to God! Further that He did not really come back from the dead 3 days later following His crucifixion!

A Christian truly dedicated to his/her Lord takes the position that Jesus is indeed the only way of forgiveness and salvation. Such a Christian becomes involved in efforts to see the world converted to Jesus Christ and envisions a world in the future as being ruled by Jesus Christ and His resurrected saints.

So also the dedicated Muslim sees a future world in which Islam is in control and all infidels have been eliminated or have been converted and are devoted now to serving Allah!

The means by which the “mission” is carried out stands in sharp contrast – as much difference as there is between the brightest day and the darkest night. Dedicated Muslims are given sanction to use violence to advance the cause. Christians, however, in following the New Testament are motivated by love and are never to resort to violence – if a person rejects the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is their choice and nothing by way of retaliation is to be done to them. True, the history of Christianity is not without blemish – some horrible things were done in times past in the name of Christianity, but it cannot be supported by an honest and open-minded interpretation of the New Testament which stresses that love is one of the fruits of a loyal Christian!

Here in the United States in recent decades there has been the growing problem of compromise regarding various religious expressions. For a number, when it comes to religion, it is a bit like a popular buffet experience. You simply look at the table and select which “faith” appeals to you and that will be just fine. All religious “faiths” are on a level playing field and all have a legitimate claim to addressing issues such as life, human relationships, responsibility, accountability, final judgment (if such a thing exists), death and life beyond!

When it comes to Christianity and Islam, these two are totally incompatible if you take each of their holy books seriously. But if you take the view which a growing number are taking then you reject the radical parts and adopt the common approach of “in order to get along, then go along!”

If you want to see an example of true dedication then look at Muslims that make up a group known as ISIS! And here and there you may find a Christian also dedicated who says, “There is no way to Heaven except through Jesus Christ and in order to be a Christian with hope, you have to repent of your sins, forsake them, and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of your life! And if a Muslim expects to get to Heaven, he/she will have to do the same thing!”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [Acts 4:8-12 (King JamesVersion)]

Some Very Distinct Differences Between Islam and Christianity!

"This just in: Appeasement doesn't work -- deadly Muslim riots continue despite Obama's ad denouncing Muhammad video" --- one of numerous internet headlines and links related to Muslim rioting in different nations

A video was produced which greatly offended Muslims and so rioting has taken place in many locations around the world as a result. This is not the first time riots and violence has erupted when certain acts interpreted as "offensive" to those who believe and practice the teachings of the Quran (Koran). In some nations one has to be extremely careful in how you speak concerning Islam, the Quran, and of course, the prophet Muhammad.

Just recently an American ambassador and some staff members were killed in Libya as a result of violence spawned by Muslims.

Have you noticed how different Christianity is in response to insults made regarding the faith, the Bible, or those that demean the Person of Jesus Christ Himself?

How many riots have been initiated by Christians? How many buildings have been burned? How many people have been injured? Worse yet, how many people have been killed because someone published a film or video that demeans the Christian faith and those who seek to practice that faith?

Over the years books have been written and films out of Hollywood itself that are in direct contradiction to the Bible teaching concerning the Christian faith. In 1987 an “artist” sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Andres Serrano, took a crucifix and submerged it in a glass of his own urine. The piece, titled "Piss Christ," was a winner of the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art's Awards! If Christians would have reacted to that as do Muslims in a similar situation related to their Islamic faith, rioting would have broken out, fires set, human lives injured and lost, and likely a high price set on the head of the man responsible. In spite of such an "insult" along with many others over the years, no rioting with extensive destruction of property nor injury or death to persons has resulted!

This is not to claim a perfect track record over time for Christianity. There were those moments in history when individuals claiming to be "Christian" did some very horrible things in the name of Christianity. Jesus indicated we would know the true from the false by the kind of fruit which has resulted in the actions done -- "By their fruits you shall know them.", said Jesus. A Christian who has been truly born again (as stressed by Jesus in Gospel of John 3) will not engage in willful violence that will destroy property, inflict bodily injury, or kill people.

Another interesting wrinkle in this is the fact that in a number of Muslim dominated countries Christians are not permitted to discuss their faith with Muslims and for a Muslim to become a Christian can result in death! To Muslims true to their faith, a Christian is considered an infidel. If infidels do not accept Islam as the faith and become committed to actively practicing that faith, under certain conditions the infidel is to be put to death.

But in the United States Muslims are free to express their faith, talk publicly about it, speak of it to their neighbors and no Christians will start rioting because of that. Christians are free to express disagreement which some of us have chosen to do. But we will stress that it is not a matter of personal opinion on our part, but rather we simply refer to the statements of Jesus Christ Himself and the claims which He made as being exclusively the way of salvation, forgiveness, and hope. Perhaps the biggest difference between Christianity and Islam is in the fact that in the Christian faith God became human in the Person of Jesus Christ and atoned for the sins of the entire human race, including Muslims, by virtue of His death on the cross. Allah did nothing that even remotely resembles such an act!

Christians, who are committed and true to their faith, envision a time in the future when Jesus Christ will have returned to this world which He originally created a long, long time ago. He will take full control of it with His angels and His saints. Finally after millenia of time the world will be in a state of total peace. One of many transforming transitions to take place will be the dismantlement and recycling of the implements of war out of which will be forged implements for peaceful and productive purposes that will enhance life in this new world!

Read the brief summary of this just below which makes absolutely no allowance for any other religion outside of Christianity. Conclusion: Christianity and Islam are totally incompatible in their purest expressions!

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" --- Revelation 11:15

When Cross and Crescent Meet???

"....let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." --- Apostle Peter speaking in Acts 4:10-12

"When Cross and Crescent Meet" is the title of a recent article in The Interpreter, a United Methodist Church publication. The cover featured a photo of a group of Muslim women having prayers at Heartsong United Methodist Church in Cordova TN. Imposed on the photo was the title of the article which details how United Methodists and Muslims in some areas have been getting together.

The central issue is whether a United Methodist Church is to permit any kind of activity whatsoever to take place within its walls, or is there a line to be drawn and a "No!" to be addressed to certain individuals or groups wanting to use the premises?

We pretty well know what the response would be if a group wanted to use the church for a beer party or someone wanted to turn the church into a brothel for an evening with some prostitutes on site doing business! Then again, with changing standards the past few years and the unthinkable now being acceptable, who knows what might happen further down the road?

The United Methodist Church Book of Discipline does contain information as to how a United Methodist Church is to be used. The basic standard is that no individual or group which advocates doctrines and teachings that conflict with the doctrines of the Christian faith should be permitted to use the premises of a local United Methodist Church.

The trust clause of each UMC underscores the fact that the property is to be used in such a manner as to honor God through His Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. This is basic in our faith. Those who practice a lifestyle and adopt doctrines contrary to the mission and purpose of The United Methodist Church forfeit the right to make use of UMC property.

The picture of Muslim women having a prayer time in a United Methodist Church is in violation of stated use and purpose of a United Methodist Church. It is highly doubtful that they are praying to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is God revealed in human form!

This is not to say that they are not welcome to attend a United Methodist Church worship service or other functions taking place within the church. The view must always be that these are people for whom Jesus Christ died on a cross to make forgiveness of sin possible. The motive must be to reach out in love to these folk in the name of our Lord Jesus but at same time not to convey the idea that their "religion" is as valid as Christianity. It definitely is not.

However, there are those who take the position that other religious expressions in the world are legitimate when it comes to addressing the issues of life, its purpose, and its eternal destiny. So, in that view, bring in whoever has some kind of deity or combination of deities (Hindu) and let them worship the same in a United Methodist Church, in spite of violating the standards for proper use of United Methodist Church property!

Christianity is a very radical faith when honestly viewed in light of Jesus' statements about Who He is and why He came into the world. The Gospel of John lists a number of His statements that begin with "I am..." In examining these claims one is forced to admit that Jesus allows for no other person or deity to do for us humans what He does. It is quite well summed up in His statement in John 14:6 -- "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Not even Allah is given consideration here.

But equally radical is Jesus' statement about honoring God. Think a bit upon this one: "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:22-24).

Only God is to be honored -- but when you honor Jesus, you are honoring God. On the other hand, if Jesus is merely a human being and nothing more, then to worship and honor Him is a vain and deadly act in which to engage.

All who claim to be Christian in faith also have to settle the issue of Jesus' parting commandment to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Those who respond are to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That commandment has not been rescinded. That means that all citizens in this world are to be confronted with the call to repent of sin and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives. There are Muslims who have become Christian in faith, though in many instances at a very high price. Likewise it is so with other religious expressions. I have a pastor friend in India who was a Hindu before becoming a Christian. In his congregation are persons who formerly were Hindus and Muslims, but are now dedicated Christians.

Muslims acknowledge the fact that historically, Jesus did really exist. They regard Him as a prophet but that is it. In fact He does not rank as high as Mohammed in their list of prominent persons in the world of Islam.

What to expect in the future? There are and will be the efforts to sit down to the table and "dialog" about religious issues. Again, the assumption will be that all participants have a legitimate claim to addressing the issues of life, its purpose and its eternal destiny.

So that leaves one who professes to be Christian in faith with a very critical question -- are these who are traveling the road of "dialog" right, or is Jesus Christ correct when He claims to be the exclusive way of salvation and hope -- absolutely the one and only, thus shutting out Allah, Vishnu, Shiva, and all other deities in whatever form they exist?

The Crescent must bow down before the Cross -- that is, if there is to be any hope for time and eternity! And why is this? Consider seriously and honestly the following statement and then do the same with Jesus' parting commandment when He left the surface of this planet 2,000 years ago........

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2:9-11

Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. --- Matthew 28:18-20

United States Now Safer and More Secure? Not Even By the Length of a Gnat's Eyelash!

"It is a good day for America" -- "the nation and the world are now safer" -- "we mean what we say" are some of the expressions in the rhetoric employed by the president and others on the occasion of the killing of Osama bin Laden. --- a hoard of news sources have been addicted to reporting these things on a repetitive basis 24/7

There is no limit when it comes to how easily people can be deceived, especially when it comes to safety and security. By implication in remarks made by President Obama with assistance by other high profile persons of influence plus the added spin of the media circus, we are now much better off with Osama bin Laden's body submerged somewhere in the deep waters of the North Arabian Sea.

One has to wonder whether those persons in high and powerful places really believe our republic is now safer or whether they believe that Islam is a "peaceful" religion and Muslims will all unanimously agree with our president's assessment that everything is OK now or do they erroneously believe that the God of Christianity will protect us from any future threats that may arise?

Islam in its purest expression is not peaceful -- the Quran teaches that all who do not accept and believe in Allah are regarded as infidels, and that includes Jews and Christians. The ultimate goal is a world where Islam rules and controls the total world and infidels exist no more! Granted there are those Muslims who have compromised their faith and are "good and friendly" neighbors here in the United States. And just as they have compromised their faith in regard to the "infidels" so have too many professing Christians compromised their faith, allowing that those of other religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and others have a faith that is just as legitimate as the Christian faith and the "playing field" of religion is level for any expression of faith whatsoever!

But Christianity in its purest expression is also very radical but not violent in its treatment of non-believers. At the heart of Christianity is a love for all persons and the Christian witness is simply this: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. No gun is held to a person's head threatening to kill unless he or she believes -- the message is shared in love and the choice is strictly up to the one with whom it was shared. The basic Christian message as based on God's revelation is that salvation from sin and forgiveness are possible only through Jesus Christ and in no other way. Any religion that does not have Jesus Christ at its center, acknowledging Him as Savior and Lord, is a false religion!

The violent death of Osama bin Laden has been highly publicized and wide coverage given to the "celebrations" that have gone on endlessly accompanied by much flag waving as "patriots" took to the streets in the good old U.S.A. and expressed their great delight that this #1 terrorist was now dead.

Really now, are we safer due to this sudden and unexpected event? Most will play the ostrich role and say "Yes, we are." Those few who are realistic will recognize quickly that dedicated Muslims will not sit back and do nothing. There will be responses in times to come. Remember it was an "infidel" nation that ended the life of Osama bin Laden. Do you understand how infidels are to be treated in light of the teachings of the Quran?

There will be those who vainly insist that we are a "Christian" nation and God will protect us. This is another grand deception. The phrase, "... one nation, under God..." is absolutely meaningless in these times when the prevailing mood and spirit of our nation is to give God the all too familiar obscene gesture, and then we set about to do things as we so determine -- God is not honored nor respected and there is certainly no desire to express regret over our flagrant rebellion. Seeking His will for everyday living is the most distant thing from the minds of our leaders as well as the majority of our citizens!

There is one thing that is absolutely guaranteed -- there will be Muslim responses in regard to the U.S.A. killing of Osama bin Laden and the deadly mistake of the widespread celebrations of his death throughout the nation with extensive coverage by the media circus performers! It is simply a matter of time as they make their plans and how those plans will be implemented.

The bragging that was all too obvious in presidential remarks and those of other elected officials within the government as well as high profile media personalities will simply fuel the fire all the more -- we have more than proven that we are indeed the "Big Satan" as seen and regarded by many in the world of Islam! Jesus' statement in John 16 takes on new meaning in light of what has been happening in recent years -- "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me." (John 16:1-3).

Many recognize, of course, that the president is going to exploit the O.B.L. murder with "tough talk" and a flood of photo-ops in his 1 billion dollar (or likely a great excess of 1 billion dollars) reelection bid in 2012.

When the crises come and the appeal to God for His help goes forth, what will His response be? Read carefully the statement below and then begin to make proper preparations. Note also what He specifically told Jeremiah in regard to answering prayer in Jeremiah 7, 11, and 14. Since I am in a very good mood at the moment, I will allow you the honor of taking your Bible and locating those 3 chapters!

"As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, Saying to a tree, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You gave birth to me.' For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, 'Arise and save us.' But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; for according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah. Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me," says the LORD. --- Jeremiah 2:26-29

There Would Be No Mosque Controversy IF….!

For weeks intense controversy has raged over the intention to build a mosque very close to the “ground zero” site where the World Trade Center was destroyed on September 11, 2001 due to terrorists hijacking loaded commercial aircraft and flying them intentionally into the Twin Towers --- from a myriad of mass media reports on the issue.

Muslims are resolved to put up a mosque near the location of the World Trade Center where the destruction of the gigantic Twin Towers took place nine years ago on September 11th.

The real tragedy is not the destruction of the Twin Towers, as horrible as that event was, but in the fact that we have arrived at such a place that the building of a Muslim mosque is a very real possibility and will likely be brought to completion with a great deal of fanfare!

When this nation was put together in a formal statement on July 4, 1776, the persons responsible were nearly unanimous in agreement in their identification with the Christian faith as Protestants.

They further acknowledged the need to depend upon and be obedient to the God Who had revealed Himself in two very special ways – through His inspired recorded Word (the Bible) and by becoming incarnate in the Person of Jesus Christ – that is, the belief that Almighty God chose to become human and personally visit this planet which He had created!

For some time such beliefs and convictions were held by the larger number of leaders and it was not unusual for them to make statements of the need to acknowledge the existence of God, but also that it was imperative that the entire nation seek to comply with His commands in order to experience His blessings and insure a positive future in years to come.

The Christian faith was embraced by a large number of the growing population. As migration toward the west took place so did the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as demonstrated by such persons as the Methodist circuit riders.

The influence of the Christian faith in the early decades was evident in at least two significant ways. Sunday was a day set aside to provide opportunity for families to worship and to rest after a week of work. In the public school systems the practice of reading from the Scriptures and praying the Lord’s Prayer was instituted. So, if a school pupil came from a heathen home, or his/her family was identified with some religious expression other than the Christian faith, there still was daily exposure to God’s revelation during the school year.

But the time came when at the end of the 19th Century heresy began to be imported from the European continent and certain truths in the Christian faith began to be questioned. The skirmishes in the early years of the 20th Century became known as the “fundamentalist-modernist” controversy – or perhaps “war” is a better term to apply. The rebel seed began to be sown and terms used were changed a bit. A pastor became known as being “liberal” if he could not accept certain things in the Bible as literally taking place. One of the early facts questioned was the virgin birth of Jesus with liberals concluding that it really didn’t make any difference and probably Jesus did have a human father -- either Joseph or someone else!

Time rolled on and eventually insane and bizarre court decisions took place that altered the religious landscape of the United States permanently. Two most significant decisions were the banning of Bible reading and reciting of the Lord’s prayer in public schools and a few years later the decision that it is a “constitutional right” for a female to deliberately arrange to have her unborn child mutilated and murdered! Strangely there were and are church leaders who support such decisions. A host of politicians support and attempt to defend the practice of destroying about 25,000 unborn children each week!

Compromise had been extremely common within church circles as the last half of the 20th Century came to a conclusion. Doing “dialog” is the big thing as we sit down and discuss our “common ground” with other religions in the world and how we can work together for a better world. We discuss controversial moral issues and seek to find a way which is acceptable to all by concluding that God did not really mean what He said when He drew the boundaries for acceptable sexual expression and experience!

So today, after decades of sowing the rebel seed within professing Christian circles, the Christian faith is regarded by most as simply a religion on a buffet table with many other religions in which you simply pick and choose what suits your fancy – or if you don’t want to choose any, that’s ok too. We can still work together to build a better world!

If the Christian faith had not been compromised, divided, and greatly weakened as the result of imported theological garbage from Europe in the closing years of the 19th Century and early years of the 20th Century, there would be no controversy over the building of a Muslim mosque near “ground zero” in New York City!

Do not spend any time fussing and fretting over the mosque construction plan – rather, be more concerned about the fact that this nation is going to experience the outpouring of God’s wrath due to its unwillingness to fully repent of its abominations which are so widely accepted and practiced at the present time. Our leaders, elected officials and church, show absolutely no real concern about this, nor is there much of any genuine concern among us, the ordinary citizens either!

Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the LORD. Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.' --- Jeremiah 6:15-17

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."..... Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." --- John 8:12; 14:6

Burning the Koran (Quran)?

Pastor Terry Jones, after days of intense and very negative publicity, has announced that he will not conduct the Koran (Quran) burning event at his church as planned on September 11 on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the year 2001. --- various news sources on the internet

Even President Obama spoke out against the planned burning of copies of the Koran (Quran) by Terry Jones and members of his congregation on September 11th. In fact different government officials went on record expressing great anger over the intention to destroy what are clearly considered "holy books" in the faith of those who worship Allah in the world of Islam. And, as might be expected, a mighty chorus of voices from different organizations and churches joined in the protest as well.

As this is written the announcement has been made by Jones that he and his people will not carry out the planned burn on September 11th. The claim is being made that an "agreement" has been reached and the controversial building of a mosque at "ground zero" in New York city will not take place at that location. Sources supposedly close to those intent on building the mosque at the site deny any deal has been made.

A major problem in the whole incident is the witness that Jones and his people are making as professing Christians. It is highly unlikely that many Muslims will be brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through such antics as that!

Jesus, of course, instructed us as to our conduct in regard to those who even persecute us and think that they are doing service to God by killing us. Such commands as loving the enemy and praying for them are not easy to put into practice when it is really happening, but the commands to do such have not been rescinded.

What Jones and his congregation have done is to build a case against Christianity on the part of those who have concluded that Christians are nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites anyway!

Christianity and Islam in their purest expressions of faith are totally incompatible with each making the claim of being the "true" faith. There is a difference in how those outside the faith are to be regarded and treated. Islam labels all who are not Muslim in faith as infidels and there is sanction on occasion to kill infidels if they refuse to accept Islam as the true faith and practice it as such. The Koran (Quran) at one point specifically instructs Muslims not to take Jews or Christians for their friends because of the corrupting influence such persons might have on the one who worships Allah!

While Christianity would apply the term "unbeliever" to all who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, there is to be no violence committed in advancing the faith throughout the world. The motivation for confronting unbelievers is out of love and the desire that they experience total forgiveness through Jesus Christ and have the assurance of everlasting life and a place in His eternal Kingdom.

The approach to the Muslim on the part of a Christian is the same as that to those of the many other religious expressions existing in the world, and also including professing atheists -- "Jesus Christ loves you as much as He loves me -- He died on the cross to pay the penalty and satisfy God's justice in regard to your sins just the same as He did for mine, which were many! Receive Him as Savior and Lord into your life and know peace with God and the assurance that you have everlasting life."

Terry Jones and his people have created a stumbling block in this matter that will take a very long time to undo, if ever!

Now then, another question to think on -- the president and individuals as well as groups were quick and very loud to protest the planned burning of copies of the Koran (Quran), sacred book to those who identify with the religion of Islam. Do you think President Obama and all the others so upset over this issue would express the same outrage if there were a planned public burning of Bibles? Since Christianity has been assailed in numerous ways over recent years here in the United States, most of us know the answer to that one, do we not?

It is simply a matter of time, however, until the day arrives when Jesus Christ will personally return to this world which He originally created and take full control of it. There is an indication in the book of Revelation that there will be an attempt at resistence by a powerful leader and armies of nations. But as indicated elsewhere on my web site, it will be somewhat like a gnat or a mosquito trying to stop a loaded 18 wheeler barreling down Interstate 80 in Clarion Co. PA -- no loss in speed -- just a splat on the windshield and it's all over! Be sure to think of all the implications of the Scripture statement quoted below!

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" --- Revelation 11:15

Hypocrisy Rears Its Ugly Head in the Muslim World!

Sanam Gul, a 47-year-old widow, was executed on Saturday, August 7, 2010, as a result of alleged charges involving adultery which resulted in her becoming pregnant. --- from various news sources on the internet

The Taliban waved the flag of hypocrisy very high in a recent episode and demonstrated that Muslims can be anything but consistent in their professed "faith!" On August 7 Sanam Gul was executed after a 200 lash whipping. Mohammad Yousuf, a Taliban commander, shot her 3 times in the head after the whipping.

Sanam was a 47-year-old widow who had been accused of adultery which resulted in her becoming pregnant. So the "righteous" authorities with intense indignation determined that she should be put to death for this crime.

Now correct me if I am wrong -- or possibly things have so changed that I haven't been properly informed -- but my understanding is that adultery requires the participation of two persons -- a male and a female, at least one of which is married to someone else! In Sanam's case, she was a widow - her husband was dead -- so that means the male with whom she became intimate is married. Strange, is it not, that no mention is made of the man in this matter, much less bring charges against him, find him guilty of fathering a child to another female other than his wife, and then execute him for this offense?

Ah, I forgot - in the world of Islam, females have about as much status as a guy's bicycle -- or maybe less, so that the bicycle has more respect than the female does!

It is interesting that Jesus ran into this glaring type of inconsistency when He was here on earth. A bunch of indignant self-righteous individuals (all males) brought a woman before Him and accused her of adultery, having been caught in the very act. That means that there were two people there at the moment - the woman and the man who was intimately involved with her.

After the accusation and the reminder that the woman should be stoned according to the Law of Moses, Jesus was asked what He thought about the situation. He made no reply immediately but was writing something on the ground with the tip of His finger. The accusers were becoming impatient -- they wanted an answer right now from this One Whom they were beginning to hate with a bitter passion. Finally He made His response --"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." Oooops! They were totally unprepared for that -- suddenly something began to happen within the heart and soul of each of the accusers -- a very disturbing feeling of guilt began to settle in -- quickly, they made their exit -- somehow they had to distance themselves from the woman they wanted so badly to stone to death. But even more so, from that One Who had made the suggestion as to the individual who should begin the execution procedure and throw the first rock!

Muslims, Christians, or whatever religious stripe with which one may identify -- the day is coming when each one of us will appear before Jesus Christ to be judged by Him -- He is the One Who will determine what our eternal destiny will be and the environment in which eternity will be experienced. Yes, even Mohammad Yousuf, executioner of adultresses, will make his appearance before Jesus -- minus pistol of course and the guy who did the whipping of Sanam Gul -- without his whip!

One of two possibilities exist when Jesus utters the final word in judgment - it will be either the incomprehensible bliss of a trouble-free Heaven or the indescribable agony in a place known as Hell! The determining factor as to which it will be is the choice one has made in this earthly life to repent of all sin and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord into one's life, or do as the vast majority of the world's population and its leaders are doing -- that is to defiantly reject Him and His sacrifice for the sins of the entire human race! What has your choice been regarding the most critical decision you will ever make in a lifetime?

By the way, here is an interesting little exercise on that confrontation with Jesus and the controversy that swirled around a certain female caught in the act of adultery -- what do you suppose He was writing in the sand with the tip of His finger? Could it have been a simple question -- "Where is the man?"

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. --- John 8:3-6

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"--- Matthew 7:21-23

"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' --- Matthew 25:23

Playing the Devil’s Advocate for Just a Moment!

For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed. --- Isaiah 9:16

Ooooh! Howls of protest are intensifying as it has been learned that the Muslims are having a prayer time on Capitol Hill in Washington DC later today! There is a web site (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com) which focuses on the event. The home page has a close up of the U. S. flag. Imposed over a part of the flag is a banner which says “Islam & America” and a graphic of two arms with a handshake taking place plus some other stuff on the banner. Another eye catcher on the page is, “IN THE NAME OF ALLAH…..”

Coinciding with this has been the news release with a lot of attention given by Fox News reports as well as on its web site to the incident of small children in a school in New Jersey singing the praises of President Obama. Here is just one stanza of what the little tykes were singing – “He said red, yellow, black or white, All are equal in his sight. Mmm, mmm, mm! Barack Hussein Obama.” This is, of course, a take off on the Sunday School song titled, “Jesus Loves All the Children of the World!” But then it is not “legal” to mention Jesus in school and besides, Barack Obama rates much higher than Jesus by choice of a lot of U. S. citizens anyway!

Do we not claim to be a nation that is one of rich “diversity” and ought we not to honor our leaders – is that not a keystone in our democratic way of life? At least that is the sentiment we are often told by those in high and powerful places (both religious and political) in our republic these days. So if the Muslims want to have a prayer meeting on Capitol Hill and if a bunch of little kids with strong urging by their teacher want to sing lyrics that exalt Barack Obama to the status of a new “deity” in our nation, who is to say they shouldn’t?

Such developments should be of no surprise – this stuff has been in the making for decades. It started as we closed out the 19th Century and entered the 20th. Something subtle and sinister was taking place. It was the importing of theological garbage from the European continent and disseminated in a number of seminaries in our country. Basically this junk questioned the integrity of the Scriptures and information as reported therein. Reported miracles were questioned or outright denied as ever taking place. The Person and work of Jesus Christ were looked upon with great skepticism – especially His atoning death on the cross for the sins of the human race and His literal resurrection from the dead immediately following His crucifixion.

The opening years of the 20th Century witnessed a war of a kind erupting known as the “Modernist vs. Fundamentalist” controversy. As time dragged on the labels sometimes were changed and pastors became known as “liberal” or “conservative” or something sort of in between or maybe more extreme on one side or the other.

Seed was sown over the decades with skepticism gaining the upper hand and the whole culture was impacted. Our system of morals and values saw a major shift over time. Powerful influences further underscored the fact that the Bible no longer is to be taken seriously, except for a small minority that often is labeled in the most negative terms.

A recent survey not all that long ago came up with the fact that only about 51 per cent of Protestant pastors hold to a Biblical world view. That means that about 49 per cent have problems with believing what is revealed in the Scriptures! Don’t want to risk being called a “fundamentalist” you know! Added to this is the troubling fact that less than half of our population can make it to a place of worship on a Sunday morning. Sunday is now clearly established as a day of business, pleasure seeking and spectator sports events -- that is the priority, and horror of all horrors -- "pray" and hope it doesn't rain to spoil our fun!

No, in reality I am bothered by Muslims having a prayer meeting on Capitol Hill – you can see why in my earlier post on Christianity being the only TRUE faith and the only way to God’s Heaven.

And the little kids singing the praises of Obama brings to mind the effective tactic of indoctrination employed in Nazi Germany in the 30’s and early 40’s that resulted in something called the Hitler Youth. They were taught to sing the praises of their Fuehrer and that he was “The One” who would lead them to Germany’s Promised Land! They learned too late that Hitler led them to an indescribable hell.

There are moments as human history churns along that God will allow the rebel spirit of a culture to prevail for a time and permit certain people to influence that culture in way that is not good – that is, until He eventually intervenes and does something that makes the ears of all who hear the details tingle more than just a little.

It is becoming more obvious as time passes that we shall learn lessons in the same way as did the ancient Israelites of long ago!

They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. --- Psalm 106:13-15

Is Christianity the Only True Faith and Way to God's Heaven?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).

The debate has raged on century after century wherever there has been religious activity of some kind and Christianity has been manifested in the midst of that activity.

The question comes down to this one basic issue – is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the exclusive way to salvation from human sin? Is Jesus the ONLY way to reconciliation with God and the ultimate privilege of living in His Kingdom forever?

Or do other religious expressions also have a legitimate claim to speak with authority when it comes to addressing the issues of human sin, redemption from such, life’s purpose on earth, and eternal destiny?

A tragic development has been taking place in recent decades. Within the ranks of professing Christians is the growing tendency to accept other religious expressions (Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Shinto, Taoism, etc.) as being on an equal level with Christianity – no one “faith” is superior to any other! Each has something to contribute to the “pool” of religiosity when it comes to matters of faith and expression of faith. Christians, of course, are expected to desist from insisting that Jesus Christ is unique. Rather, He is to be regarded as being on a par with other great religious personalities that have walked across the stage of human history as it plays out.

Without further comment consider a few of the claims Jesus Christ made for Himself in addition to the one mentioned at the very beginning:

"I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst……I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." (John 6:35, 51).

"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ….As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 8:12; 9:5).

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9).

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep…. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep….. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." (John 10:11, 14, 15, 18).

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25, 26).

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit…… I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1, 2, 5).

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." (John 18:37).

Also note the exclusive demands which Jesus made upon us, the members of the human race, such as the absolute need to be born again as mentioned in John 3. The other three demands are found in Matthew 18:3, Luke 13:3 and John 6:53-56. These have to do with being converted, repenting, and having a faith relationship with Him which draws upon Him for sustenance in living day by day.

OK, now it’s decision time – are these claims made by Jesus true? Or was He misquoted, or are the Scriptures in error on these statements? Or did He not realize what He was saying when making such outlandish statements?

If He is right regarding the claims He made and the demands He placed on each human being, then all other religious expressions have struck out in the ball game of life! You only hit the home run when you make a positive response to His claims and demands. There are in the world today former Hindus, former Muslims and those of other world religions who have come to Jesus Christ, receiving Him as Savior and Lord of their lives, but at a very high price.

In the Muslim view, a Muslim who has converted to Christianity is now an infidel and execution in a Muslim controlled culture is the means by which such infidelity is dealt with if the “convert” does not repent and return to the way of Islam! It does not go well for the Hindu who converts and becomes a Christian either!

Someone, it may have been the late C. S. Lewis, observed that if such claims as made by Jesus are not true then He is to be regarded as a lunatic on the same level as a man in an asylum who claims he is a poached egg!

But if His claims and demands are true, then we have to settle the issue as to what place this Jesus is going to have in our own lives and live each day with the reality that the time will come when He will judge us and declare where we will spend our eternity – in a glorious Heaven with Him, or in a Devil’s Hell which the human mind cannot begin to fathom when it comes to anguish and regret! (Check one man’s experience on this in Luke 16 – you don’t want to join him!).

Is Christianity the only true faith on the face of planet Earth? How do you answer?

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2:9-11

A Tightrope Christmas!

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. --- 2 John 1:9-11

Here we go again – do we dare mention the word, Christmas, or back off and simply refer to the days of December as a holiday season and wish people a cheery “Happy Holidays?” It seems to be an adventure similar to walking a tightrope!

Reaction to the Christmas controversy is varied again this year – from allowing atheists to post a sign near a nativity display in one part of the country to the aggressive distribution of badges and bumper stickers boldly stating “Merry Christmas.”

Mike Huckabee on his Fox News program perhaps best expressed thoughts about Christmas to which those professing to be “evangelical” would say a hearty “Amen!” I just happened to accidentally catch those remarks while surfing a bit during the ad blitz on a channel showing a Christmas movie which I was attempting to watch. I very rarely view Fox News – you know, the channel that highly qualifies as a competitive beauty pageant for females, jam packed with oodles of ads, has flashy and splashy graphics and throws in a few tidbits of news with a ticker tape moving across the bottom when the ads aren’t running!

Anyway, Mike got into explaining about Christmas and the Biblical account behind it. He mentioned that God came and took on human form. He then became almost apologetic and stated that he did not want to offend those of other faiths such as Muslims, Hindus etc. but that his intent was to explain what Christmas means to those who follow the Christian faith. His explanation will probably be accepted by many with no offense.

However, the real hostility against Christmas lies not so much in a few people believing that God became human at some point in the flow of human history – it is due to a fewer number who believe and proclaim without apology that Jesus Christ is absolutely the only way of forgiveness, experiencing peace with Almighty God, and eventual entrance into God’s eternal Kingdom after death ends our existence on earth! You see, by doing this, one is stating that all other religious expressions outside of Christianity are false and without a reliable foundation! This does not sit well with most who are devotees of something other than genuine Christianity. The consequence is resentment, hostile responses and in some places, violent acts of persecution. Unfortunately there are within the ranks of professing Christianity those, including church leaders, who have backed off from being in agreement with Jesus on this issue, and have indicated one way or another that other religions in the world have legitimate claims to speak on issues related to deity, life's purpose and eternal destiny. In taking such a compromising position it has also been necessary to shift in one's view of the Scriptures with the conclusion that they are simply human produced writings with errors here and there! You can go for many miles once you start down that trail, but it will cause the vehement objections from religionists outside of Christianity to settle down a bit!

It is not a theory or some far fetched idea that bring these few to such a conclusion of what some describe as being very intolerant and narrow minded. It is based on the personal and very radical exclusive statements made by Jesus Himself – each of those statements begins with “I am…”

Further, these statements rest on the solid facts of His sacrificial death on behalf of every human being, His subsequent resurrection from the dead 3 days after crucifixion and His ascension back to Heaven after a 40 day period spent with a number of His followers. He has also specifically promised to return to this planet again and we are informed that He will rule it with a "rod of iron!"

He gave a parting command to go into all the world, issue a call to repent from sin, accept Him as Savior and Lord, and exhort all to obey His teachings – there were to be no exceptions to this – never once did He say, “Do this except for those who are of the ________ faith.” (insert any one of the vast number of religious expressions of your preference in today’s world in the blank space.).

But He also stressed one other thing which we often overlook. And that was in regard to Christians who are faithful to carry out that parting command to confront the world about His call and claims upon all members of the human race – the radical nature of that message and witness will cause them to be hated among all nations! The reason? Simple – Jesus’ followers represent light and truth which is often rejected as stated by Jesus in John 3:19-21:

"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

In my years of hunting there were times as I walked through the woods that I would come across a piece of a dead log – I would kick the log over to see what would happen. Underneath were all kinds of creepy crawly things – as soon as they were exposed to the light they scurried quickly to find a hole into which they might crawl – they didn’t want to remain where there was light -- it made them too uncomfortable! A majority of human beings are much the same – the light and truth that comes through Jesus Christ Whose birth we celebrate at this time of year is more than they can stand – the reaction is hatred and hostility as they scramble to get back into the darkness and away from the light which exposes them for what they really are!

Actually, it ought not to be considered walking a tightrope at Christmas or at any other time in regard to our faith in Jesus Christ – just continue to bear witness to the fact that He is still the only way of salvation and hope in spite of the majority responding in a negative fashion – always bear in mind the inspired words of the apostle Paul – they give a powerful encouragement and challenge to keep on going because somewhere in the future when that statement is totally fulfilled we will wholeheartedly agree that it has been worth it all to have fulfilled the calling of Jesus Christ upon our lives each day of our journey on earth!

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2:9-10

B. O. Inserts Big Foot into Even Bigger Mouth!

"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." --- B. O. in San Francisco as reported on Friday, April 11, 2008

Yes, B. O., some Pennsylvanians are serious about their religion and there are quite a number that take the attitude, "You'll get my gun when you pry it off my dead fingers!" And most of those Pennsylvanians would fully agree with the accurate bumper sticker released some years ago which said, "Ted Kennedy's Oldsmobile has killed more people than my gun!"

There are Pennsylvanians who are in sharp disagreement with a large number of politicians, including the president of the U. S. when it comes to the religious issue. The president is on public record as stating his belief that Muslims and Christians worship the same God! That statement can be documented as taking place at a joint news conference years ago with Tony Blair in the United Kingdom. It's more than an outside possibility that a lot of politicians, including the great B. O. himself, would agree with Bush on that religious position!

I and some of my fellow Pennsylvanians would radically insist there is but one true God Who chose to become human in the Person of Jesus Christ and any religious expression in this present world that does not have Him at the heart and center of its worship, devotion and activity in daily life is totally false. This is underscored in John 1 - 3 about Who Jesus really is and what He demands of us humans if we expect to enter His eternal Kingdom! Go ahead, and read it for yourself -- then you are on the spot -- you're at a fork in the road -- you have to decide -- is what is told about Him the truth and is He telling the truth, or is He just a high profile fraud and nothing more? If He is telling the truth, then this idea of worshipping God any way that strikes your fancy when it comes to "religion" is a bunch of nonsense and could cause a person to end up in a devil's Hell forever!

On this gun issue, all indications are that B. O. does not seem too sympathetic to the common interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Yes, a lot of us Pennsylvanians have our guns and intend to "cling" to them as B. O. put it! I am one of a number who is licensed to carry a handgun concealed and loaded, if I so choose! And that can range from a .357 Magnum all the way to a very dainty little .22 Magnum that can be concealed in my hand!

Pennsylvania has not only a lot of gun owners but a great hunting population -- it is said that more deer are killed on PA highways in a year than are taken in the hunting seasons of a number of other states combined. Over a million hunters are out on the first day of Pennsylvania's deer season.

By the way, guns sometimes are excellent tools to have around the house -- it was reported a while back about a 12 year-old girl being home alone due to her parents being away at some evening function -- two illegal aliens broke into the home with one carrying a weapon -- that one came up the stairs toward the girl who had retrieved her father's 12 gage shotgun -- she shot the one coming up the stairs who took the blast in the abdomen and genital area -- he died instantly -- she shot the other one who managed to get outside where he bled to death! She had been trained in skeet shooting by her father and knew how to handle a weapon and use it when necessary! She ought to be a poster child for a while in a society reeking with people who think they can break into anybody's home and take anything they want by force, killing the occupants if they feel so moved!

But Pennsylvanians also have good memories when it comes to how politicians are prone to open their mouths and insert a big foot in them! If all goes well, perhaps B. O. has just shot himself in his big foot before he inserted it in his big mouth so far as Pennylvania is concerned.

But then, the other option on the Democratic ticket isn't exactly a winner either, is SHE? Then go Republican? Ooooh! Frustration will definitely be the name of the game when a lot of us go into that voting booth in November! Please understand that these statements are coming from one who, first, has a basic mistrust of all politicians to begin with (I rest my case on the records they have set for themselves!) and second, is a non-affiliated registered voter in south central Pennsylvania -- Cambria County!

We definitely need a Joshua type of leader in times such as these -- but I see none at all in the field -- do you? But more on that at a later time.

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." --- Joshua 1:7, 8

Call Me Anything You Want, But Don't Call Me An "Evangelical!"

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. --- 1 John 2:19

There is a group of individuals within the ranks of professing Christianity known as “evangelicals.” They have been around for quite some time and have undergone a bit of evolution over the past few decades.

At one stage in their earlier identification “evangelicals” were considered to be quite radical in their faith and were at times the target of scorn and intense criticism by those of a more “liberal” persuasion in the profession of the Christian faith.

The group was made up of theologians, professors, pastors, and laity who occupied pews in churches of all sizes. They held to core doctrines of the Christian faith such as the divine inspiration and full authority of the Scriptures, miracles in the Scriptures taking place as reported, Jesus Christ being exclusively the way of salvation from sin, His literal bodily resurrection from the dead, His personal return to this world at some point in the future, etc.

As time passed these individuals became more popular and also recognized as a powerful voting block when it came to politics.

There was likewise an intense desire to shed the negative image of being radical and “narrow minded” on a number of issues. It became practically a goal that "evangelicals" be viewed as being “positive” and willing to sit down and discuss the issues where there were disagreements, and avoiding at all costs the appearance of being "judgmental."

Enter the process of “dialog!” And so, where we disagree with others on anything – just sit down at a table and talk about it with the understanding that all viewpoints must be respected – all have legitimate positions and a peaceful atmosphere is reached by adopting a loving “agree to disagree” approach to the issue at hand. Through this process we consent to work together for the common good of all in spite of differences that may exist. In so doing a spirit of harmony and good will are experienced and we all become “brothers and sisters in the faith” whatever that may mean! Compromise is a fundamental requirement when you travel this route! Perhaps “evangelicals” have learned from Washington DC politicians how to master this art!

After all George W. Bush, who is a high profile United Methodist and professed “evangelical” Christian, has expressed the spirit of the dialog principle on more than one occasion. He has gone on public record as saying that he believes Muslims and Christians worship the same God! George is the “poster boy” – the adorable delight of “evangelicals” who have had the privilege of meeting with him from time to time and this has resulted in glowing reports coming forth from those who have been in his presence.

And so it goes with “evangelicals” now willing to “dialog” on about anything, including the issue of sexual immorality!

The latest debacle has involved a few dozen very influential “evangelicals” signing a statement urging the formation of a separate Palestinian state in order to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict over territorial rights.

These people obviously deny the reality that Muslims who take their faith seriously and the teachings of the Quran seriously do not want Israel to coexist – they want Israel obliterated from the face of this planet!

Also denied is the Abrahamic covenant which God said would be established through Isaac and his descendants, not through Ismael and his descendants. And this involves quite a piece of real estate stretching from what is identified as "the river of Egypt" on the west to the Euphrates River on the east! (Genesis 15 in which it is recorded, "And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there was a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates...'") Check the final chapters of the prophet Isaiah to see how this is going to play out. Other prophets have addressed this matter as well. Now if God is not going to keep this covenant, as some suggest, then will He keep any covenant, including the one made through His Son, Jesus Christ? And is the Scripture in error when we are told that God declares Himself to be One Who changes not? (Malachi 3:6). I know there is a lot of foot shuffling going on by way of so-called "interpretation" on these things, but for once could we just take God at His Word, and that He really means what He says by way of His promises?

Finally, “evangelicals” make much about the example set by Jesus and our need to “walk in His steps” as it were. OK, how about His example of doing “dialog.” For starters, check Matthew 23 as to how He did “dialog” with those who were in sharp disagreement with Him. And the persons to whom He spoke were powerful leaders of the religious establishment. It is understandable that they would not have nominated Him to be Time Magazine's "Man of the Year!"

Also, where do you see Jesus backing off from the absolute demands He placed on all human beings – for instance, that one must absolutely be born again as mentioned in John 3 -- that is, if you expect to be a future resident of His eternal Kingdom! And where do you see Him in "dialog" and expressing a willingness to back off and give space to Allah, Vishnu, Buddha or others when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”??? Well, come on, I’m waiting – or do we take the modern approach – grab a chair – sit down at the table and say, “Jesus didn’t really mean all those radical statements attributed to Him!”

Added to this, note His statement about bringing peace to the world in Matthew 10.

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' And 'a man's foes will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” --- Matthew 10:32-40

And if we claim He is Savior and Lord and that we are to be His representatives here on earth, where does that put us when it comes to how well we will get along with others who take positions that are in sharp disagreement with the clear teachings of God’s special revelation to us via the holy Scriptures?

Call me anything you want, but don’t call me an “evangelical!”

"These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. --- John 15:17-21

And Here's Nancy P. -- AGAIN!

As each day passes it becomes more obvious that Nancy Pelosi and her cohorts are going to save us from ourselves whether we like it or not, and that we harbor absolutely no desire for such actions on her part!

And she is certainly taking advantage of her new position and power as Speaker of the House of Reps in Washington DC as never before in the few weeks since assuming that office along with making a host of braggadocio statements which have continued unabated to this day!

Off again on a high profile junket [def: to go on a junket or excursion. especially one paid for out of public funds] to the Middle East and "conversations" with Syrian President Bashar. This debacle does not sit well with the Bush Administration. But Nancy P. is on a mission not only to save us, but to save the whole world! And you know who is paying the tab for all these shenanigans, do you not? Why this gal will spend the last copper cent you have in your pocket and never blink an eyeball in the process!

While she, as have others who preceded her on such ventures, will consider herself an expert now on Middle East issues because she has been there and talked to people, she will not face up to at least two main facts:

• First, the reality of what Islam is about -- it is NOT a compromising religion nor is it tolerant of other religions, including Christianity. Because it is not in control and is not dominant here in the United States, a twisted picture has been painted of Islam -- but due to compromising here in the United States and a "tolerance" expressed by those who claim to be Muslim, it has become corrupted as has many segments of Christianity which also has its problems with compromise and toleration of what God has clearly denounced and condemned!
  
  In light of the books which are considered sacred and authoritative to their respective faiths, Islam and Christianity envision a world in which each is the exclusive faith -- they are totally incompatible with each other. Anyone who is not a Muslim is considered an unbeliever or an infidel, and likewise with Christianity -- one who has not received Jesus Christ is regarded as a sinner and under condemnation. The contrast in approaching unbelief is as different as day and night -- the approach of Christianity is a message of love and an appeal to turn from sin and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord -- no gun to the head nor knife to the throat! If the message is rejected, so be it -- no retaliation is carried out if the message is refused. But in Islam deadly force can be used against infidels if they refuse to become Muslims in their faith and renounce all other religious practices, including Christianity! It is well known that in those nations where Islam is in total control such as Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia, Christianity is not permitted to be practiced openly. U.S. politicians have yet to wake up to this reality!
  
  
• Second, Nancy P. and the rest of the crowd in DC (and politicians in our state capitols as well) fail to realize that the blessing of God has been withdrawn from this nation in terms of the prestige and respect it used to hold throughout the entire world! We literally are on our own now -- no longer can we say that we have the blessing of God upon us in our world involvements, including our military actions! There will be those who will object vehemently to this suggestion, but think for a moment -- when was the last time the United States had a decisive military victory where the terms were unconditional surrender and those who were the enemy signed the documents without one single word of "negotiation?" There is also the evidence that since the politicians have handcuffed military commanders and have tried to dictate how the military is to do its "job" things have unraveled considerably as opposed to how military commanders operated in WW II and started to in Korea until Truman "fired" General MacArthur, and you remember how the Korean "police action" turned out, do you not?
  
  We are witnessing in a number of ways the truth of what happened to another nation at another time long, long ago -- here is how it is stated:
  

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations! Then say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and full of tumult. Look, the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you. In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow. You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths. In you are men who slander to cause bloodshed; in you are those who eat on the mountains; in your midst they commit lewdness. In you men uncover their fathers' nakedness; in you they violate women who are set apart during their impurity. One commits abomination with his neighbor's wife; another lewdly defiles his daughter-in-law; and another in you violates his sister, his father's daughter. In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me," says the Lord GOD. "Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and will do it. I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the LORD."' --- Ezekiel 22:1-16

Be assured that Nancy P. and all the others will keep right on doing what they have been doing -- basically, "...it's my way (for me and my party) and whatever it takes financially (more taxes) and more spending (we will spend our way to prosperity) and more debt (we'll ignore that) and obscene campaigning (millions upon millions of dollars) to be reelected and then hope U. S. citizens believe our propaganda about what great things we have done for the country!"

As noted at my web site previously -- there is good news in this colossal political mess -- a day is coming when ALL politicians will be out of a job -- in a sense, tossed out on their ear! Yes even Nancy P., Hillary C., Barack O., George B., Dick C., John M., Mitt R., -- well, you get the picture, do you not? Read about it at
Good News! A Day Coming in Which All Politicians Will Be Removed from Office! Just think, it'll be a great time -- I can hardly wait -- it's sort of like a 6 year-old waiting for Christmas on December 24th with excitement building like a giant snowball rolling down a slope!

Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ' 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'" --- Psalm 2:1-9