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Showing posts from 2012

One New Years Day Long Ago...

It has long been known that history repeats itself. The oft quoted quip of Santayana has been stated in many ways since, but it still stands that "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." The things of the past are our tutors. We lean and trust on those with silver crowns because it's by their wisdom and experience that we learn the lessons of life and good decision making. We also learn from histories how nations have stood and how nations have fallen by searching out their strengths and weaknesses—what their leaders stood for and what they stood against. Those who fail to do so throw caution to the wind and their leadership is marked out by the fickleness of emotionalism, narcissism, the lusts of the flesh, and a thirst for success and power rather than the discipline of the soul; moreover, whether in their day or in the days that follow, a lack of Godly leadership that models solid ethics and morality only brings despair and des

Xmas or Christmas?

During this time of year a lot of folks get hung up on the use of the term "Xmas." Most think of it as the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas. I can fully understand their reasoning for it surely looks to be so. And to be sure, for some it is so. We are living at a time in history when the news media and most government and public sectors would like to see Jesus completely eradicated. But this is just a pipe-dream for them because it will never be. You may take Jesus out of the public eye but you cannot remove Jesus from the heart. The question is , "Is it ok to use "Xmas" in place of Christmas. Theologically, linguistically,  and historically the answer is yes. I have always known the "X" to stand for the Greek letter "Chi". Chi is the first letter of the name of Christ in the Greek language which is the language that most of the New testament was written in. The early church used this widely when they scribbled symbols on w

Continue to Pray!

This week and next will be the toughest for all of the Families in Newtown, especially the parents and grandparents. My heart continually feels their pain. I have two small girls age 9 and 10 and I can tell you I have consistently prayed every night since they were born for God to continually protect them from the evil that we as parents cannot shield them from. But I also know that they are on loan to us from God; His precious gifts to us and just as Mary had to give up her Son our Lord Jesus in death, if it is God's call I too would have to let go. But I do hope that His will does not include that for my wife and I. Dear Lord Jesus, I know that even as I speak the children lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy are in peace with You and already anticipating the reunion of their eternal lives with those of their parents, grandparents and siblings. I pray that through the amazing presence of the Holy Spirit You would bring peace into the lives of those left behind in Newtown. I also p

God and The Tragedy at Sandy Hook

From the Associated Press we read: "In tight-knit Newtown on Friday night, hundreds of people packed St. Rose of Lima church and stood outside in a vigil for the 28 dead - 20 children and six adults at the school, the gunman's mother at home, and the gunman himself, who committed suicide. People held hands, lit candles and sang "Silent Night."”*   All over the web today in the weeks to come stories, opinions, and blogs like this are going to appear with every twist imaginable as the country unwinds from a tragedy that is clearly one of the most horrific that has ever occurred outside of war in America. It is not my desire to try and answer questions at the moment, not knowing the fine details of who this Adam Lanza was and his mental capacity. I just know that on Friday Dec. 14th, 2012 20 innocent children and 6 innocent adults were alive and looking forward to the joy and the love that swells amongst family and friends during the Christmas season are now dea

What Advent Truly Means!

  For many Advent celebrations are something they have grown up with, but for others it is something new. Today I would like to give a special overview of  of the real meaning behind Advent. I hope it blesses your soul. Advent has been traditionally celebrated as a time of recognizing the first Advent of Christ heralded by Angels, seen by Shepherds and worshiped by Kings. The first Advent is the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecies of old told by the Old Testament prophets of a coming Messiah who would have a kingdom that would never end: For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of

Salvation and the Fullness of Salvation: the Difference?

In most Christian circles the term Salvation is the most widely used term you will hear. It has to do with the very roots of the Bible. It is a term that would have never been coined in reference to eternal life had it not been for the fall of Adam and Eve into sin. When humanity was first created they were created beautifully perfect and complete in terms of a relationship to God and the creation around them. They were crowned with beauty and honor—the glory of all of God’s creation. Dominion was given to them over all things, Gen. 1:26-30. Because of disobedience to a simple command of God they fell into a pit—a pit they needed pulled out of. This God did by symbolically taking the skin of an innocent animal and clothing them with it. These new threads are symbolic of what God does for every man, woman, and child that comes to Him to be “saved” and forgiven of sin—He clothes us with His righteous robe, Is. 61:10; Gen. 3:21; 2 Cor. 5:17, 21; Is. 45:24; 1 Cor. 1:30. It is a beauti