(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.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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.
Ronald Reagan Speech: Tear Down this Wall
YouTube - "Berlin Wall" Speech - President Reagan's Address at the Brandenburg Gate - 6/12/87
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," was a challenge from then President Ronald Reagan to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall. In a speech at Brandenburg Gate commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin, by the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. Reagan challenged Gorbachev to tear it down as a symbol for Reagan's desire for increasing freedom in the Eastern Bloc.
Since the end of World War II, the Berlin Wall was erected to separate Communist East Germany from free West Germany. In 1961 the Berlin Wall became a symbol of Communism. This was Reagan's second visit to West Berlin, Germany within five years. The speech took place at 2:00 p.m. at Reichstag, Germany. He spoke at the Brandenburg Gate. He was in front of two panes of bulletproof glass to protect the president from potential snipers in East Berlin. There were 4500 people in attendance at Reagan's speech. Those in attendance were West German president Richard von Weigsacker, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and West Berlin Mayor Eberhard Diepgen.
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," was a challenge from then President Ronald Reagan to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall. In a speech at Brandenburg Gate commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin, by the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. Reagan challenged Gorbachev to tear it down as a symbol for Reagan's desire for increasing freedom in the Eastern Bloc.
Since the end of World War II, the Berlin Wall was erected to separate Communist East Germany from free West Germany. In 1961 the Berlin Wall became a symbol of Communism. This was Reagan's second visit to West Berlin, Germany within five years. The speech took place at 2:00 p.m. at Reichstag, Germany. He spoke at the Brandenburg Gate. He was in front of two panes of bulletproof glass to protect the president from potential snipers in East Berlin. There were 4500 people in attendance at Reagan's speech. Those in attendance were West German president Richard von Weigsacker, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and West Berlin Mayor Eberhard Diepgen.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Ronald Reagan Speech: The 1981 Inaugural Address
YouTube - President Reagan 1981 Inaugural Address
This is the second speech from Ronald Reagan which I'm posting today. I'm thinking of posting a total of four speeches. I'm still trying to determine what the fourth speech will be. In this inaugural address, President Reagan began his speech on the dangers of inflation and how it hasd damaged our economy at the time. He made a powerful statement which is "In our present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." If one doesn't interpret that statement properly nor understood America during the late 1970's and beforehand, one could think he was saying the federal government doesn't have much of a role in America. He mentioned in his speech there's a role for the federal government. He stated that the federal government didn't create the states, the states created the federal government.
Many liberals in the media lump those in the Tea Party movement as being anti-government or anti-tax. That's not true. There is a proper role and a place for government. Government was created by God. Why? Because man's sinful and he created government to restrain lawlessness. The role of government is to execute justice and punish those that break the law. Another role for the government is to provide for a military to protect our nation and to create a system of highways for transporation purposes. Those are the roles of government. Without the execution of justice in our society along with provision for the common defense, this country would be in anarchy. There is a need for goverment. The problem is government has usurped authority in areas it's not supposed to usurp authority. Government today is trying to usurp the authority of mommy and daddy in the lives of America's children. Also government has taken the place of the average citizen to become a welfare state. There are some Americans in this generation that expect government to provide for its citizenry from the cradle to the grave. There are those that expect government to provide handouts, education, homes, jobs, social security, and the list continues. There used to be a time when Americans believed in the concept of self-reliance and working for your wages. There used to be a time whenever somebody in the neighborhood had a need, everyone in that neighborhood would pitch in and help the needy. Today we have a group of people that expect the federal government to be the provider. Thankfully more and more people are waking up to the fact that the federal government can't provide for everyone's financial needs. A government like that is socialistic and we wind up losing our freedoms when we expect government to take care of our needs.
In Matthew 22:17-21, the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus and asked him was it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar. Jesus told then to render unto Caesar (the government) the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. We as citizens have a duty when it comes to government. We are to pay taxes, we are to register for the selective service in case they need to call a draft in the time of war, we are to participate in jury duty when called on, etc. We as citizens do have our responsibilities toward government. We are also to obey the laws of the land unless they violate God's laws. God never created government to hold as much power over us like they're trying to do today. However, due to man's carnality and our neglect of certain responsibilities in years past when it comes to helping the poor and husbands providing for their families, the government has usurped that role and tried to provide benefits by taxing the wealthy to give to the poor. Even education is not a responsibility of government; esp. not the federal government. The role of education technically belongs to the parents and the churches. I'm a strong believer in Christian education. God has placed certain spheres of authority in this world: the home, the government, and the church. Each institution has its place in society. Today, government is trying to usurp the role of the family unit. In many of our school systems today, the public schools are teaching children topics such as sex education which should be reserved only for the home. The breakdown of the homes and churches has left a void and the government sadly has assumed that void. Christians and Christian parents need to take back the responsibility God has given to them. It's not the government's place to provide for its citizenry from cradle to grave.
This is the second speech from Ronald Reagan which I'm posting today. I'm thinking of posting a total of four speeches. I'm still trying to determine what the fourth speech will be. In this inaugural address, President Reagan began his speech on the dangers of inflation and how it hasd damaged our economy at the time. He made a powerful statement which is "In our present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." If one doesn't interpret that statement properly nor understood America during the late 1970's and beforehand, one could think he was saying the federal government doesn't have much of a role in America. He mentioned in his speech there's a role for the federal government. He stated that the federal government didn't create the states, the states created the federal government.
Many liberals in the media lump those in the Tea Party movement as being anti-government or anti-tax. That's not true. There is a proper role and a place for government. Government was created by God. Why? Because man's sinful and he created government to restrain lawlessness. The role of government is to execute justice and punish those that break the law. Another role for the government is to provide for a military to protect our nation and to create a system of highways for transporation purposes. Those are the roles of government. Without the execution of justice in our society along with provision for the common defense, this country would be in anarchy. There is a need for goverment. The problem is government has usurped authority in areas it's not supposed to usurp authority. Government today is trying to usurp the authority of mommy and daddy in the lives of America's children. Also government has taken the place of the average citizen to become a welfare state. There are some Americans in this generation that expect government to provide for its citizenry from the cradle to the grave. There are those that expect government to provide handouts, education, homes, jobs, social security, and the list continues. There used to be a time when Americans believed in the concept of self-reliance and working for your wages. There used to be a time whenever somebody in the neighborhood had a need, everyone in that neighborhood would pitch in and help the needy. Today we have a group of people that expect the federal government to be the provider. Thankfully more and more people are waking up to the fact that the federal government can't provide for everyone's financial needs. A government like that is socialistic and we wind up losing our freedoms when we expect government to take care of our needs.
In Matthew 22:17-21, the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus and asked him was it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar. Jesus told then to render unto Caesar (the government) the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. We as citizens have a duty when it comes to government. We are to pay taxes, we are to register for the selective service in case they need to call a draft in the time of war, we are to participate in jury duty when called on, etc. We as citizens do have our responsibilities toward government. We are also to obey the laws of the land unless they violate God's laws. God never created government to hold as much power over us like they're trying to do today. However, due to man's carnality and our neglect of certain responsibilities in years past when it comes to helping the poor and husbands providing for their families, the government has usurped that role and tried to provide benefits by taxing the wealthy to give to the poor. Even education is not a responsibility of government; esp. not the federal government. The role of education technically belongs to the parents and the churches. I'm a strong believer in Christian education. God has placed certain spheres of authority in this world: the home, the government, and the church. Each institution has its place in society. Today, government is trying to usurp the role of the family unit. In many of our school systems today, the public schools are teaching children topics such as sex education which should be reserved only for the home. The breakdown of the homes and churches has left a void and the government sadly has assumed that void. Christians and Christian parents need to take back the responsibility God has given to them. It's not the government's place to provide for its citizenry from cradle to grave.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Walking in the Spirit
(Galatians 5:16-18) "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 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." In one of the previous posts, I was mentioning that no man is justified under the law. Under the law man is condemned. The law reveals the sinfulness of mankind and therefore man is classified guilty before God. II Corinthians 3:6 says that the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life. Those that don't know God have to be restrained by the law. Why was the law given? To restrain those that are carnal and sinful. Also the law was given to man to show that man is indeed sinful. Sin is made manifest when the law reveals that mankind has sinned. The law is a mirror reflecting your sins before you. However, Jesus died on Calvary's cross to pave the only way to salvation. Mankind is saved by grace through faith, plus nothing minus nothing. When God saves a man, He changes him and the Spirit of God makes his abode into the new believer's heart. That man becomes a new creature in Christ as II Corinthians 5:17 bears out.
Some church leaders misinterpret verse 18 when it says that if ye are led of the Spirit, you aren't under the law. Some misinterpret that as saying that you are free to do whatever you desire. It's true when you aren't under the law you'll do what you desire. However, the flip side of that is that you'll possess new desires. Your desires will change when you become saved. If you were a drunkard prior to salvation, then God will save and deliver you from liquor. He'll also change your desires. You'll no longer have the desire to drink liquor and perform any ungodly act. That's a miracle of the new birth. We're made a new creature. God says in Psalms to delight ourselves in the Lord and He'll give us the desires of our heart. If we delight ourselves in the Lord, then our desires will mirror God's desires. The closer we become to God, the more we'll become like God. The Bible says we are to be conformed to the image of Christ. That doesn't mean we're perfect nor does it mean we don't battle with the flesh. We still have that fleshly nature when we are saved. However, the new man desires to walk with God. It desires to please God.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:17 that he came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. God didn't abolish the law. The law is perfect, holy and just. There are teachers in the church that will label a preacher a legalist whenever he preaches separation to the child of God. Whenever a man of God preaches there are certain activities we shouldn't be participate in as children of God, then he's labeled a legalist. That's twisting scripture. Legalism is adding law to grace. It's saying you're saved by grace through faith plus something. The issues on separation is to help the children of God in their walk before the Lord as well as the type testimony they're to have before the world. Christians are to walk examplary before the world. If we claim to be a Christian and we fill our minds with filth from Hollywood, for example, how can we be conformed before the image of Christ. Our flesh is already carnal. When you add more carnality to it, it becomes difficult to maintain a right relationship with God. If we desire to live for God, there are certain things we shouldn't occupy our minds with. If we do, we'll struggle in serving the Lord. Our carnal minds are at enmity with God. Allowing your mind to be bombarded with sinful things makes it increasingly difficult to serve the Lord and please Him. There are some "do's" and "don'ts" for believers. However, laws don't save a man nor make him righteous. The law of God is for our own well-being as fellow believers. The Bible says the Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth. We have the law to teach us how to live and to appear before the world. For example, if we adorn ourselves with apparel that's not modest, that's a poor testimony before the world. It's a poor testimony on how a Christian should live for God. The law is necessary. The Holy Spirit will use the law to teach us things. But we aren't redeemed by the law.
What does it mean in Galatians 5:18 that if we are led by the Spirit we aren't under the law. When a sinner is saved, the Spirit of God takes abode in their hearts. The Spirit of God through the Word of God itself and the preaching of the Word of God, will lead and guide into all truth. Jesus says that "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me." A new believer is made into a new creature. Old things are passed away and behold all things become new. That's what takes place at conversion. God changes the desire of those that are saved. There is a deep desire within a beliver's innermost being to walk with and serve God. It's not about rules and regulations following salvation. Instead of saying, "I have to", it's now becomes, "I desire to." God writes the laws of God into our hearts so we will want to live for God. God knows our heart and knows it's carnal. That's what the law was given to Moses at Mount Sinai. Man's nature was sinful and he needed the law to restrain him. A beliver in Christ has the Holy Spirit to restrain him. Instead of being under a set of rules, you have the Holy Spirit that abides within you that will lead you. There's a still small voice that says, "This is holy, this is unholy." The Spirit of God says, "This is what you need to do. This is what you shouldn't do." The believer has the responsibility to submit to the Spirit.
That doesn't mean Christians don't need to read their Bible nor sit under preaching at church. However, there's a still small voice inside them that will lead and guide them. The Spirit of God will work in a believer's life to make him/her more like Jesus. A sinner is in misery because he has to rely on the law to keep him out of trouble. There's nothing inside of the sinner compelling him to live for Jesus. He has to have the law to tell him what to do. When Jesus enters the picture, that changes. The Holy Spirit comes in and he will lead you and conform you to the image of Christ. How far the Spirit will go with you depends on how submissive you are. The more you submit to truth, the more the Spirit of God will work in your life. The problem is some Christians will only allow the Spirit to work in their lives to a point and that's it. However, it's God's intentions we be like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He isn't going to force us to be something if we won't submit to his leadership. However, if we walk in the Spirit and follow God, we won't be fulfilling the lust of the flesh.
The reason why so many Christians struggle with the flesh is because we aren't walking in the Spirit like we ought to be. When we refuse to submit to God, then we're allowing our flesh to have its way in our lives. The only way we won't fall prey to sin is for us to be obedient to the Spirit of God. As a result of our lack of obedience, that's why we struggle in areas we shouldn't. A spirit-led life is a life of joy, peace, happiness, and victory. Those that don't allow the Spirit of God to lead them in every aspect of their lives are going to face trouble with their flesh. In order to be the complete, entire man that the book of James speaks of, we must live a life yielded to the Spirit. We must walk in the Spirit at all times. If we don't then we'll fulfill the lusts of the flesh. That's why we make so many terrible decisions. We don't walk in the Spirit continually. Those that choose to submit their ways unto God will live a life of victory. The only way for a child of God to have victory in their lives is to walk in the Spirit, so they don't fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Some church leaders misinterpret verse 18 when it says that if ye are led of the Spirit, you aren't under the law. Some misinterpret that as saying that you are free to do whatever you desire. It's true when you aren't under the law you'll do what you desire. However, the flip side of that is that you'll possess new desires. Your desires will change when you become saved. If you were a drunkard prior to salvation, then God will save and deliver you from liquor. He'll also change your desires. You'll no longer have the desire to drink liquor and perform any ungodly act. That's a miracle of the new birth. We're made a new creature. God says in Psalms to delight ourselves in the Lord and He'll give us the desires of our heart. If we delight ourselves in the Lord, then our desires will mirror God's desires. The closer we become to God, the more we'll become like God. The Bible says we are to be conformed to the image of Christ. That doesn't mean we're perfect nor does it mean we don't battle with the flesh. We still have that fleshly nature when we are saved. However, the new man desires to walk with God. It desires to please God.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:17 that he came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. God didn't abolish the law. The law is perfect, holy and just. There are teachers in the church that will label a preacher a legalist whenever he preaches separation to the child of God. Whenever a man of God preaches there are certain activities we shouldn't be participate in as children of God, then he's labeled a legalist. That's twisting scripture. Legalism is adding law to grace. It's saying you're saved by grace through faith plus something. The issues on separation is to help the children of God in their walk before the Lord as well as the type testimony they're to have before the world. Christians are to walk examplary before the world. If we claim to be a Christian and we fill our minds with filth from Hollywood, for example, how can we be conformed before the image of Christ. Our flesh is already carnal. When you add more carnality to it, it becomes difficult to maintain a right relationship with God. If we desire to live for God, there are certain things we shouldn't occupy our minds with. If we do, we'll struggle in serving the Lord. Our carnal minds are at enmity with God. Allowing your mind to be bombarded with sinful things makes it increasingly difficult to serve the Lord and please Him. There are some "do's" and "don'ts" for believers. However, laws don't save a man nor make him righteous. The law of God is for our own well-being as fellow believers. The Bible says the Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth. We have the law to teach us how to live and to appear before the world. For example, if we adorn ourselves with apparel that's not modest, that's a poor testimony before the world. It's a poor testimony on how a Christian should live for God. The law is necessary. The Holy Spirit will use the law to teach us things. But we aren't redeemed by the law.
What does it mean in Galatians 5:18 that if we are led by the Spirit we aren't under the law. When a sinner is saved, the Spirit of God takes abode in their hearts. The Spirit of God through the Word of God itself and the preaching of the Word of God, will lead and guide into all truth. Jesus says that "My sheep hear my voice and they follow me." A new believer is made into a new creature. Old things are passed away and behold all things become new. That's what takes place at conversion. God changes the desire of those that are saved. There is a deep desire within a beliver's innermost being to walk with and serve God. It's not about rules and regulations following salvation. Instead of saying, "I have to", it's now becomes, "I desire to." God writes the laws of God into our hearts so we will want to live for God. God knows our heart and knows it's carnal. That's what the law was given to Moses at Mount Sinai. Man's nature was sinful and he needed the law to restrain him. A beliver in Christ has the Holy Spirit to restrain him. Instead of being under a set of rules, you have the Holy Spirit that abides within you that will lead you. There's a still small voice that says, "This is holy, this is unholy." The Spirit of God says, "This is what you need to do. This is what you shouldn't do." The believer has the responsibility to submit to the Spirit.
That doesn't mean Christians don't need to read their Bible nor sit under preaching at church. However, there's a still small voice inside them that will lead and guide them. The Spirit of God will work in a believer's life to make him/her more like Jesus. A sinner is in misery because he has to rely on the law to keep him out of trouble. There's nothing inside of the sinner compelling him to live for Jesus. He has to have the law to tell him what to do. When Jesus enters the picture, that changes. The Holy Spirit comes in and he will lead you and conform you to the image of Christ. How far the Spirit will go with you depends on how submissive you are. The more you submit to truth, the more the Spirit of God will work in your life. The problem is some Christians will only allow the Spirit to work in their lives to a point and that's it. However, it's God's intentions we be like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He isn't going to force us to be something if we won't submit to his leadership. However, if we walk in the Spirit and follow God, we won't be fulfilling the lust of the flesh.
The reason why so many Christians struggle with the flesh is because we aren't walking in the Spirit like we ought to be. When we refuse to submit to God, then we're allowing our flesh to have its way in our lives. The only way we won't fall prey to sin is for us to be obedient to the Spirit of God. As a result of our lack of obedience, that's why we struggle in areas we shouldn't. A spirit-led life is a life of joy, peace, happiness, and victory. Those that don't allow the Spirit of God to lead them in every aspect of their lives are going to face trouble with their flesh. In order to be the complete, entire man that the book of James speaks of, we must live a life yielded to the Spirit. We must walk in the Spirit at all times. If we don't then we'll fulfill the lusts of the flesh. That's why we make so many terrible decisions. We don't walk in the Spirit continually. Those that choose to submit their ways unto God will live a life of victory. The only way for a child of God to have victory in their lives is to walk in the Spirit, so they don't fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Ronald Reagan Speech: A Time for Choosing
YouTube - "A Time for Choosing" by Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan had joined the campaign of conservative presidential contender Barry Goldwater in 1964. U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, who was a Republican was running against Democratic President Lyndon Johnson. Prior to joining the campaign to promote Barry Goldwater for president, he was a movie actor and even hosted his own show on television for eight years entitled, "General Electric Theater." He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild in Hollywood several times. He was a former Democrat who publicly supported Harry Truman for president in 1948. Reagan switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1964.
I want to provide a quick historical overview of America during the time Ronald Reagan gave his famous speech. During this period America was engaged in a Cold War with the Soviet Union. We were in an arms race with the Soviets. America was in the process of beefing up its forces to stay on the cutting edge with the Soviets. America had witnessed the assassination of John F. Kennedy a year before. As a result, Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson then became president. Prior to his assassination, John F. Kennedy made a goal to send the first American man to the moon in a speech in 1961. That goal wasn't realized until July 20, 1969. America's involvement with Vietnam escalated during this time as well. America had sent advisers to that region many years before 1964 starting with President Truman and it continued with Eisenhower and Kennedy. In August 1964, the Tonkin Gulf incident occurred which eventually precipitated in the first Marine troops being sent to Vietnam in March 1965. We were on the verge of being embroiled in a prolonged military conflict in Vietnam. In 1964, President Johnson signed a landmark bill called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which forbade public desegregation and public discrimination against blacks and minorities. And here's Ronald Reagan making speeches on behalf of Republican Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, which would eventually launch the political career of Ronald Reagan.
In the famous "A Time for Choosing" speech Ronald Reagan made on behalf of Barry Goldwater, he stressed his belief in the importance of smaller government. "The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people and they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing," according to Reagan. This "A Time for Choosing" speech raised $1 million for Goldwater's campaign and is considered the event that launched Reagan's career. "A Time for Choosing", also known as "The Speech" was presented on a number of speaking occasions during the 1964 U.S. presidential election campaign by future president Ronald Reagan on behalf of candidate Barry Goldwater. Many versions of this speech existed. It was altered during many stops. Reagan gave this speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California and he also gave this speech as part of a pre-recorded television appearance entitled, "Rendevous with Destiny" on October 27, 1964. This particular YouTube clip was given on October 27, 1964.
Many believe this speech helped launch Ronald Reagan's political career starting with his gubernatorial run in California in 1966 and 1970 and then eventually the presidency in 1980. Many say this was the most effective speech given on behalf of a presidential candidate. As it turned out, Goldwater lost this race by huge margins. This speech showed the remarkable communication skills Ronald Reagan possessed.
Ronald Reagan had joined the campaign of conservative presidential contender Barry Goldwater in 1964. U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, who was a Republican was running against Democratic President Lyndon Johnson. Prior to joining the campaign to promote Barry Goldwater for president, he was a movie actor and even hosted his own show on television for eight years entitled, "General Electric Theater." He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild in Hollywood several times. He was a former Democrat who publicly supported Harry Truman for president in 1948. Reagan switched his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1964.
I want to provide a quick historical overview of America during the time Ronald Reagan gave his famous speech. During this period America was engaged in a Cold War with the Soviet Union. We were in an arms race with the Soviets. America was in the process of beefing up its forces to stay on the cutting edge with the Soviets. America had witnessed the assassination of John F. Kennedy a year before. As a result, Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson then became president. Prior to his assassination, John F. Kennedy made a goal to send the first American man to the moon in a speech in 1961. That goal wasn't realized until July 20, 1969. America's involvement with Vietnam escalated during this time as well. America had sent advisers to that region many years before 1964 starting with President Truman and it continued with Eisenhower and Kennedy. In August 1964, the Tonkin Gulf incident occurred which eventually precipitated in the first Marine troops being sent to Vietnam in March 1965. We were on the verge of being embroiled in a prolonged military conflict in Vietnam. In 1964, President Johnson signed a landmark bill called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which forbade public desegregation and public discrimination against blacks and minorities. And here's Ronald Reagan making speeches on behalf of Republican Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, which would eventually launch the political career of Ronald Reagan.
In the famous "A Time for Choosing" speech Ronald Reagan made on behalf of Barry Goldwater, he stressed his belief in the importance of smaller government. "The Founding Fathers knew a government can't control the economy without controlling people and they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing," according to Reagan. This "A Time for Choosing" speech raised $1 million for Goldwater's campaign and is considered the event that launched Reagan's career. "A Time for Choosing", also known as "The Speech" was presented on a number of speaking occasions during the 1964 U.S. presidential election campaign by future president Ronald Reagan on behalf of candidate Barry Goldwater. Many versions of this speech existed. It was altered during many stops. Reagan gave this speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California and he also gave this speech as part of a pre-recorded television appearance entitled, "Rendevous with Destiny" on October 27, 1964. This particular YouTube clip was given on October 27, 1964.
Many believe this speech helped launch Ronald Reagan's political career starting with his gubernatorial run in California in 1966 and 1970 and then eventually the presidency in 1980. Many say this was the most effective speech given on behalf of a presidential candidate. As it turned out, Goldwater lost this race by huge margins. This speech showed the remarkable communication skills Ronald Reagan possessed.
Happy First Anniversary to the Christian Worldview
Today is the first anniversary of the Christian Worldview. The Christian Worldview blog was created on Friday, June 5, 2009. The first post wasn't written until Saturday June 6, 2009. The very first post written was entitled, "Will Obama's Address to the Muslim World Help Repair U.S.-Muslim Relations?". As of this writing, this is the 269th post of the Christian Worldview. I'm very thankful for the opportunity and privilege to have this blog to document events that take place in this nation and in this world on a daily basis. Of course, this blog isn't just limited to the news or to politics. I attempt to cover a wide array of subjects such as thoughts on scripture, historical events, holidays, special events, and the list continues. I'm looking forward to covering even greater things in the future. The purpose is to present every subject that's examined from a Biblical or Christian worldview, hence the blog title. When this blog first began it bore my name as the blog title. Within a couple of weeks or so, I gave it the name you see on the blog title right now, The Christian Worldview. This title is very fitting for the theme of this blog. Every subject whether it be political, educational, historical, scientific, seasonal, or the list continues must be examined from a Christian viewpoint. I'll explain that a little later.
First of all I want to use this time to thank the person who made it possible for me to create a blog account. I want to thank my blog friend, Becky Abner for introducing me to the blogosphere world. Until I became acquainted with her, I never even knew that Blogger.com even existed. I knew there were all kinds of blogs on the website, but I wasn't familiar with personal blogging. I didn't know that anyone could create their own blog account for any reason. I enjoy writing and this blog gives me the opportunity to channel my writing abilities. I've submitted monthly articles to my local newspaper, but now I have a blog in which I can submit an article anytime I desire. When I first became acquainted with Becky, a friend at my church introduced me to her through her blogspot address. So I typed her address and I for the first time was introduced to the world of bloggers. It didn't take me but a couple of weeks to know what direction to head with my writing. I'm very grateful for that. I owe you a debt of gratitude for the opportunity to create this blogspot, Becky. Thank you. She also is one of my followers as well.
Below the blog title is the blog description. It has a quote from the late Francis Schaeffer. I've used this quote from him because he's been instrumental in my thinking about education and politics years ago. I first became acquainted with the works of Francis Schaeffer through a book I read by an attorney named John Whitehead, from the Rutherford Institute. Back in 1992, I read a book from Whitehead entitled, "The Second American Revolution." It was an eye-opening book concerning the plight of this country. In reading it, I read some quotes from the late Francis Schaeffer. I saw in the back of the book a couple of books authored by Schaeffer so I checked them out at the local library. I couldn't put the books down. Since that time, I've read almost every book that Schaeffer wrote. Two of my favorites from Schaeffer are "How Then Should We Live" and "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?" (co-authored with C. Everett Koop). Schaeffer spoke often about a Christian worldview. He explained that everybody has a worldview regardless whether it's Christian or humanistic. So I took his title to apply it to everything I write about. Whenever I write essays, I title it, "The Christian Worldview." Nevertheless, it made sense for me to use that title for this blog. Schaeffer believed that the Lordship of Christ should be extended to every aspect of a person's life. He believed the Lordship of Christ should be extended to the arts, sciences, politics, education, the environment, and the list continues. He had a great influence on my thinking on culture and the world at large. I didn't agree with all his viewpoints when it came to doctrine. He's a Presbyterian and I'm a Baptist. But I concurred with him on the major themes revolving around Christianity influencing culture. It's changed my thinking.
On June 5, 2004, the late president Ronald Reagan passed away. I was thinking about how to commemorate the first year anniversary of the Christian Worldview. I'm going to pay tribute to the late Ronald Reagan by posting three different speeches he gave in his lifetime. The first one is a speech he presented over television promoting the Goldwater-Miller campaign. It's entitled, "A Time for Choosing." He broadcasted this speech on October 27, 1964. I'm also going to present his farewell address. That was a speech about inculcating patriotism into America's children. I'm also considering posting his first inaugural address. I will post YouTube clips on each of the three speeches that he presented and then give a description of the speeches. Reagan was known as the "Great Communicator." He gave moving speeches. There are many speeches I could present, but I'm only going to select three to post in commemoration of the first year anniversary of this blog. Reagan was the best president in my lifetime as far as I'm concerned. He did make mistakes in some areas, but he was the last president who was profound about his love and the greatness of America. He promoted this great country every time he gave a speech. That's something that's greatly lacking today. We need someone rising from the ranks that will once again promote the greatness of America instead of always denigrating us like our present leaders are doing today.
First of all I want to use this time to thank the person who made it possible for me to create a blog account. I want to thank my blog friend, Becky Abner for introducing me to the blogosphere world. Until I became acquainted with her, I never even knew that Blogger.com even existed. I knew there were all kinds of blogs on the website, but I wasn't familiar with personal blogging. I didn't know that anyone could create their own blog account for any reason. I enjoy writing and this blog gives me the opportunity to channel my writing abilities. I've submitted monthly articles to my local newspaper, but now I have a blog in which I can submit an article anytime I desire. When I first became acquainted with Becky, a friend at my church introduced me to her through her blogspot address. So I typed her address and I for the first time was introduced to the world of bloggers. It didn't take me but a couple of weeks to know what direction to head with my writing. I'm very grateful for that. I owe you a debt of gratitude for the opportunity to create this blogspot, Becky. Thank you. She also is one of my followers as well.
Below the blog title is the blog description. It has a quote from the late Francis Schaeffer. I've used this quote from him because he's been instrumental in my thinking about education and politics years ago. I first became acquainted with the works of Francis Schaeffer through a book I read by an attorney named John Whitehead, from the Rutherford Institute. Back in 1992, I read a book from Whitehead entitled, "The Second American Revolution." It was an eye-opening book concerning the plight of this country. In reading it, I read some quotes from the late Francis Schaeffer. I saw in the back of the book a couple of books authored by Schaeffer so I checked them out at the local library. I couldn't put the books down. Since that time, I've read almost every book that Schaeffer wrote. Two of my favorites from Schaeffer are "How Then Should We Live" and "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?" (co-authored with C. Everett Koop). Schaeffer spoke often about a Christian worldview. He explained that everybody has a worldview regardless whether it's Christian or humanistic. So I took his title to apply it to everything I write about. Whenever I write essays, I title it, "The Christian Worldview." Nevertheless, it made sense for me to use that title for this blog. Schaeffer believed that the Lordship of Christ should be extended to every aspect of a person's life. He believed the Lordship of Christ should be extended to the arts, sciences, politics, education, the environment, and the list continues. He had a great influence on my thinking on culture and the world at large. I didn't agree with all his viewpoints when it came to doctrine. He's a Presbyterian and I'm a Baptist. But I concurred with him on the major themes revolving around Christianity influencing culture. It's changed my thinking.
On June 5, 2004, the late president Ronald Reagan passed away. I was thinking about how to commemorate the first year anniversary of the Christian Worldview. I'm going to pay tribute to the late Ronald Reagan by posting three different speeches he gave in his lifetime. The first one is a speech he presented over television promoting the Goldwater-Miller campaign. It's entitled, "A Time for Choosing." He broadcasted this speech on October 27, 1964. I'm also going to present his farewell address. That was a speech about inculcating patriotism into America's children. I'm also considering posting his first inaugural address. I will post YouTube clips on each of the three speeches that he presented and then give a description of the speeches. Reagan was known as the "Great Communicator." He gave moving speeches. There are many speeches I could present, but I'm only going to select three to post in commemoration of the first year anniversary of this blog. Reagan was the best president in my lifetime as far as I'm concerned. He did make mistakes in some areas, but he was the last president who was profound about his love and the greatness of America. He promoted this great country every time he gave a speech. That's something that's greatly lacking today. We need someone rising from the ranks that will once again promote the greatness of America instead of always denigrating us like our present leaders are doing today.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Founder's Friday: Benjamin Franklin
Glenn Beck on Fox News featured Benjamin Franklin on Founder's Friday. It was a great show and both of his guests on the show were speaking about the life of Benjamin Franklin and the influence he had on the American Revolution and the founding of America. Benjamin Franklin was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin's picture is printed on the one hundred dollar bill. He's known for discovering electricity and other scientific achievements. He was a printer for a newspaper. He was also present at the U.S. Constitutional Convention in 1787 and he made a famous statement when there was all kinds of bickering taking place due to disagreements over the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin encouraged them and said that God governs in the affairs of men. There's also famous statements that Franklin made such as "A penny saved is a penny earned," for example. Let's journey into the life of Benjamin Franklin.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of the soap maker, Josiah Franklin. Benjamin's mother was Abigail Folger, the second wife of Josiah. A future descendant of hers, J.A. Folger, founded Folger's Coffee in the nineteenth century. Josiah had intended for Benjamin to enter the clergy. However, Josiah could only afford to send his son to one year of school and clergyman needed many years of schooling. However, a young Benjamin loved to read and he was apprenticed to his brother James, who was a printer. After helping James compose pamphlets and set type which was grueling work, 12-year old Benjamin would sell products in the streets. When Benjamin was 15 his brother started "The New England Courant", which was the first paper in Boston. There were two papers in the city before James's "Courant", they only reprinted news from abroad. Benjamin wanted to write for the paper, but he knew his brother would never allow him to. So Ben began writing letters at night and signing them with the name of a fictional widow, Silence Dogood. Ben would sneak the letters under the print shop door at night so no one knew who was writing the pieces. They were a smash hit and everyone wanted to know who was the real "Silence Dogood." After 16 letters, Ben confessed to writing the letters all along. James scolded his brother for writing those letters. Before long the Franklins found themselves at odds with Boston's powerful Puritan preachers, the Mathers. Smallpox was a deadly disease at the time and the Mathers supported innoculation. The Franklins believed innoculation only made people sicker. Even though Bostonians agreed with the Franklins, they didn't like the way James made fun of the clergy during the debate. Ultimately, James was thrown in jail for his views, and Benjamin was left to run the paper for several issues. James didn't appreciate Benjamin keeping the paper going. He would harrass his younger brother and administer several beatings to him. As a result, Benjamin decided to run away in 1723.
Eventually Benjamin found work as an apprentice printer. He did so well that the governor of Pennsylvania promised to set him up in business for himself if young Franklin would just go to London to purchase fonts and printing equipment. Franklin did go to London, but the governor reneged and Franklin spent several months in London doing print work. Benjamin had been living with the Read family before he left for London. Deborah Read was interested in Franklin and discussed marriage but Benjamin didn't think he was ready. So she married another man while he was gone. In 1728, Benjamin fathered a child out of wedlock. His name was William. In 1730, Benjamin married his childhood sweetheart, Deborah after her husband had run off. In addition to running a print shop, the Franklins also ran their own store at this time, with Deborah selling everything from soap to fabric. Ben also ran a book store.
In 1729, Benjamin Franklin bought a newspaper, "The Pennsylvania Gazette." He not only printed the paper, but often contributed pieces to the paper under aliases. His newspaper soon became one of the most successful in the colonies. This newspaper, along with other firsts, would print the first political cartoon, authored by Franklin himself. During the 1720's and 1730's, he would organize the Junto, a young working-man's group dedicated to self-and-civic improvement. He joined the Masons. He was a busy man socially. However, he thrived on work. In 1733 he started publishing "Poor Richard's Almanack." Almanacs of that era were printed annually, and contained information such as weather reports, recipes, predictions, and homilies. Franklin published his almanac under the guise of a man named Richard Saunders, a poor man who needed money to take care of his carping wife. What distinguished Franklin's almanac were his witty aphorisms and lively writing. One of his famous phrases, "A penny saved is a penny earned" came from "Poor Richard."
There were other civic contributions that Franklin contributed to in the 1730's and 1740's such as projects to pave, clean and light Philadelphia's streets. He started agitating for environmental clean-up. One of his notable accomplishments was the launching of the Library Company in 1731. He recognized that by pooling together resources, members could afford to purchase books from England. He also helped to launch the American Philosophical Society in 1743. He also helped to establish the Pennsylvania Hospital to care for the sick as well. In 1736, he helped organize Philadelphia's Union Fire Company, the first in the city. His famous saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," was actually fire-fighting advice. Those who suffered fire damage to their homes suffered irreversible economic loss. So in 1752 Franklin helped to found the Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against Loss by Fire. Those with insurance policies weren't wiped out financially. That's where home insurance stemmed from.
Among Franklin's other inventions are swim fins, the glass armonica (a musical instrument), and bifocals. In the early 1750's, he turned to the study of electricity. His observations, including his kite experiment which verified the nature of electricity and lightning brought Franklin international fame.
Franklin also worked actively for the cause of Independence in America. In 1757 he went to England to represent Pennsylvania in its fight with the descendants of the Penn family over who should represent the colony. He remained in England in 1775 as a Colonial representative not only of Pennsylvania, but of Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts as well. Early in his time abroad, he had considered himself a loyal Englishman. However, in 1765, Franklin was caught by surprise by America's overwhelming opposition to the Stamp Act. His testimony before Parliament persuaded the members to repeal the law. He then started wondering if America should break free from England. He was growing sick of the corruption he saw all around him in politics and royal circles. He finally started working towards pushing for American independence from England.
He thought his son William, the Royal Governor of New Jersey, would concur with his views. Instead, William supported the Crown. As a result, there was rift between father and son that would never heal. Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and worked on a committee of five that helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. Though much of the writing is Thomas Jefferson's, much of the contribution was from Franklin. In 1776, Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence, and afterward sailed to France as an ambassador to the Court of Louis XVI. The French loved Franklin. He was the man who tamed lightning, the humble American who dressed like a backwoodsman but was a match for any wit in the world. He spoke French though he stuttered. He was a favorite of the ladies. In part because of Franklin's popularity, the government of France signed a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans in 1778. Franklin also helped to secure loans and persuade the French they were doing the right thing. Franklin was on hand to sign the Treaty of Paris in 1783, after the Americans had won the Revolution.
Now a man in his late seventies, he had returned to America. He became President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed the Constitution. One of his last public acts was writing an anti-slavery treatise in 1789. There was a verbal agreement in the writing of the Constitution that slavery would eventually become extinct. He brought to America a network of interracial training schools for black orphans. Franklin died on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84. 20,000 people attended the funeral of the man who was called, "the harmonious human multitude."
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. He was the tenth son of the soap maker, Josiah Franklin. Benjamin's mother was Abigail Folger, the second wife of Josiah. A future descendant of hers, J.A. Folger, founded Folger's Coffee in the nineteenth century. Josiah had intended for Benjamin to enter the clergy. However, Josiah could only afford to send his son to one year of school and clergyman needed many years of schooling. However, a young Benjamin loved to read and he was apprenticed to his brother James, who was a printer. After helping James compose pamphlets and set type which was grueling work, 12-year old Benjamin would sell products in the streets. When Benjamin was 15 his brother started "The New England Courant", which was the first paper in Boston. There were two papers in the city before James's "Courant", they only reprinted news from abroad. Benjamin wanted to write for the paper, but he knew his brother would never allow him to. So Ben began writing letters at night and signing them with the name of a fictional widow, Silence Dogood. Ben would sneak the letters under the print shop door at night so no one knew who was writing the pieces. They were a smash hit and everyone wanted to know who was the real "Silence Dogood." After 16 letters, Ben confessed to writing the letters all along. James scolded his brother for writing those letters. Before long the Franklins found themselves at odds with Boston's powerful Puritan preachers, the Mathers. Smallpox was a deadly disease at the time and the Mathers supported innoculation. The Franklins believed innoculation only made people sicker. Even though Bostonians agreed with the Franklins, they didn't like the way James made fun of the clergy during the debate. Ultimately, James was thrown in jail for his views, and Benjamin was left to run the paper for several issues. James didn't appreciate Benjamin keeping the paper going. He would harrass his younger brother and administer several beatings to him. As a result, Benjamin decided to run away in 1723.
Eventually Benjamin found work as an apprentice printer. He did so well that the governor of Pennsylvania promised to set him up in business for himself if young Franklin would just go to London to purchase fonts and printing equipment. Franklin did go to London, but the governor reneged and Franklin spent several months in London doing print work. Benjamin had been living with the Read family before he left for London. Deborah Read was interested in Franklin and discussed marriage but Benjamin didn't think he was ready. So she married another man while he was gone. In 1728, Benjamin fathered a child out of wedlock. His name was William. In 1730, Benjamin married his childhood sweetheart, Deborah after her husband had run off. In addition to running a print shop, the Franklins also ran their own store at this time, with Deborah selling everything from soap to fabric. Ben also ran a book store.
In 1729, Benjamin Franklin bought a newspaper, "The Pennsylvania Gazette." He not only printed the paper, but often contributed pieces to the paper under aliases. His newspaper soon became one of the most successful in the colonies. This newspaper, along with other firsts, would print the first political cartoon, authored by Franklin himself. During the 1720's and 1730's, he would organize the Junto, a young working-man's group dedicated to self-and-civic improvement. He joined the Masons. He was a busy man socially. However, he thrived on work. In 1733 he started publishing "Poor Richard's Almanack." Almanacs of that era were printed annually, and contained information such as weather reports, recipes, predictions, and homilies. Franklin published his almanac under the guise of a man named Richard Saunders, a poor man who needed money to take care of his carping wife. What distinguished Franklin's almanac were his witty aphorisms and lively writing. One of his famous phrases, "A penny saved is a penny earned" came from "Poor Richard."
There were other civic contributions that Franklin contributed to in the 1730's and 1740's such as projects to pave, clean and light Philadelphia's streets. He started agitating for environmental clean-up. One of his notable accomplishments was the launching of the Library Company in 1731. He recognized that by pooling together resources, members could afford to purchase books from England. He also helped to launch the American Philosophical Society in 1743. He also helped to establish the Pennsylvania Hospital to care for the sick as well. In 1736, he helped organize Philadelphia's Union Fire Company, the first in the city. His famous saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," was actually fire-fighting advice. Those who suffered fire damage to their homes suffered irreversible economic loss. So in 1752 Franklin helped to found the Philadelphia Contribution for Insurance Against Loss by Fire. Those with insurance policies weren't wiped out financially. That's where home insurance stemmed from.
Among Franklin's other inventions are swim fins, the glass armonica (a musical instrument), and bifocals. In the early 1750's, he turned to the study of electricity. His observations, including his kite experiment which verified the nature of electricity and lightning brought Franklin international fame.
Franklin also worked actively for the cause of Independence in America. In 1757 he went to England to represent Pennsylvania in its fight with the descendants of the Penn family over who should represent the colony. He remained in England in 1775 as a Colonial representative not only of Pennsylvania, but of Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts as well. Early in his time abroad, he had considered himself a loyal Englishman. However, in 1765, Franklin was caught by surprise by America's overwhelming opposition to the Stamp Act. His testimony before Parliament persuaded the members to repeal the law. He then started wondering if America should break free from England. He was growing sick of the corruption he saw all around him in politics and royal circles. He finally started working towards pushing for American independence from England.
He thought his son William, the Royal Governor of New Jersey, would concur with his views. Instead, William supported the Crown. As a result, there was rift between father and son that would never heal. Franklin was elected to the Second Continental Congress and worked on a committee of five that helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. Though much of the writing is Thomas Jefferson's, much of the contribution was from Franklin. In 1776, Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence, and afterward sailed to France as an ambassador to the Court of Louis XVI. The French loved Franklin. He was the man who tamed lightning, the humble American who dressed like a backwoodsman but was a match for any wit in the world. He spoke French though he stuttered. He was a favorite of the ladies. In part because of Franklin's popularity, the government of France signed a Treaty of Alliance with the Americans in 1778. Franklin also helped to secure loans and persuade the French they were doing the right thing. Franklin was on hand to sign the Treaty of Paris in 1783, after the Americans had won the Revolution.
Now a man in his late seventies, he had returned to America. He became President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania. He served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed the Constitution. One of his last public acts was writing an anti-slavery treatise in 1789. There was a verbal agreement in the writing of the Constitution that slavery would eventually become extinct. He brought to America a network of interracial training schools for black orphans. Franklin died on April 17, 1790 at the age of 84. 20,000 people attended the funeral of the man who was called, "the harmonious human multitude."
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