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And though those're just lyrics from a hauntingly beautiful song, it is nonetheless what's to be seen; the future is unknowable, and the past is cataloged through a lens of personal and corporate bias. Only the present is truly experienced, and even it is a subjective experience. As fleeting as an single breath. Two beats of the heart. Perhaps less. We have the word of One who knows, but even his prophecy is shrouded in darkness. We can see the direction the road takes, but we discern only a handful of landmarks. And even those are open to interpretation.

I've been asking myself a few questions lately. Questions I feel compelled to seek answers to...

Why so many attacks against Christianity specifically? What other religions are as fragmented as Christianity? What significance, if any, can be attributed to this fragmentation? In terms of historical precedent, how long between Israel's initial descent into national sin before national repentance? Can that time-line be used as a model for our times? What obstacles exist to national repentance today? What evidence exists of our national-- corporate --sin?


...to list but a few.

For hatred and racism, specifically, to be eradicated, many things would have to be discarded by society as a whole, and even then the seed would still exist in the heart of every child born. Much of what passes for entertainment would need to be eradicated... perhaps eighty to ninety percent of all popular music would need to be banned from radio and television, along with most of television programing and a good many commercials. Even then, a seed remains.... Imagination. Imagination isn't evil, in and of itself, only the use to which it is put.

It is unlikely-- infinitesimally so --that our society would willing give up television and music, let alone computer games, and sporting events, and a whole host of other individual pleasures just to turn away, nationally, from darkness.

We ARE at war here... today. Just as we were yesterday, and will be tomorrow. But it's far more than any number of Iraqs and Afghanistans. It is a war we cannot win without divine intervention and guidance.

So what is it about Christianity that it is fragmented into thousands of sects, denominations, creeds and abominations? What makes Christianity so special that it has received so much interpretive attention? Why haven't other religions received the same attention? For even with Hindu's millions of gods it is still nonetheless a single unifying religion. What is so special about Christianity that it receives so much attention? So much vehemence? So many attacks?


Sure, it is not all darkness; the sun also rises. The clouds disperse and the sun shines warmly in season,and as a deterrent to obliteration out of season. But the things we choose to entertain, and allow to entertain us... the imaginations of our hearts... these draw the curtain against the light. And like the proverbial frog we become accustomed to the failing light, until we find ourselves stumbling in the dark; inured to the darkness, with conscience seared... unable to recognize... that light has gone out of the world.

Yes, it rambles. It's incoherent. But that doesn't make the shadow any less real.




For me... an inspiring guitarist, though not for this particular song. This one is just hauntingly beautiful...

I see problems down the line
I know that I’m right.



On August 1, 1620, the Mayflower set sail. It carried a total of 102 passengers, including forty Pilgrims led by William Bradford. On the journey, Bradford set up an agreement, a contract, that established just and equal laws for all members of the new community, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Where did the revolutionary ideas expressed in the Mayflower Compact come from? From the Bible. The Pilgrims were a people completely steeped in the lessons of the Old and New Testaments. They looked to the ancient Israelites for their example. And, because of the biblical precedents set forth in Scripture, they never doubted that their experiment would work. But this was no pleasure cruise, friends. The journey to the New World was a long and arduous one. And when the Pilgrims landed in New England in November, they found, according to Bradford's detailed journal, a cold, barren, desolate wilderness. There were no friends to greet them, he wrote. There were no houses to shelter them. There were no inns where they could refresh themselves. And the sacrifice they had made for freedom was just beginning. During the first winter, half the Pilgrims -- including Bradford's own wife -- died of either starvation, sickness, or exposure.

When spring finally came, Indians taught the settlers how to plant corn, fish for cod and skin beavers for coats. Life improved for the Pilgrims, but they did not yet prosper! This is important to understand because this is where modern American history lessons often end. Thanksgiving is actually explained in some textbooks as a holiday for which the Pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians for saving their lives, rather than as a devout expression of gratitude grounded in the tradition of both the Old and New Testaments. Here is the part that has been omitted: The original contract the Pilgrims had entered into with their merchant-sponsors in London called for everything they produced to go into a common store, and each member of the community was entitled to one common share. All of the land they cleared and the houses they built belong to the community as well. Bradford, who had become the new governor of the colony, recognized that this form of collectivism was as costly and destructive to the Pilgrims as that first harsh winter, which had taken so many lives.

He decided to take bold action. Bradford assigned a plot of land to each family to work and manage, thus turning loose the power of the marketplace. Long before Karl Marx was even born, the Pilgrims had discovered and experimented with what could only be described as socialism. And what happened? It didn't work! Surprise, surprise, huh? What Bradford and his community found was that the most creative and industrious people had no incentive to work any harder than anyone else, unless they could utilize the power of personal motivation! But while most of the rest of the world has been experimenting with socialism for well over a hundred years -- trying to refine it, perfect it, and re-invent it -- the Pilgrims decided early on to scrap it permanently. What Bradford wrote about this social experiment should be in every schoolchild's history lesson, every kid gets. If it were, we might prevent much needless suffering in the future. Here's what he wrote:

'The experience that we had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years...that by taking away property, and bringing community into a common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing -- as if they were wiser than God. For this community [so far as it was] was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense...that was thought injustice.'

That was thought injustice. Do you hear what he was saying, ladies and gentlemen? The Pilgrims found that people could not be expected to do their best work without incentive. So what did Bradford's community try next? They unharnessed the power of good old free enterprise by invoking the undergirding capitalistic principle of private property. Every family was assigned its own plot of land to work and permitted to market its own crops and products. And what was the result?

'This had very good success,' wrote Bradford, 'for it made all hands industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been.'

Bradford doesn't sound like much of a Clintonite, does he? Is it possible that supply-side economics could have existed before the 1980s? ... In no time, the Pilgrims found they had more food than they could eat themselves. ... So they set up trading posts and exchanged goods with the Indians.

The profits allowed them to pay off their debts to the merchants in London. And the success and prosperity of the Plymouth settlement attracted more Europeans and began what came to be known as the 'Great Puritan Migration.'

Now, aside from this program, have you heard this before? Is this being taught to children -- and if not, why not? I mean, is there a more important lesson one could derive from the Pilgrim experience than this? What if Bill and Hillary Clinton had been exposed to these lessons in school? Do you realize what we face in next year's election is the equivalent of people who want to set up these original collectivists communes that didn't work, with nobody having incentive to do anything except get on the government dole somehow because the people running the government want that kind of power. So the Pilgrims decided to thank God for all of their good fortune. And that's Thanksgiving. And read George Washington's first Thanksgiving address and count the number of times God is mentioned and how many times he's thanked. None of this is taught today. It should be.

--See, I Told You So


Have a happy Thanksgiving, folks. You deserve it. Do what you can to be happy, and especially do what you can to be thankful, because in this country you have more reasons than you've ever stopped to consider.


--Rush Limbaugh
Wednesday, November 21, 2007


Or, "Don't Russert me, Bro!"


I haven't seen much on this in my blogroll, so I thought I'd present a link to a site that covers the highlights of the latest scandalous debate hosted by a LIBERAL media outlet-- Hat-tip to Russert nonetheless for asking tough questions the last time around. Not every liberal media talking-head is in the tank for Party Affiliation it seems. But after Russert, I guess Dems needed some softballs. Way to go Wolfe!

All six of CNN's "undecided voters" were Democratic operatives


What I find extremely amusing about all this is these candidates abject fear of FOX news. These contenders all want to lead the nation, yet are afraid of being asked tough, honest questions. They want to decide foreign and domestic policy but can't face the criticism they might receive if they appear on a FOX sponsored debate. What a bunch of cowards, these Democrat pretenders!


With thanks to Neil for the wonderful shot of perspective



Actually, I am OK with unrestricted access to abortions... provided that the unborn get the same 10+ years of appeals that condemned killers do!

--Capital Punishment-Back in the News
at Eternity Matters


And I'll add to that here with a little perspective of my own....

Only half the patients who enter an abortion clinic come out alive.


It takes a special brand of depravity to argue against Capital Punishment while defending Abortion. And that is what is at the core of America's current shameful state of affairs... depravity.

That and Liberalism.





We are none of us alone. Even as we exhale it is inhaled by others. The light that shines upon me shines upon my neighbor as well. In this way everything is connected to everything else. In this way I am connected to my friend even as I am connected to my enemy. In this way there is no difference between me and my friend. In this way there is no difference between me and my enemy. We are none of us alone.

--Life 1.8



Brother, I am proud to know you. This is one of the greatest moments I have ever experienced. I think I sense the situation when I say that we all esteem it an honour to breathe the rather inferior atmosphere of this station, here along with our little friend. I guess we shall all go home and treasure the memory of his face as the whitest thing in our museum of recollections. And perhaps this good woman will also go home and wash the face of our little brother here. I am inspired with a new faith in mankind. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to present to you a sure-enough saint--only wants a halo, to be transfigured. Stand right up.

The Little Man
--John Galsworthy, 1867-1933






A comet that has delighted backyard astronomers in recent weeks after an unexpected eruption has now grown larger than the sun.

The sun remains by far the most massive object in the solar system, with an extended influence of particles that reaches all the planets. But the comparatively tiny Comet Holmes has released so much gas and dust that its extended atmosphere, or coma, is larger than the diameter of the sun.









It has been opined by one commenter that...

It's getting tiring hear you call people with divergent opinions treasonous. You would like to see the failure of Social Security, Federal taxation, and American immigration laws. Should I call you traitorous because of your words and opinions? Get a clue!


The Legal Definition of Treason as defined by the Constitution of the United States, Article III

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."

From Case Law: "The vacillation of Chief Justice Marshall between the Bollman and Burr cases and the vacillation of the Court in the Cramer and Haupt cases leave the law of treason in a somewhat doubtful condition. The difficulties created by the Burr case have been obviated to a considerable extent through the punishment of acts ordinarily treasonable in nature under a different label, within a formula provided by Chief Justice Marshall himself in the Bollman case."

Even Timothy McVeigh wasn't charged with Treason. He got what he deserved nonetheless.

As to the everyday definition of Treason...

-- a crime that undermines the offender's government
-- disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior
-- treachery: an act of deliberate betrayal
-- a purposeful betrayal, usually constituting aid to one's enemies



Now...

Telling the world on international television that "the war is lost" while doing nothing substantive to end the war, is a purposeful betrayal of American citizens on the battlefield who are, ostensibly, fighting a war that is already lost. A majority of Americans disagree, but when has that ever stopped the Left... or Reid, for that matter?

The New York Times, and LA Times both, have deliberately printed classified material, giving aid to the enemy. But Reid and the Democrats have what? Condemned these failing fonts of Liberalism for their seditious acts? No, of course not, the Times-es both carry water for the Left. Instead Reid, Pelosi, Kennedy, Shumer, et al, praise these rags for their "Patriotism."

But how is wanting to see something better than Social Security put in place is Treasonous? A superior tax code? Actually enforcing current Immigration Law? You are WAY off base, here.

Do you really wish to compare "a concerted effort to lose the war, and applause of those who aid in the effort" to "criticism of Social Security, the Progressive Tax Code, and Immigration enforcement"? You can't even say 'Apples and Oranges' here because they're not even remotely related. It's more like Lodestones and Pearls.

If you're getting tired why not quit like your Democrat Leaders? For while believing the war is lost is certainly a divergent view from those who believe otherwise, what makes the former "treasonous" is the public support it offers to the enemy when spoken aloud on international television, and the efforts it makes in Congress to subvert the Military's mission... a mission APPROVED and sanctioned by the Left in the first place.

Liberalism specifically, and Democrats by extension, have been "undermining" the Constitution for decades.... D.C.'s 23(?) year ban on personal firearms? The reinterpretation of the First Amendment as it relates to faith and worship? Seeking to remove 'In God We Trust' from our currency? Seeking to abolish the name of God and any reference to Him in our Nations' Capitol, and other National Landmarks and Treasures? The indoctrination of our children in Marxist ideology in public schools? The Confiscation of property from one private citizen to be given to another private citizen for the purpose of adding to a community's tax coffers? The bizarre right to kill an unborn child in utero?

So let me get this straight... the Left-- and to no small extent, you --support the trashing of the Second Amendment, the trashing of the First Amendment, defacing centuries of Minting tradition, effacing and defacing the oral and written history of Faith from the Gestalt American consciousness, raising up generations of Marxists on taxpayer monies, theft of private property that does NOT serve the public need, ie, Highways, Bridges, and Public Works, and the wholesale slaughter of more than 47 million unborn children.

Judging strictly by the things you choose to defend and castigate, I'd say you yourself have been indoctrinated by the evils of Liberalism, which is evidenced by the fact that you can't think for yourself. Because you've been trained NOT to. Because you've been taught 'White is Black,' 'Up is Down,' and 'Left is Right.' That you defend these blatant subversions of our Constitution and rich American tradition, and the moral underpinnings of what made this a truly great nation speaks volumes. VOLUMES! I'd throw your 'get a clue' statement back at you, but you'd never catch it, let alone find it in the high grass of Liberal conceit.



The Mechanics of Grace:

Foundational/Necessary for Salvation

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1- Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures
2- He was buried [according to the scriptures]
3- He rose again the third day according to the scriptures


In Corroboration:

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10

1- Public Confession, via the mouth
     [Assuming Physical Limitations: by whatever means
     that allow for a public confession]
2- Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, resulting in
3- Salvation


What must one Confess?

The Lord Jesus:

1- His Sacrifice
2- His Death & Burial
3- Three Days in the Tomb
4- Raised Again by God


1) Why His Sacrifice?

a- Hebrews 4:10 "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
b- Hebrews 10:10-14 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
c- John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

2) Why His Death & Burial?

a- Hebrews 9:22 "...without shedding of blood is no remission."
b- John 1:29 "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
c- Genesis 22:8 "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering"*

*Corroboration: That this refers to Jesus is evidenced by the fact that what was provided to Abraham in place of Isaac, was a Ram, whose horns were caught in a thicket... Lambs do not have horns. It would be some 1500 years later before God would "Provide Himself AS" a Lamb for the burnt offering...

d- Revelation 13:8 "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
e- Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace"
f- Colossians 1:14 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins"
g- Colossians 1:20-22 "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight"


3) Why His Resurrection?

a- 1 Corinthians 15:13-18 "But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished."
b- Matthew 22:32 "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."


Our Proper Response to Grace:

1) To accept what God freely offers through Jesus Christ
a- Acts 16:31 "...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..."
b- Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
c- Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

2) To respond in love and gratitude by working
a- John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
b- John 14:21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
c- John 14:23-24a "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings..."
d- John 21:15-17 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
e- Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
f- James 2:14-26 " What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

3) Work that includes bearing much fruit, and defending the Gospel. We are to be either in the field of harvest, or on the field of battle-- no lolly-gagging around! That's what happened to David: 2 Samuel 11:1-2

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?



Penalty of Failure to Respond to the Call of Grace:

1) Eternal Separation from the presence of Almighty God.

a- John 3:3 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
b- Romans 8:9 "...Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
c- Matthew 22:11-13 "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
d- Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
e- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
f- Revelation 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
g- Revelation 21:27 "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
h- Revelation 22:15 "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."


Go ye therefore into all the world

1) Ezekiel 3:18-19 "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."
2) John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
3) 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."


Go out into the highways and hedges:

1) Matthew 22:1-14 "And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."

And compel them...

2) Luke 14:16-24 "Then said [Jesus] unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."



In short:

1) There is only one Sacrifice capable of saving anyone
2) There was only one person Capable of making that sacrifice
3) That person was Jesus; God-incarnate
4) The Sacrifice was for all, but only those who accept it will be saved
5) Failure to accept that Sacrifice results in eternal damnation
6) Genuine conversion results in a desire to do good works, which include:
        a- Witnessing the faith
        b- Defending the faith
        c- Practicing the faith


------------

[ Gadzooks! ER's dreaded List! ]

Full post at RedState.com


On the floor of the Senate Tuesday, during leadership time, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Searchlight) made a statement on the occasion of the year 2007 becoming the deadliest year for US troops since the Iraq War began. One might find this an odd cause for recognition on the floor of the Senate, but not Sen. Reid. For him, the sacrifices of our brave troops provided an opportunity to both score political points against the war and, perhaps more importantly, denigrate the successes they are achieving every day as part of the troop surge.


I'm not surprised at the level of dishonesty that comes from the office of Harry Reid-- or Pelosi, for that matter. With his approval rating, in his home state, as low as it is, I wonder if he'll survive his next reelection bid. Remember what happened to Daschle?

Anyway, what is it I find so thoroughly dishonest about Reid's performance on Tuesday? The fact that his Official statement, the one that goes into the record, is not the same statement he made on the Senate floor.

As much as the Left despises the President, most of us on the Right equally despise Reid for being a milquetoast-ish, treasonous and bitter coward. Plenty of courage to slander the troops, but not enough courage to 'revise and extend' on the Senate floor and offer an appropriate apology.


French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke before a joint meeting of the House and Senate yesterday.

Here's some of what he had to say about America, our history with France, and the debt at least ONE Frenchman feels is owed to American sacrifice... all in front of a Liberal Democrat dominated audience... [I've been unable to find a full transcript, so I've had to piece together a coherent whole from several sources]

Since the United States first appeared on the world scene, our two peoples, the French and the American people, have always been friends... We may have differences, we may disagree on things, we may even have arguments, as in many families, but in times of difficulty, in times of hardship, one stands true to one's friends, one stands shoulder to shoulder with them, one supports them, and one helps them.

To the millions of men and women who came from every country of the world and who -- with their own hands, their intelligence, and their hearts -- built the greatest nation in the world, America did not say, "Come, and everything will be given to you." Rather, she said, "Come, and the only limits to what you will be able to achieve will be those of your own courage, your boldness, and your talent."

The America that we love throughout the world impedes this extraordinary ability to grant each and every person a second chance, another chance, because, in America, failure is never the last word. There is always another chance. Here -- in your country, on this soil -- both the humblest and the most illustrious citizens alike know that nothing is owed to them and that everything has to be earned. That is what constitutes the moral value of America.

The United States and France remain true to the memory of their common history. Our duty is to remain true to the blood spilled by our children on both sides of the Atlantic in common battles.

France will never forget the sacrifice of your children... At a time when my country had reached the final limits of its strengths, the time when France was exhausted, had spent its strength in the most absurd and bloodiest of wars, France was able to count upon the courage of American soldiers.

I have come to say to you on behalf of the French people that never, never will we forget that.

America liberated us, and this is an eternal debt we owe America. Every time, whenever an American soldier falls somewhere in the world, I think of what the American army did for France. I think of them and I am sad as one is saddened to lose a member of one's family.

We need France to be stronger. I am determined to carry through with the reforms that my country has put off for all too long. I will not turn back. I will implement all of them, because France has turned back for all too long. I have come to present to you today a France that comes out to meet America, to renew the covenant of friendship and alliance that Washington and Lafayette sealed in Yorktown. Together, let us be true to their memories. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I say this to you on behalf of the French people: Long live the United States of America. Long live France. Long live French-American friendship!


How it must have galled many of those listening to hear the leader of France, a nation once perceived to be very socialist, praising America for values that are anything but socialistic... values many in America are trying very hard to subvert and ultimately reshape into... SURPRISE! Something a little more... socialistic.

What irony!

Bush and Sarkozy also toured Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington and the site where Washington and Rochambeau planned and worked together against the British. Don't know what significance that has at present, assuming there WILL be significance in the days, months, and years to come. But I'm content to let future historians hash that one out.

I just find it refreshing to see a shift in America's popularity abroad. The surge is working quite well, and France now thinks we're okay. On top of that murder victims are down 80% from its peak in Baghdad, and attacks involving improvised bombs are down 70 percent. This according to a story buried on page A-19 of the New York Times.


One commenter at Democratic Underground had this to say about Sarkozy's speech...

Frog Kisses Chimp! News at 11


Praise for America invites insults from the deranged Left.


From Neal's Nuze

The Heritage Foundation has a reason for the weak dollar ... and some people aren't going to be very happy to hear it. It's the U.S. tax code. Heritage says that there are two failings that are causing the long-term weakness of the dollar. First, Americans don't save enough to meet capital investment requirements. And the fact that we consume more than we produce. Both of these exist because of our complicated and asinine tax code.


Most politicians don't even want to consider scraping our current tax system. The current tax code puts a whole lot of power in their hands. When has the powerful EVER willingly relinquished power?
















Screen shot @ Geoffrey Kruse-Safford's blog What's Left in the Church


There is a bit of hilarity in this screen shot which I'll get to, but for now I'll just get to the point of the post.

Here's a couple of choice quotes from Geoff's post "Passive-Agressive [sic] Post-Modernist" [Warning... foul and disrespectful language ahead. I apologize for posting this, but it's necessary]

ELAshley, you're a whiny-ass titty-baby.


Mom2, when I want advice from someone who knows nothing, I'll be sure to look you up. Until then, leave my wife, and her ministry, and everything else that has to do with me, out of it. I might just release some more words from my hands, because my patience with comments like yours has disappeared. Your phony sanctimony, your pompous preaching about morality, your tired, nonsensical drivel about how much more learned and wise you are simply because you haven't died yet all make me want to vomit.


And THIS from a Christian. And not just ANY Christian, but one who is married to a pastor, no less. My! What a testimony this man has!!!

Well! LOL! The funniest part of all this (the ONLY funny part in this) is the "virtual tin cup" in the upper left corner of the screen shot! Sorry Geoff, but why would I give money to someone who can't even bridle his own tongue? Who bends over backward to mock and abuse those who refuse to accept your empty theology? Why would I give money to someone who shows no evidence in their speech of their Christian walk?

Rather than glory in your own self-righteous outrage, you need to repent. I sincerely hold no enmity toward you, and I will pray for you.


..::Note to any would-be commenters::..
I will absolutely delete any comment that denigrates Geoffrey. He'll think my post denigration enough, and I won't allow anyone to compound it.


I have noticed something. Something that startled me, and made me wonder about the genuine state of today's Church.

Three mornings a week I drive a delivery van for a local florist. I deliver to a lot of churches and funeral homes. Funeral Homes are one thing; primarily places of business that service the needs of the dead and those they leave behind; a business intent of maintaining a good reputation and serving the individual needs and comforts of individual families. Funeral homes, then, have somewhat of an excuse.

Churches, on the other hand, do not. Nor do the many pastors I've encountered on my deliveries. Can you guess what has never happened to me while delivering flowers to Churches, be it for funerals or otherwise?

I have never been witnessed to.

Not once has a pastor asked about the state of my eternal soul. No pastor, no pastor's wife, no deacon, no secretary, no church member.

Just last month I delivered hospitality baskets to a huge tent revival... no one asked if I was saved.

It has gotten to the point that every time I deliver to a church I look for someone to give them an opportunity, but none ever take it. For the most part they smile and are friendly (yes, there are some who are not), but not a one so far has shown any concern for my eternal well-being.

I should admit here and now that my position doesn't allow me to do the same either, despite the owner being Christian. We are a place of business, and can't afford to offend anyone. But the pastors, and wives, and deacons, and secretaries are under no such constraints. It is their business to inquire after the souls of men.

My last delivery to a church had me very close to pointing this out to the pastor... I wanted to ask him why he didn't tell me about Jesus. What does he have to be afraid of? That I won't ever go to his church? Never put money in the offering plate? His church was some thirty miles out of town... I wouldn't have gone there anyway.

I used to carry tracts with me on deliveries. I have gotten out of that habit. I used to place them in Hospitals and anywhere else where it couldn't have been tracked back to the shop. I need to get back into that habit.


I've been studying the Tabernacle; how that it is a perfect image of Jesus Christ, and God's redemptive plan for mankind. In my reading, what has surprised me is how perfectly it mirrors the requirements of Salvation, and how it clearly shows that Jesus is the ONLY way to God.

Jesus said, NO ONE comes to the father but by Him... the Tabernacle expresses this.

From M.R. DeHaan's The Tabernacle


Our redemption has been bought with a precious price. It was the price of the blood of the Son of God...

Ye are bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20)


Peter tells us:

Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:18,19).


It is called "precious" blood. It means that it is of tremendous and inestimable worth. It was precious because it was the blood of God, not the blood of a man. Now if that statement seems to be strange and bold, we would remind you that the Bible clearly teaches that it was the "blood of God" which was shed on Calvary. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was not derived from man, but it was divine blood, and the divine contribution, the blood of God. Jesus was virgin born, without a human father. The blood in Christ was a divine contribution. Paul settles this beyond all dispute in Acts 20:28, where he says to the Ephesian elders:

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock... to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.


Notice the words -- "the church of God, which he [God] hath purchased with his own [God's] blood." Since it was the blood of Christ, He must of necessity have been God, because it is called "the blood of God." Jesus is God, and His blood therefore, was the blood of Almighty God Himself. No wonder that Peter calls it "precious blood."

Everything, therefore, depends upon the blood of Christ because it is divine blood. There is no salvation apart from personal appropriation of that blood by faith. Man may make light of it, and may refuse to accept it, but the fact remains, without the shedding of blood there is no remission, and without the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ there is absolutely no salvation. The natural man, of course, rejects this, and calls our theology a theology of the shambles and the butcher shop, but the fact remains that without this blood there is no approach to God. It is the very foundation, the very rock, the very silver foundation upon which all of our hope is built. If any man build on this foundation, he shall be saved.


The point is, there IS no other way to God but through Jesus. Recently, in discussions at other blogs, the struggle has been between those who choose to view all religions as having some truth of God; and a chance at Salvation-- that their god is not so shallow as mine, and will not consign whole generations and peoples who have never heard the name of Jesus to hell --and those who accept what the Bible truly says about salvation... that Jesus is the ONLY way, and that no one-- not Muslims, Hindus, or Jews --comes to the father but by Him.

I admit that is it a difficult thing to accept that these people, having lived and died never hearing the name of Jesus, should miss out on eternal life. But the message of the Bible... the ENTIRE Bible, not just the Gospels and the New Testament... clearly teach that there is but one way to God. Only one, for only ONE God shed His blood to redeem man.

For anyone interested in a fascinating and powerful look at God's redemptive plan, and how he showed it in type centuries before fulfilling it, I highly recommend this book by the late M.R. DeHaan.


You do know that Hillary's horrendous performance in Tuesday night's debate was caused by global warming, don't you?


Thanks Neal