World News Through the Third Lens: Clemens Mistrial

Judge declares mistrial in Clemens Case read the headlines today as reported by NewsCore on Fox Sports website. The reason for declaring a mistrial was because the federal prosecutor presented to the jury "evidence" that had already been declared by US District Judge Reggie Walton as inadmissible during the pre-trial. The evidence was a video clip of former Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte's wife Laura testifying before Congress that she heard her husband say that Roger Clemens had told him that he had used human growth hormones.

The judge had ruled, during pre-trial, that Mrs. Pettitte's testimony was hearsay, and therefore inadmissible. When the prosecutor presented the video to the jury, Clemens' lawyer objected and requested a mistrial, which was granted. Lot's of tax dollars have been spent to reach this point where there is still no verdict. Whether there will even be another trial is up to the federal prosecutor's.

Through the third lens of Scripture: The Bible makes no direct comment concerning the use of human growth hormones, or even vitamins or protein shakes to enhance one's athletic performance. I do believe that the Bible makes it clear that our culture's infatuation with and idolization of sports and the stars thereof is wrong. Consider "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them...." (Exodus 20:3-4a)

These are the first two of the Ten Commandments.

Please understand, I do not sit in judgment of anyone who is a sports fan, or who is an athlete. I myself am among the former and in my younger days was among the latter. This is a matter of one's own personal conscience. I will say though that if sports had not reached the place of idolatry on a national/international level that there would not be $20MM+ salaries being paid to professional athletes who are playing games and who are unionized.

Concerning this whole matter of athletics and physical training, the Bible says: "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8). You see, this body of flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50) so anything done to improve or enhance the body has benefit for this life only. Godliness, and anything which trains the soul towards godliness (which by the way tends to keep the flesh and all its desires in check) has benefit in this life, AND the next. This is a subject worth several pages of teaching. Suffice it to say that the flesh and the spirit (soul) are at war with one another (read Romans 7:7 - 8:17), and the flesh (sinful nature) could care less about the Kingdom of God because it won't get to go there.

Now, continuing with Roger's case - the whole trial is about whether Roger lied in his testimony before the Congressional Committee. I find this a bit of a laugher because congressmen lie to each other and to us all the time. The president lies before Congress and the American people. The interesting thing is that Roger probably would not have gone to jail had he told the Committee that he used HGH (assuming that he did). That wasn't a crime, and for a number of years wasn't even against the rules of Major League Baseball. Had he admitted to using them though, his reputation would have been tarnished, and his entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame placed in jeopardy.

Let me conclude that if Roger did lie, he was guilty of breaking the 9th Commandment. Whether a court ever finds him guilty will make no difference to God. He has the last say in matters of justice and mercy. I only pray that Roger, who like me has probably broken most, if not all of the Commandments, throws himself on God's mercy. To do so will require him to confess his sins and repent from them (change his mind about them) and place his trust in Jesus Christ. And then God, who in His holiness declares that breaking one commandment is as bad as breaking all of them (James 2:10) will cause mercy to triumph over justice (James 2:13). When we stand before the judgment seat of God, there will be no mistrial, no getting off on a technicality. The only way to escape judgment is to accept God's mercy and forgiveness offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10).

Be encouraged as you walk free from fear, children of God, and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17).

World News Through the Third Lens: Israel and the Apocalypse

Local ministers don't think today is the last day read the headlines in today's Johnson City Press. In the same issue, another headline declared Israel's leader rejects U.S. plan on borders. Thus this blog will look at two current event items through the third lens of Scripture. In an effort to not make this blog too long, only the surface will be scratched. The first headline was prompted by the proclamation of Harold Camping, 89-year-old retired civil engineer and the leader and founder of the fringe ministry group with the innocuous title: Family Radio Worldwide. Camping claims that his study of the Bible and numerological calculations make it clear that the end will come beginning at 6 P.M. on May 21, 2011, beginning in New Zealand. As I write this blog, it is now 6:40 A.M. on May 22, 2011 in New Zealand and I have heard no reports of their demise or of any of the other nations now on the other side of 6 P.M. the 21st.

Most pastors interviewed for this article, and several others, judging from posts on facebook, base their rejection of Camping's wild claims (which hundreds bought into and poured themselves and their resources into proclaiming the message) on Jesus' statement: "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). The Scripture is true and accurate, but it is far from the best reason for Camping's prediction being declared false. Camping's claim that the end of the world is today includes the claim that true believers will be raptured (taken up) by Christ. And here is where it gets a bit messy. A short blog is no place to mount all the defenses that the truth of Scripture provide, so I will make just a few statements, with limited Scriptural reference.

The article in the Johnson City Press states, "The Rapture - the belief that Christ will bring the faithful into paradise prior to a period of tribulation on earth that precedes the end of time - is a relatively new notion compared to Christianity itself, and most Christians don't believe in it." This ludicrous statement underscores the concern I have when somebody like Mr. Camping gains some notoriety. 1. He will be proven false, and by analogy, many sincere people with an interest in eschatology (the study of the last days) who have been called with a prophetic voice at this time in history (I believe I am one) will be labeled as false, fringe or fanatical. 2. Articles will be written which have little biblical foundation, but will be read and believed by the uninformed. 3. Many will conclude that Christianity as a whole is a joke, or irrelevant

The Rapture is not a new notion in Christianity, unless you want to label the inspired writings of Paul as "notions"; unless you you consider A.D. 49-54 as "recent." In Paul's two letters to the church at Thessalonica (a church founded by Paul over a period of about 3 weeks), he addressed concerns that this young church had about the Second Coming of Christ. In the first letter, he dispels their concern that the people in the church who had already died would miss the Second Coming. He did this by making it clear that the resurrection of all those in Christ would take place first at His Coming followed immediately by all the living Christ-followers being changed in the twinkling of an eye (1 Thess. 4:13-18 and 1 Cor. 15:51-52) and all would be gathered together to meet Christ in the air, and forever be with Him.

The Rapture will take place, but not without signs preceding it. In fact, in Matthew's Gospel, just before Jesus spoke about no man knowing the day or the hour, these are the things He spoke about preceding the Rapture: 1. Deceivers and false Christ's, 2. wars and rumors of wars, 3. famines, pestilence and earthquakes (all labeled "the beginning of sorrows"), 4. Great tribulation and martyrdom, 5. more false prophets and deception, 6. a great falling away or apostasy, 7. the abomination which causes desolation (which requires the building of the third temple in Jerusalem and which will serve to reveal the Antichrist), 8. the actual sign of His coming (cosmic disturbances. Thus far, Matthew 24 parallels Revelation 6. Then the Rapture (Matt. 24:31, 37-42), the exact day or hour of which is unknown, but which is preceded by signs and the surety of which is a obvious as is summer following the budding of the fig tree (Matt. 24:32-35).

There is much more I could write in this vein, but now we'll move to the second headline concerning Israel and our president's exchange with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Our president is in office for a time such as this. God raises up one leader and He puts down another. Our president sided with the overthrow of Mubarak in Egypt and Mubarak was, in addition to being a dictator, was a secularist and he honored Egypt's peace treaty with Israel. There is precious little hope that the Muslim Brotherhood will do the same. Bashar Al-Assad, the president of Syria is also a dictator, and has killed hundreds of Syrians who have been protesting for reform, but the USA has done little against him. He is a hater of Israel and is aligned with Iran in a desire to exterminate her. I could go on and cite pages of evidence which display President Obama's true feelings towards Israel.

So, with Obama's ascension to power, God is now on the verge of being in a position to justly judge the United States for all of the innocent blood shed in the land (well over 50 million abortions and those are just the ones reported). God is now in a on the verge of being able to justly judge the USA for making a mockery out of His rules for marriage and family. I don't mean to sound like I am in a position to determine when God can and cannot act; it just seems like He has been withholding judgment for a long time now. It seems entirely plausible that the only thing that has kept the sword from falling is God honoring this promise: "I will bless all those who bless you, And I will curse all those who curse you" (Genesis 12:3a). Insisting that Israel withdraw to the pre-June 1967 borders is tantamount to cursing Israel. Those borders included a section of Israel less than 9 miles wide. It would make Israel virtually defenseless (one reason that we know it was by YAHWEH's intervention in 1967 that Israel captured the land that she did. Netanyahu rejected Obama's plan. But concurrent with the USA's backing of Israel diminishing under the present POTUS, we have seen our country ravaged by recession, mounting debt and potential insolvency, natural disaster upon natural disaster, and an influx of illegal aliens adding their burdens to an already strained system.

I have said it before and I will say it again, a diminished USA superpower seems to be inevitable for a one world government/economy/religion to prevail. Joel Rosenberg wove this theme into his last days novel, Dead Heat, I found very interesting in spite of his error in the timing of the Rapture. It grieves me to think that our brave men and women in uniform, who have been putting themselves on the line to defend us, have been able to do little to defend us from the real enemies - the enemies within. As a reward for their selfless service, they have been used as guinea pigs in social experimentation. May God pour out special grace upon them, especially as Memorial Day approaches.

World News Through the Third Lens: Tornadoes - A Deeper Meaning?

Tornadoes strike six states: over 250 killed. Until Thursday morning we had no idea just how bad things were because of the string of tornadoes that struck the southeastern United States. I can remember years ago when a tornado struck Connecticut, heavily damaging the air museum near Bradley Field, but I never remember regular TV programming being pre-empted by constant weather forecasts, warning about one tornado-laden storm after another. The storms which began in Alabama and Mississippi moved into Georgia and southeastern Tennessee by late afternoon on Thursday. Beginning with the 5 PM News, the northeastern Tennessee/southwestern Virginia (aka the Mountain Empire) was put on alert. The warnings which covered a time frame of 7-10 PM (later extended to 1 AM) showed a whole string of thunder storm cells moving roughly parallel with the Smokey Mountains. Many of the cells were packing hail and/or revolving winds.

After supper, we were glued to the TV and reading (check the following "Through the third Lens of Scripture" section for some of the reading material). Every storm cell was moving at speeds of 65-70 mph, so they came and went quickly. Most of them seemed to follow along the path of Interstate 81 (about 20 miles from us). Then one was projected to follow the north side of Route 11E (about 3 miles from us). Along about 10:30 PM one was shown as hitting Camp Creek area of Greene County with a projected path right over Telford (where we live). At that point Barb and I and Barb's Dad and the dogs headed for the cellar. There's no TV there, but with my computer and no loss of power or Internet service, I was able to track the cell. When Doppler showed it to be right over Telford, the wind could be heard roaring outside. However, that turned out to be just the cell passing through. The rotating winds never touched down and the trouble blew right by.

The next day everything in our area looked normal, while just a few miles over into Greene County, dozens of homes were destroyed and 7 people were killed. We've been praying a lot, for those who have suffered loss that God would comfort, and would show us how to be instruments of that comfort. We've also been thanking Him for our protection, and for protecting everyone else that we know personally in the area.

Through the third lens of Scripture: Here are some of the things we were reading on Wednesday...... "I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest"(Psalm 55:8). "And there will be a tabernacle for shade in daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain" (Isaiah 4:6). "For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall" (Isaiah 25:4).

I'm about to transition from something that will cause most people to say, "Praise God!" to something that might stir up a little controversy. Perhaps I can minimize that by saying that in no way do I attribute the fact that we were protected Wednesday night to some higher level of personal righteousness. I have no doubt that many God-fearing people suffered loss in those storms. What I am going to suggest, with absolutely no insinuation that God was punishing specific people for specific sins in those storms, is that God was once again trying to get our corporate attention.

On April 27, 2011, the Alabama House Health Committee was to vote on two personhood bills. That vote was delayed because of the introduction of amendments to exclude the earliest stage of human development, beginning at conception - thus denying personhood. Within hours, over 200 of Alabama's citizens had been killed by the fierce storms. Consider this: "And God said. 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created He them" (Genesis 1:26a, 27).

As this was happening, the military began its sensitivity training as a result of the repeal of the "Don't ask; Don't tell" policy. Here's how part of the curriculum goes..... If a marine sees two other male marines at the mall kissing each other, they should react no differently than if they had seen a man and a woman kissing. Some who have seed video portions of the training say, "They would make Sodom and Gomorrah look like Sunday School." Now consider this: "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion...... Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do those very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:26-27, 32).

As a parting note, consider this statement concerning how God uses things like tornadoes: "The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds...At His direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish men or to water His earth and show His love" (Job 37:9, 12-13). Like I said, I do not believe for a minute that in this recent devastation the guilty suffered loss and the innocent escaped unscathed. I do think that all of us need to reflect seriously on God's holy standards; realize that we cannot live up to them apart from Christ; and then do what we can to be examples of righteousness in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, states and nation.

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"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7).

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34).

World News Through the Third Lens: Pastor Fired

"Who's in Hell? Pastor's Criticism of Eternal Torment for Some Sparks Fierce Debate." (Fox News, 3/24/11)

No, it's not the pastor who's image is gracing this blog (Rob Bell, Mars Hill Church) although he is definitely involved. This time it's Pastor Chad Holtz, who until recently pastored the 80 member Marrow's Chapel United Methodist Church in Henderson, NC who not only sparked some fierce debate by defending Rob Bell's recent book "Love Wins," but found himself being fired by his church. He had hoped that his personal beliefs, posted on facebook, would stir up some debate, but he never expected to be fired. His beliefs in the area of heaven and hell were deemed to be out of step with the beliefs of the people of Marrow's Chapel. When questioned about the incident, Gray Southern, district superintendent for the area that includes Henderson, said that there was more at stake than Holtz's facebook comments concerning Bell's book.

Holtz stated that church members had also been unhappy about his posts concerning gay marriage, the mix of religion and patriotism and that that the Bell posting was probably the last straw. Highlighted in the Fox News release was Bell's criticism of the belief that a select number of Christians will spend eternity in the bliss of heaven, while everyone else is tormented forever in hell. "This is misguided and toxic and ultimately subverts the contagious spread of Jesus' message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that our world so desperately needs," Bell writes in his book."

Through the third Lens of Scripture: Rob Bells quote makes Jesus sound like a flower-child-hippie from the '60's. Jesus did bring a message of love, peace, forgiveness and joy that is desperately needed by our world, but because His own cross was in the center of that message, He warned that it would NOT spread contagiously. Pastor Bell must have forgotten that the use of the word "world" in John 3:16 in no way supports his heresy of Universal Reconciliation. God's love was demonstrated towards the whole world, every last sinner, including you and me; but it would benefit only "whoever" believes. "For God so loved the world ['kosmos' - spec. inhabitants] that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16, NKJV).

As you read further on, you quickly realize that the entire world was under the condemnation, so that He came into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him. The only way to escape condemnation is to believe on Him, in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18). These verses record the words of Jesus, thus they are His message. His message continues "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit spoke these words concerning Jesus, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:11-12).

Concerning the 'contagiousness" of Jesus' message, Jesus and the apostles had some pretty interesting things to say. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14). That doesn't sound like Jesus (the gate) is all that contagious. Right after this, Jesus warns us to beware of false teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing. (v. 15).Did you ever stop and think about how many people are born into a religion? If you are born of Muslim parents, you are born a Muslim. If you are born of Hindu parents, you are born a Hindu. If you are born of Buddhist parents, you are born a Buddhist. And, while I don't wish to pick on any Roman Catholics here (I recognize there are some who actually preach the need to be "born again"), most people born of Catholic parents are considered Catholic. Other "Christian" denominations also place too much importance on natural birth, and run children through a program of religious instruction without ever mentioning the necessity of being "born again." Jesus said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Again He said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.....Do not marvel that I said to you, 'you must be born again" (John 3:5, 7).

So we come with the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ, but immediately must proclaim to people that the way they were born will not get them to spend eternity in Heaven with God; they must be born again. The new birth is describe by John in these words: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God..." (1 John 5:1a) What it means to believe that Jesus is the Christ cannot be written on a bumper sticker. Paul scratches the surface best with these words: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel, which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

A person is not saved by believing some other gospel, no matter how sincerely he believes it. A person is not saved if he believes the true Gospel in vain and does not hold fast to it. Rob Bell's message of everyone ultimately being reconciled to God is a false gospel that makes him universally accepted by those who "perish because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Universal Reconciliation is the prelude to the "falling away" (2 Thessalonians 2:3) that will precede the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the prelude to a one-world religion spoken of in Revelation 13 and 17. The only thing that will stand opposed to this false religious system in the last days is true Christianity, which stands upon the exclusivity of Christ and His cross. "..the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,,,,we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24).

This message offends many who wish to be saved (assuming they even consider salvation) according to their own terms. When this message is preached accurately, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew :10-12). That doesn't sound like Jesus and His message will be all that contagious. And as the signs of the end times increase in frequency and intensity like birth pains in an expectant mother, Jesus placed right at the top of the list "deceivers" (Matthew 24:4). He went on to say, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake" (Matthew 24:9).

Let me close with this additional warning, followed by a word of encouragement. "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). Continue to stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Warn and admonish others that He is the only Way and having done all to stand, continue standing. Remember Jesus' promise: "But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 24;13).

World News Through the Third Lens: Rejoicing & Weeping

Said Mussa Released: According to a report from the Religious Freedom Coalition today, Afghan Christian convert, Said Mussa, was released and escaped to a European nation. Even with our huge military presence in Afghanistan, the US media had little to say about this incident. Just a few days ago, Encouragement for End-Times Endurance posted a link on facebook by which people could pressure our US State Department to intervene in Mussa's behalf. This also pointed out the need for prayer for our Christian brother. Praise God for his release and escape to safety.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3, NIV).

The Obama Administration Will No Longer Defend DOMA according to several news sources this past week. This makes official what the Justice Department has (not) been doing for the past two years - the only difference being that they will no longer have to fake it. DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law in 1996 by President Clinton, and defined (for federal purposes) marriage as between one man and one woman. Once the LGBT agenda became a civil rights issue rather than a moral issue, the battle was lost. Now we have reached the point where one man (President Obama) has elevated himself above the Congress and the Judiciary, declaring a law to be unconstitutional. This is a quantum leap from a democratic republic into the realms of dictatorship.

Through the Third Lens of Scripture: "Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush" (Jeremiah 8:12, NIV). Conduct that was hardly spoken of in secret 50 years ago is now being paraded around as normal, as a civil right, and as legal. That's a far cry from blushing. God's proclamation on such behavior: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter" (Isaiah 5:20, NIV). The people of God must be counted as those who "...grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done..." (Ezekiel 9:4a, NIV) and NOT as those who "...know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve deserve death (yet) they not only continue in such things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32, NIV).

World News Through the Third Lens: State of the Union

"Leadership is now a shared responsibility" stated President Obama in his State of the Union address last night. Sounds a bit like the playground bully who dominates and dictates the rules until someone calls him out. Then he wants to govern by committee. How pompous is that? So let me get this straight. When the Dems were in power, it was their (B. O.'s) way or the highway. After the most lopsided transfer of congressional power since 1938, it's time to share the leadership? What leadership? There hasn't been any, and the American people said, loud and clear, that that horse won't plow any more.

Of course the president was polite, and some times even made an attempt at being humorous. He threw a bone of congratulations to the new congress and to the new Speaker of the House (who looked, most of the time, like enduring the speech was worse than wearing cactus underwear). He acknowledged the tragedy in Arizona 3 weeks ago. (One of the biggest tragedies is that with dozens of eye-witnesses, Jared Loughner has plead "not guilty" and probably won't go to trial until October). Gabrielle Giffords seat was vacant an often in the view of the cameras.

The president then launched into his four point plan with epithets such as, "We need to out build, out-educate, out-innovate the rest of the world." "We need to take responsibility for the deficit and reform our government." (Who was it that spent trillions in stimulus money, appointed dozens of powerful czars without Senate consent, and chose to use the military as a laboratory for social perversion?)

Step #1 - Innovation. While he stated that free enterprise drives it, the government has to help. He said we need a "Sputnik moment," and that the budget will reflect this. OK, let's spend some more money we don't have because we've about busted the free enterprise system with red tape, regulations, penalties and taxes. Then he said something scary - about promoting clean energy technology, establishing a goal of having 1 million electric cars on the road by 2014 and 85% of our electricity being generated by "clean sources" by 2035. Can anybody say, "Here come the EPA Police with way higher electric rates!"? Then he said that politicians have to work to make this happen/ Why not business and industry?

step #2 - Education. He began by lamenting that we as a nation are 9th in math and science. Then he stated that good education starts at home, yet nothing is done to honor home schooling by the granting of tax relief or school vouchers. Then he revealed the "Race to the Top" program whereby the States who show the best plan get the money. (Like there's not enough cheating on things like Mastery Tests for the money's sake already). Then the ominous left foot fell as he stated that there were hundreds of thousands of students in schools who aren't citizens and that we have to address the issue of illegal aliens once and for all. His conclusion was that many of these are good students and that America loses if they are sent back home to be scientists and teachers in other countries. Ouch! I don't hear much of a plan there other than to keep paying for the education of citizens of other countries PLUS entice them to remain in this country with further rewards for being ILLEGAL! Many would argue that the 10th Amendment excludes the Federal Government from being involved in education.

step #3 - Rebuild America's Infrastructure. I can see the Federal Government being involved in the interstate system and other means of travel across state lines (air, train, bus, etc.), but why do they have to get involved in making the Internet and digital technology available to everyone. I would think that the private sector would figure this out eventually. I don't think that the American taxpayers should subsidize some guy's Internet just because he chooses to live 100 miles from Point Barrow. I do agree with the president's statement that the tax code should be simplified and loopholes cut. (I've never heard a politician openly say the opposite, while the opposite is what always seems to happen). Then he plugged his healthcare reform program, admitting that it could be improved, but offering no suggestions for improvement. How about deleting all coverage for abortions, tax-payer funded or not? How about removing all so-called "domestic partner" benefits?

step #4 - Stop the Debt. He said that government must live within its means, just like individuals and families have to. Good! He called for a 5 year freeze on annual domestic spending (which for some crazy reason only amounts to 12% of the budget! Oh, I guess that the $720MM spent in Lebanon, only to have the government now controlled by Hizbullah is part of the 88% non-domestic spending not subject to freeze. He spoke of initiating medical mal-practice reform We'll see if the lawyers let him get away with that, although it's long overdue. He said he will submit a proposal to streamline the government. (Start by getting rid of the czars, their staffs, regulations and budgets!) And just when i couldn't take any more, he said, "American Muslims are part of our American family." Mr. president, there may be some; but why do we seldom hear of a Muslim taking a stand against terrorist organizations and terrorist activities? Why do we not see them upholding the American flag. Why do they keep pushing for Sharia law? And why hasn't Major Nidal Malik Hasan faced a firing squad yet?

Through the third lens of Scripture: I realize that some of the things I've said do not sound very loving, but the truth has a tendency to sound that way at times. So please let me begin this part with an oft repeated mantra of mine: "We must pray for President Obama." We must first of all that he "be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Why should we do this? He is obviously not saved, and God wants him to be (1 Timothy 2:4).

Paul writes: "I urge, then, first of all. that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -for kings and all those in authority...." (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Now for a few observations about his speech as compared to the Word of God. He played the pride card several times. We're the richest, we have the best institutions of higher learning, we have the largest economy, we have grit, determination and ingenuity. Not once did he acknowledge any of these as coming from God, nor that we are accountable to Him for how we use them. Then there is this warning: "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). Wouldn't it be better to be second or third or ninth and right rather than first and wrong?

Many parts of the speech reminded me of how these words of wisdom have frequently been ignored: "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19). By his silence, or by his contrary actions, President Obama has been an affront to Almighty God in these seven areas and more. Prideful looks, lies (or at least hiding the truth) concerning his birth and even records right through college, his radical pro-abortion stand, rushing quickly into the repeal of "Don't Ask - Don't Tell," Lying about abortion provisions in the health care reform, and pandering to Muslims who will even don a US Army uniform to attack US Soldiers.

I fear that the last global superpower is about to be brought to her knees. I don't know how far we can push God's mercy and avoid His justice. "Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). One small step towards righteousness and towards trimming the budget - cut off all funding to Planned Parenthood ($320MM)!

World News Through the Third Lens: It's For the Birds

Dead birds showing up everywhere around the world declares the headlines of Internet news source, http://www.offgridsurvival.com/ This source, along with several others which are better known, such as http://www.msnbc.com/ has reported hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dead birds of varying species showing up dead in Italy, Sweden, Canada, South Korea, et al. Dead fish are also showing up in different places well beyond the Arkansas River. The fanatical group led by Rev. Hocking will probably declare that this is further proof that the world will end on May 21, 2011. Meanwhile, popular actor/evangelist Kirk Cameron has declared that the dead birds and fish are not a sign of the Apocalypse.

So who do you believe? Is the end coming this year. Are these things signs of the end? Should we buy a bunch of MRE's, fuel up the 4 X 4 and head for the hills? All I can say is: "Read your Bible and believe/obey what it says.

Through the third lens of Scripture: Watch for the biblical signs, such as: 1) false Christ's, deceiving many; 2) wars and rumors of wars; 3) famines (those already present get very little news coverage); 4) pestilence (birds and fish dying in large numbers could definitely qualify); 5) earthquakes (2010 was quite a year for these - first 7 days of 2011 rather quiet); 6) being hated for being a Christian (U.S. Gov't. even getting a little alarmed because of Christians being murdered in Africa and middle East); 7) rise of false prophets (the list of those present and popular is too big to tackle here); 8) lawlessness (just read the papers. USA has highest percentage of incarcerated people in western world, and yet new crimes dominate the news).

What are we to do. Since these instructions come from Scripture, they speak primarily to Christians. 1) Do not let anyone deceive you; 2) occupy until Christ returns; 3) preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all the world as a witness (see blog on this topic at http://www.endtimesencouragement.blogspot.com ); 4) endure until the end; 5) look up, for your redemption is drawing near; 6) bear the testimony of Christ; 7) love not your life, even unto death; 8) remain ready, always loving and always living in faith.

So, don't be frightened by scary news; neither dismiss everything thinking that everything will go on as it always has (western version - just keep getting better and better. After all, we spent 3.8% more on stuff for Christmas this year than we did last year). Be encouraged in Christ. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!"