30. April 2010 by PawBill.

I have been very fortunate in being able to travel to many countries around the world. In my travels I always carried my passport with all the required stamps but still, many border crossings were somewhat intimidating.  In today’s world I never leave home without identification. In my opinion, showing one’s identification is only a problem if there is something to hide.

I have fond memories of several border crossings in Central America, back in the early nineteen sixties, that I crossed in my travels.  They were all similar in that a wooden pole that was lowered across the road or highway was all that separated bordering states or countries. Usually there was some form of tent structure on opposing sides that housed military personnel and a make shift office. Rifles and pistols were always visible as military guards maintained strict security on their side of the border. 

So why is it so difficult for the United States to protect its borders.  Illegal immigration is a crime, and it is passed time for America to get serious about its borders and those here illegally.  Why must we grant more rights to illegal aliens than we do to our own citizens and those who are here legally?  If we cannot protect our own borders, what in the world are we doing in other parts of the world promoting our system of government and its laws? Think about it.

There is a solution to the border problem, but it will require a change in American morality.  The solution is simple.  Americans must give up: (1) illegal drugs and (2) dependence upon cheap labor being provided by illegal alien workers (Why are violations of minimum wage standards by established businesses allowed?) 

Is there hope that America, as a nation, will change? In truth, “NO.”  Look around and observe.   Immorality has become America’s God.  The old ways (adherence to the Ten Commandments, for example) of the past have been abandoned or forgotten.  Consider what Jeremiah, the Prophet, wrote concerning the old path.  In Jeremiah 6:16 NIV,  “This is what the Lord says; ‘Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.  But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”  This sounds like the “modern day” American attitude.

While my solution is intuitively obvious to me and many freedom loving Americans, as a country its institutions and those people dependent upon the government have gone too far down a path of destructive behaviors for there to be constructive change.  God was asked to leave America, and I believe He has graciously done so.

While many “American Christians” know about God, few actually know God.   Unfortunately for America, people who call themselves  “Christian” are more interested in their religious ceremonies and their own self-righteousness then in defending or returning to the “old ways.”  America’s people and politicians are just “spitting into the wind” while they unknowingly wait for “fundamental change” to transform America.

As you go about your day with all its trials and tribulations, think upon the following words found in the Bible’s book of Jude, verse 18 NIV,“ ‘… In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’  These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”

There may still be hope, but only if America returns to its old path of belief and faith in the one true God.  For the true Christian believer in Jesus Christ, spiritual and bodily peace nourishes and sustains their soul and spirit through these troubled times.  You too can have that peace.  I pray that you will find it.  

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26. April 2010 by PawBill.

Human wisdom and understand is no match for God’s wisdom.

Have you noticed the increasing rhetoric by the politically correct network news media in their reporting about the “Christian” claim, viewed as arrogant by most anchors, that a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is the only path to heaven? Condemnation of Christians, much like you see with the demonization of Tea Party participants, is now becoming the new “hate propaganda” theme being used by those seeking to remove God from American society.

The stark reality is that many theology professors, ministers, pastors and their followers who claim to be Christian, do not believe Jesus Christ is the only path to heaven. For the true followers of Jesus Christ this is unfortunately in that they are categorized in the “Christian” camp that includes believers and non-believers. The result has been a mixture of confusion, controversy, and condemnation toward all who are true believers in Jesus Christ and are called Christian.

If you do not believe in the Gospel Message of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you are not a child of God and you will not be going to the heaven Jesus promised to those who love Him. The message of the cross of Jesus Christ for the redemption of man is the message taught throughout the Bible and it is indisputable.  It is the message and belief of all true followers of Jesus Christ no matter what their religious or denominational label.

Of course, many would claim otherwise but they are ignorant of the Biblical scriptures.  An understanding of the scriptures is only revealed to those who know and believe in the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit—that is taught in the Bible. As Paul wrote in1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV,  “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Please pause, think and ponder upon what you have just read.  Unless the Holy Spirit of God has enlightened you, an understanding of Biblical Scriptures is not possible. This is why many ministers and pastors have misled their congregations by preaching multiple paths to heaven and salvation. They are not spiritual children of God, and they mistakenly teach false doctrines that deceive many.

God’s Holy Spirit lives within those He has called.  Without the Spirit the Gospel Message will never be understood or even believable.  You cannot have the Holy Spirit unless you confess Jesus Christ, and you can only confess when God’s Spirit convicts you of your sinfulness and calls you to repentance.  God may be calling you now.  Surrender your will to Him, and your life will be changed forever.

Find a Bible and read 1 Corinthians 1:18-21.  Paul wrote (NIV version quoted), “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.  For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  Where is the wise man?  Where is the scholar?  Where is the philosopher of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.”

Let me repeat, An understanding of the scriptures is only revealed to those who know and believe in the Trinity— God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Ignorance, jealousies and disbelief on the part of non-spirit filled followers (in name only) of Jesus Christ throughout history brought about the many religious denominations and sects, i.e., Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics and etc.

A recent poll revealed that over fifty-seven percent of Christians do not believe Jesus Christ is the only path to heaven. The true Gospel Message of the Bible has not been revealed to a majority of those who call themselves Christian because of their unbelief.  As a result, Christianity without Jesus Christ has become just another faithless and godless religious organization.

I am amused that it is only the Christian claim about heaven that is being challenged.  Consider Islam and its message.  Islam and its followers are never challenged, at least openly, by the politically correct.  Islam promotes an afterlife for only those whom Allah feels did enough good deeds and no one objects or “cries fowl.” Let’s see, Jesus promoted love and the forgiveness of sin, Islam demands death for those who will not follow Allah.  “God sacrificed His Son, Allah demands your son’s sacrifice” or similar words are credited to John Ashcroft.  

Why do the politically correct choose to pick on Jesus?  I guess it is because the true Christians are not into persecution of non-followers, but true followers of Islam, the Jihadist, are required by Allah to persecute the infidels (mostly Christians and Jews) if they will not convert to Islam.  If you slander Allah you are in danger of losing your life by radical Jihadist. Not so if you deny and defame the name of Jesus. 

You may believe differently and that is OK. I am not condemning you; I will leave any condemnation up to God.  Your particular religious belief may be some form of Christianity or whatever.  A heaven or an afterlife may be a future destiny for you if you live up to the sacraments, rules and regulations required by your religious faith or non-faith.  The Bible, Koran or other books may be read in your religious services.  However, unless your religious faith believes in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, you will not be spending any time with Jesus in the afterlife.  You may be going to “a heaven,” but it will not be the heaven Jesus promised to those who love Him.

So what is so controversial about the true Christian’s faith and belief in Jesus Christ and His heaven.  If you do not believe who Jesus said He was—the Son of God—worship and serve your own god and his heaven.  Leave the true Christian alone.  After all, why should they care?  They are not the ones going to Hell.  HA, HA!  Let’s have a little humor here.

Trust and believe in Jesus or trust and believe in your god.  The choice is yours.  For me, I am going to follow Jesus.  Do as you please, but I will continue to pray for your soul. Are you praying for mine? My God loves everyone, but unless you love Him and believe in the Gospel Message, it will not be possible for you to have an afterlife with Him.

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22. April 2010 by PawBill.

Why did man, or better still, why does man have to reject God’s free gift of forgiveness and salvation and add “rules, regulations and rituals” that God does not require? As much as man hates work, why must man complicate God’s plans by requiring “works” be mingled with God’s commandments to form man-made religions with list upon list of “Do’s and Don’ts?”

The Pharisee’s of Jesus’ days had their lists as religious denominations of today have theirs. (Please note, God’s commandments as listed in the Bible are not being scrutinized under the category of “lists,” but man’s additions to God’s commandments are.) Does your religion require that you bow down or pray to your god numerous times everyday? Do you have to volunteer for every church committee or attend every religious service in order to enter heaven? Are you forbidden to dance or play cards? The list of man-made rules could go on and on.

Look at your religious affiliation and write down its do’s and don’ts.  If you have rules you must adhere to in order for you to be accepted by your god or to be welcomed into heaven, then you have, unfortunately, substituted religious works for salvation.

Jesus’ brother James wrote in his epistle, see James 1:27 NIV;  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” It is good to be religious, but do not confuse religion or religious affiliations with salvation.  They are not the same.

You can be a deeply “religious” person and still not be saved. You are saved when you believe and accept the message of the Gospel—Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  No work on your part is required for your salvation. It is a free gift.  To obtain this gift of salvation and forgiveness, God will burden your heart to repentance. Read about the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in “BLOG Post 03-26-10 – Good News.”

If your “religion” does not believe in the Good News of the Gospel and does not believe the Bible is Truth written by inspired men of God, then I would suggest you find another religion.  Otherwise, you will not be going to the heaven Jesus promised to all who love Him, and you will not find “the peace that surpasses all understanding.”

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16. April 2010 by PawBill.

Beck, beck, beck, the debt is rising, employment is rising, the president is failing, the socialist are coming, beck, beck, beck.  (Think of the image of a rooster strutting, cackling and pecking [“becking”] in a barnyard.)

Glenn Beck and the almost mass hysteria he is whipping non-democrat, Tea Party participants into is somewhat reminiscent of the fable/tale, “Chicken Little,” I enjoyed as a child in the late 1940’s.  Chicken Little’s cry of “The sky is falling, the sky is falling” and his character portrayal have been unintentionally assumed by the modern day Beck.

But alas, where do you find truth in America today?  Perhaps, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh have the truth or President Obama and the House and Senate Democrats have the truth.  Or, maybe the House and Senate Republicans have the truth.  But wait; maybe the American people who believe that God was instrumental in the establishment of the United States and its Republic have the truth; I believe they are right, and I am going to side with them on this one.

“The stock market is up and the economy is improving crowd” have the network media’s attention this week. But as for me, I am going to stick with Glenn Beck (Becky Wacky) and his prognostications until the “Red Phone” rings. For those of you who do not know what the red phone is about, watch the Glenn Beck show.  For those who cannot because of party affiliations, the red phone is a direct line to the White House; a Presidential adviser can call Glenn directly if he misstates or lies about a “truth.” 

If you think about it with a conspiracy theory mentality, surely some back room code writer can find a way to make the phone ring. Wouldn’t that be a hoot!  It can’t be that complicated and might get a few laughs or at least let us know that the phone works.

Glenn’s history lessons, facts and figures and his guess all appear to be true or speakers of the truth. However, he appears to be out on a limb all by himself. Well, almost by himself if you believe other network news organizations.  My only concern is, which side of the limb is he on? I believe he is on the side next to the tree trunk. What about you; which side of the limb are you on? 

The only real truth I know can be found in the Bible.  God told us the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), and the end is about to come into fruition.  What other god could do that?  As for me, I believe in the gospel message—Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.  What about you?  What do you believe? 

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13. April 2010 by PawBill.

Non-supporters of President Obama’s policies should just relax and chill out!  The name-calling and rhetoric should stop.  Direct your efforts to finding a political party with a platform and candidates you can support and are willing to work with in preparation for future Federal, State and Local elections.

Barack Hussein Obama told everyone who he was and what he supported before he was elected President.  Who was not listening?   Look closely at the man, his parents, grandparents, childhood, education, political and religious associations and those he surrounds himself with, and you will come to know who he truly is.  As the saying goes, “If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, it’s a duck.” 

President Obama is doing what he promised—fundamentally (although radically) transforming America.  You personally may not like it, but the majority of Americans want a government that will redistribute the wealth, provide “cradle to the grave” care and give them their “rights.”  Many  “Americans” will soon give up their last vestige of freedom for a promised, “chicken in every pot.”

But seriously, America has bigger problems than President Obama, Speaker of the House Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Reid.  God placed each of them in their present position of government leadership for this time in history, just as Judas Iscariot’s destiny and place in history was to betray Jesus Christ.  The time the world is about to enter was foretold thousands of years ago. The outcome has already been recorded and guess what, the “good guys” (true followers of Jesus) win.  Judgment and the Lake of Fire await all who refuse to accept the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For there to be any hope for America in the interim before the end, the American populace must be willing to accept personal responsibility for the existing state of its nation; godlessness, greed, envy, corruption, and moral decay (to name a few) now run rampant in all levels of society and no one seems to care.  Unless or until Americans are willing to change, the future will be bleak and the very fabric of society will continue to erode.  Consider if you will the following:

• America was founded as a Christian nation.  Look at the documents from the period, and let the truth speak for itself.  The United States remains the last stronghold of freedom in the world.  Yes, there can and will be a one-world government, but it must be a government built upon the freedoms and God given rights endowed by our Creator, not a godless Socialist, Marxist or Communist government demanding absolute power and a government that will enslave its populace for its own greedy, self-serving interest.

• God and His commandments must again become the cornerstone of America’s foundation.  Only God can restore a person or nation from drugs, sexual immorality and corruption.

• The family unit and values as defined and taught in the Bible must be restored. 

• Individual responsibility and integrity must again be taught and learned.

Impeach President Obama?  No, he is only doing what he said he would do and what “the people” voting for him wanted. Citizens must educate themselves and vote if they want someone different than President Obama..  Unfortunately, the United States has an uneducated, unmotivated and lost populace being misled by the same caliber of “journalist,” major network news reporting organizations and government officials.

As the saying goes, “You reap what you sow.” America has sown a generation(s) of Godlessness and is now reaping the fruits of its labor. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:28-32 (NIV), “ Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossip, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

Only God can restore America and make it a great nation again.  “Real Change” can only come when God is welcomed back into America’s homes and institutions. If America is not willing to follow God, the decay will continue.  Liberty or death, which one will you choose?

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4. April 2010 by PawBill.

As Christians celebrate the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ this Easter weekend—Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection—those without a saving faith in Jesus can only look forward to the grave, punishment and an eternity without God. The true God revealed in nature and written about in the Biblical scriptures awaits those who are destine to become children of God through their confession, acceptance and belief.

The deity of Jesus as a member of the Trinity, His virgin birth, His death on a Roman cross for the sins of man, His resurrection that overcame death and the grave, and His second coming are doctrinal truths every Christian, those true followers of Jesus who have made Him their Lord and Savior, believe.

Your faith in another god may get you to “a heaven,” but will it be the kingdom of heaven Jesus promised.  As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on this Easter Sunday, may all who have not placed their trust in Him, hear and accept God’s calling to make Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of their life.

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