Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. I hope that it's been a wonder filled time and family and fellowship have been part of your celebration. More importantly, I hope you've found your heart turning to the real reason we celebrate in the first place. It's hard for me to imagine a love so great as God's love must be for us. I'm pretty certain I couldn't pay the price that was paid for me. I'm not even sure I'm worth it, or worthy of it. Nevertheless, He DID pay it. I hear people say they aren't sure, they need more proof, they haven't enough evidence. Ridiculous. The Holy Scriptures tell us that He DID adopt us, We ARE redeemed, The blood WAS shed, The price HAS BEEN PAID. There doesn't seem to be any question about it to me. These statements sound like they are solidly based in truth, in action, in fact. It's altogether appropriate that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. We should also celebrate every aspect of His life among us, then and now. Maybe celebrate isn't exactly what I mean, perhaps worship, or exalt are better choices.

I went a Christmas Eve candlelight service with a friend last night. It seemed to restore my spirit. There was singing (don't worry...I sang very quietly!!) and reading from His word. There was fellowship and love and worship. When I walked out of that church I felt like a new man. I felt CLOSER to Him. Isn't that what it's really all about? Bringing the Lord into our hearts so we can have Him close always? I think so.

Who are we?

I was in church this morning and the pastor talked from John and Thessalonians about our identity as Christians. He talked about how the religious elite of Israel questioned John the Baptist and who he was. He made his answer plain to them that he wasn't Elijah or one of the prophets but was simply fulfilling scripture as "A voice crying in the wilderness...". A role he was chosen for before his birth.

Later, in Sunday school the class discussed the days message. We talked about the many in our community that didn't feel the pull to be in church, worshiping, on Sunday morning. We discussed the possible excuses and came to several different conclusions. The usual reasons we came up with were; Too early, out too late the night before, too boring, too busy, church members are hypocrites, etc. We even thought that perhaps there were so many divisions and conflicting doctrines and even totally different religions that the non-believer might think the whole thing was simply man's invention and therefore of no real value.

The one thing running through my mind was that most folks don't like to feel convicted. They don't want to feel guilty about their lifestyle and choices. No one wants to hear the news that they are doing wrong. No one wants to be labeled as 'Sinners' or worse. Especially by people they live and work with and share the community with. Most folks that don't attend regularly are fairly sure that the church going will condemn them and look down on those in error. This is made even worse when they see us out there in the same community everyday acting like we don't know any better either. Sometimes we are worse than the unbelieving themselves.

The answer is fairly simple, implementing it may be far more difficult. God gives us the answer. Imitate him. Imitate Christ. Love everyone...EVERYONE! And acknowledge God as Almighty Sovreign. How many times did He punish or destroy Israel because they forgot this and turned their back on Him? They were His chosen people. How do you think He feels about us when we do the same thing? You want to fill the pews? Love everyone, Give all glory to God, thank Him for His Son, and never feel ashamed to call yourself a Christian. Walk the Walk, Live the life.

What now?

Well, it seems there is yet another militant islamic group vying for our attention. The group that has turned Mumbai, India inside out these past few days is certainly making a name for themselves. I can think of several; animals, beasts, demons, unholy, thugs, and criminals. What makes them think that the respect of the world can be earned through action like this? If they truly believe that "Allah" is going to reward them for all this death and destruction and has indeed commanded his faithful to act this way, I would be very suprised. I believe that these groups, and others throughout the world aren't really interested in matters of faith, ideals, or creeds. I think they are only interested in using their "belief" as a means to an end. That end is power. Power over any and all they can force into submission. The few 'elite' at the top create a following that will do their bidding and blindly follow anywhere. They crave power and all its trappings; money, acclaim, excess, avarice, recognition, and, perhaps most of all, to live a life outside the rule of law. God's or society's. Their aim isn't too raise or elevate their followers lives and faith. It's to raise their own selves to the level of dictator.

We find examples of this same behavior in many societies around the world and throughout history. Communism wasn't about an ideal society, a utopia. It was about concentrating power over an entire people in the hands of a few. Nazism was more of the same. Socialism, Islam, Liberalism, etc. We are in danger of the same sort of thing here in the Unites States. More and more, we allow the federal government to take away our rights, our states rights, right to worship as we see fit, right to protect ourselves and our families, and many others and concentrate power centrally. All of these groups follow the same M.O. Make extravagant promises to solve all the peoples woes, create more dependency on the bigger government, get us to stick our necks out further and further, then neatly lop off our heads. After all, we don't need to do any thinking, right? I mean, they got it covered, don't they? We just need to blindly, quietly, sheepishly follow instructions and no harm can come to us. We have to forget all that silly, useless stuff we were taught growing up. There are new rules to follow. Morals are really set by society, Christianity is a form of mental illness, the 'golden rule' is an old fashioned notion. The good of the collective society is more important than our individual rights. Truth is what they tell you it is.

I got news for them. Truth is an absolute. They will ALL have to atand before God and be judged according to His truth. It won't matter what their opinion, or interpretation, or intentions were. He won't care about any of that. His truth is absolute. His will be done.

The search continues for true leaders

As you can see by the title of this ranting, rambling, disheveled mess of blog/garbage I'm still trying to figure out where this country of mine is headed. The election is over (THANK GOD!!!) and we have a new presdident elect. Obama and the Obamunists are going to run, or is that ruin, the show for a while. Truly historic times. Just like the fall of Rome. We, as a nation, are at a dead run, trying to escape God, the Constitution, and our own sinful natures.

The leftist/ socialist/communists have finally, successfully over taken our common sense and brain washed an entire people into believing that the "Government" has the answers and can fix all our problems. The saddest part is that we let the government create most of this mess for us.

As I understand this, the government will help ALL of us to achieve success and prosperity. All we have to do is give up everything we hold to be important and life affirming. Fair trade off, right? We give up our belief in the Almighty, our belief in right and wrong, our belief that Truth is an absolute that doesn't depend on what our opinion or agenda is, and our very souls.

I've got a better idea. To Hell with them. I don't like being pushed around and lied to. I don't like having my earnings stolen. I know that the truth is the truth no matter how uncomfortable it can make me. I'm not going to go along with it any more. God gave us certain inalienable rights. The Obamunists CAN'T take these away unless we give them away. We can't let them take anything else. They've stolen our children, our schools, our faith, and our integrity.

I'm willing to fight. In the papers, on the web, through the mail, on the phone, whatever it takes. I'm willing to fight in the streets if it comes to that, too.

How about you?

What a week

It's been a beautiful week here in Missouri again. I do like the fall weather. When you can't count on anything else you can always rely on nice weather in the fall of the year.

I went to see my grandson this morning. He's two. He's a real dandy. He's starting to talk more now and saying things in sentences. It's a real cute time. He had me read him a couple of books and we wrestled on the floor. His mom sure has done good with him. She works awfully hard to take care of him and make sure he's got what he needs.

I got an invitation to go to a friends house to morrow night and scare their guest at the family hayride and hot dog cookout. I gotta decide what the best way is to do that now.

Had enough yet?

I can't believe our good fortune here in America. We have the most EVERYTHING in the world. If I could add one thing to the list of blessings we enjoy as citizens of this great nation it would be the ability to choose leaders who weren't complete washouts.

Do I chose McCain or Obama? What about Biden or Palin? What about neither? None of the above. Suppose I want to chose someone who is a real patriot, a real leader, a real person? What then? Do I search among the politically savy, those perpetually in the limelight, those that are held up before us as paragons of virtue? Who decides who these people are? The rich? The powerful? The elite?

I think I'll decide for myself. I'm not a well educated man...no college, no degree, no ph.D. I'm a regular, common everyday guy. I go to work, I take care of my family, I pay my taxes, I love my country. I worked at a variety of jobs in my search for "My Thing" in life. I've been a soldier, a salesman, a farmer, a rodeo wrangler, a firefighter, an EMT, and an electrician. I've served my country and my community. I was elected to the fire protection district board and the school board.
I've owned a couple of less than successful businesses. I've lived in the country, town and the big city. I enjoy sports and hunting and fishing. I own guns and enjoy shooting them.

All of this doesn't add up to much except to establish my credentials as an everyday American or what passes for one in my part of the country. I got tired of the same old song and dance, offered without remorse, by the big two parties. I started looking around at alternatives. I thought about moving somewhere else, New Zealand or Australia, for example. I decided that since I was a stubborn, mule-headed, opinionated cuss I might try making a difference here. I discovered the Constitution Party. It's made up of people like me. People who want this country to be what it used to be...what it can be again! This got me excited. Finally, something I can get behind and talk about with pride, something important enough to work hard for.

You need to take a look at the CP and see if there is anything there for you.