You are currently browsing the Paw Cares weblog archives for March, 2010.
- About America (8)
- Humor (5)
- Is there a God (14)
- Man Gone Wild! (23)
- Political (15)
- Religious (27)
- The Trinity and Salvation (3)
- Weight Loss (14)
- 28. August 2010: Religious Tolerance: Islamophobia - A View
- 24. August 2010: High School Reunions
- 24. August 2010: Where Will You Spend Eternity
- 24. August 2010: Does God Reveal Himself
- 24. August 2010: Stupidity is Running Rampant
- 11. August 2010: The Real TRUTH
- 31. July 2010: Choose Now Who You Will Serve
- 20. July 2010: The Movie 2012:Racially Biased?
- 20. July 2010: God Fearing Americans Must Hunker Down
- 20. July 2010: Divisive Democratic Rhetoric
Archive for March 2010
Good News
27. March 2010 by PawBill.
When will “being a good person” ever be good enough for God? In a word, “Never.”
The many peaceful followers of the religion of Islam, as I understand, will not know until they face Allah whether or not they have done enough “good works” to allow then entry into heaven. Islam jihadists who are living their faith as the Koran teaches, on the other hand, will be allowed into heaven by killing themselves and hopefully other infidels in an act of violent terrorism.
Ask yourself this question, “How do I measure up on God’s scale?” If you are honest in your measurement you did not reach the “perfect-no faults found” mark. Without input from God, man’s religious thinking needs rules and scales. But, there is another way and that way is found in Jesus Christ. (God knew that man [Adam] would not be perfect even though he created man to be perfect and to walk with Him in that light.) God, however, did not want man to be just a “clone of perfection” so He gave man the freedom to make decisions, be they good or bad. This is where the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ provides man with hope in an afterlife.
Jesus Christ gave His life freely and died on a Roman Cross for our sins. He then arose from the dead and guaranteed our redemption. Consider God’s way and not man’s way to have forgiveness and eternal life by “faith and belief” alone and not by “good works.” Consider the following:
- We are all sinners, outside the will of God, and can never be perfect no matter how good we try to be.
Romans 3:23 (NIV), “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- We face death and an eternity without God, because of our sin.
Romans 6:23 (NIV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself and died for us so that we would not have to spend eternity without God.
Romans 5:8 (NIV), “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- By believing in Jesus Christ your faith and hope will seal you for eternity. All you have to do is pray (or say): “Jesus, I know you died on a cross for my sins when I should be the one who died. I believe that you arose from the dead as a guarantee of my redemption. Today I place my faith and trust in you, and I make and claim you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for everlasting life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV), “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
If you considered, understood and prayed (or said) the words written above and accepted them in faith and now believe them in your heart, Jesus Christ has guaranteed you eternal life. Now, rejoice and tell others of your decision. Carry the following words in your heart knowing that your faith has saved you: John 5:24, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life.”
As we approach the season in which we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, rejoice in knowing if you prayed or said the words written above and you believe them, one day when you approach the gates of heaven you will not have to bring an account of your good works; your decision to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior paid your sin debt and guaranteed your entry into heaven.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Religious, The Trinity and Salvation | No Comments »
Scoffers in the Last Days
27. March 2010 by PawBill.
I can understand the reluctance to believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many in his own time and even one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, did not believe, and they were actual eyewitnesses to His miracles.
Judas killed himself out of remorse for betraying Jesus before he actually witnessed Jesus’ death and resurrection, so we really do not know whether Judas would have finally believed if he had not killed himself and had witnessed the resurrection. I would like to believe he would have believed.
Jesus’ other disciples were also eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry and His resurrection. They went to their deaths of martyrdom believing and testifying to what they had seen and heard. Death sentences carried out by Roman soldiers were so horrific you would think that at least one of Jesus’ disciples would have recanted their story if they had not been true, but none did.
So, Paul was correct when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For 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.” Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus after Jesus’ resurrection as recorded in the ninth chapter of Acts, and he changed from being a persecutor of Christians to being a persecuted disciple of Jesus who would also die a martyr’s death for his testimony.
As a follower of Jesus Christ and a student of end time prophesy, I believe we are indeed living in the last or latter days before Jesus’ second coming. Many professing Christians do not believe Jesus’ will return. Jesus is being denied daily, and many more will deny Jesus once persecutions begin to be lavished on anyone who outwardly professes Him.
Both Paul and Peter were cognizant of what the end time future of Christianity would be like with the coming of the Antichrist. As Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:3-4, “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised?’ Likewise, Paul wrote in 1Timothy 4:1, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
You would think educated people would not believe lies. But, just look at what our government leaders, both Democrat and Republican, are espousing; unbelievable lies are being told as truth with these lies being believed by a blind and uncaring populace. The end time Antichrist will have no trouble at all convincing most to believe in him rather than believing in Jesus.
If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead there would be no hope for humanity. Lost hope and no God would cast us with the animals; survival of the fittest would be the law of the land. Consider the darkness that would prevail if Paul’s words became truth: “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15, verse 14) and “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15, verse 19).
But for me, I have hope in my faith in Jesus Christ that he will one day return for all who have placed their hope and faith in him. I know God’s Holy Spirit resides in me. His Spirit can reside in you if you will only relinquish control of your life to the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
I know the truth and will forever testify to that truth. You can also know this truth once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Read more about how in my “Good News” Blog posted 03-27-10.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Religious | No Comments »
Weight Loss 03-26-2010 Update
26. March 2010 by PawBill.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).
The results of my recent medical tests, an upper esophageal endoscopy with a Maloney dilation, a barium swallow with x-rays, and an esophageal manometry study, revealed that I had a Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter. This was all good news with no treatment being recommended at this time. Treatment if ever required would be either an endoscopic Botox injection or a surgical myotomy. This explains the discomfort I was having that bore some similarity to an angina attack in that Nitro tablets eased the discomfort.
I do have one more avenue to explore and that will be with my Chiropractor. Standing over a sink and washing dishes results in a similar discomfort that radiates through my chest area. My wife says a neck and back brace would solve this problem.
My weight is now within my target range. My blue jean size is now a 34” x 32.” In January of 2009 I wore a size 38” x 32.” My medications, however, are still the same, which tells me my blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and etc. are all primarily hereditary.
As a side note, one-fourth cup of Oatmeal with cinnamon and walnuts eaten every day will solve digestive problems. Give it a try.
I will report again next month.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Weight Loss | No Comments »
Weight Loss 03-22-2010 Update
22. March 2010 by PawBill.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).
Progress report for period ending 03-20-10
Vital Signs: 02-06-10 02-13-10 02-20-10 02-27-10 03-06-10 03-13-10 03-20-10
Weigh (lbs): 191.5 189.5 190.0 189.5 188.0 188.5 187
Blood Pressure: 24/59 127/65 126/64 125/61 131/66 139/68 122/60
Pulse: 54 63 61 56 54 60 60
Waist: 41 40 40 40 39.5 39 39
This has been a good week, and my allergies have almost cleared. I go to the doctor on Tuesday for a consultation. My test results are all in, and I am looking forward to resolving my angina/acid reflux problems. I will post the results on Wednesday or Thursday.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Weight Loss | No Comments »
The Disappearance of Common Courtesy
18. March 2010 by PawBill.
I believe many TV viewers think it is cute the way many “supposedly” entertainment situation comedy programs use disrespectful attitudes and language as put downs to authority figures, i.e., parents, teachers, police, religious leaders and etc., but I do not think it is humorous because of the negative impact disrespect promotes. What about you?
Showing respect to those you come in contact with is fast becoming a thing of the past. As common human courtesies disappear, society should not be surprised at the ever-increasing levels of violence being acted out in all walks of life. Consider the following narrative as an example:
Incident at the Local Donut Shop*
I was not there the day of the “incident” when a five-dollar bet turned into a disagreement that escalated to a confrontation with verbal threats. While the bet itself was insignificant and no physical harm occurred, the resulting outbursts of emotions still simmer and any non-involved patrons that morning may now have second thoughts about ever returning.
So what happened? The daily morning Donut Shop coffee group had settled into their “space” when a discussion about who had won or lost a bet that had been made a day or so earlier resurfaced. There was apparently some ambiguity or word phrasing of the bet now being called into question by the apparent “bet loser,” as identified by the majority of the group, and what the correct answer should be. The “bet loser” thought that both answers were correct and thus the bet was a tie and no money should change hands.
Emotions were beginning to surface, as to who the winner of the bet should be, when an “innocent” participant calmly sided with the “bet winner” as view by the group and told the “bet loser” that he had legitimately lost the bet and that he should pay up. Suddenly, the “bet loser’s” girlfriend, who up until this time had remained silent, challenged the “innocent.” A barrage of words spewed out regarding past put-downs made by the “innocent” to her boyfriend followed by the statement, “I will go and get my gun and shoot you.”
With that statement some participants involved in the episode left and those remaining consulted with the management of the establishment regarding the perceived threat that was made. However, no police incident report was filed and all group members have now returned to their usual seating positions.
The irony of this situation is that the “innocent” was mistakenly identified by the girlfriend as the person who had previously been making derogatory statements to her boyfriend. In other words, if violence had occurred the “innocent” and possibly others may have been wrongfully injured or killed.
When God was feared and His commandments were taught and displayed, courtesy and politeness were considered honorable virtues practiced by most. “Yes sir,” “no sir,” “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am” as responses of acknowledgment to their elders by children were not uncommonly heard. Today it’s more of a “yep” or “nope” response if there is one given at all.
Do you long for the days when you could enjoy: a cup of coffee at the local donut shop without having to listen to loud, boisterous, mean spirited, argumentative patrons; a movie or theatrical performance without cell phones, talking and misbehaving children, teenagers and adults; an enjoyable ball game without drunkenness, lewd language and behavior; a night out without some confrontational dunce causing a scene because he or she can not get their way; the simplicity of life without jihadists, rapists, child molesters and other perverted individuals whose only desire is to hurt others in the gratification of their wants. The list could go on, and I am sure you could add your own pet peeves.
Well, you are not going to get your wish! We only have the following behaviors to look forward to because of “Godlessness in the Last Days” as foretold by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV): “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
The behaviors listed above fit the current generation of Americans like a glove. As the “love of many grows cold” do not despair. There is hope and that hope can be found in the person of Jesus Christ. He stands ready to receive you. Will you accept Him today, before it is too late?
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
*Note: The “Incident at the Local Donut Shop” narrative is a fictionalized account of a hearsay incident that bears no resemblance to any actual incident or the identity of any person, place or group. It is only used as an example of what can happen with the disappearance of common courtesies and to point out how quickly a relatively insignificant set of circumstances might escalate into violence.
Posted in Religious, Humor, About America | No Comments »
Weight Loss 03-15-2010 Update
15. March 2010 by PawBill.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).
Progress report for period ending 03-13-10
Vital Signs: 01-30-10 02-06-10 02-13-10 02-20-10 02-27-10 03-06-10 03-13-10
Weigh (lbs): 192.0 191.5 189.5 190.0 189.5 188.0 188.5
Blood Pressure: 118/62 124/59 127/65 126/64 125/61 131/66 139/68
Pulse: 57 54 63 61 56 54 60
Waist: 41 41 40 40 40 39.5 39
I am finally over my allergy: two weeks of coughing and hacking seems to be the total duration of one of my allergy episodes. I average two to three allergy attacks a year. I feel much better today, and I am looking forward to warmer weather and some sunshine for a change.
Maybe this week I will get my test results, and I can begin to make some sense out of my occasional chest discomfort. I will post the results as soon as I get them.
My ultimate weight goal, I have decided, will be to maintain my weight between 180 and 185 pounds. Friends tell me I look better with some “fat” on my body. I like to think of it in terms of muscle weight rather than fat. We will see.
One of my doctors seems to think I can reduce the total number of medications I am taking with a “significant weight loss.” Most of my adult life my weight averaged between 170 to 175 pounds, but my cholesterol and blood pressure were still above average. I really believe heredity is playing a more significant role than weight alone in causing my heart problems.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Weight Loss | No Comments »
The Toyota Syndrome
11. March 2010 by PawBill.
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has had its share of problems over the past several months or so. To a great extent, TMC’s integrity and reputation have been both questioned and maligned by the usual herd of “let me in on the action” ambulance chasing lawyers, news reporting buffoons, political pundits and all those freeloaders looking for a free ride. This Blog is by no means, however, an effort to belittle any legitimate claims being brought against TMC for reported fatalities resulting from faulty engineering practices or cover-ups. However, lets examine all the facts before we rush to administer “justice.” You know a company has reached a low point when its executives are called before Congress to testify. Talk about “the pot calling the kettle black.”
Recently I experienced a sudden perceived acceleration in my General Motors, Chevrolet Silverado truck. It was truly a terrifying event, and I can certainly relate to the drivers of the suspected Toyota vehicles that have experienced sudden acceleration. In fact, Toyota executives may want to investigate my experience, as it may be relevant to their investigative analysis of reported runaways.
Several months ago my wife and I were returning from Bellaire Beach, Florida. We go there occasionally to visit my wife’s mother. On our return trip we were traveling on I-75 north, and we were nearing the Atlanta I-285 connector. It had been a pleasant trip, and we had made numerous stops. Our last stop had been in Macon, Georgia at the Bass Pro Shop. My wife had earlier asked to stop at the Liz Claiborne store in South Georgia, which automatically gave me a “husband bargaining opportunity” to stop at a place of my choosing. I usually opt for a State Maintained Rest Stop, as my bladder does not seem to hold as much as it use to. Anyway, I apparently was having a good bladder day so I chose someplace different.
The Bass Pro Shop was well stocked with ammunition, but not owning a gun I chose not to make a purchase even though lead might be better than gold for future bartering given our current political and future economic situation. But, that’s another story.
As we approached the outskirts of Atlanta, we began to experience a slow but steady rain. It was now after sunset, and I was looking forward to being at home snuggling with my wife in a warm and cozy bed. I have these fantasies often now that I am older and can only day dream. When I relate them to my wife she usually remarks, “Man, you are just having another nightmare.” But, like I wrote earlier, that’s another story. For now I was happy nearing Atlanta where there would be more lighting on the highway.
It seems no one drives the speed limit in Atlanta, and I did not think too much about my speeding as I had just been trying to stay with the traffic flow. As I glanced down at my speedometer, I noticed that my speed had increased to eighty miles per hour. It was a little unsettling, but driving too slow can be as dangerous to your health as driving too fast on Atlanta roads.
With the rain and darkness I did not want to drive faster than the posted speed limit so I looked for a chance to move over to a slower lane of traffic. My kids and wife have often made fun of my driving as it related to my insistence in obeying traffic signs and rules. My son would often say, “Dad, even old ladies are passing you. Drive a little faster.” My reply would always be, “Son, I am driving the speed limit, and I do not like breaking the law.” (He was not sixteen at the time, and I always tried to set a good example.)
The next time I looked down at my speedometer I was going nearly ninety miles an hour. I remarked to my wife that people were driving way too fast for road conditions. I let off some on my accelerator pedal and tried to settle in to the current traffics pace while at the same time beginning to have some apprehensions as to the current speeds and road conditions.
My next glance at my speedometer was frightening. I was doing well over ninety-five miles per hour. But, cars were still passing me. I remarked to my wife that I was going to pull over to the side of the road as soon as I could get over another lane, as I did not feel that I would be able to continue to drive at the speed we were traveling, especially with other car still passing us. I have never experienced a panic attack but the sensation of speed was over whelming.
My wife is a mono-vision contact wearer, and I new she would not be comfortable driving in ninety plus miles per hour traffic. Now fully awake from her nap, my wife slapped me a couple of times across the head. Lately she seems to enjoy doing that, but again, that is another story. You have seen the scene in the movies where the woman is hysterical and the man has to slap her to get her attention; this was just the opposite. Well, she didn’t actually slap me, but I was nearing a point that it might have helped. She calmly said “Maybe there is something wrong with the speedometer (‘you old fool,’ I am sure she thought), and maybe you just think you are going over ninety-five miles per hour.”
She was right, my mental facilities realigned, and I realized that my tachometer was not in sync with my speedometer. In trying to slow down by taking my foot off the accelerator, my truck actually was slowing which resulted in more cars passing me because I was no longer driving at a reasonable speed for traffic conditions. Combine that with the speedometer actually being wrong, and you have the perfect storm sensation of something really “being wrong.” My almost panic attack at the sensation I was experiencing was at the moment unrealistically frightening. I can relate to what a driver of a Toyota might have experienced as their automobile truly was accelerating to a dangerous speed.
As my wife and I had a good laugh at our situation I remembered there being a recall notice by General Motors regarding a potential instrument panel problem. Once we were back at home I found my letter explaining the details of the recall. A class action suit had resulted in General Motors agreeing to extend the warranty on my vehicle to cover a potential instrument panel failure. The next day when I drove my truck the speedometer was functioning normally, and it has not failed since. I have not returned the vehicle to have the instrument panel inspected, but I still have another couple of years left on the warranty, and I will eventually get around to it.
Life has its moments. Thankfully for my wife and I this was not a “Toyota moment.” When I recall other lethal accident incidences of various manufactures and their recall responses, I have to wonder about the “human” response to unexpected problems or perceived problems, and manufactures “cost analysis” solutions and public statements.
Our nation is in one of those moments now. There are so many lies being told by our political representatives. How can our President potentially sign legislation that was crafted from payoffs and back room deals that reward individual representatives and their political constituency with no regards for the future of our children and country. This cannot be real! Not in America!
It is time for America’s politicians and its people to stop the foolishness. I am tired of all the lies and misrepresentations of factual events by our elected officials and news reporting organizations. America, we are riding in a runaway “Toyota” and unless we are able to safely stop our “vehicle,” our country will be permanently damaged beyond repair. Who will we blame? In truth, we will only have ourselves!
Until we can determine if we are in a perceived or an actual runaway “vehicle,” lets stop and consider the future of our Republic. President Obama, you were elected to represent America in a new direction of transparency and honesty. So far you appear to have failed on your promises, but there is still a chance for you to redeem yourself.
Are you prepared to represent all of America, or will you only represent those who are unwilling to accept responsibility for their own lives and who are willing to become totally dependent upon government for their “loaf of bread.” Through our governmental programs teaching and supporting an “ineffectual and dangerous plantation mentality” we have promoted the dummying down of America,” and the promotion of a “you owe me society” with unconstitutional “rights” being expected and demanded by many of its citizenry. There is no reason for it to be this way. Education and families must be rebuilt, and not by using the old political ways.
We are at a turning point. Taking from those who have, to give to those who do not have, is not the American way and will ultimately lead to a third world impoverished land with its people living in hopelessness and despair. Communism, Socialism, and Fascism are not the answer; they have never worked and they will never work in an America where most of the people cherish freedom. You can fancy up the “isms” and call them Progressivism, but you will still end up with a people dominated by a ruling class.
People of America, write your representatives and become vocal advocates of our Republic—the way it was originally designed, not a redesign by persons with agendas of destruction.
There is still hope for America and it is found in the words spoken by God to King Solomon found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which reads, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Will you turn from your ways and seek God, or will you choose to stay on the plantation? I pray that you will find the light and escape from the darkness before it is too late.‘’
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Political, Humor | No Comments »
Weight Loss 03-08-2010 Update
8. March 2010 by PawBill.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV).
Progress report for period ending 03-06-10
Vital Signs: 01-23-10 01-30-10 02-06-10 02-13-10 02-20-10 02-27-10 03-06-10
Weigh (lbs): 191.5 192.0 191.5 189.5 190.0 189.5 188.0
Blood Pressure: 123/61 118/62 124/59 127/65 126/64 125/61 131/66
Pulse: 61 57 54 63 61 56 54
Waist: 41 41 41 40 40 40 39.5
How I feel:
I am feeling better this week. My allergy has almost cleared. I did, hopefully, my final esophageal test this morning that measured how well my swallowing worked, i.e., was it restrictive, uniform and etc. Maybe I will have some answers next week.
Physical activity:
Physical activity has increased with the warming weather. My waistline needs to be subjected to intense weight activity to rid myself of some fat and build some muscle. That will be this weeks objective.
Nutrition schedule:
My nutrition meal schedule and food items remain the same. I will reduce the portion size of my meals this week. My eating (quantity) is still too great for what I want to accomplish.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Weight Loss | No Comments »
Do You Have a Guardian Angel?
8. March 2010 by PawBill.
I have never seen an angel or a spirit being, but I am convinced that angels and spirits exist. I have heard, in my mind, what I perceived to be the voice of an angel spirit on many occasions; that voice gives me commands, some that I have followed and some that I have not. The ones I did not follow led to sadness and heartache.
What about you? Do you have a guardian angel? Have you heard the voice of an angel or spirit?
There are four scriptures verses that I recall, among the many that are in the scriptures that deal with angels. In Psalm 91:11 (NIV) Paul wrote, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways:” In Matthew 18:10 (NIV) Jesus as He was speaking to His disciples said, “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my father in heaven.” In the book of Hebrews we have two references to work performed by angels. In Hebrews 1:14, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation,” and in Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
I will leave it up to you to decide whether you believe in angels or spirit beings. As for me, I know there are spiritual forces, both good and evil, at work on earth and in the heavens. So, let me give you words of caution recorded by the Apostle John in 1 John 4:1-3, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
Why believe in the words of modern day man if they will not confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior when you have the ancient prophets of God attesting to His greatness. Most of our political leaders seek to lead without God. Look to the past to see the failures of civilizations that placed their trust in man’s humanity rather than in man’s creator.
While many of our political leaders, who call themselves Progressives, seek to establish a government of control, i.e., Communism, Socialism or Fascism, rather than retaining the Constitutional Republic established by our forefathers, it is time for those who believe human rights are bestowed upon man by God, our creator, rather than by government to stand up and defend our Republic. Reject all forms of dictatorial “isms” that have a proven record of atrocities, failures and ultimately, enslavement of their constituency. Do not let a minority destroy our Republic without making your views known, and do not willingly be led into slavery for “one loaf of bread.”
Our current political leadership is intentionally leading America down a path of destruction and chaos. Why? Economic and social chaos will be necessary to convince the populace of America to willingly accept America’s integration into the coming New World order that will be led by a charismatic man of evil. Prophets of God, in their scriptural prophecies written over two thousand years ago, warned of this future government. The enlightened can see but most have been blinded to the coming destruction. In which camp are you?
It is my prayer that your eyes may be opened, before it is too late for your redemption, to the coming of uncontrollable evil that will be unleashed upon earth. Laugh if you must, but remember, Satan will also be laughing both with and at you!
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Religious, Political | No Comments »
Questioning God
4. March 2010 by PawBill.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why does God not reveal himself, or if there is a God, why does He permit needless suffering?
The questions posed are questions a friend recently asked me, but they are also ones that have been asked by man since the beginning of time. I have answered the questions for myself, but my answers may never satisfy the pondering of many for you see, my answers are based on my faith that there truly is a God and that He gave men of old, inspiration to record His answers in the book we call the Bible. It remains for us to read, understand and accept by faith His words.
Try explaining the wind or electricity. Yes, there are scientific explanations but most have to accept that they just are what they are; that is, they are forces of nature and nature’s laws established by God, the creator of heaven and earth.
The Bible tells us that God reveals Himself in nature. As Paul wrote in Roman’s 1:20 (NIV) through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood form what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” In other words, look at nature and see the majesty of God.
Some would have you to believe all that we know or all that exists just happened. There was no majestic plan, just evolution. Your life has a beginning in the womb; you are born and live until you die. At death your body decays and that is it. If there is no life after death, then why prolong your life here on earth if it is not easy and good.
God gave man a spirit and that spirit’s purpose was to enable man to commune with God. Those who have found God through His Spirit can attest to it. You too can find God, but you must have faith that there is a God and believe. It is not easy to hear the voice of God if your mind is cluttered with worldly desires.
God gave man self-will to live his life as he pleased. However, living your life as you please is fraught with dangers that will cloud your mind from finding God. History reveals the evil which man can embrace when God is omitted.
God is not sitting in heaven at a control panel following or controlling our ever move. If God wanted man to do only as He pleased, He could have programmed man’s body, soul and spirit to do just that. Instead He gave man a body, soul and spirit that he, man, could control at his will. But, choices can be good or bad and if you just look around, most chose to do the “bad stuff” rather than good.
Within your body, God imprinted (This is my personal belief.) into your DNA or genome a pattern for achieving a successful and rewarding life if, and only if, you accepted God as your creator, and allowed His Spirit to dwell within your body to provide directions that your body, soul and spirit would willingly follow.
Man’s free will to call his own shots, so to speak, allowed man to follow other spirits and man’s own humanistic nature to seek the pleasures of life and a lifestyle God told man not to embrace. Adam and Eve in the garden chose to eat of the forbidden fruit even though God commanded them not to partake.
By doing what God commanded man not to do, man brought disease and mental illness upon themselves. Many of these diseases and illnesses changed man’s genetic or DNA structure and were passed on to their children, and on to their children, ad infinitum. So to answer the question of why does God allows bad things to happen to good people is quite simple. Man brought it upon himself when they disobeyed, and still disobey, the commandments of God.
Man’s participation in sexual immorality is a perfect example. Man was told that this was a sin, a devastating health issue, but man refused to accept God’s knowledge and willingly participated in “acts of the flesh” to the detriment of his own body, and in many cases, the damaging of his future children’s bodies.
The young and innocent die or suffer even though they do or did no wrong. It is not fair, no one can explain it, but all accounts will be settled at the end time judgments of God. I can only take comfort in the words of Isaiah written thousands of years ago and recorded in Isaiah 57:1-2 (NIV), “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”
Trust the scriptures and accept Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit by faith. You then will find the “peace that surpasses all understanding,” and you will no longer question God’s sovereignty and purpose for your life and for those you love.
It is all up to you. He is waiting patiently for your confession, repentance and acceptance of His “Plan of Salvation.” I pray that you may hear His call.
Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com
Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian
Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC. All rights reserved
Posted in Religious | No Comments »