World News Through the 3rd Lens: Islam, the Constitution, and the Bible

Islam has been around for 1400 years...

yet in 2015, in the age of social media, everyone seems to be talking about it. It's not just social media either. In a recent edition of the Johnson City Press, the front page banner read: "Vigil seeks prayer for Muslims, refugees. One of the vigil organizers said that in the face of many anti-Muslim headlines of late, their group would be "standing in solidarity with them, supporting them as good people and Americans." She also said, "It's unfortunate that so many Americans are judging those who practice Islam by their absolute extremists, but don't do so with Christianity," as she pointed to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and Robert Dear who is charged in the recent Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs,

Normally I would be the last person to criticize others for organizing a prayer vigil, but this one prompted so many questions and comments, I just could not let it pass.

     How do the acts of Timothy McVeigh and Robert Dear equate with extremist Christianity?
     Where is the Muslim community in all this?
     If more than 90% of Muslims in this country are moderate, why don't we here them proactively speaking out in support of the US Constitution and assimilation; against sharia law and special privileges?
     Why is there a difference in Islamic expression depending on the percentage of Muslim population in a given town, region, or state?
     Why are organizations like CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood given either a free pass or special privileges, in spit of written documents exposing their goal of overthrowing America?
     Why was Iran not only given an unbelievable boost in the attainment of their nuclear goals, all the while spewing epithets at the USA (great Satan) and Israel (little Satan)?
     Why was Iran recently praised by Secretary of State Kerry as being compliant with the terms of the nuclear agreement, when Iran has just tested medium range ICBM's in violation of two UN resolutions?
    
Those are just a few questions for which we should not seek answers, but our congressmen should be seeking/giving answers too?

Now for a few comments, and I'll be done (for now).

     The following document should be mandatory reading for all 535 members of Congress and for all Cabinet heads. Each one should be required to make a written commentary which constituents can access.

“ A N E X P L A N A T O R Y M E M O R A N D U M  O N  T H E  G E N E R A L

S T R A T E G I C  G O A L  F O R  T H E  G R O U P I N  N O R T H  A M E R I C A ”

 

The above Muslim Brotherhood document was entered

 

into evidence in the U.S. v Holy Land Foundation trial, and is

 

a primary source threat document that provides new insights into

global jihad organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood.

 

 

     The US government should take note of the fact that organizations like Open Doors consistently reveal "The one glaring fact that emerges from this report is that the overwhelming majority of Christian persecution around the globe today is being committed at the hands of [fundamentalist] Muslims of all races, languages, cultures and socio-political circumstances"

 

 

    

The

US government should make it a practice of looking at laws which are already on the books, and then enforcing those laws, rather than make new ones which are more politically correct. For example:

The Immigration and Nationality Act. passed June 27, 1952 and became Public Law 414, states in Chapter 2 Section 212 the prohibition of entry to the US if the Alien belongs to an organization seeking to overthrow the government of the United States by "force, violence, or other unconstitutional means." It also prohibits the entry of Aliens who are members of or affiliated with any organization that advocates or teaches, the overthrow by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means of the US or of all forms of law, and Aliens who publish, circulate and distribute materials teaching or advocating the overthrow by force, violence or other unconstitutional means of the US Government or of all forms of law.

This by its very definition would rule out Islamic immigration to the US, but this law is being ignored by the White House and by presidential candidates who think it divisive and reprehensible to ban the entry of those whose ideology is Islamic. All Muslims who attest that the Koran is their life's guiding principal subscribe to submission to Islam and its form of government. This is not religious discrimination because Islam, disguised as a religion, seeks to bring all people under submission to Sharia. It is in their Constitution, the Koran, which commands Islamists to conduct violence against or to kill those who do not submit to allah and the prophet--at least 109 times, in context.

  Isaiah 59:7 "Their feet run to evil, and they make hast to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths."

 

  And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you." Matthew 24:4

 

 

 

    



 

    

Santa, the Sword, and the Star

Syncretism - the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought

The picture to the left would be viewed by many as absurd, and by others as blasphemous. An Islamic Christmas tree! Of course not! Yet for decades, we in the western world have thought that we could engage Islam in economics, military aid, and a seat at the geo-political round table and that eventually they would become so enamored with our values that they would adopt them. Syncretism would carry the day. After all, Islam is just a religion, the free practice of which is tolerated in any democratic society. So here near the end of 2015 we should be asking ourselves, "How's that working?"

You see, Islam is much more than a religion; it is an economic system, a judicial system, and a geopolitical system. With respect to the latter, it is committed to world domination. It is a system where church and state are one; where adherence to "the faith" is maintained with threats of death to all who would depart. In spite of all that, there is a place for syncretism within Islam, because Islam views lying to advance the cause as a moral virtue.

As the Islamic community gains a foothold in the midst of a different culture, lies will be told over and over again to mask the real aims of Islam. Here in the United States, the lies have been institutionalized under banners of such organizations as C.A.I.R. (Committee on American/Islamic Relations).  Following the gruesome murders in San Bernardino yesterday, CAIR in a news release said, "We condemn this horrific and revolting attack and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those killed or injured...The Muslim community stands shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans in repudiating any twisted mindset that would claim to justify such sickening acts of violence." A family member of one of the shooters expressed shock at a CAIR news conference. The twisted mindset, however, emanates from the Koran, which repeatedly instructs followers of Islam to kill infidels. While it is a nice gesture for CAIR to issue such statements of condemnation, it is scant window-dressing and propaganda. It is a step back from true Islam, employing syncretism, until a more advantageous time.

Syncretism and Christianity

Although the following words of Jesus Christ are found in the New Testament, they were spoken to an Old Testament people, in an Old Testament economy. "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men..." (Mark 7:8)

Paul would spell out a similar principle to the New Testament Church, which would apply to us today, in the 21st Century. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

Keeping those two Scriptures in mind, let's look at two streams of Christianity. One stream abandons virtually all of Christianity's Hebrew roots while the other embraces them. Each stream involves syncretism to varying degrees. Much of the modern church, while reveling in the grace that has set us free from the Law, has at the same time syncretically embraced its own set of observances, which almost carry the weight of law. Volumes could be written about this subject, but we'll mention only one.

     Christmas

At some other time we will explore Christianity's syncretic approach to Easter. For now, because "'tis the season" we will look at Christmas. To suggest that the church should not celebrate Christmas would be tantamount to heresy, yet consider...

     While we freely abandon the commandments concerning the Sabbath and the Feasts of the Lord, we add Christmas as something to be observed, in spite of the fact that neither Jesus nor any of the Apostles commanded us to do so.

     The date, December 25th, has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.

           "In the fifth century, the Western Church ordered it [speaking of Christ’s birth] to be observed forever on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol [who is the sun god], as no certain knowledge of the day of Christ’s birth existed" (Encyclopedia Americana, 1944 edition, "Christmas").

          Shepherds would not have been watching their flocks by night in the middle of winter in Judea. Historically, the flocks would have been kept in a sheltered area at this time of year.

          It would have been the worst time of year to have people travelling for the purpose of taking a census.

          Historians calculate that the course of Abijah mentioned by Luke 1:5, during which Zacharias served, happened from June 13-19 in that year ( The Companion Bible , 1974, Appendix 179, p. 200). When you do the math, Mary would have conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit when Elizabeth (wife of Zacharias) was 6 months pregnant with John (the Baptist). Fast forward and Jesus would have been born sometime during the last two weeks of September.

     So the church observes the birth of Christ, which we were never commanded to do, on a date that finds its origin in the birth of the Roman sun god, avoiding the biblical evidence concerning the approximate date of Christ's birth. Add to that all of the other traditions surrounding Christmas and you have very compelling evidence that syncretism has been a part of the church for centuries.

Conclusion

The point of this blog is not to play the Grinch and steal Christmas from anyone. It's only purpose is help you, the reader, discover that many things have been added to our Christian faith and practice that are not biblical, yet we passively accept them. This is syncretism. Contract this with Islam, which has on purpose embraced non-Islamic practices at times and places. This syncretism, while not usually displayed by hanging scimitars on trees topped with crescent moons, enables Islam to be welcomed into societies as a non-threatening minority. The first to show their true colors are said to be "radicalized." As numbers increase, what was once radical becomes normal.

The warning to the church is also the same. What was first embraced by a few radicals (heretics) becomes normal a generation or two later. You've seen it; you can imagine it.

 

Jesus is the Reason for Any Season!

 

Thanksgiving (To whom? For what?)

Thanksgiving...

To whom? For What?

On my way to a meeting this morning, Glen Beck on the Patriot Channel on Sirius XM Radio announced that Turkey had just shot down a Russian war plane and that World War III had begun. NATO would be holding an emergency meeting in two hours in Brussels, a city still on extended lock-down because of terrorist threats. The US Department of Homeland Security had just issued a warning to all travelers to be on the alert this extended holiday weekend. And JC Penny announced that, for them, Black Thursday would begin at 3 P.M. And the verse of the day on my Bible app reads: "but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

As I reflected on this verse, I remembered that it was written as the conclusion of Paul's defense of the resurrection. He had made the point that if there were no resurrection then Christ could not have been raised from the dead. If that were true, then we (Christians) would be the most miserable of all people, still dead in our sins and trespasses. Many Christians walk around in the shadow of the cross, overlooking the significance of the empty tomb. If Jesus had only died, claiming that His death was for the remission of our sins, but had not risen from the dead, at the end of day He would have been nothing more than a dead liar.

Paul even makes the outrageous claim that if Christ had not risen from the dead, it would be better to embrace the Epicurean philosophy ("Eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die.") than to embrace Christianity. But Jesus has indeed been raised from the dead. Paul had already presented incontrovertible proof of that fact, leading to the next fact: we too shall be raised from the dead. That is both good news and bad news.

Some of us remember the old Schlitz (?) Beer commercial: "You only go around once in life, so grab all the gusto you can!" It was a modern take on Epicureanism, and at it's core was the lie that when you die, that's it. Eternal nothingness! But the truth is, all will be raised from the dead, some unto everlasting joy and some unto everlasting torment. It all depends on what we do with this Jesus. Do we believer in His atoning death; justifying resurrection? Do we confess (accompanied by obedience) His Lordship and do we believe He is coming again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

If the answer is "Yes!" then there is a glorious eternity awaiting us. Current events are not so alarming, because as we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!" we understand that things on planet Earth must wax worse and worse until He does. We understand that things like wars, famines, and earthquakes will increase in both intensity and frequency. Apostasy will increase within the visible church while the true church will be purified in the fires of affliction. There is the side of our prayer that we verbalize and the side we internalize. One cannot happen without the other.

It is with that truth in mind that we can "speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," Ephesians 5:19-20 And... "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Refugee Conundrum (Pt. 2)

The Refugee Conundrum (Pt.2)

Refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Conundrum: a confusing and difficult problem or question

This blog may seem to be a bit disconnected unless you first read the one posted yesterday (November 19, 20150). Moving on from there, I notice that many of my Christian friends have suggested that we should welcome refugees of any and every ilk based on...
     "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same."  (Romans 13:1-3)

So let me ask a number if questions, all pertaining to life here in the USA. Who are the governing authorities? Whimsical, egotistical men or duly enacted laws? Are these men or laws operating within the guidelines of God's authority? Are these men/laws a terror to good works or to evil? Put another way, are these men/laws promoting good or evil? If our good works receive praise from these men/law, does that not assume that these men/laws are good?

While you're mulling over those questions, please allow me to introduce you to a Federal Law that, until a few hours ago, I had no idea existed. The following is a reprint of a blog from a respected friend, Bill Wilson (The Daily Jot, November 20, 2015). I have gone to the website and the pdf document. This is accurate as far as I can tell.

     "Islam, by law, is prohibited from US immigration

      The Immigration and Nationality Act passed June 27, 1952 revised the laws relating to immigration, naturalization, and nationality for the United States. That act, which became Public Law 414, established both the law and the intent of Congress regarding the immigration of Aliens to the US and remains in effect today. Among the many issues it covers, one in particular, found in Chapter 2 Section 212, is the prohibition of entry to the US if the Alien belongs to an organization seeking to overthrow the government of the United States by "force, violence, or other unconstitutional means." This, by its very definition, rules out Islamic immigration to the United States, but this law is being ignored by the White House. 

      The laws prohibits entry of "Aliens who the consular officer or the Attorney General knows or has reason to believe seek to enter the United States solely, principally, or incidentally to engage in activities which would be prejudicial to the public interest, or endanger the welfare, safety, or security of the United States." It also prohibits the entry of Aliens who are members of or affiliated with any organization that advocates or teaches, the overthrow by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means of the US or of all forms of law, and Aliens who publish, circulate and distribute materials teaching or advocating the overthrow by force, violence or other unconstitutional means of the US Government or of all forms of law. 

      Islamic immigration to the US would be prohibited under this law because the Koran, Sharia Law and the Hadith all require complete submission to Islam, which is antithetical to the US government, the Constitution, and to the Republic. All Muslims who attest that the Koran is their life's guiding principal subscribe to submission to Islam and its form of government. Now the political correct crowd would say that Islamists cannot be prohibited from entering the US because Islam is a religion. Whether it is a religion is immaterial because the law states that Aliens who are affiliated with any "organization" that advocates the overthrow of our government are prohibited. It also prohibits those who distribute literature that advocates the overthrow of our country, which would include the Koran. 

      In fact, there are many verses in the Koran that command Islamists to kill those who do not submit to allah and the prophet. If Congress so desired to hold the White House accountable to the current immigration of refugees (which also must comply with the law), it has the Immigration and Nationality Act to cite. The Administration is breaking that law. The question is "does Congress have the political will to do something about it?" Or shall we be a nation like that in Isaiah 59:14 where, " justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." I think you know the answer, at least for now. But there are a handful of Congressmen who are studying this. Pray."

      To read the law, go to this link and scroll down to Chapter 2, Section 212: 

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-66/pdf/STATUTE-66-Pg163.pdf

In the vetting process, all middle-eastern people should be asked these questions:

     1. What is your religion?

     2. If the answer is Islam, the next question should be, "Do you uphold the teachings of Mohammed, the Qur'an, and the Hadith?

     3. If 1 and/or 2 are answered "yes" then admittance to the USA should be denied.

     4. If 1 and/or 2 are answered "no" then further vetting should be conducted unless reasonable proof of another religious following is provided. It is virtuous, according to the Qur'an to lie for the purposes of furthering the objectives of Islam. 

 

In the realm of common sense, just look at various sections of Europe and the USA where Muslims have gained a plurality. Suddenly "No-Go" zones are established and Sharia Law is imposed on the residents. Democracy and the First Amendment are embraced wholeheartedly by Muslims until they have the numerical strength to do otherwise.

Next I want to share with you a biblical principle which is at odds with the growing principle driving the federal government - that is that all direction and provision needs to trickle from the top down. This can be summarized in the short quip: "Big brother knows best." The Bible, however, espouses a bottom-up principle.
     "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." ( 1 Timothy 5:8 )
     The ESV Study Bible commentary says, "Provision for one's own family is a spiritual issue of utmost importance. Failure to live out the gospel in this way is tantamount to a denial of the faith.
     "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." ( Galatians 6:10 )
     While this is not to the exclusion of unsaved friends, co-workers, and people in another land, our allegiance to God and His Kingdom finds its primary focus in family and the church.

If you would like to help Christian refugees from the middle east (which the present administration has relegated to the back of the line), go to the following websites to find out how...
http://www.religiousfreedomcoalition.org/    Check out the site, go to donate and do as you're led. I know William Murray - he is a man of integrity, not afraid to tell the truth. Another one is...
http://www.mercuryone.org/ although some of you might have a problem with the fact that Glen Beck is involved with this project.

With respect to helping a veteran, I would suggest finding some place local to do that good work.

As always, cover every endeavor with prayer...
     "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." ( 1 Timothy 2:1-4 )








 

The Refugee Conundrum (Pt. 1)

The Refugee Conundrum (Pt. 1)

Refugee: a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Conundrum: a confusing and difficult problem or question.

 

According to Scripture, the world's first refugee was Cain, who just happened to be the world's first murderer (Genesis 4:9-12). His status as a "wanderer and a fugitive" was the result of a self inflicted disaster caused by jealousy of his brother and disobedience to God. This is not to say that all refugees find themselves in that status for the same reasons, but it does set precedence: all refugee situations are intrinsically bound up in strife, turmoil, or pending danger.

The world's entire population following the great flood was centered in Babel. God dispersed them to the for corners of the earth by confounding their language. For the most part they continued to migrate into unpopulated areas of the globe, some staying and building cities as they went. Centuries later, Abraham, "Father of the Faith" (Romans 4), left Ur of Chaldea, not as a refugee, but as part of a family pilgrimage. They camped out in Haran for a while, and then God spoke to Abraham, saying, "Go... to a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1). Shortly after reaching that land (Canaan) a famine broke out and Abraham and company became refugees as they travelled into Egypt. The story is filled with perceived danger, lying, and deceit. Ultimately Abraham left Egypt a blessed man - no doubt due to the unconditional promises God had made to Him.

Two of the world's largest refugee and resettlement scenarios involved the Jewish people. In 722 BC Assyria utterly defeated the northern kingdom of Israel, deported all of the people and resettled the land with foreigners (2 King 17). Later, over a period of 20 years between 605 BC and 586 BC., Babylon thoroughly defeated the southern kingdom of Judah. Most of those who were not killed were deported to Babylon.

We could go on and cite other biblical examples. Each one makes for interesting reading, but we find it difficult to come up with a biblical mandate as to how to treat refugees. Some have gone to the New Testament citing the parable of the good Samaritan, or Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem. Neither of those are refugee situations. Mary and Joseph and the Christ child did sojourn in Egypt as refugees for a season until it was safe to return to Nazareth. That is more a story of a father being obedient to God for the protection of his family than it is a story of refugees. 

To develop a biblical response to the refugee crisis the world is facing, it requires one to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as a doves (Matthew 10:16). It also requires one to view the situation from both a national perspective and from a personal (Christian) perspective. From a national perspective it is very difficult to ferret out the truth from the lies, the different political agendas from Constitutional duty. The Declaration of Independence includes these words:

     "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by   their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

The government of these United States of America, as presently constituted and functioning has all but forgotten the Creator and has undertaken such policies and practices over the past fifty-five years to remove Him from public discourse. Furthermore, the three branches of Government have made it possible to legally murder and eradicate from our midst some 57 million of it most vulnerable citizens. The genocide has not stopped, in spite of scientific advancements confirming the biblical fact that human life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). It has not stopped because one political party or the other is in the majority. It has not stopped in spite of the public display of the ugly horrors which take place in the abortuaries. So I have little faith in a government when it parades the refugee crisis as something which requires our humanitarian response, that they are not just leading us into the inevitability of Divine judgment.

I have little faith in a government which has imposed unbearable burdens upon its citizens by running up debt that not even three generations could pay, and by deceitfully increasing the cost of essential services, calling it the Affordable Care Act (which includes, unless one is able to successfully fight it, provisions for abortion). I have little faith in a government which disregards nature and nature's God and begins to meddle with the fundamental building block of an orderly society - the family, which includes at its core the marriage of one biological man and one biological woman united in the covenant of marriage. Pandora's box has been opened and there is no telling what perversions will become normalized before Almighty God says, "Enough!"

We have never been perfect, either as individuals or as a nation, but for decades there was always an effort to honor God. As long as we did, it was obvious that God was "shedding His grace on us." Now, in wholesale numbers, even people who profess to be of the household of faith have adopted and sanctioned practices which are clearly abominable to God (Romans 1:18-32). So I believe that what may appear to some as a humanitarian act [opening our borders to the floodgate of people, most of whom are adherents to a religious/social/political system (Islam) bent on world domination through virtually any means possible] would be to invite terror to our very doors. I would try to prevent this using the same effort with which I try to prevent abortion on demand.



That said, if a Syrian refugee were to settle in my village, or even in the house next door, I would do my best to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, always looking for fruit indicative of genuine repentance. In the meantime, I'm not going to just rant about the government being willing to spend billions for refugees while ignoring the plight of many of our veterans. I'm going to look for more ways to help veterans, including bringing the Gospel to them. And... I'm going to place an order for Gospel Tracts written in Arabic and Farsi.
     "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Tennessee Massacre

In the wake of yesterday's tragedy in Chattanooga, my heart is filled with many things, so this post may be longer than most. Some Christian newsmen/writers/bloggers whom I respect have followed for the past 17 years how uncanny it is that every time our nation (government) does something to advance: 1) the pro-choice agenda, 2) the LGBT agenda, or 3) the endangerment of Israel, some sort of tragic event has hit this country. It may be a natural event, such as fire, flood, tornado, etc. It may be financial, or it may be of human origin (often terrorists). These men (and I agree with them) feel that God has been using this pattern to warn us. Thus far the warnings have not been heeded, and the murders in Chattanooga could very well be a harbinger of... Jeremiah 51:14, "I will fill thee with men, as with locusts; and they shall raise a battle cry against thee."
 

My heart is heavy and sorrowful (Roman 9:2) when I think of the lives lost yesterday and of the friends and families left to grieve. I also sorrow over the fact that Kuwaiti-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, as despicable as his acts were, was created in God's image, and God is not willing that any should perish, desiring that all come to repentance. I have read that the Islamic gunman attended UT Chattanooga, where he received a degree in electrical engineering. In the diversity section of their web page they state: "Christian groups have a large presence on campus. They often have meetings, free food, and live music on campus." I can only speculate as to what interaction there was (if any) between these groups and Abdulazeez.

Built upon the foundations of prayer removal from schools and the introduction of the theory of evolution as science in the 1960's, followed by the infamous Roe v Wade decision in 1973, most governmental decisions (executive, legislative, or judicial) have only proven to be foolish, futile, or fatal. If God is removed from the equation (as many are prone to do) the wounds to our nation seem to be self-inflicted. And somewhere in the midst of it all, the church has been self-absorbed to the point where post-modernism has crept in, carrying in its wake the follies of progressive socialism, Marxism, and Fascism.

These are just a few of the things I weep about. Not all the time, and not even every day. Even these things can stir up a joyous expectation in me, knowing that Jesus said that lawlessness, apostasy, and godlessness would increase before His return. The Christian community at UT Chattanooga did not effectively reach Abdulazeez with the Gospel for some reason. So while I say, Come Lord Jesus," I pray that this message will result, directly or indirectly, in at least one person being lead to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. That will turn many tears into much rejoicing.

State of the Union

State of the Union 2015

I believe Jesus is looking at the United States of America and weeping. He takes no pleasure in judging an individual or a nation, but judgment does come when grace has been spurned. The Scriptures declare:
"But he who did not know, yet committed things  deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more."   (Luke 12:48)

The United States of America has certainly known the way of righteousness; not that she was ever perfect. In days gone by, biblical morality was spoken of freely and expected in both public and private life. Today we have reached the point where that expectation has been replaced by a militant disdain for anything godly. Evil has been labeled good and good has been labeled evil. The Bible says "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people."  (Proverbs 14:34 ) The state of the union in 2015 is that it is in crisis, on the brink of judgment. Why?

1. For 55 years we have been on an unrelenting mission to purge God from the public square.

      It began with the removal of prayer from our public schools. Not only was this an affront to God but it was a clear violation of the First Amendment provisions. Teachers and children praying in the school house had nothing to do with a religion having been established by congress. The camel now had his nose in the tent and he won't be satisfied until he is the sole occupant of the tent. Prayer and other expressions of faith have come under attack in virtually every area of public life, and in recent years the attacks have spread to private life... like whether a Christian photographer can refuse to photograph a same sex wedding. We need to repent and return to the place where "In God We Trust" is a fact and not just a slogan (which has also been attacked). "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance." ( Psalms 33:12)

2. We suffer from a lack of godly leadership

     Somehow the majority of voting America has bought into the idea that character has nothing to do with performance. There is a failure on the part of the church to declare the fallacy of such a notion and to hold up the truth of God's word.  "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan." ( Proverbs 29:2) So it could be said that we get what we ask for or we don't get what we don't ask for. It is a Christian duty to obey those in authority (Romans 13:1) yet in this country we the people are the ones responsible for placing "those in authority." When the church ceases to be salt and light, this is what happens.

3. We are reducing our military to pre-WWII levels

     Before King Solomon had strayed into taking for himself many wives, including their foreign gods, this was the state of his kingdom.
"For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. ²⁵ And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. ²⁶ Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen."  (1 Kings 4:24-26) Weakness invites war. When you combine moral weakness with military weakness, you have a prescription for disaster. The purging of our military, the poor level of aftercare provided for those who have served, and an eroding of the moral foundation for any just war has been nothing short of a betrayal to our military.

4. Our government is no longer willing to defend our borders

     God made a unilateral covenant with Abraham, promising a land to him and his descendants. It had specific borders (Genesis 15:18-21). Israel never did fully possess the land they were promised, and as ungodliness from the leadership down became the norm, the borders they did defend became smaller and smaller. In the end the once proud nation was reduced to little more than the city state of Jerusalem which was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 B.C. To not defend our borders is to treat as profane the wonderful gift of this land that God has given to a people whose chief aim initially was to please Him. "O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain..." is no longer seen as the place upon which God has shed His grace, but as a place to be exploited and turned over to infidels, as criminals take advantage of our porous borders.

5. We refuse to balance our budget

     Figures don't lie; all the while liars figure. We are told over and over again what our deficit is (currently over 18 trillion dollars), but very few will remind us of the 100 trillion dollars of unfunded liabilities that needs to be added to that. We are told that the deficit has been reduced when in reality that means that the deficit is still increasing, only at a slightly slower rate. Things are labeled as free while somebody always has to pay for them. Inflation is stated at artificially low numbers because essentials such as energy and food have been removed from the calculation. Unemployment is said to be at the lowest point in years, yet the millions who have stopped looking for work are not included in the figures. In the background, the stock market is kept propped up by an Federal Reserve system that prints money at will. The debt can is constantly kicked down the road for the next generation to bear. All the while, two principles are all but forgotten;
    
      ^"The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender."  (Proverbs 22:7)

      ^"And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."  (Deuteronomy 8:18 )

6. We have created and fostered a welfare state

     Government gets bigger and bigger, caught up in the perverted notion that it must play Robin Hood, forcing some to pay double while creating multiple programs where others get a free ride. This has extended WAY beyond the notion that a righteous people will care for the truly needy. True religion involves caring for widows and orphans (James 1:27), and such provisions should always begin at home (1 Timothy 5:8). The entitlement generation in this country now equals the entire population of Spain. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that in the last 42 years we have killed off and equal number of people through the genocide of abortion. Fewer and fewer are being asked to provide for more and more, creating a house of cards which shall surely fall. The idea of dreaming, and pursuing a dream has been crushed for so many by the indoctrination of welfare. This biblical admonition needs to be restored.  "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10 )

7. America is rejecting Israel

     The rhetoric of support is still there, but gradually, over the past 25 years we have been distancing ourselves from Israel and their right to live in the land as a national people. We have gone against God's promise of a particular area as an inheritance to Abraham's descendants and have instead tried to force them to give up a large portion of the little they do possess. We have often painted Israel as the bully when all they do is (with great restraint) defend themselves. As we continue to ignore God and His word, we will run headlong into this... "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."  ( Genesis 12:3)

8. Counterfeit Christianity has exploded in the land

     One prominent leader of the Pro-Life Movement has said, "Abortion will end in America when the church says so, and not one day sooner." So much of the visible church has accepted abortion as a fact of life (!!!) and has either gone silent on the issue or has actually embraced the abomination. Abortion is murder of the most egregious kind - the killing of innocent babies who do not even have a voice. The church needs to be their voice and deliver a mandate to congress to grant personhood status under the 14th Amendment to babies in the womb from the moment of conception - no exceptions.

     Much of the church has strayed from sound doctrine. God is no longer portrayed as a God of justice, and hell is declared to be a myth. The sanctity of marriage has been perverted to include that which God calls abominable. Sin is no longer called sin but an alternate life style or sickness. Repentance is seldom mentioned when presenting the Gospel. Ecumenicalism is growing by leaps and bounds, paving the way towards a one world religion. The church (and that includes me) bears much of the responsibility for the state of our union. We can't blame it all on the folks in Washington DC. Let us remember...  
    "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" ( 1 Peter 4:17)