Why I Love Kate Walsh

According to some people (especially in the pro-life movement and Kristen Walker, author of this article, you can find the original article here), Kate Walsh deserves to be vilified, hated, have foul names heaped upon her, and generally disregarded as a human being. A few short months ago I might have supported such a view and maybe even heaped a few names on her myself. Fortunately God got a hold of me and said, “What are you doing? Didn’t you understand what I said in Psalm 1 when I said you aren’t to stand in the way of sin?” I didn’t, and as I prayed over not only that Psalm, but every word of God that has been shown to me, I began to have an inkling of what it means. I don’t have a full understanding, but here are some of the things I’ve come to understand.

1. Standing in the way of sin means to prevent others, presumably by force, from committing them.
• As individuals we are not to stand in the way of anyone doing as they wish. God will deal with us all in our due time and we can only stand or fall for our own actions. Kate Walsh is no exception. With the world (those who reject God) already condemned, we have no right to call her – or others – vile names, insult her, or try to be condemning. Calling sin sin is not condemnation but truth. Telling everyone she is going to hell – though while true as long as she remains unrepentant and unsaved – is not only condemning, but more than likely to distance her even more from God because of the actions of those who claim to be His disciples. She isn’t our enemy anyways. Ephesians 6:12 makes clear who our enemy is: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Pray for Kate Walsh, show her love and mercy so that she may know God as we know Him.
2. We cannot stop people from sinning, no matter how well intentioned our laws are.
• No matter how much love and good intentions we put into laws, it won’t stop crimes from being committed. Look at the failed War on (some) drugs. It has done nothing to help anyone. It is only making criminals out everyone instead of treating them. It’s not stopped murders, rapes, incest, or anything else we have laws against. Look at drunk driving in any country. Despite laws, and even cultures that embrace responsible drinking, people still act irresponsibly. They still break laws and commit sins. No amount of laws passed will stop that.
3. Even if she were our enemy, we should be showing her love.
• Matthew 5:42-48 states “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren[c] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[d] do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect., and from Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. it seems quite clear to me that the best way to “stick it” to the pro-choice crowd, if you want to think of it that way, is to show love and compassion, preach the word of God, and pray for them. Let’s quit with the vitriol and hate.
4. I posted a while back on judging and condemning, rebuking improper use of Scripture. Perhaps I need to revisit that topic.
• There certainly seems to be some who have not heeded Christ’s teaching on this. I know I certainly still need practice. The condensed, Reader’s Digest ™, version is this: By hating we are committing murder in God’s eyes. If we hate Kate Walsh, and in God’s eyes are just as guilty of murder, how can that not be a plank in our own eye which we don’t notice? Quit hating her. Definitely boycott her show, we are supposed to abhor what is evil, but don’t hate her. As an unbeliever she’s already condemned. Don’t put yourself in danger of hellfire just to soothe your outrage. Pray for her, love on her, preach to her. If she receives it, then it is to her gain and God’s glory.
5. Repentance is available to all.
• How quickly we forget that we were once like her. Unrepentant, God-hating, ugly little people. If David Berkowtiz (infamous Son of Sam killer) can repent, surely Kate Walsh isn’t so far gone that her heart has been totally hardened. Pray for Kate to repent and pray for the leaders of government and Planned Parenthood to turn away from this grievous crime against man and God.

That is why I love Kate Walsh. Not because I have any power to do so, not because I support abortion, but because God loved me while I was still a sinner, and offered His Son as payment for my sins. It seems to me that some of us have forgotten that.

Folly of the Godless

Opening Thoughts

If I was a betting man, I would lay a lot of money on the table betting on how many people will call this post judgmental or condemning and consider quoting the first few verses of Matthew 7 at me (chiefly the first one, and maybe verse 2 if they are feeling particularly plucky). It would be almost foolish to bet against me, though. Since I am not a betting man, though, you can put your anti-gambling rhetoric back into the closet.

Some of you might recognize this title being the same as Psalm 53. That just happens to be the Psalm I wish to bring up, amongst some others. Chiefly this post only really aims to reflect some nascent thoughts I have on this – as well as the others taken together – and not really much else. Still, there is the matter of the above proposed bet (it really is tempting to make it, though).

The Milk

I am calling this section “The Milk” for a particular reason. Not that this topic is a basic one, as I don’t believe it to be, but that my thoughts on it are basic. Soft, easy to digest, and generally tasty straight from the source (we don’t use homogenized/pasteurized (man’s doctrine) Milk in this House).

Without further ado…

Psalm 53 – This psalm really brings to light not our sin-nature (to claim such a nature is to claim God made us imperfect, I will address that later) but our free-will rejection of God. Because of this, as a whole, we are guilty of rebellion against not just our Creator, but our Lord and Savior. The promise in this, though, is that He awaits for us with open arms to return to Him.

Psalm 52 – Those who boast in evil will be destroyed as the righteous look on, those who trust in God will be spared. Those looking to take the “Cafeteria Christian” car on the train to heaven should beware.

Psalm 50 – God is the righteous judge who will judge everyone (whether or not you believe in Him). True Believers will not be rebuked for keeping His word (not out of legalism or some mystical idea, but true devotion to it for the sake of pleasing God). The wicked, however, will be rebuked.

Psalm 51, Matthew 12:31-32, and Luke 13:1-5 – God desires repentance. He wants us to approach Him with a ‘broken and contrite heart’; those who reject God do not repent because they refuse to believe they are wrong.

Genesis 1:26-31 and Genesis 3:1-7 – Not only were we created as perfect beings, we were giving free will, making us free moral agents, able to accept or reject God. There is no such thing as a ‘sin-nature’ because such a nature goes against His word. God does not create junk or imperfect beings. The angels too were created as such, and this is how one can choose to deceive himself and 1/3 of the heavenly host into rebelling against God. Why then, is sin so prevalent in the world? Because Adam and Eve brought it in with their own rebellion against God. With sin all around us, and sin being easier to keep than righteousness, is it any wonder our world is in such a state?

2 Timothy 3:1-9 – These are the traits of the ungodly. People who claim to believe in God but live as if He doesn’t exist.

Psalm 36 – God accepts no wickedness. There is hope, though, as He is merciful. Repent and ye shall be saved.

John 14:15-17 – The world does not receive God or His Helper (the Holy Spirit) because they reject Him, and such rejection blinds them to His presence, love, and most importantly, mercy.

Closing Remarks

I might have more later on.

Biblical Churches Start With A Biblical Structure

I’m sure I’m going to create a lot of controversy over this, but I’m going to forge ahead because I think it’s time I started to try and address this more cohesively.

First and foremost, there is no question as to the intended gender restrictions God put in place. No where in Scripture is there ever talked about a female elder. Yes, there was one female prophet, but only because there was no man who would step up and say “Yes, I’ll be Your mouthpiece, Lord.” The men of her time should have been deeply shamed. As men, God entrusted us with physical strength, decisiveness, and other leadership traits. As men, we have been entrusted with the defense (spiritual and physical) of not only our households but our churches and nations. Men today should be ashamed when their church, community, and country are in need of such Godly leadership and women have to step up to fill in the gap. Today our heads have been so polluted by the liberal garbage the popular culture spits out were willing to accept it as normal to have women in the non-traditional roles they are in today. The most damning are those in so-called pastoral roles in churches who thought it more important to satisfy man than it was to satisfy God by allowing women to assume the role of pastor/elder in their respective churches. Where are the manly-men of God? How can any congregation claim to be biblical, with true men of God in them, and have a woman being their undersheperd? I don’t mean to say God won’t speak through women. Look at the New Testament. There were definitely women in active, ministerial roles (Priscilla with her husband, Pheobe, and possibly more not mentioned). They were not, however, ordained elders or deacons. The new Testament, in several spots, clearly defines the role of elder and deacon as roles for men.

The qualifications for elder are outlined clearly in Paul’s first letter to Timothy.
1 Timothy 3:1-7:

1. Verse 2
• Blameless
• Husband of one wife
• temperate
• sober-minded
• of good behavior
• hospitable
• able to teach
2. Verse 3
• not given to wine
• not violent
• not greedy for money
• gentle
• not quarrelsome
• not covetous
3. Verse 4
• Rules his own house well
• His children in submission with all reverence
4. Verse 6
• not a novice
5. Verse 7
• Must have a good testimony amongst non-believers

The male pronoun is used by God through Paul very purposefully. Today’s compromise by those who call themselves churches is unbelievable and should be unconscionable to those who Believe. I have no qualms in telling such groups they are wrong and are operating outside of God’s standards. It is both part of my duty as a fellow believer to show my Brother or Sister where they are wrong and to continue to love them regardless. As much as so-called “enlightened” man would like to say it is okay, it just doesn’t line up with God’s word and His standard is the only one to live by – especially those calling themselves disciples of Christ. Also, further evidence of male-leadership is established in the Old Testament and the establishment of the Levitical order. From Aaron on down all the priests were to be male. Not once does it talk of a female priestess.

That isn’t all, though. In the case of deacons (which were instituted early on in the church, see Acts 6 for more details, though I will touch on the chapter briefly in a moment) Paul continues writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the following.
1 Timothy 3:8-13

1. Verse 8
• reverent
• not double-tongued
• not given to much wine
• not greedy for money
2. Verse 9
• holding to the faith with a pure conscious
3. Verse 10
• Tested
• found blameless
4. Verse 11, which also gives qualifications for a deacon’s wife
• reverent wife
• not slanderers
• temperate
• faithful in all things
5. Verse 12
• the husband of one wife
• rule their children and houses well

Now the issue here isn’t gender, it is clear that seven men were chosen and anointed by God. The issue I wish to discuss is both the plurality (in other words, more than one) and also the deacon’s assigned role. As Acts 6 starts out, we see a Church in which the disciples of Christ are growing in number, and as they do, real and specific needs come to the attention of the elders (namely the 12 apostles, those chosen by Christ Himself). That is, the resources of the church were not being handled with any sort of fairness. Not surprising given the combination of people and money. God already foresaw this and through the Holy Spirit, the elders directed the people in what was to be done. The choosing of 7 men whom would be prayed over and anointed. There was no panicked rush, but a calm directing. The job of the deacons then is now as it was then: meeting the physical needs of fellow believers using the resources of the church. They didn’t sit on a board and direct the affairs of the elders (the Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus did that just well without man’s influence), and it certainly wasn’t their job to hire a new elder when one retired/died/etc.

Please don’t take this to mean women shouldn’t be involved in ministry. The book of Acts does refer to Pheobe as a deaconess, but there is no indication she was an anointed deacon. The word deacon has several meanings in the New Testament, the basic meaning though is “servant” and this is clearly how Pheobe is being referred to. Certainly there would be more than one verse talking of Pheobe if God had anointed a woman to serve as He had anointed Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas. There is also the case of Priscilla and her husband who are described as a husband and wife working in ministry with one another. As I’ve discussed in an earlier blog post, there is no doubt that Priscilla’s husband was the head of their household.

In essence, the basic structure of the Church is thus:
God/Jesus/Holy Spirit as it’s head.
Male elders as the mouthpiece of God.
Male deacons as the hands and feet of Christ.
Congregation as the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 5:22-34 is also a picture of the structure of the Church and not just the household.

Such a structure isn’t optional, and your grandfather’s church not doing it that way is not an excuse for you to not being willing to conform yourself to His will. Your grandfather will answer his maker for his own self, and you for your own self. Don’t let the false traditions of man keep you from having the commandments of God not only written on your heart but lived out in your life.

It isn’t legalism to keep God’s standards if you do so out of a desire to please Him. It is legalism if you’re only keeping His commandments to say you are keeping them.

Crossing Lines

In our daily walk with Christ, we will encounter people, situations, ideals, and laws which will leave us wondering, sometimes with our head spinning, what it all means and what can or should we do about the situation. Some respond with zeal, some with apathy, some embrace while others reject almost all the time though it’s about our will and what we want versus what God’s will is and what He wants. You could say that there should be a balance between our will and God’s, but that’s unbiblical. All through Scripture we are shown we are to lay aside our own will, desires, and wants and give ourselves wholly over to Him, trusting that He will take care of our needs without any input from us. When we speak or act, it should always be in response to the Holy Spirit and never on our own (regardless if it involves overt ministry or your ‘day job’). There are ways of doing things both tactfully and effectively, and there are certain lines we should never cross, though if we are truly given over to His will that won’t be an issue. Until then, here are some lessons I’ve learned.

1. Being a married man does not give you justification for being a tyrant. Ephesians 5:22-33 is not a license to be a tyrant but is a guide on how to treat your wives and more than that, it is a final teaching on the structure of His Church. God is at the head, the male spouse is the head-of-household, an ordained minister to his family, with his wife by his side. Not underfoot. Not at the head. At his side. As we are co-heirs with Christ, and the Church is His Bride, so too our wives need to be treated with dignity, respect, and understanding. The submission of wives talked about here isn’t forceful. Just as we are to willingly submit to the LORD in all matters, so to wives to their husbands. Just like we can discuss things with God all day long, in the end the decision is His and His alone. Anything that crosses the line into disrespect of your spouse, I believe, is not only hurtful to the spouse but I believe it to be a sin against God Himself.
2. In my search on how to run a business in a way that honors God, I cam across many verses that spoke of not standing in the way of sin. The message was clear, I believe, but I’m still lost (and waiting to for guidance) on the application. Obviously we are tasked with carrying forth the Gospel (good news) of Jesus’ death and resurrection, by which salvation is made possible, and in the U.S. – a country not only founded on Christian principles but I believe ordained by the Lord Himself (though having definitely fallen out of favor in the last 20+ years) – we are in a unique position to influence our laws and leaders like no nation before (though some seem to try and emulate to some degree). There are definitely things happening in this nation that are a complete abomination before the LORD (homosexuality, murders (abortion in particular), rapes, theft, idolatry, etc.). Where do we draw the line, though? We definitely need to remain outspoken about these activities as they are sins, but how do we do so not only in love but while also leaving free choice up to each individual? After all, we cannot stand their place as Christ stood in ours. Those who are unbelievers already stand in judgment for rebellion against the Almighty. We also know that, just because something is against the law it won’t stop those who have set it in their hearts to do such things, either. What does one do aside from proclaiming the Truth, prayer over those living lives of sin (ourselves included, unless you can say before God honestly and truthfully you’ve made it to a mostly sinless life (and according to Scripture, it is possible), and fasting for God’s mercy? I’m personally very conflicted on this right now.
3. Avoid being prideful. Proverbs 16:18 really says it better than I could: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” If you look through all Scripture, it’s easy to see pride at the root of every other sin imaginable. Think about that for a moment.

I thought I had more, but the above list pretty neatly covers just about anything. There is no reason to lose our testimony or witness because we stepped outside of God’s will. There is also nothing wrong in admitting when we ourselves are in the wrong and have crossed any lines into not being like Christ. There are definitely times when we need to get mad and, like Christ, chase the sin out of our homes. There are times when we’ll have to tell it like it is and call a spade a spade because there is just nothing else to call it. The rest of the time we really do need to express more fully Christ’s love for everyone and His desire for all to be saved should also be ours. That won’t happen, though, if His Word is not written on our hearts as much as some of us have imprinted His Word in our minds. Don’t cross any lines you don’t need to, remembering to show love to all, and wipe the dust off of your feet for anyone who won’t listen. “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Good Work, Godly Work

Good Work

There seems to be some (erroneous) belief that you cannot run a godly business today. That somehow, the laws and morals of this world make it absolutely impossible to honor God with our talents and skills (both of which He has provided). Or that, in running a Godly business, you have to somehow force your beliefs on someone else if they work for you.

I stand before God and declare to all of you that such is completely false. Not only can you honor God, you can hire non-believers and never once force your beliefs on them, though of course it is a great chance to minister to them in how you run your business and deal with not just them but others as well. Your actions will go so much further than any words you could share with them.

I have recently started moving forward with two businesses of my own. Not because I have any great business acumen but because this is where I felt God leading me before my cancer, and he burden He has lain on my heart hasn’t changed since. God told me to go, His word said He has already provided all I need for ministry, so I just needed to go.

Since God said it, and His word doesn’t return void, I have taken hold of it and gone forth. I haven’t regretted a minute of it, even though sometimes I wish I wasn’t self-employed, the good work I have been doing (and the awesome customers I’ve been getting) has reinforced my belief God truly is leading me to ministry through my skills and talents. He’s provided, and I know as long as I remain faithful, He will continue to provide what I need, when I need it.

Godly Business

How does run a Godly business, then? Well, the first place God took me in Scriptures was the Psalms. You wouldn’t believe how how much in Psalms applies to doing business. Psalm 1 really sets the foundation, not just for personal interactions, but business ones as well. God makes no distinction between the two, you see. No where in Scripture does God say “And this only applies to your personal lives” or “And this only applies to doing business.” He does, however, outline how women are to conduct themselves in business (Proverbs 31:10-31). It is no different to the men, who are indeed held to a much, much higher standard as they are Christ’s representatives in the household (Ephesians 5:22-33).

There are tons more Scripture the Lord revealed to me (some I was already aware of) to show me just how serious He is:
Psalms 1: God knows not just our hearts and intentions, but our actions. Not only does this apply to how we deal with unbelievers (we preach to and teach them as we are led by the Spirit) but how we conduct ourselves in all situations. As True Believers, one cannot separate their faith from any other aspect of their life. Doing so says that you believe God has no business there. Its simply untrue, given how everything we have comes from God to begin with. Government, money, relationships, sexuality. It all comes from Him and it all comes with caveats that He has placed on a people unable to restrain themselves in any type of sin. I try to live this in how I deal with customers and potential customers. My delight is in the LORD, no matter what may become of a bid (that isn’t to say I’m not hurt when I lose one, but it is just one of those things that goes with the territory).

Psalms 15: This is a hard one to live by. In a day and age when it’s possible (and to a degree accepted as part of doing business) to lie, cheat, and steal your way to the top, standing by one’s word – no matter the cost – becomes the hardest thing in the world to do. With no support – aside from Godly mentors and – most importantly – God Himself – from others, one can find themselves quickly standing alone when standing by their word could have negative consequences. Who are we without being able to stand by our word? Christ Himself taught that our “yes should be yes and our no should be no” (paraphrased from Christ’s words in Matthew 5:33-37, and repeated again by James (the brother of Christ) in James 5:12). Don’t swear oaths, but be true to your word. I will confess I haven’t been as perfect in this as I could have been, but there is no time like the present to change that.

Psalm 34:8-10: In seeking the LORD, we are assured that we shall not lack any good thing. If our only focus is mammon, however, what do we gain? Every True Believer should be embracing this daily. Seek the LORD in fearful reverence. Seek out His Will and trust fully only in Him. We certainly lose nothing by doing so and – according to this very Scripture – we stand to gain all that He sees as being good for us. There is no “name-it and claim-it” doctrine in Holy Scripture, and this passage certainly doesn’t promote that. What it does, though, is remind us to keep our focus on God. His blessings are all meant to point to spiritual truths, not physical well-being. Those who follow Christ 110% are His Spiritual Israel. His chosen people, and He will not let them fall. This is something we all need to work on, myself included, as evidenced by not only our own moral struggles but by the moral decay of society as a whole. Turn to the LORD, trust in Him, seek out the LORD, and He will keep you.

Psalm 37:5-8: I’m still working on this or more to the point, I’m still working on letting God deal with this. His shoulders can carry it much better than I can. God presents us many opportunities for work, ministry, trade, and social interactions. This really echoes what was said in Psalm 34:8-10 (and also Psalms 1 and 15). Commit your ways to the LORD, trust in Him, rest in the LORD, be patient for Him to move, do not be angry or wrathful, and don’t fret/worry (this rebuke on worrying is also repeated by Christ in Matthew 6:25-34). Let God tend to our daily lives. He can manage them better than we ever could (just look at all the problems we have to see the truth in this). Let God tend to our business dealings. Let God tend to all that we need, that way we can tend to what God wants us to focus on doing.

Psalm 37:27-31: This Psalm goes on, in these later verses, to remind us to depart from evil, to do what is good in His eyes, it tells of His love of true justice, how our own mouths and tongues should proclaim us as both righteous and just without us having to use those labels on ourselves, how God’s laws are on our hearts, and our steps not being idle (e.g. they are always filled with Godly purpose). It is only by showing that we are truly His – without rabbinical legalism or pagan mysticism – that we allow God to work through us. Otherwise we’re just doing it to show off for others.

Psalm 103:1-5: This is our very real reminder of what we are supposed to be doing. Bless the LORD with all your being, forgetting not His benefits as he is our Forgiver, our Healer, our Deliverer, our Redeemer, our Comforter, our Provider, our Life-giver. If all that we are – body, soul, and spirit – were to truly bless His holy name there is nothing we should want for (again, this passage does not promote the false doctrine of the prosperity gospel).

Psalm 112: The Psalms are rife with praise for what God provides when we keep Him as our 100% focus and this passage is no different. Its hard to read this and not want to serve the LORD. Blessings and wealth? Prosperity for keeping his commandments? Sign me up! Seriously, though, the underlying sentiment here is that these things are reserved for those who keep His ways, not out of a sense of legalism or a sense of reciprocation, but out of a pure joy for serving the LORD. Praise be to GOD for being so liberal with His blessings, but let us also be liberal with what He has given us in the way of money, time, and talents. Let us rejoice in serving our Sovereign God and being united under Heaven as its citizens. Let us truly be His ambassadors and stop playing these silly games. You thought God moved when Christ was on earth? Jesus Himself said to His disciples that those who fully take hold of what He has to offer and preaches it honestly and earnestly will do greater things than Christ Himself showed us. Forget walking on water or raising the dead. We should be walking on air and going anywhere we please in our work for the LORD. There should be no border closed to us, no ears to far to hear us, no language barrier to separate us. Boy, that’s the kind of mission work I’d love to be doing (and can be doing if I too could fully take hold of all these things)! There is nothing stopping those who are called by His name except our own unbelief.

Psalm 127:1: For those starting a business, these words need to ring true if God is to be truly part of it. He has to call you to the purpose, to each and every task, for Him to be part of it. There is no “Well we’ll start it and invite Him to join us, He always comes when He’s invited.” What a bunch of garbage! God isn’t some friendly neighbor, He’s the Creator of the Universe! He’s the Father of all life. He is the righteous, just, vengeful, wrathful, and perfect judge! You don’t just “invite Him on over.” Either He ordained you do the work or He didn’t. It’s that simple. Jerusalem’s walls didn’t get rebuilt because Nehemiah said, “It pains me to see the walls torn down and the city in disarray, let’s go build it and hope God blesses us.” NO! Nehemiah anguished over the sorry state of God’s people and His Holy City and said, “God, what do you want to do?!” More importantly, Nehemiah then went and did what God told him to do when He finally spoke. The same with the temple. Man didn’t say, “Let’s rebuild His temple and then invite Him along to work with us.” What happened is that a Godly man was burdened to see it rebuilt, and an unGodly man was touched by God to make sure it happened! God moved and man responded. Not the other way around. This is the cornerstone for starting my own business. God said, “Go and do it.” He never told me it would be easy (just as He never said such to Nehemiah and the others). He never told me I wouldn’t hit low spots or win every bid I put in. He told me to go to work, start a business, and minister to His children as He provides for it to be done. God is the center of my businesses because He is the reason I am in business. Without Him, I might as well go back to work for someone else.

Proverbs 16:3,8: This really goes along with all the rest of Scripture. My work needs to be committed to the LORD. Not to mammon, or Obama, or whomever else one might think they need to dedicate their work, play, or whatever. “Commit our works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.” I cannot think of a single passage that better gives interpretation to the rest of Scripture then this one. Verse 8 also is a reminder of the value of being righteous (which includes holiness and justness) over what one could gain otherwise. I’d rather be poor in physical things then be unrighteous in God’s eyes. It’s a no-brainer for me, and should be as well for others who consider themselves True Believers.

1 Corinthians 10:31: The world really has a problem with this one. Romans 1 really summarizes up the why, but that shouldn’t stop any True Believer from joyfully giving God glory in everything we do. Compromise is trying to strangle the church, it always has. If it weren’t for the remnant who holds out and onto God’s words and promises, it probably would have a long time ago. Don’t go and do something for your glory, or the glory of some fleeting cause. Go and do it for God’s glory because it is what he called you to do!

Colossians 3:17,23-25: This isn’t the final word in running a Godly business, but this sums it up pretty good. I won’t expound on it as I’ll just repeat myself even more than I already have.

Final Words

I leave you with these words, then, in the hopes you will find blessing in them, and that they truly are not my own words but those of God.

As believers we are constantly enticed, sneered at, persecuted, and reviled for our choice to follow the One, True, and Living God. If only we stand on His promises, enter into His watch-tower, and faithfully discharge the duties given to us then we can fully take hold of all that He wants to give us, show us, and teach us. I encourage you to test my words against Scripture and prayerfully seek the truth of them for yourselves. I put myself in a position of risk for daring to teach God’s word, whether or not I’m “ordained” (as men reckon such things), all teachers of His word are held to higher standards and those willfully being deceitful are in a heap-more trouble then anyone who openly declares hate for God has to worry about. I prayerfully submit to you that these are true teachings, and if I am mistaken may God correct me in a manner He deems appropriate.

Take care and God bless.

Now For An Interlude

An Interlude?

Yes, an interlude. As you may have noticed, I have occasionally been called upon to review books on Amazon.com which is pretty cool because it almost always nets me a free book. This time is no different. Now on to my 5-star review of Planned Bullyhood: The Truth Behind the Headlines about the Planned Parenthood Funding Battle with Susan G. Komen for the Cure (affiliate link from Amazon, for full disclosure).

5 Stars

First and foremost, I have been asked – not only by good conscience but by Simon and Shuster – to disclose – per FTC guidelines – that I have received a copy of this book for my honest review. I have – and will – not received anything more in return for this review. That being said, on to the review.

First of all, for a non-fiction, insider-tells-all, political book it is extremely engaging. It is also well researched with nearly 10 pages of documented citations for a lot of the claims made. Some, such as a leak inside Komen, can never be documented. I read this book in about 10 hours over two days.

Second, I agreed to read it mostly because I was curious as to what happened. I was on FB the day it all went to pot, even going so far as to leave a word of encouragement – and later on disgust – on Komen’s FB page. From the time Mrs. Handel started working at Komen to the day Komen capitulated it was all i could do to not cry over what was going on. What was purely an economical, mission-based decision had turned political the moment it was decided to disengage from a grant recipient who was slowly taking down the organization as well as wasting dollars that would have been better spent elsewhere.

This book is an excellent dissemination of what was going on within Susan G. Komen for the Cure as they moved to elevate the usefuleness of their grants and is a must read for those who want to know exactly what went on inside the walls of Komen’s offices leading up to and during this very public fiasco.

Live For Christ, Forsake The World

I look around me, at my own life and the values my family show to the world, and I realized something. This isn’t how it is meant to be. We shouldn’t be compromising to the world just because the world-system is so endemic, or because other Christians do the same. We are called to be citizens of Heaven, Children of God, in this world but not of this world. Christ has already overcome the world, He has done the hard work for us. Why can we not let go? Yes, it is hard, and it doesn’t get easier as time goes on but doesn’t Christ give us the strength to go forward and live in the victory He won?

 

I had actually envisioned this post being much different, and had written much (over 4 paragraphs) but apparently it wasn’t exactly what God wanted me to share. Most of what I had previously written (and lost) was a rebuke on the way so-called “carnal” Christians live. 6 days for the world and one day for Christ. Engaging in a host of evil, sinful activities (willingly, knowing it doesn’t please God) and letting false teachers appease their conscience with false doctrine. This will probably be similar, hopefully with more love.

 

Romans 8:7-8 is pretty damning for many of us, especially those who willingly participate in demonic activity for one reason or another. If we are satisfying the flesh/world, we are not under God’s rule no matter what silver-tongued pastors might want to tell you.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

To be in enmity with someone, you have “a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism” – according to dictionary.com – toward that person. Its easy enough to see the truth in it, just look at those athiests who loudly decry that there is even a god, much less the God. To be carnal just means to be worldly, concerned with the pleasures of self. How can we be pleasing God when we are just looking out to fill our own desires? Surely we send a confusing message not just to the world but to our kids (if any), too.

 

On the one hand we are telling them its okay to live like the world 6 days a week, because God will forgive sins (which is only half true, we need to repent – or turn away – from them as well), but on the day we go to church, there is another way we act even though we talk about and love the same things. How can we love what is good when we cannot even admit to ourselves the difference between good and evil? How can we properly tell our kids, in essence, not to drink a beer while holding a beer in one hand? When we tell someone we hate evil and then go off and celebrate demonic “holidays” how serious do you think we are taken? Scripture says a double-minded man is unstable. Perhaps we all – myself included – need to double check our foundations.

 

I am not particularly proud of myself right now. There are things I have allowed, done, talked about or thought about that are definitely not Godly or Christlike. I am thankful,l though, for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and conviction when I am in the wrong. It leads – at least for me – to reflection in Scripture, conversation with God, and me moving out of the way to allow for the change in behavior. It isn’t easy though. Such dedication to God comes with persecution. The world does not like to be forsaken and Satan will fight tooth-and-nail to keep me in his system.

 

Of course I could be just as wrong as anyone. If nothing else, I pray this gets you to thinking about your behavior and what God thinks about it. Pray, reflect, read. Take care and God bless.