Saturday evening I watched Mike Huckabee on Fox News. I'm not a very big fan of Huckabee, but he had a very interesting show Saturday. It was different from some of his normal Saturday evening shows. It was a special show where he had a panel of experts who were demonstrating methods of oil clean-up. There were different experts using various methods to clean the oil that was floating on top of water in an aquarium. One guest used a chemical compound which was white and he spread it on top of the oil. It turned the oil into a clay like substance. He scooped it out with his hands then he took some of that water to pour it through a coffee filter. Huckabee was drinking it to demonstrate that it was safe to drink after the oil was removed and the water was placed through a filter. Another guest was using hay as a demonstration to remove the oil from the water in the tank. It was successful. There was also another expert that used hair as a means to soak up the oil. Then toward the end of the program, they showed a machine which could be used to siphon the oil from the water. It would also soak up the water along with the oil, but at least, it would siphon that oil from the ocean. The question I have is why aren't some of these methods being used to help contain the oil spill? Why does there appear to be a lack of urgency from both BP and the federal government to help clean up this mess?
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stated last year that they don't want to see a crisis go to waste. In other words, they want to take the opportunity to exploit the crisis. I made the statement on an April 30th post about the oil spill that the White House and Congress will try to use this oil spill as an opportunity to pass cap and trade legislation, which is something they've been trying to do since last year. The government will thrive on a crisis as an excuse to pass legislation to further restrict the freedoms of the American people. There is plenty of blame to spread around. BP's at fault for violating safety standards when drilling this deep oil well. They took short cuts which proved to be lethal, and now many fishermen's livelihood off the Gulf Coast has been wiped out due to this catastrophic oil spill. There have been estimate adjustments on how much oil has been spewing into the Gulf. It's foolish that BP didn't have some type of plan in case this rig was to malfunction. Drilling for oil is risky business and there must be a plan B to fall back on in case a rig malfunctions. This oil disaster is going to be an ecological nightmare. This will affect the fishing industry, the ecosystem, wildlife, and possibly tourism on the beaches in the Gulf Coast for many years to come. It's disgraceful. Another terrible thing about this incident is hurricane season is now in full sway. If we have some terrible hurricanes this year, just imagine the environmental damage that will be wreaked upon the cities along the Gulf Coast. Oil will spread everywhere with that hurricane. The oil could go up into the atmosphere in the midst of any major hurricane this year. It could affect weather patterns possibly. I can't say with certainty, but I'm certain if oil heads up into the air in the midst of a hurricane, it's going to disturb weather patterns. This is a disaster in the making.
If there aren't some major efforts utilized to stop the further spread of this oil leak, then the oil could reach into the Eastern seaboard. Oil already has been spotted close to the beaches in Pensacola, Florida. The oil has already reached Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida along the Gulf Coast. The problem we have is that the government and the oil industry have a cozy relationship with one another regardless of political party affiliation. Any time you have government and major corporations aligned with one another, there's always corruption involved. The federal government may not be able to stop the leak, but they should have navy vessels and the Coast Guard dispatched to help further stop the spreading of oil. The Department of Homeland Security should be involved as well. That should be common sense. We don't want to see this oil spread along the Eastern Seaboard. The spill is almost out of control as it is if not already.
I want to acknowledge there have been groups that have been working tirelessly to help contain this oil spill. We need all the cooperation we can to stop the further spread of this leak. The government needs to step in because this is a national emergency on the Gulf Coast. It could take years to restore the wildlife and marine life along the Gulf Coast. Many fishermen will be out of a job due to the procrastination of the federal government and BP to prevent the oil from spreading. In any manufacturing center in America that has machines that use hydraulic oil, they have a containment policy where if there's an oil leak, that leak must be contained immediately, not two weeks later. When the rig exploded and the oil started gushing out, there should've been Coast Guard and navy vessels at the spot where Deepwater Horizon exploded using whatever method was possible to prevent the oil spill from spreading. That was pure negligence as far as I'm concerned. This whole incident stinks to high Heavens. The federal government delayed the response effort a little too long.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Happy Flag Day
Today is Flag Day. Flag Day is celebrated each year on June 14. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. In 1916 President woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established Flag Day on June 14. In 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. The President of the United States is the one that officiates the celebration. Flag Day is a state holiday only in Pennsylvania. It began in the town of Rennerdale. Title 36 of the U.S. Code Subtitle I Part A Chapter 1 is the official statute on Flag Day. Flag Day has long been celebrated in some U.S. towns. Quincy, Massachusetts held its first Flag Day celebration in 1952. Appleton, Wisconsin has held Flag Day parades for years. The Largest Flag Day parade is in Troy, New York. It has 50,000 spectators. The oldest Flag Day celebration began in Fairfield, Wisconsin in 1909 or 1910.
There have been various individuals and organizations that have been instrumental in establishing a National Flag Day celebration over the years. The names of the different individuals and organizations involved in celebrating Flag Day in their communities are George Morris in Hartford, Connecticut in 1861, George Bolch in 1889, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie in 1893, etc. Thanks to all the contributions from these individuals in promoting Flag Day.
There's been a historical misconception that Betsy Ross was the one responsible for sewing the first American Flag. However, it's been stated by historians she didn't play a part in designing the first American flag. She was a seamstress and did sew flags, but she supposedly didn't sew the first American flag. History states that Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, played a role in helping to design the first American flag. He wasn't the only figure responsible for the design of the American flag, either.
What does the American flag represent? It contains 50 white stars, which represent 50 states, 13 white stripes, which represent the 13 colonies that rebelled against Great Britain. The 13 red stripes supposedly represent the color of the British because that's one of Great Britain's colors. What do the colors represent? The color white represents purity. Red represents blood, war, and courage. Blue represents justice and freedom. Whenever I see the color red I think of all the soldiers throughout the history of time that have shed their blood on the battlefield that we as Americans may enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. My mind also goes further back than that. I think of the Lord Jesus Christ that went to Calvary to die on an old rugged cross for the sins of mankind. He shed his blood that we may be pardoned from sin. Our freedom from sin was bought by Jesus on Calvary. As a result of the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary, we as Americans have the privilege to enjoy the freedoms we do today in America. It's really amazing because it takes the shedding of blood to purchase freedom--not only spiritually but also politically as well. We as Americans (including myself) enjoy the right to free speech, protest, assembly, and the list continues because of the sacrifices of our soldiers in foreign lands to ensure and protect the freedoms that America enjoys today. Thank God for America and for the price that was paid not only on the battlefield but on Calvary's cross. Without the shedding of blood on Calvary's cross, we wouldn't enjoy the freedom as Americans like we do today. Most importantly, we wouldn't have the opportunity to experience the free pardon of sin. Let's remember the price that was paid by our soldiers when we see the flag of the United States. May it wave high!
There have been various individuals and organizations that have been instrumental in establishing a National Flag Day celebration over the years. The names of the different individuals and organizations involved in celebrating Flag Day in their communities are George Morris in Hartford, Connecticut in 1861, George Bolch in 1889, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie in 1893, etc. Thanks to all the contributions from these individuals in promoting Flag Day.
There's been a historical misconception that Betsy Ross was the one responsible for sewing the first American Flag. However, it's been stated by historians she didn't play a part in designing the first American flag. She was a seamstress and did sew flags, but she supposedly didn't sew the first American flag. History states that Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, played a role in helping to design the first American flag. He wasn't the only figure responsible for the design of the American flag, either.
What does the American flag represent? It contains 50 white stars, which represent 50 states, 13 white stripes, which represent the 13 colonies that rebelled against Great Britain. The 13 red stripes supposedly represent the color of the British because that's one of Great Britain's colors. What do the colors represent? The color white represents purity. Red represents blood, war, and courage. Blue represents justice and freedom. Whenever I see the color red I think of all the soldiers throughout the history of time that have shed their blood on the battlefield that we as Americans may enjoy the freedom we enjoy today. My mind also goes further back than that. I think of the Lord Jesus Christ that went to Calvary to die on an old rugged cross for the sins of mankind. He shed his blood that we may be pardoned from sin. Our freedom from sin was bought by Jesus on Calvary. As a result of the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary, we as Americans have the privilege to enjoy the freedoms we do today in America. It's really amazing because it takes the shedding of blood to purchase freedom--not only spiritually but also politically as well. We as Americans (including myself) enjoy the right to free speech, protest, assembly, and the list continues because of the sacrifices of our soldiers in foreign lands to ensure and protect the freedoms that America enjoys today. Thank God for America and for the price that was paid not only on the battlefield but on Calvary's cross. Without the shedding of blood on Calvary's cross, we wouldn't enjoy the freedom as Americans like we do today. Most importantly, we wouldn't have the opportunity to experience the free pardon of sin. Let's remember the price that was paid by our soldiers when we see the flag of the United States. May it wave high!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Fruit of the Spirit
On Friday's post I was dealing with the characteristics of the unregenerate man. I was mentioning some of the works of the flesh which is in Galatians 5:19-21 such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and the list continues. The post began with the statement that there are attributes that identify certain groups of people such as police officers and firefighters. Both police officers and fire fighter wear uniforms and drive vehicles which identify them with their occupation. In the spiritual realm there are certain characteristics that identify both those that are saved and those that are lost. Friday's post dealt with the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are characteristic of the unregenerate man. Those that live to the flesh and aren't restrained by the Holy Spirit will live to the flesh. Those that are saved have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. They have become a new creatures as II Corinthians 5:17 indicates. However, even as a saved person, they must make a choice whether they're going to walk in the Spirit or to allow the old man to have his way. They can choose to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, or they can allow themselves to drift away from God and allow themselves to let the flesh dominate to a point. However, Hebrews 12 says that a child of God will receive chastening from the Lord. If a Christian allows his flesh to rule, God will chasten him so he won't be identified with the world as well as to bring him into a right relationship with Christ. Whereas those outside of grace don't have the Holy Spirit to chasten them when they live in sin.
(Galatians 5:16-25) "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murderers, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." In order for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in our life, we must walk in the Spirit. We must allow God to crucify our flesh and bring our mind captive. A Christian who possesses the fruit of the Spirit is a Christian that's walking in the Spirit. Notice it's not "fruits" of the Spirit but "fruit", which isn't plural. All the attributes of the fruit of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, and the list continues. They are all part of the same fruit. If you possess the "fruit" of the Spirit, all those attributes of that fruit will be manifested in your life. They come in a package deal.
A person who manifests the fruit of the Spirit in his/her life is a person that will live victorious. It's a sign that a person's been born again that manifests the fruit of the Spirit. That's something that comes from God above. It's a work of God that's manifested in the heart of man. It's crucially important that a saved person has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in his/her life. God's purpose for a saved person is to be conformed to the image of Christ. A Christian who's conformed to the image of Christ will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
What is the purpose of the fruit of the Spirit? First of all, a person that has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in his/her life is a sign that person has been saved. The fruit of the Spirit is manifested in a Christian's life as a result of trials and tribulations. One time I heard a message preached years ago entitled, "A Shaken Vessel." The crux of the message is that a Christian will encounter trials and tribulations in their life. You'll undergo pressures in your life. You'll undergo a process where you'll be tried. You'll be shaken. Whatever's inside you will come out. Two things trials will prove when placed to the test: It will prove to the saved man what he's made out of. Trials also will prove to the world what the save man's made out of. In order to know what's inside a person or to know what kind of material he/she's made of, they have to undergo trials to be tested. On a similar note in a school setting, students will be tested periodically on the subject material to show the instructor and to the student how well they've mastered their material. Without a test, there's no way for the instructor to gauge the knowledge of the student. That's the same with a Christian. In order for the world to know how real a Christian is, they must be put to the test. When a Christian faces trials and tribulations, whatever's inside their heart will be manifested. It will reveal to the Christian where they stand with God and the areas they fall short. It also reveals to the world how real we are. Trials will prove to the world whether we believe what we preach or it's just mere words. That's why it's so important for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in us.
Galatians 5:23 says, "Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. A Christian must walk in the Spirit so the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in their life. I've said in the last few posts that those that have been redeemed aren't under law but are under grace. Any Christian which has the fruit of the Spirit flowing in their life doesn't need the law. A Christian will live a life that's pleasing to God who has the fruit of the Spirit within them. Saved people will live a balanced life when love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, and temperance are abounding in their life. Those type of the people don't need the law because they're walking in the Spirit. The Spirit guides them in their daily lives. Those that are walking in the Spirit have crucified the lusts and the affections thereof. Those that walk in the Spirit and don't allow the flesh to dominate their lives won't be lacking. They'll live victorious lives that are yielded to God. A Christian can't be an effective witness without the fruit of the Spirit manifest in their lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, etc. are some of the characteristics that Christians are known for. The world needs to see the fruit manifested in our lives. The reason why the world doesn't have much regard for many "Christians" is because we don't walk in the Spirit and allow the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in our lives. You can't be uniquely and distinctly different from the world if you're lacking these fruits. The world isn't going to be interested in our God if we're drinking dill pickle juice. I'm using a figurative term. They must see our lives filled with joy and peace. Those attributes distinguish us from the unregenerate.
Can saved people fall into the cateogry where they can committ some of the works of the flesh as described in vss. 19-21. If a Christian doesn't walk in the Spirit, they are capable of committing sin. As mentioned Friday, saved people have a dual nature in which they must contend with their new nature when they become saved vs. the old, Adamic, fleshly nature. The new nature doesn't take place until the new birth. However, the new birth doesn't eradicate the old nature. God saves our souls but our bodies are still corruptible. We'll live in these old corruptible bodies until we die or until the rapture takes place. That's why Galatians says we must walk in the Spirit so as not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We'll have to contend with the old Adam until we die or the rapture takes place. We have a responsbility to crucify the flesh. If our flesh isn't crucified, our walk with God will be hindered. Our flesh isn't pleasing to God. If we feed our flesh with the things of the world, then we can't walk in the Spirit nor will we have the fruit manifest in us. Even though we have the capacity to sin, we also have the capacity to deny ourselves and follow God. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. If we will yield ourselves to the Spirit of God and follow him, we won't fulfill the desires of the flesh. If we sin with our flesh, the Holy Spirit will deal with our hearts through chastisement. That is something the unregenerate man doesn't experience. Saved people have the capacity to sin because of their sinful flesh, but they also can have their flesh crucified. They can also live yielded, victorious lives. They have the Spirit within them so they can live and walk in the Spirit.
The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are the characteristics of two different sets of people. The unregenerate will live to the flesh because they are dead in sins and trespasses. They don't have the capacity to live for God in their sinful state. They are doing what's natural to them. Those that have been redeemed have the ability to walk in the Spirit because the Spirit of God dwells within them. Those that walk in the Spirit will possess the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is the attributes of those Christians that have crucified the flesh and the lust and affections thereof. The fruit of the Spirit will reveal to the world that we are a Christian when we are tested through trials and tribulations. Which sets of traits best identifies you? Is it the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit?
(Galatians 5:16-25) "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murderers, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." In order for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in our life, we must walk in the Spirit. We must allow God to crucify our flesh and bring our mind captive. A Christian who possesses the fruit of the Spirit is a Christian that's walking in the Spirit. Notice it's not "fruits" of the Spirit but "fruit", which isn't plural. All the attributes of the fruit of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, and the list continues. They are all part of the same fruit. If you possess the "fruit" of the Spirit, all those attributes of that fruit will be manifested in your life. They come in a package deal.
A person who manifests the fruit of the Spirit in his/her life is a person that will live victorious. It's a sign that a person's been born again that manifests the fruit of the Spirit. That's something that comes from God above. It's a work of God that's manifested in the heart of man. It's crucially important that a saved person has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in his/her life. God's purpose for a saved person is to be conformed to the image of Christ. A Christian who's conformed to the image of Christ will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
What is the purpose of the fruit of the Spirit? First of all, a person that has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in his/her life is a sign that person has been saved. The fruit of the Spirit is manifested in a Christian's life as a result of trials and tribulations. One time I heard a message preached years ago entitled, "A Shaken Vessel." The crux of the message is that a Christian will encounter trials and tribulations in their life. You'll undergo pressures in your life. You'll undergo a process where you'll be tried. You'll be shaken. Whatever's inside you will come out. Two things trials will prove when placed to the test: It will prove to the saved man what he's made out of. Trials also will prove to the world what the save man's made out of. In order to know what's inside a person or to know what kind of material he/she's made of, they have to undergo trials to be tested. On a similar note in a school setting, students will be tested periodically on the subject material to show the instructor and to the student how well they've mastered their material. Without a test, there's no way for the instructor to gauge the knowledge of the student. That's the same with a Christian. In order for the world to know how real a Christian is, they must be put to the test. When a Christian faces trials and tribulations, whatever's inside their heart will be manifested. It will reveal to the Christian where they stand with God and the areas they fall short. It also reveals to the world how real we are. Trials will prove to the world whether we believe what we preach or it's just mere words. That's why it's so important for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in us.
Galatians 5:23 says, "Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. A Christian must walk in the Spirit so the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in their life. I've said in the last few posts that those that have been redeemed aren't under law but are under grace. Any Christian which has the fruit of the Spirit flowing in their life doesn't need the law. A Christian will live a life that's pleasing to God who has the fruit of the Spirit within them. Saved people will live a balanced life when love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, and temperance are abounding in their life. Those type of the people don't need the law because they're walking in the Spirit. The Spirit guides them in their daily lives. Those that are walking in the Spirit have crucified the lusts and the affections thereof. Those that walk in the Spirit and don't allow the flesh to dominate their lives won't be lacking. They'll live victorious lives that are yielded to God. A Christian can't be an effective witness without the fruit of the Spirit manifest in their lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, etc. are some of the characteristics that Christians are known for. The world needs to see the fruit manifested in our lives. The reason why the world doesn't have much regard for many "Christians" is because we don't walk in the Spirit and allow the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in our lives. You can't be uniquely and distinctly different from the world if you're lacking these fruits. The world isn't going to be interested in our God if we're drinking dill pickle juice. I'm using a figurative term. They must see our lives filled with joy and peace. Those attributes distinguish us from the unregenerate.
Can saved people fall into the cateogry where they can committ some of the works of the flesh as described in vss. 19-21. If a Christian doesn't walk in the Spirit, they are capable of committing sin. As mentioned Friday, saved people have a dual nature in which they must contend with their new nature when they become saved vs. the old, Adamic, fleshly nature. The new nature doesn't take place until the new birth. However, the new birth doesn't eradicate the old nature. God saves our souls but our bodies are still corruptible. We'll live in these old corruptible bodies until we die or until the rapture takes place. That's why Galatians says we must walk in the Spirit so as not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We'll have to contend with the old Adam until we die or the rapture takes place. We have a responsbility to crucify the flesh. If our flesh isn't crucified, our walk with God will be hindered. Our flesh isn't pleasing to God. If we feed our flesh with the things of the world, then we can't walk in the Spirit nor will we have the fruit manifest in us. Even though we have the capacity to sin, we also have the capacity to deny ourselves and follow God. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. If we will yield ourselves to the Spirit of God and follow him, we won't fulfill the desires of the flesh. If we sin with our flesh, the Holy Spirit will deal with our hearts through chastisement. That is something the unregenerate man doesn't experience. Saved people have the capacity to sin because of their sinful flesh, but they also can have their flesh crucified. They can also live yielded, victorious lives. They have the Spirit within them so they can live and walk in the Spirit.
The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are the characteristics of two different sets of people. The unregenerate will live to the flesh because they are dead in sins and trespasses. They don't have the capacity to live for God in their sinful state. They are doing what's natural to them. Those that have been redeemed have the ability to walk in the Spirit because the Spirit of God dwells within them. Those that walk in the Spirit will possess the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is the attributes of those Christians that have crucified the flesh and the lust and affections thereof. The fruit of the Spirit will reveal to the world that we are a Christian when we are tested through trials and tribulations. Which sets of traits best identifies you? Is it the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Iran Dismisses UN Sanctions
(USA Today) The U.S. and it's allies on Wednesday pushed through new sanctions over Iran's nuclear program, punishments Tehran dismissed as "annoying flies, like a used tissue." The sanctions target Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, ballistic missiles and nuclear-related investments. Oil exports, which are the lifeblood of Iran's economy, are not affected because targeting their oil exports would supposedly cost the U.S. support from Russia and China. President Obama stated that the sanctions placed upon Iran are the toughest they have ever faced. They require several months of difficult negotiations by the five veto-wielding permanent U.N. Security Council members which are the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, and France. Even non-member Germany is part of the process.
This is the fourth round of sanctions aimed at pushing Iran towards serious discussions on its nuclear ambitions. The United States says much of Iran's program is suitable only for building a bomb and not for energy, as Iran claims. "Actions do have consequences, and today the Iranian government will face some of those consequences," Obama said. Obama claims the door is open to diplomacy but said Iran "will find itself more isolated, less prosperous, and less secure" unless it meets its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the sanctions as annoying flies, like a piece of used tissue. Tehran claims its program is peaceful and aimed at producing nuclear energy. The U.S. and its allies claim Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons. They desire for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program and start negotiations aimed at ensuring that it uses nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes. How can we expect Iran to use its nuclear technology for peaceful purposes when Ahmadinejad claims he desires for Israel to be wiped off the face of the map, for example?
The new resolution bans Iran from pursuing "any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons," bars Iranian investment in activities such as uranium mining and prohibits Iran from buying several categories of heavy weapons including attack helicopters and missiles. Iran already has most of what it needs to make a weapon. "I don't think anybody thinks these particular sanctions are going to trigger Iran to give up its nuclear program," said Sharon Squassoni, a nuclear proliferation expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Iran insisted the sanctions would do nothing.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has no reason to fear that the U.S. or its allies are going to stop Iran from using its nuclear weapons on Israel or any country it wishes to obliterate. Ever since Ahmadinejad has been at the helm of Iran since 2005, the U.S. under both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations haven't done anything to stop Ahmadinejad from trying to develop nuclear weapons. On top of that, President Obama is a sympathizer of the Muslim nations. Obama hasn't been very supportive of Israel, either. Iran and the Arab world sees that. They're not going to fear the Obama administration. It's all a dog-and-pony show. The U.N. nor the U.S. is going to make it difficult for Iran. If Iran struck Israel today, I can't say for certainty that the Obama administration would side with Israel. The U.S. has become a laughingstock to the world. We're still mired in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Why should Iran fear us? If the United States seemingly can't destroy the insurgency in Afghanistan, then why would Ahmadinejad fear the U.S. is going to stop Iran from launching a nuclear missile at Israel or another one of our allies? The very fact that Iran dismisses the U.N. sanctions as "annoying flies" says that the United States nor its allies don't have the will to wipe out Iran's nuclear capabilities. We're no longer a threat to terrorist regimes across the world. The United States is losing it's status as a superpower. I'm afraid we're in for some dark days ahead.
This is the fourth round of sanctions aimed at pushing Iran towards serious discussions on its nuclear ambitions. The United States says much of Iran's program is suitable only for building a bomb and not for energy, as Iran claims. "Actions do have consequences, and today the Iranian government will face some of those consequences," Obama said. Obama claims the door is open to diplomacy but said Iran "will find itself more isolated, less prosperous, and less secure" unless it meets its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the sanctions as annoying flies, like a piece of used tissue. Tehran claims its program is peaceful and aimed at producing nuclear energy. The U.S. and its allies claim Iran is trying to produce nuclear weapons. They desire for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program and start negotiations aimed at ensuring that it uses nuclear technology only for peaceful purposes. How can we expect Iran to use its nuclear technology for peaceful purposes when Ahmadinejad claims he desires for Israel to be wiped off the face of the map, for example?
The new resolution bans Iran from pursuing "any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons," bars Iranian investment in activities such as uranium mining and prohibits Iran from buying several categories of heavy weapons including attack helicopters and missiles. Iran already has most of what it needs to make a weapon. "I don't think anybody thinks these particular sanctions are going to trigger Iran to give up its nuclear program," said Sharon Squassoni, a nuclear proliferation expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Iran insisted the sanctions would do nothing.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has no reason to fear that the U.S. or its allies are going to stop Iran from using its nuclear weapons on Israel or any country it wishes to obliterate. Ever since Ahmadinejad has been at the helm of Iran since 2005, the U.S. under both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations haven't done anything to stop Ahmadinejad from trying to develop nuclear weapons. On top of that, President Obama is a sympathizer of the Muslim nations. Obama hasn't been very supportive of Israel, either. Iran and the Arab world sees that. They're not going to fear the Obama administration. It's all a dog-and-pony show. The U.N. nor the U.S. is going to make it difficult for Iran. If Iran struck Israel today, I can't say for certainty that the Obama administration would side with Israel. The U.S. has become a laughingstock to the world. We're still mired in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Why should Iran fear us? If the United States seemingly can't destroy the insurgency in Afghanistan, then why would Ahmadinejad fear the U.S. is going to stop Iran from launching a nuclear missile at Israel or another one of our allies? The very fact that Iran dismisses the U.N. sanctions as "annoying flies" says that the United States nor its allies don't have the will to wipe out Iran's nuclear capabilities. We're no longer a threat to terrorist regimes across the world. The United States is losing it's status as a superpower. I'm afraid we're in for some dark days ahead.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Works of the Flesh
There are certain attributes in which we identify certain groups of people. A firefighter will wear a uniform that verifies he's a firefighter and he will drive a fire truck. A police officer will wear a uniform, a cap, and a badge verifying he's a police officer. He'll also drive a special vehicle identifying who he is. That's the same way with a Christian. A person who's been born again has certain attributes about him because he's been redeemed. The problem we have with this generation of Christianity is we have saved people sometimes acting like those that belong to the world. That's unnatural. That's abnormal Christianity. I know of a preacher who lives in Auburn, Kentucky years ago who was saying much of what is labeled "Christianity" today is abnormal. He's right. What are supposed to be some of the attributes of a born again Christian? First of all he's a new creature in Christ as II Corinthians 5:17 bears out. A christian has a desire for prayer and Bible reading. A newborn babe is hungry for the sincere milk of the Word. You don't have to teach a Christian how to be hungry. Also, a Christian has the desire to attend the House of God and fellowship with the saints there. A Christian hates sin and has a desire to please God. He wants to follow God and fulfill God's will for his life. Christians are to be kind, compassionate, sincere, honest, diligent in their labors, and the list continues. These are just a few of the attributes of a Christian.
I will mention about the fruits of the Spirit in tomorrow's post which is in Galatians 5:22, 23. Today I'm going to be expounding upon the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-21 says, "This I say then, Walk in the the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. but if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Just as there are attributes of a child of God, there's also attributes of the worldly crowd. Who are the wordly crowd? The worldy crowd are those that are outside the grace of God. They are unreedemed, unregenerate, they belong to their father the Devil. They are a creation of God, but they aren't the children of God. You can only be a child of God when you born as a result of the new birth. Those that are outside the grace of God live according to the dictates of their flesh. They do those things that are natural and comely to them.
The worldy crowd loves pleasure. They rather go out on Sunday when church is in session fishing, playing golf, boating, and the list continues. They will devote the Lord's day going out to the lake instead of being faithful to the House of God. Their whole life revolves around themselves. They don't have an appetite for spiritual things. The characteristics of the worldly crowd are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, emulations, strife, lying, wrath, the lust for power, and the list continues. Many times Christians wonder why the world acts and exhibits the characteristics they do. It's simply because that's the nature of the world. We tend to forget that. The world is doing what's natural to them. We tend to be very critical of the world at the fact they use profanity, wear tattooes, wear immodest apparel, and the list continues. However, that's the only kind of life they know. They feed their flesh with a diet of sin and destruction. They're doing what's comely to them. It's tragic but somebody that doesn't know God you can expect to live a worldly lifestyle. What's trouble is when professing Christians live like that. I'll save that thought for tomorrow.
I want to focus on the last phrase of verse 21 that says that those which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There's a difference between the concepts, "kingdom of God", and "kingdom of Heaven,". The kingdom of God is universal. It's eternal. A person enters the kingdom of God by the new birth. The Kingdom of Heaven is about a literal kingdom which Jesus will set here on earth during the Millennial Reign. It's a physical kingdom in which there will be a thousand years of peace during which the Son of God will rule. I wanted to distinguish between the "kingdom of God" and the "kingdom of Heaven" because they both aren't the same. What verse 21 is saying is that those that live a lifestyle practicing the works of the flesh won't inherit the kingdom of God. When a person continually lives a lifestyle unto the flesh and there's no evidence that Christ has made a change in their life, it's a great indication that they're of the world and outside the grace of God. Can saved people be guilty of some of these sins just mentioned in Galatians? Yes. Saved people have two natures within them. They have the old Adamic fleshly nature and they have a new nature as a result of the new birth. There's a difference between a saved person living to the flesh and a lost person living to the flesh. Hebrews 12:5-8 mentions that those that are saved will receive chastisement of the Lord. When a saved person strays from God, the Lord will rebuke and chasten him to bring him back to the fold. A person that's unregenerate will not experience chastisement from God because he's none of His. God chastises saved people so that saved people won't be identified with the world. If a child of God continues living in sin and doesn't repent, then God will use whatever he needs to get the attention of the wayward saint. There can come a point that if a saved person continually keeps on sinning God will eventually bring them on home which is considered a sin unto death.(I John 5:16) What point does a Christian have to keep sinning before God calls them home? I don't know. I can't draw that line. I do know God's longsuffering and he does give His children opportunities to repent. I'm thankful for the longsuffering of God. I am not going to place a limit on it. That's God's business. However, I John 3:8 says that he that committeth sin is of the Devil. That's referring to those that are outside the grace of God.
It's true that Christians do sin because of the fleshly nature we have to contend with. Galatians 5:17 mentions of the conflict Christians have between the Spirit and the flesh. Our new nature inside of us desires to please God and live holy. However, we have a fleshly side that desires to sin. That's why God says in verse 16 to walk in the Spirit so we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. A saved person will have a desire to live for God. When a saved person sins, the Holy Spirit will deal with him about his sin. A saved person also has a conflict between his flesh wanting to sin and his new nature which desires to please God. There's a duality for the Christian. A lost person doesn't have that problem. A lost person desires to live to his flesh and he doesn't have to wrestle with a dual nature because a lost person only has one nature. He has his flesh. Practicing the works of the flesh is a way of life for the unregenerate because it's part of their sinful nature. Galatians gives us a sample of the works of the flesh that's committed by a lost person.
In closing, there are attributes that will identify both the regenerate and unregenerate man. The unregenerate man only has one nature. He doesn't have the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside. He will live according to what's comely to him. The works of the flesh identify those that are outside the grace of God. Those that are saved have a dual nature. They have the Spirit of God dwelling on the inside of them as well as their old Adamic nature within them. There's a warfare between both the Spirit and the flesh in a child of God. That's why Christians sin at times. They cave into their flesh. A lost person doesn't have it within him to live for God because they don't have the Spirit of God leading them and guiding them into all truth. In this portion of scripture, Galatians describes the characteristics between those that live to the flesh and those that are led by the Spirit. Which one of these two sets of characteristics best identifies you?
I will mention about the fruits of the Spirit in tomorrow's post which is in Galatians 5:22, 23. Today I'm going to be expounding upon the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:16-21 says, "This I say then, Walk in the the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. but if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Just as there are attributes of a child of God, there's also attributes of the worldly crowd. Who are the wordly crowd? The worldy crowd are those that are outside the grace of God. They are unreedemed, unregenerate, they belong to their father the Devil. They are a creation of God, but they aren't the children of God. You can only be a child of God when you born as a result of the new birth. Those that are outside the grace of God live according to the dictates of their flesh. They do those things that are natural and comely to them.
The worldy crowd loves pleasure. They rather go out on Sunday when church is in session fishing, playing golf, boating, and the list continues. They will devote the Lord's day going out to the lake instead of being faithful to the House of God. Their whole life revolves around themselves. They don't have an appetite for spiritual things. The characteristics of the worldly crowd are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, emulations, strife, lying, wrath, the lust for power, and the list continues. Many times Christians wonder why the world acts and exhibits the characteristics they do. It's simply because that's the nature of the world. We tend to forget that. The world is doing what's natural to them. We tend to be very critical of the world at the fact they use profanity, wear tattooes, wear immodest apparel, and the list continues. However, that's the only kind of life they know. They feed their flesh with a diet of sin and destruction. They're doing what's comely to them. It's tragic but somebody that doesn't know God you can expect to live a worldly lifestyle. What's trouble is when professing Christians live like that. I'll save that thought for tomorrow.
I want to focus on the last phrase of verse 21 that says that those which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There's a difference between the concepts, "kingdom of God", and "kingdom of Heaven,". The kingdom of God is universal. It's eternal. A person enters the kingdom of God by the new birth. The Kingdom of Heaven is about a literal kingdom which Jesus will set here on earth during the Millennial Reign. It's a physical kingdom in which there will be a thousand years of peace during which the Son of God will rule. I wanted to distinguish between the "kingdom of God" and the "kingdom of Heaven" because they both aren't the same. What verse 21 is saying is that those that live a lifestyle practicing the works of the flesh won't inherit the kingdom of God. When a person continually lives a lifestyle unto the flesh and there's no evidence that Christ has made a change in their life, it's a great indication that they're of the world and outside the grace of God. Can saved people be guilty of some of these sins just mentioned in Galatians? Yes. Saved people have two natures within them. They have the old Adamic fleshly nature and they have a new nature as a result of the new birth. There's a difference between a saved person living to the flesh and a lost person living to the flesh. Hebrews 12:5-8 mentions that those that are saved will receive chastisement of the Lord. When a saved person strays from God, the Lord will rebuke and chasten him to bring him back to the fold. A person that's unregenerate will not experience chastisement from God because he's none of His. God chastises saved people so that saved people won't be identified with the world. If a child of God continues living in sin and doesn't repent, then God will use whatever he needs to get the attention of the wayward saint. There can come a point that if a saved person continually keeps on sinning God will eventually bring them on home which is considered a sin unto death.(I John 5:16) What point does a Christian have to keep sinning before God calls them home? I don't know. I can't draw that line. I do know God's longsuffering and he does give His children opportunities to repent. I'm thankful for the longsuffering of God. I am not going to place a limit on it. That's God's business. However, I John 3:8 says that he that committeth sin is of the Devil. That's referring to those that are outside the grace of God.
It's true that Christians do sin because of the fleshly nature we have to contend with. Galatians 5:17 mentions of the conflict Christians have between the Spirit and the flesh. Our new nature inside of us desires to please God and live holy. However, we have a fleshly side that desires to sin. That's why God says in verse 16 to walk in the Spirit so we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh. A saved person will have a desire to live for God. When a saved person sins, the Holy Spirit will deal with him about his sin. A saved person also has a conflict between his flesh wanting to sin and his new nature which desires to please God. There's a duality for the Christian. A lost person doesn't have that problem. A lost person desires to live to his flesh and he doesn't have to wrestle with a dual nature because a lost person only has one nature. He has his flesh. Practicing the works of the flesh is a way of life for the unregenerate because it's part of their sinful nature. Galatians gives us a sample of the works of the flesh that's committed by a lost person.
In closing, there are attributes that will identify both the regenerate and unregenerate man. The unregenerate man only has one nature. He doesn't have the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside. He will live according to what's comely to him. The works of the flesh identify those that are outside the grace of God. Those that are saved have a dual nature. They have the Spirit of God dwelling on the inside of them as well as their old Adamic nature within them. There's a warfare between both the Spirit and the flesh in a child of God. That's why Christians sin at times. They cave into their flesh. A lost person doesn't have it within him to live for God because they don't have the Spirit of God leading them and guiding them into all truth. In this portion of scripture, Galatians describes the characteristics between those that live to the flesh and those that are led by the Spirit. Which one of these two sets of characteristics best identifies you?
Founder's Friday: James Madison
On today's Founder's Friday on the Glenn Beck Fox News program, Beck spoke at length about founder James Madison. Madison was the 4th president of the United Sates. He was born on March 16, 1751, the eldest son of the wealthiest landholder in Orange County, Virginia. James Madison was destined for a life of privilege and responsibility. The triad of land, slaves, and tobacco supported him financially throughout his life. That helped him to pursue politics and other intellectual pursuits. He was very well educated. He had several years of local schooling and private tutoring. In 1769, he entered the College of New Jersey at Princeton, where he was introduced to the thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment such as Frances Hutcheson, David Hume, and Adam Smith, to name a few. He was a voracious student who consumed four years of course work in two years and graduated in 1771.
In 1774 he visited Philadelphia, which coincided with news of the passage by Parliament of the Coercive Acts. His contributions to the independence movement was restricted to Orange County, Virgina until his election to the Virginia Convention in 1776. It was in Virginia that he made his first contribution to American constitutional law by his defense of the free exercise of religion as a right and not a privilege. In October, Madison participated in the newly created Virginia House of Delegates, making the acquaintance of his lifelong friend and colleague, Thomas Jefferson. Madison supposedly lost the election for the 1777 session of the House of Delegates for refusing to provide liquor for the voters. His good offices in the legislature was not forgotten. He was elected to a seat on the eight-member Council of State that same year and in 1779 was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress sitting in Philadelphia. Madison served in Congress from March 1780, when the Revolutionary War was nearing its end, to 1783, soon after its conclusion. He was known as a conscientious legislator and admired for his committee work. Madison was among those who thought that the Confederation government needed to be invested with more power at the expense of the states. He had engineered compromises in the spring of 1783 on taxation, import duties, and the 3/5th's ration, in which for the purposes of representation, five slaves would be equivalent to three free persons. However, the Articles of Confederation continued to lose power in the wake of the war's end.
Before Madison went to Philadelphia to help draft a new constitution, he left national office to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1784 and for the two subsequent years. He was successful in blocking the establishment of state support for churches. He didn't believe in the state funding of churches. In 1785, Madison was appointed a delegate to a convention on interstate trade to be held in Annapolis in September 1786. The result of this meeting called for the general convention to meet the following summer in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation in such a way to make "the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union." He was again elected as a Virginia delegate to Congress, arriving in New York in February 1787. That spring, Madison drafted a comprehensive plan for a more powerful national government. Madison then devoted himself to the task of ratifying the new Constitution. He, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays exploring the benefits of the new Constitution and defending some of its more controversial provisions. These essays were collected and published in 1788 as "The Federalist." In March 1788, Madison came home to Virginia to persuade the state legislature to ratify the Constitution. He earned the name "The Father of the Constitution" because of his input in constructing and ratifying the Constitution.
Shortly thereafter, Madison defeated James Monroe for election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as a guiding light to his fellows. George Washington relied on Madison for advice on how to conduct a Republican presidency. In addition, Madison had promised his Virginia constituency that in spite of his own reservations, he would pursue a series of amendments to safeguard individual rights. He reduced a multitude of suggested amendments to nineteen. Congress chose twelve to send to the states for consideration, and the states ratified ten of those amendments. They are today known as the Bill of Rights. Madison's time in Congress was shaped by developing discord with America's new treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton, over their views concerning the financing of the new Republic. The rift between the two widened to the point that it led to the formation of political parties which were known as the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. The Federalist party favored a strong central government in governing the nation's affairs, and the Democratic-Republicans favored a more limited role of government. At the time, Madison was also opposed to the national bank of the United States.
In 1974, three years before his term ended in Congress, he married a young Philadelphia widow named Dolley Payne Madison. He had hoped to enjoy the private life but couldn't becuase of America's hostility to France under John Adams. Therefore, Madison drafted the Virginia Resolutions, which called on the states to repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts passed in Congress. He was opposed to it because he was opposed to the enlargement of federal power over the last few years in the Adams administration. He felt the Alien and Sedition Acts were an infringement on the rights and liberties of the nation's citizens. He produced the Report of 1800 which was a comprehensive attack on the unconstitutionality of the two acts as well as a ringing statement of the inviolability of the right of free speech.
When Thomas Jefferson was elected president, he appointed James Madison as Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Madison was charged with a host of duties besides the conduct of American foreign policy, ranging from publishing and distributing the public laws to serving as a liason between the federal government and the governors of the states and territories. In the realm of foreign policy, he handled correspondence from five ministers and over fifty consuls. The greatest achievement of the Jefferson administration was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. In 1808, Madison won the presidential election handily and succeeded Thomas Jefferson. Throughout his first term Madison was preoccupied by disputes with France, Great Britain, and Spain. By 1810 France had repealed its commercial restrictions, at least nominally, and in the same year Madison seized the province of West Florida from Spain, thereby consolidating American control of the Gulf Coast. But with respect to Great Britain, his efforts were unavailing, and beginning in November 1811, he urged Congress to mobilize the country's defenses. In 1812, he had asked for and received a declaration of war against Great Britain. Elected president for a second time in 1812, Madison launched a series of invasions at Canada as the most vulnerable British target. The war effort was hampered, however, by poor generalship, by untrained and ill-equipped troops, by quarrels with the state governments, and by logistical difficulties.
With the strategic failure of the Canadian campaigns of 1812 to 1814 and with his own capital burned by British invaders in 1814, Madison was happy to accept a peace on the basis of the prewar relationship with Great Britain. The Treaty of Ghent, ending the war, was negotiated in December 1814, but the news didn't reach Washington until February 1815. In the interim, the nearly miraculous victory at New Orleans on January 1815 put a happy ending on what was for the most part a disastrous experience. Also, the immediate causes of the war--commercial restrictions and impressment--had vanished with the defeat of Napoleon and the end of the European conflict. Madison's final years in office allowed him, for the first time in fifteen years, to focus on domestic affairs. He had proposed several measures that he had ironically earlier opposed such as the recharter of a national bank, a limited protective tariff, and a constitutional amendment to allow the federal government to undertake internal improvements. The Second Bank of the United States was established by Madison's signature in 1816. He was opposed to the national bank during Washington's administration. In one of his last official acts he vetoed as unconstitutional a Bonus Bill that provided for federal support of roads and canals. He retired to Montepelier, his family's plantation, for the second and last time in March 1817.
After Madison retired from serving in government, Madison involved himself in the management of his large plantation, interesting himself in scientific farming as a means to counter the increasing unprofitability of Virginia agriculture. Beginning in 1816, he sat on the Board of Visitors planning the creation of the University of Virginia, and when Jefferson died in 1826, he became the university's second rector. His last public political appearance was in 1829 at the Virginia convention to draw up a new state constitution, where he spoke against the overrepresentation of the Tidewater region in the House of Delegates. He died at his home on June 28, 1836.
In 1774 he visited Philadelphia, which coincided with news of the passage by Parliament of the Coercive Acts. His contributions to the independence movement was restricted to Orange County, Virgina until his election to the Virginia Convention in 1776. It was in Virginia that he made his first contribution to American constitutional law by his defense of the free exercise of religion as a right and not a privilege. In October, Madison participated in the newly created Virginia House of Delegates, making the acquaintance of his lifelong friend and colleague, Thomas Jefferson. Madison supposedly lost the election for the 1777 session of the House of Delegates for refusing to provide liquor for the voters. His good offices in the legislature was not forgotten. He was elected to a seat on the eight-member Council of State that same year and in 1779 was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress sitting in Philadelphia. Madison served in Congress from March 1780, when the Revolutionary War was nearing its end, to 1783, soon after its conclusion. He was known as a conscientious legislator and admired for his committee work. Madison was among those who thought that the Confederation government needed to be invested with more power at the expense of the states. He had engineered compromises in the spring of 1783 on taxation, import duties, and the 3/5th's ration, in which for the purposes of representation, five slaves would be equivalent to three free persons. However, the Articles of Confederation continued to lose power in the wake of the war's end.
Before Madison went to Philadelphia to help draft a new constitution, he left national office to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1784 and for the two subsequent years. He was successful in blocking the establishment of state support for churches. He didn't believe in the state funding of churches. In 1785, Madison was appointed a delegate to a convention on interstate trade to be held in Annapolis in September 1786. The result of this meeting called for the general convention to meet the following summer in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation in such a way to make "the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union." He was again elected as a Virginia delegate to Congress, arriving in New York in February 1787. That spring, Madison drafted a comprehensive plan for a more powerful national government. Madison then devoted himself to the task of ratifying the new Constitution. He, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of essays exploring the benefits of the new Constitution and defending some of its more controversial provisions. These essays were collected and published in 1788 as "The Federalist." In March 1788, Madison came home to Virginia to persuade the state legislature to ratify the Constitution. He earned the name "The Father of the Constitution" because of his input in constructing and ratifying the Constitution.
Shortly thereafter, Madison defeated James Monroe for election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served as a guiding light to his fellows. George Washington relied on Madison for advice on how to conduct a Republican presidency. In addition, Madison had promised his Virginia constituency that in spite of his own reservations, he would pursue a series of amendments to safeguard individual rights. He reduced a multitude of suggested amendments to nineteen. Congress chose twelve to send to the states for consideration, and the states ratified ten of those amendments. They are today known as the Bill of Rights. Madison's time in Congress was shaped by developing discord with America's new treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton, over their views concerning the financing of the new Republic. The rift between the two widened to the point that it led to the formation of political parties which were known as the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties. The Federalist party favored a strong central government in governing the nation's affairs, and the Democratic-Republicans favored a more limited role of government. At the time, Madison was also opposed to the national bank of the United States.
In 1974, three years before his term ended in Congress, he married a young Philadelphia widow named Dolley Payne Madison. He had hoped to enjoy the private life but couldn't becuase of America's hostility to France under John Adams. Therefore, Madison drafted the Virginia Resolutions, which called on the states to repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts passed in Congress. He was opposed to it because he was opposed to the enlargement of federal power over the last few years in the Adams administration. He felt the Alien and Sedition Acts were an infringement on the rights and liberties of the nation's citizens. He produced the Report of 1800 which was a comprehensive attack on the unconstitutionality of the two acts as well as a ringing statement of the inviolability of the right of free speech.
When Thomas Jefferson was elected president, he appointed James Madison as Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Madison was charged with a host of duties besides the conduct of American foreign policy, ranging from publishing and distributing the public laws to serving as a liason between the federal government and the governors of the states and territories. In the realm of foreign policy, he handled correspondence from five ministers and over fifty consuls. The greatest achievement of the Jefferson administration was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. In 1808, Madison won the presidential election handily and succeeded Thomas Jefferson. Throughout his first term Madison was preoccupied by disputes with France, Great Britain, and Spain. By 1810 France had repealed its commercial restrictions, at least nominally, and in the same year Madison seized the province of West Florida from Spain, thereby consolidating American control of the Gulf Coast. But with respect to Great Britain, his efforts were unavailing, and beginning in November 1811, he urged Congress to mobilize the country's defenses. In 1812, he had asked for and received a declaration of war against Great Britain. Elected president for a second time in 1812, Madison launched a series of invasions at Canada as the most vulnerable British target. The war effort was hampered, however, by poor generalship, by untrained and ill-equipped troops, by quarrels with the state governments, and by logistical difficulties.
With the strategic failure of the Canadian campaigns of 1812 to 1814 and with his own capital burned by British invaders in 1814, Madison was happy to accept a peace on the basis of the prewar relationship with Great Britain. The Treaty of Ghent, ending the war, was negotiated in December 1814, but the news didn't reach Washington until February 1815. In the interim, the nearly miraculous victory at New Orleans on January 1815 put a happy ending on what was for the most part a disastrous experience. Also, the immediate causes of the war--commercial restrictions and impressment--had vanished with the defeat of Napoleon and the end of the European conflict. Madison's final years in office allowed him, for the first time in fifteen years, to focus on domestic affairs. He had proposed several measures that he had ironically earlier opposed such as the recharter of a national bank, a limited protective tariff, and a constitutional amendment to allow the federal government to undertake internal improvements. The Second Bank of the United States was established by Madison's signature in 1816. He was opposed to the national bank during Washington's administration. In one of his last official acts he vetoed as unconstitutional a Bonus Bill that provided for federal support of roads and canals. He retired to Montepelier, his family's plantation, for the second and last time in March 1817.
After Madison retired from serving in government, Madison involved himself in the management of his large plantation, interesting himself in scientific farming as a means to counter the increasing unprofitability of Virginia agriculture. Beginning in 1816, he sat on the Board of Visitors planning the creation of the University of Virginia, and when Jefferson died in 1826, he became the university's second rector. His last public political appearance was in 1829 at the Virginia convention to draw up a new state constitution, where he spoke against the overrepresentation of the Tidewater region in the House of Delegates. He died at his home on June 28, 1836.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Being Crucified With Christ
(Galatians 2:19-21) "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." In this passage of Galatians we read where Paul says that he is crucified with Christ. It's not I (Paul) but Christ living in me. The Apostle Paul is dead unto the law because Christ lives in him. What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? How is a believer crucified with Christ? A believer that's crucified with Christ is a Christian that's walking in the Spirit. Therefore, that person is dead unto the law because he has the Holy Spirit dwelling within him. Therefore, he is led by the Spirit. In order to be crucified with Christ, we must allow self to die. We must allow our lives and our purpose for living to be centered in Christ.
A believer that's crucified with Christ allows his flesh to die daily. I Corinthians 9:27 says, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: let that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Our bodies must be brought under subjection. If we don't do that, then we can't be crucified with Christ. Our flesh can't be in control. A believer that's crucified with Christ has his body under subjection as well as his appetites. He's yielded himself unto the Spirit of God so that the Spirit can work in his life the way the Spirit desires. A crucified believer lives a life of submission unto God. He's God's instrument. In order for a believer to be yielded unto God, his flesh must be crucified.
How are we to be crucified with Christ? First of all, our bodies must be placed under subjection as I Corinthians 9:27 bears out. We must deny ourselves and allow the Spirit to lead and guide us. If we don't place our body under subjection, then we won't walk in the Spirit. Instead, our flesh will be in control. Our lives will be dictated by our flesh if we don't crucify it. Along with crucifying our flesh, we must also allow our minds to be held captive by Christ. In order for that to happen, we must watch what we allow our minds to dwell upon. There are certain places we shouldn't visit with our minds. The problems that we face with our minds such as our pathetic attitudes and dispositions is a result on what we allow our minds to ponder upon. That's why it's so important what we feed our minds with. If we feed our minds with Hollywood, music that's ungodly, pornography, and all kinds of filth, we will have all kinds of problems with our self. What we allow to enter our minds will enter our hearts and before too long we'll be defeated spiritually. I've heard people that have struggled with certain situations or certain kinds of people who are trying to overcome whatever barrier that's in their life say they don't spend their time concentrating on the very things that will defeat them. If for example a person has an issue with alcohol he doesn't want to place himself in a situation where he tempts himself with that drug. He doesn't want to participate in any kind of activity which will remind him of alcohol. We must watch what we read or what we allow our eyes to behold. We must center our thoughts on pure and wholesome things as Philippians 4:8 bears out.
A believer who's crucified with Christ will be in total subjection unto Christ. His whole life revolves around the will of God. We can't be in the perfect will of God as long as our flesh is out of control. We as believers not only have a new nature but we still carry around the old Adamic nature. The old Adamic nature must be crucified. We must lay down ourselves before God to be crucified with Christ. We present ourselves to the Lord and allow him to have his way with us. We then follow Christ and walk in the Spirit. When we are crucified with Christ, we are dead unto the law. When we are dead unto the law, we live unto the Lord. In order for a child of God to walk in victory, he must lay down his life before God and allow his flesh to die. Jesus says he came so we could have life and have it more abundantly. Only those that are crucified with Christ can enjoy that abundant life. The Holy Spirit will never work in and through us as long as the flesh isn't under subjection. The flesh will dominate our lives and destroy us if it's not put to death. God has desires for his children to move on and serve the Lord in greater avenues. That won't take place until we are crucified with Christ.
A believer that's crucified with Christ allows his flesh to die daily. I Corinthians 9:27 says, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: let that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Our bodies must be brought under subjection. If we don't do that, then we can't be crucified with Christ. Our flesh can't be in control. A believer that's crucified with Christ has his body under subjection as well as his appetites. He's yielded himself unto the Spirit of God so that the Spirit can work in his life the way the Spirit desires. A crucified believer lives a life of submission unto God. He's God's instrument. In order for a believer to be yielded unto God, his flesh must be crucified.
How are we to be crucified with Christ? First of all, our bodies must be placed under subjection as I Corinthians 9:27 bears out. We must deny ourselves and allow the Spirit to lead and guide us. If we don't place our body under subjection, then we won't walk in the Spirit. Instead, our flesh will be in control. Our lives will be dictated by our flesh if we don't crucify it. Along with crucifying our flesh, we must also allow our minds to be held captive by Christ. In order for that to happen, we must watch what we allow our minds to dwell upon. There are certain places we shouldn't visit with our minds. The problems that we face with our minds such as our pathetic attitudes and dispositions is a result on what we allow our minds to ponder upon. That's why it's so important what we feed our minds with. If we feed our minds with Hollywood, music that's ungodly, pornography, and all kinds of filth, we will have all kinds of problems with our self. What we allow to enter our minds will enter our hearts and before too long we'll be defeated spiritually. I've heard people that have struggled with certain situations or certain kinds of people who are trying to overcome whatever barrier that's in their life say they don't spend their time concentrating on the very things that will defeat them. If for example a person has an issue with alcohol he doesn't want to place himself in a situation where he tempts himself with that drug. He doesn't want to participate in any kind of activity which will remind him of alcohol. We must watch what we read or what we allow our eyes to behold. We must center our thoughts on pure and wholesome things as Philippians 4:8 bears out.
A believer who's crucified with Christ will be in total subjection unto Christ. His whole life revolves around the will of God. We can't be in the perfect will of God as long as our flesh is out of control. We as believers not only have a new nature but we still carry around the old Adamic nature. The old Adamic nature must be crucified. We must lay down ourselves before God to be crucified with Christ. We present ourselves to the Lord and allow him to have his way with us. We then follow Christ and walk in the Spirit. When we are crucified with Christ, we are dead unto the law. When we are dead unto the law, we live unto the Lord. In order for a child of God to walk in victory, he must lay down his life before God and allow his flesh to die. Jesus says he came so we could have life and have it more abundantly. Only those that are crucified with Christ can enjoy that abundant life. The Holy Spirit will never work in and through us as long as the flesh isn't under subjection. The flesh will dominate our lives and destroy us if it's not put to death. God has desires for his children to move on and serve the Lord in greater avenues. That won't take place until we are crucified with Christ.
The Unruly Tongue
(James 3:5-16) "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
One of the deadliest members of our mortal body is a tongue. The tongue can be used for both good and evil. It can be used to praise God or to curse God. It can be used to bless and uplift other people, or it can be used to tear down people. The same with a fire. The fire is a good and necessary thing when it comes for heat in the winter. It's also useful when it's used to burn trash. However, fire will destroy things if it isn't tamed and let out of control. Suppose your drapes catch on fire in the house. If that fire isn't contained very quickly, then the fire will spread to other parts of your house. Eventually the whole house will be consumed if the fire isn't extinguished. That's how the tongue can be. The tongue can engage in gossip about someone. Suppose person "A" says something malicious about person "B". Before too long, person "B" will be spreading it to persons "C", "D", "E", and the list continues. Before you know it, the statement that was first uttered by person "A" has been told to everyone in the community before the evening is over with. That's how damaging the tongue can be. Another thing that happens when gossiping takes place is the rumors that are spread will grow into something greater as the gossiping statement spreads to other people. Suppose person "A" tells person "B" that person "D" is fornicating with someone. Before too long that rumor will be spreading to other people. Any person that shares that information will add more to that. Person "B", who was told that person "D" was fornicating with someone, will add more to that statement and say that person "D" not only was involved in fornication, but he made that person whom he was fornicating with pregnant. The gossip grows and grows as it's passed on to each person. By the time the last word is said, it's totally different from what was said to begin with. That's how dangerous gossip can be. More and more lies are added as each person passes it along.
Proverbs 6:16-19 mentions seven things which are an abomination to the Lord. The last abomination that's mentioned in verse 19 is the one that mentions about the person that soweth discord among the brethren. God hates it when the brethren engage in discord. Sowing discord is of the Devil. That's a portrayal of the characteristic of Satan. Satan always loves to stir discord in the House of God. Whenever church people engage in sowing discord, they're exhibiting the characteristics of Satan. However, gossip is a two way street. There are those that will use their mouth to spew gossip and there are those that lend their ear to listen to it. Both are wicked. I've been guilty of both before and I've seen over the years the damage that can cause. God says we shouldn't mess with people that devote their time in spreading malicious gossip. It will hinder the work of God. Miriam in Numbers hindered the work of God with her tongue. There can't be peace and harmony in the church when we allow our tongue to get out of control. The tongue is a raging fire and people's reputations have been ruined due to somebody's uncontrollable tongue. God hates it. What's amazing is how the tongue can be used for both blessing and cursing. James stated that shouldn't be so. If you drink from a water fountain, it's not going to put forth both fresh and salt water simultaneously. Therefore, our tongues shouldn't be used to build someone up at one moment, and then the next moment the tongue is out of control unleashing untold damage upon that individual. The Bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The reason why we have so much problem with our tongue is because our heart's are dark. Our hearts aren't right with God.
The Bible teaches us about the importance in bridling our tongues. James 3:2 mentions that we put bits in the horse's mouth to teach them to obey us and we turn about their whole body. Verse 8 says the tongue can be tamed by no man. It is an unruly evil. Full of deadly poison. There have been churches that have experienced splits due to the poison of people's tongues. That shouldn't be the case.
A couple of years ago I was in a teacher's classroom at church. She had a sticker on her filing cabinet. That sticker was mentioning about three different groups of people and the characteristics of those people. I thought it was interesting. It was making reference to above average people, average people, and below average people. It said that above average people talk about great ideas. Average people talk about things. And below average people talk about other people. I was thinking last night about those that devote their time using their tongue to destroy other people makes me think they're not very intelligent. It appears they don't have anything better to discuss than the negatives of other people. It's ridiculous. People that constantly slander other people are those that in my mind are small-minded. I'm not saying that's the case, but those that devote their time to malicious gossip give me the impression they're small-minded people. They give the appearance of small-mindedness. They don't know of any other subjects to discuss than to tear down other people. There are so many subjects we can discuss and ponder upon. It's childish and sinful to use our tongue to slander other people. What does it accomplish? Nothing but heartache, hard feelings, and misery. We must stop that. Phillippians 4:8 is a great verse everyone ought to memorize. If we will center our minds and thoughts on things above that are pure, then I guarantee you all the strife and vicious gossip will cease. Those that engage in slander are feasting their minds on unholy things. If we will set our affections on things above, we won't have much trouble with that unruly member of ours. We should determine in our hearts we won't give party to those that want to spend their time biting and devouring other people. If we would practice that in the church, then revival might break out and people will get cleansed and healed.
One of the deadliest members of our mortal body is a tongue. The tongue can be used for both good and evil. It can be used to praise God or to curse God. It can be used to bless and uplift other people, or it can be used to tear down people. The same with a fire. The fire is a good and necessary thing when it comes for heat in the winter. It's also useful when it's used to burn trash. However, fire will destroy things if it isn't tamed and let out of control. Suppose your drapes catch on fire in the house. If that fire isn't contained very quickly, then the fire will spread to other parts of your house. Eventually the whole house will be consumed if the fire isn't extinguished. That's how the tongue can be. The tongue can engage in gossip about someone. Suppose person "A" says something malicious about person "B". Before too long, person "B" will be spreading it to persons "C", "D", "E", and the list continues. Before you know it, the statement that was first uttered by person "A" has been told to everyone in the community before the evening is over with. That's how damaging the tongue can be. Another thing that happens when gossiping takes place is the rumors that are spread will grow into something greater as the gossiping statement spreads to other people. Suppose person "A" tells person "B" that person "D" is fornicating with someone. Before too long that rumor will be spreading to other people. Any person that shares that information will add more to that. Person "B", who was told that person "D" was fornicating with someone, will add more to that statement and say that person "D" not only was involved in fornication, but he made that person whom he was fornicating with pregnant. The gossip grows and grows as it's passed on to each person. By the time the last word is said, it's totally different from what was said to begin with. That's how dangerous gossip can be. More and more lies are added as each person passes it along.
Proverbs 6:16-19 mentions seven things which are an abomination to the Lord. The last abomination that's mentioned in verse 19 is the one that mentions about the person that soweth discord among the brethren. God hates it when the brethren engage in discord. Sowing discord is of the Devil. That's a portrayal of the characteristic of Satan. Satan always loves to stir discord in the House of God. Whenever church people engage in sowing discord, they're exhibiting the characteristics of Satan. However, gossip is a two way street. There are those that will use their mouth to spew gossip and there are those that lend their ear to listen to it. Both are wicked. I've been guilty of both before and I've seen over the years the damage that can cause. God says we shouldn't mess with people that devote their time in spreading malicious gossip. It will hinder the work of God. Miriam in Numbers hindered the work of God with her tongue. There can't be peace and harmony in the church when we allow our tongue to get out of control. The tongue is a raging fire and people's reputations have been ruined due to somebody's uncontrollable tongue. God hates it. What's amazing is how the tongue can be used for both blessing and cursing. James stated that shouldn't be so. If you drink from a water fountain, it's not going to put forth both fresh and salt water simultaneously. Therefore, our tongues shouldn't be used to build someone up at one moment, and then the next moment the tongue is out of control unleashing untold damage upon that individual. The Bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The reason why we have so much problem with our tongue is because our heart's are dark. Our hearts aren't right with God.
The Bible teaches us about the importance in bridling our tongues. James 3:2 mentions that we put bits in the horse's mouth to teach them to obey us and we turn about their whole body. Verse 8 says the tongue can be tamed by no man. It is an unruly evil. Full of deadly poison. There have been churches that have experienced splits due to the poison of people's tongues. That shouldn't be the case.
A couple of years ago I was in a teacher's classroom at church. She had a sticker on her filing cabinet. That sticker was mentioning about three different groups of people and the characteristics of those people. I thought it was interesting. It was making reference to above average people, average people, and below average people. It said that above average people talk about great ideas. Average people talk about things. And below average people talk about other people. I was thinking last night about those that devote their time using their tongue to destroy other people makes me think they're not very intelligent. It appears they don't have anything better to discuss than the negatives of other people. It's ridiculous. People that constantly slander other people are those that in my mind are small-minded. I'm not saying that's the case, but those that devote their time to malicious gossip give me the impression they're small-minded people. They give the appearance of small-mindedness. They don't know of any other subjects to discuss than to tear down other people. There are so many subjects we can discuss and ponder upon. It's childish and sinful to use our tongue to slander other people. What does it accomplish? Nothing but heartache, hard feelings, and misery. We must stop that. Phillippians 4:8 is a great verse everyone ought to memorize. If we will center our minds and thoughts on things above that are pure, then I guarantee you all the strife and vicious gossip will cease. Those that engage in slander are feasting their minds on unholy things. If we will set our affections on things above, we won't have much trouble with that unruly member of ours. We should determine in our hearts we won't give party to those that want to spend their time biting and devouring other people. If we would practice that in the church, then revival might break out and people will get cleansed and healed.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Ronald Reagan Speech: The Farewell Address
YouTube - Ronald Reagan's Farewell Address
At the end of his second term in January 1989, President Ronald Reagan issued his farewell address to the nation. This was a very powerful and moving speech. When's the last time you've heard an elected official give such a speech that was so profoundly American as Reagan's farewell address? They're hard to find today. Most of our politicians today are too busy being politically correct. They're globalistic in their thinking today. One of the segments of the speech that I thought was very moving was the segment in which he encouraged parents to teach patriotism to their children. He felt it was important for America to have a sense of inspired patriotism. America in this generation needs a renewed sense of patriotism to inspire us to take back this country from those who are trying to destroy this country from within.
America is lacking patriotism at different levels in society. There's a lack of patriotism today in our elected officials, the national media, and the academia. The last president that I've seen that promoted America in such a profound way was Ronald Reagan. Even though Reagan made mistakes, I do believe he had a love for this country. Today we have a president that spends most of his time making apologies for America traveling around the world instead of extolling America's virtues. If this country has a chance for any kind of turnaround, it will take a renewed sense of patriotism among the American people once again. We need to once again fall in love with this great country. I believe the average American and those that are presently serving in the U.S. military coupled with the veterans are patriotic. Those that I don't believe are patriotic are those elected elite in Washington, D.C., the national news media, and the academia in college circles.
I appreciate the efforts of Glenn Beck to bring America's attention to those Founding Fathers who inspired the founding of America. Beck's been hosting "Founder's Friday" for the last month featuring different leaders who played a role in the founding of this country such as Samuel Adams, George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin to name a few. This Friday Glenn Beck is hosting Founder's Friday. The Founding Father Beck will be featuring this Friday will be James Madison. If you have the chance, don't forget to watch the Glenn Beck program on Fox News Chanel this Friday June 11, 2010. The show begins at 5:00 p.m. EST or 4:00 p.m. EST.
At the end of his second term in January 1989, President Ronald Reagan issued his farewell address to the nation. This was a very powerful and moving speech. When's the last time you've heard an elected official give such a speech that was so profoundly American as Reagan's farewell address? They're hard to find today. Most of our politicians today are too busy being politically correct. They're globalistic in their thinking today. One of the segments of the speech that I thought was very moving was the segment in which he encouraged parents to teach patriotism to their children. He felt it was important for America to have a sense of inspired patriotism. America in this generation needs a renewed sense of patriotism to inspire us to take back this country from those who are trying to destroy this country from within.
America is lacking patriotism at different levels in society. There's a lack of patriotism today in our elected officials, the national media, and the academia. The last president that I've seen that promoted America in such a profound way was Ronald Reagan. Even though Reagan made mistakes, I do believe he had a love for this country. Today we have a president that spends most of his time making apologies for America traveling around the world instead of extolling America's virtues. If this country has a chance for any kind of turnaround, it will take a renewed sense of patriotism among the American people once again. We need to once again fall in love with this great country. I believe the average American and those that are presently serving in the U.S. military coupled with the veterans are patriotic. Those that I don't believe are patriotic are those elected elite in Washington, D.C., the national news media, and the academia in college circles.
I appreciate the efforts of Glenn Beck to bring America's attention to those Founding Fathers who inspired the founding of America. Beck's been hosting "Founder's Friday" for the last month featuring different leaders who played a role in the founding of this country such as Samuel Adams, George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin to name a few. This Friday Glenn Beck is hosting Founder's Friday. The Founding Father Beck will be featuring this Friday will be James Madison. If you have the chance, don't forget to watch the Glenn Beck program on Fox News Chanel this Friday June 11, 2010. The show begins at 5:00 p.m. EST or 4:00 p.m. EST.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Helen Thomas Resigns from the White Press Corps Amid Remarks about Jews
(USA Today) Longtime Washington journalist Helen Thomas abruptly retired Monday as a columnist for Hearst newspapers following remarks she made about Israel that were denounced by the White House and her press corps colleagues. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called her statements "offensive and reprehensible." The White House Correspondents' Association also issued a rare statement, calling her comments "indefensible".
Helen Thomas who's 89 and soon to be 90 in a few months, has been dean of the White House press corps since 1960. She has been lauded as a pioneering journalist who has covered presidents since 1960. The very first president she covered was Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960. Thomas apologized for some comments she made about Jews on the May 27 video. Thomas says Israelis should "get "" "" out of Palestine," suggesting they go to Germany, Poland, or the United States. That sounds like somebody's who's racist. The White House Correspondent's Association said, "Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trailblazer on the White House beat." Thomas had been scheduled to speak at the June 14 graduation of Walt Whitman High School in the Washington suburb of Bethesda, MD., but principal Alan Goodwin wrote in a Sunday e-mail to students and parents that she was being replaced. Thomas wrote on her website that "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians." She also added, "They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."
Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League said Sunday that Thomas's apology didn't go far enough. He said that her suggestion that Israelis should go back to Poland and Germany are bigoted and show a profound ignorance of history. Thomas began her career with the wire service United Press International in 1943. She became a Hearst columnist in 2000.
Ms. Thomas is ignornant when it comes to the Middle East. If she knew anything about Biblical history, there's been turmoil between Israel and the Palestinians all the way back to Ishmael and Isaac. There's always been enmity beween the Jews and the Arabs. The terrorist group Hamas controls the Palestinian government. Their goal is to exterminate the Jews. The Palestinians don't want a free Jewish state right beside them. Everytime Israel concedes and gives up land for peace, they are attacked with rockets in their back yard. Israel gave up the Gaza strip to the Palestinians in 2005 but Israel is still attacked by the Palestinians. I stated last year there's no way that the Israeli's and the Palestinians could live in peaceful co-existence. A Palestinian State is not possible alongside with Israel in the Middle East. The only way those two could get along is they both would have to live miles apart from each other. As long as they're side-by-side, there'll be continual fighting. God says there will be no peace until the Prince of peace returns. We are commanded by scripture to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
It's not surprising that there are media people and even officials in the State Department that are anti-semitic. President Obama hasn't been supportive of the Jews. He's told them to stop building Jewish settlements. Obama has been profoundly pro-Arab. President Obama once lived in Indonesia during his youth. I can't prove it but Obama could be a closeted-Muslim. It wouldn't be surprising as supportive as he seems to be of the Muslim world. His administration, which includes Attorney General Eric Holder, doesn't desire to admit that there are radical Muslim extremists that are out to destroy America. With that kind of mindset, why is the United States still fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan?
There are Jews in America that are anti-Israeli. There are some Jews that are very liberal in their mindset. However, we need to be cautious of the mindset that all Jews are bad and out to destroy our economy and dominate this world globally. Jews are like anybody else--some are good decent people and others are evil. However, we don't need to throw a rubber stamp upon the Jewish race as a whole. The Bible says in Genesis 12:3 that God will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel. It's scary because there are czars and other radicals in the Obama administration that are anti-Israel. There are many in the elite media that are opposed to the state of Israel and blames them anytime they are attacked by Hamas. I do know the Bible says that eventually every nation would turn their back on Israel. It appears that's what the Obama administration might be doing. That's very scary indeed! We need to remember as Christians to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Helen Thomas who's 89 and soon to be 90 in a few months, has been dean of the White House press corps since 1960. She has been lauded as a pioneering journalist who has covered presidents since 1960. The very first president she covered was Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960. Thomas apologized for some comments she made about Jews on the May 27 video. Thomas says Israelis should "get "" "" out of Palestine," suggesting they go to Germany, Poland, or the United States. That sounds like somebody's who's racist. The White House Correspondent's Association said, "Many in our profession who have known Helen for years were saddened by the comments, which were especially unfortunate in light of her role as a trailblazer on the White House beat." Thomas had been scheduled to speak at the June 14 graduation of Walt Whitman High School in the Washington suburb of Bethesda, MD., but principal Alan Goodwin wrote in a Sunday e-mail to students and parents that she was being replaced. Thomas wrote on her website that "I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Israelis and the Palestinians." She also added, "They do not reflect my heartfelt belief that peace will come to the Middle East only when all parties recognize the need for mutual respect and tolerance. May that day come soon."
Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League said Sunday that Thomas's apology didn't go far enough. He said that her suggestion that Israelis should go back to Poland and Germany are bigoted and show a profound ignorance of history. Thomas began her career with the wire service United Press International in 1943. She became a Hearst columnist in 2000.
Ms. Thomas is ignornant when it comes to the Middle East. If she knew anything about Biblical history, there's been turmoil between Israel and the Palestinians all the way back to Ishmael and Isaac. There's always been enmity beween the Jews and the Arabs. The terrorist group Hamas controls the Palestinian government. Their goal is to exterminate the Jews. The Palestinians don't want a free Jewish state right beside them. Everytime Israel concedes and gives up land for peace, they are attacked with rockets in their back yard. Israel gave up the Gaza strip to the Palestinians in 2005 but Israel is still attacked by the Palestinians. I stated last year there's no way that the Israeli's and the Palestinians could live in peaceful co-existence. A Palestinian State is not possible alongside with Israel in the Middle East. The only way those two could get along is they both would have to live miles apart from each other. As long as they're side-by-side, there'll be continual fighting. God says there will be no peace until the Prince of peace returns. We are commanded by scripture to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
It's not surprising that there are media people and even officials in the State Department that are anti-semitic. President Obama hasn't been supportive of the Jews. He's told them to stop building Jewish settlements. Obama has been profoundly pro-Arab. President Obama once lived in Indonesia during his youth. I can't prove it but Obama could be a closeted-Muslim. It wouldn't be surprising as supportive as he seems to be of the Muslim world. His administration, which includes Attorney General Eric Holder, doesn't desire to admit that there are radical Muslim extremists that are out to destroy America. With that kind of mindset, why is the United States still fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan?
There are Jews in America that are anti-Israeli. There are some Jews that are very liberal in their mindset. However, we need to be cautious of the mindset that all Jews are bad and out to destroy our economy and dominate this world globally. Jews are like anybody else--some are good decent people and others are evil. However, we don't need to throw a rubber stamp upon the Jewish race as a whole. The Bible says in Genesis 12:3 that God will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel. It's scary because there are czars and other radicals in the Obama administration that are anti-Israel. There are many in the elite media that are opposed to the state of Israel and blames them anytime they are attacked by Hamas. I do know the Bible says that eventually every nation would turn their back on Israel. It appears that's what the Obama administration might be doing. That's very scary indeed! We need to remember as Christians to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
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