Archive for the About America Category

The Government Feed Trough

Do you have your place picked out at “the government feed trough?” Will you “slop” from the left, the right or the middle?  Maybe you are one of those who prefer making your own meals, so to speak; you budget, plan, purchase and prepare for your own.  Freedom or servitude is the question.  Which would you chose? 

Ask yourself this question: Am I my brother’s keeper or is the government my brother’s keeper?  Many have worked hard for every dime they have.  Why should they give up what they have earned to someone who has not worked as hard or who has not worked at all?  Should it be as Paul wrote in Second Thessalonians 3:10, “…If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 

“Let those who are able to work but who will not work do without” could be a mantra for many. But, you say, “what about the starving children?”  As a close friend of mine use to reply when I asked, “Name one of the starving children if you are so concerned.”  Somewhere in between government charity and individual charity is the answer

Have you ever slopped hogs?  Back in the early fifties our neighbor kept hogs.  The smell was quite odorous but not unique at the time. There were other smells not too far from the old home place, the county dump and water sewage treatment plant come to mind, which produced delightful aromas during the hot summer months when the wind was blowing just right. Oh, to have air conditioning would have been ideal at the time.  

Reminiscing if fun, but now back to the hogs.  Our neighbor collected food scraps in fifty-five gallon drum containers from local school cafeterias (now no longer permitted by law).  It was usually late in the afternoon when he returned from his collecting and headed down to the hog pin.  When I heard him coming up his drive, I would often run out and follow along  as he drove to the pen and dumped the drums into the feed troughs.  As the hogs gathered and began eating there was a lot of nudging, grunting and squealing as each hog tried to get its share. After their feeding frenzy, the hogs returned to their mud.  The fenced area had been deforested of any greenery or plant life as the hogs went about doing hog stuff—only hard packed Georgia clay and mud puddles remained.

As I think about the new direction of our country, a direction of government control and equal distribution of wealth, I have to ask myself, “Do freedom loving Americans want to give up individual freedoms to eat at the government trough?”  Apparently many do, especially among the young college age group and even many baby boomers that did not adequately plan for their retirement years.  Many view freedom only in light of what their government will give them in return for their vote.  Big government does not work to promote individual freedoms and in the end only leads to servitude and a “pig trough.”  Look to history and the present state of Europe to see the damnation that is to come if America goes down the road to a socialist form of government. 

As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing new under the sun.”  All generations have faced the same problems since creation.  So what is the right or Christian thing to do about his or her possessions?  Share, horde or is there some middle ground.

A friend posed this question, “If you have prepared for a possible time of economic hardship by storing up food, water and other necessities of life, would you be willing to share your supplies with a neighbor, friend or even a stranger if such a hardship occurred?”  To be honest, I do not know what I would do.  What about you? 

God told Joseph a famine would occur in Egypt. Joseph in turn told pharaoh, and a plan to store “grain” for the future was implemented.  When the famine actually occurred as prophesied, Joseph sold grain to those who were unprepared and were now without food. Pharaoh’s government (maybe a lesson here for America) took possession of all the land, livestock, and possessions of those who came to buy.  Some even indentured themselves for food. The Bible does not say that anyone was given grain for free. 

Families today, as in the past,  have children who have their hands out.  Should they be told to make it on their own or starve?  Is it fair to the children who have always done right by working, staying free from drugs, alcohol, debt, and laziness to be given money or lodging continuously for their entire life until there is no inheritance left by parents who cannot say no, enough is enough?

In Biblical times a disobedient child that a parent could not control could be taken to the “gate of the city.”  There the elders would pronounce judgment, and the child would be stoned to death.  I am sure some parents of today would be supportive of this method of punishment. Many others would not. At what point have you done too much for a wayward child or for that matter, a wayward citizenry?  I do not know the answer, but I believe there is an answer that can be found in the person of Jesus.

Read the story of the Prodigal Son recorded in the book of Luke, chapter 15 verses11 through 32.  A father gives a son his inheritance at an early age, and the son squanders it on wine and women.  One day the son finds himself in a pigsty, repents of his sinful acts and decides to return home.  His father welcomes him home and “kills the fatted cow” and celebrates by welcoming his son back into the family.  An older son is resentful because he feels the younger son is being treated better than he since he has stayed and worked.   The father tells the older son that all he has is his, and they should be grateful to have the younger son back. Read the story for yourself if you have an interest because the real intent is for the lost soul who finds his way to Jesus and is forgiven of his transgressions. 

The future of medical care in the United States has now been debated, if you want to call it a debate. Soon other “fundamental changes” will likewise be debated. In my opinion there is so much greed, corruption and self interest on the part of our political and business leaders that no sensible solutions will be found.  As the new saying goes, “it is what it is.”  In America’s case, it is a screwed up mess that only a national disaster in which hundreds of thousands of people will be left dead and at which time maybe enough men and women of integrity will be left to recapture the spirit of America.

I wish I could offer hope but unfortunately America is in a cesspool of evil– An evil brought upon itself by the abandonment of God.  Only God can restore America, but I am afraid that God has been cast out.  There is little hope left for a peaceful solution to be found.

In the mean time, what is the solution for the parents of a lost son or daughter? Better still, what will be the outcome for those who have not planned for self-sufficiency and have eaten at the government trough so long that they know nothing else. 

Who will survive?  Will you?  

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian  

Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC.  All rights reserved

The Disappearance of Common Courtesy

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. 

  

Islam or Christianity

If those who call themselves Christians do not stand firm in their faith, then they will not stand at all.  I have paraphrased Isaiah 7:9 (NIV) where it is written “… If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” 

While the number of converts to Christianity in America is declining the number of converts to Islam is increasing.  I do not understand the lure of Islam over Christianity, especially among women, but it is a fact that cannot be ignored.

America is in for a great awakening when, not if, Islam becomes the dominant religion / ideology.  Under  Islam and Sharia Law,  America could become a society where male dominance, wife beatings and honor killings are acceptable behaviors.  Is this what the American woman desires?  While we are at war with Islamic extremists, “peaceful” Islam is silently establishing itself in our schools, government and legal system. 

America was once a moral nation, but it can no longer claim morality as a virtue.  God was asked to leave, the Ten Commandments were thrown out, prayer was prohibited, the Constitution was rejected and revisionist are rewriting America’s history.  Why would a people choose evil over good, satanic immorality over Godly morality, diseased bodies over healthy bodies? It is simple; it is the nature of man when he refuses to acknowledge God, his creator.

For many years godless, self-righteous “do-goods” have been complicit in enabling our enemies to infiltrate our homes and our nation.  Unless there is a new awakening and America returns to its reliance upon for God, only days of sadness await our children and grandchildren.  Look to history, accept and believe the commandments given to man more than two thousand years ago.

Will Allah be America’s new god, or will American Christians confess their transgressions and seek forgiveness from the one true God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and as recognized by our founders in the establishment of this great country?

The time of the end is fast approaching. Wake up Christians to the danger of Islam!   

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian  

Copyright © 2010 by North Loop Cottage LLC.  All rights reserved

 

God is Still in Control

Forgive me God, I was momentarily caught up in the political politics of the moment, but I have regained my sanity through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  May I walk in the Spirit the remaining days of my life as I await the return of Jesus Christ!

Although I still have grave concerns about the direction our country is headed and the lies being told as truth by our political leaders and news media, it is important for all to stop and remember just who is in control — The Trinity of God: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

America’s future direction has already been determined as part of God’s master plan for the ultimte fulfillment of end time prophetic events.  God has allowed spiritual forces of evil to be unleashed upon America because of America’s disobedience.

The American people asked God to leave. Some asked out of ignorance and others out of their desire for worldly materialistic things; the gods of materialism, sexual immorality, depravity, and other false religions that cannot speak, hear or talk have been embraced as truth.  Man, on his own, will not surrender his will to God’s Holy Spirit. Without God, man has always turned to pursue evil, and this is exactly what has happened to America.

It is no longer possible to recapture the American dream God gave to our founding fathers.  For those remaining who have not abandoned God, pray and ask for forgiveness for your complacency and silence. See (1) below for a measure of hope.

Also, as a people who cherish America, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights it is still our duty as patriots to speak out against the ungodly that have been captivated, captured and now enslaved by the evil force of darkness.  Socialism, Fascism, Communism and the European Union, the forerunner of the One World Government, are not institutions established by God for good.

More importantly, those who claim Jesus Christ (the Son of the Trinity) as your Lord and Savior and who have surrendered your will to the Holy Spirit should speak as the Spirit directs.  Do not remain silent but proclaim with boldness, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.”

We are instructed to live our lives to be “salt and light” to a generation of those who have never heard or have never chosen to place their trust in Jesus.  See (2) below for an explanation.

Will you stand with God in the days to come or will you stand with Satan? The choice is yours, but your eternal destination is in God’s hands as Satan is already a defeated adversary.

(1)  “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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV.  

(2)  You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Matthew 5:13-15 NKJV. 

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

Copyright © 2009 by North Loop Cottage LLC.  All rights reserved 

Is America in the Bible

Is America in the Bible? By name, “No.”  By dirty deeds, “YES.”

Although America has done more good than any other country in the world, it is also the most hated.  Why?  Could it be envy, jealousy, arrogance, and wars we justify or nations we support? Perhaps we are hated because of God blessings.  Whatever the reasons, whether they are legitimate or not, things are about to grow worse.

If you have time I would like to encourage you to listen to the sermon my Pastor preached this past Sunday, October 11, 2009.  His sermon’s title was, “Is America in the Bible.” 

Go to http://www.rfth.org, click on sermons, page down and click on “Is America in the Bible.

Don’t miss out! If it does not give you pause to think about the future of America, I guess nothing will.

I would like to know your opinion.

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

Copyright © 2009 by North Loop Cottage LLC.  All rights reserved

The Coming Persecutions in America

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” or so the saying goes.  You can, however, lead the uneducated, illiterate, non-motivated and even the well educated to accept a lie if it is told with conviction and integrity with the help of a corrupt and lying media. “Sell your vote to me, and I will give you what you deserve (something for nothing),” says the current American leadership.

The left fringe of the Democratic Party recognized the concept of “something for nothing” and capitalized on the various factions (look at the voting demographics of the Democratic party) of society as a means to power.  Once they achieve sustained power, the American form of government will be changed, and the factions that supported them will be abandoned.  Do we want to be governed like Iran, Venezuela, or North Korea? Power corrupts and evil abounds in a Godless world filled with “it is all about me” people.

Persecutions will soon begin in America against the people who call themselves Christians; it happens everyday in other parts of the world.  Over half of the people who call themselves Christians, but do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible, will fall away quickly at the first sign of persecution.  In the end only a few will remain faithful, not a vast multitude.  Once morality is gone, death and deception will follow.

An apostate religion is now blossoming in America and across the world.  This religion will deny the very existence of God and will mock the name of Jesus and those who follow Him.  Time is fast approaching when these changes will come to fruition in your life.  Be prepared and be forewarned. Jesus is coming, and He is coming soon.  Will you be ready?  Do you even care?

Comment to: bt@northloopcottage.comVisit: http://www.twitter.com/closetchristian

President Obama: God’s Man for America

It may be hard for you to understand, but God establishes kingdoms, rulers and authorities—both good and bad.  It is in this light that I can say President Barrack Hussein Obama is God’s man for America at this time in the history of the world.

As a follower of Jesus and as a student of biblical prophecy, I can accept the fact that the world is moving to a one-world government with a one-world currency and religion.  It is obvious to me that under President Obama’s leadership and direction, along with many of America’s uninformed and complacent citizenry, we are close to making that “change.” I will not argue the merits of change, but it will be profound and it should be discussed.

America was founded under the leadership of men who recognized God as their creator. God ordained America for a purpose, but now He is allowing America to follow a new direction, again for a purpose.  For those of us who are followers of Jesus and honor our founding fathers and our country’s greatness, it is hard to sit back and watch as our country and way of life collapses.  But collapse it must in order for God’s ultimate plan to be achieved.

This does not mean that followers of Jesus should sit idle and wait and not participate in the affairs of the world.  I believe if God found enough people of faith in America, He might “rearrange” America’s place in end time events.  In other words, America could still be “salt and light” (let the followers of Jesus understand) to the rest of the world as the world embraces the Antichrist that is to come.  Or, America can continue on its downward spiral of Godlessness and join the rest of the world in the future worship of the Antichrist.  It is America’s choice. I personally believe America has already made her choice, and that choice is to follow the Antichrist and his worldly lead.

It is not my desire to live in a world of cheats, liars, sexual immoral and other forms of decadence promoted by the Godlessness of Hollywood and the ineptitude of our political leaders and news organizations.  Let’s stop this madness.  Let’s challenge our political leaders to identify their intent. Let’s challenge one another to be all that our creator intended for us to be. Let’s do something other than watch TV, eat “bonbons,” and drink the “kool-aid.”

While I honor and respect the Office of the Presidency and our other political branches of government, I do not have to respect the persons in those positions if they have chosen to abandon the Constitution and deny the God of our founding fathers.  When America denies the God of our founding fathers, our system of government will fail; its failure and decline is made obvious everyday by the media organizations that have chosen not to present the truth but rather lies and distorted truth.

President Obama needs to honor a campaign promise to be a leader of America, not just the extreme left of the Democratic Party.  Many think he is a liar and a racist!  After all, he has surrounded himself with a team of individuals who want to change America to another form of government while he denies his intent to lead such a change.  Many in the Senate, House of Representatives and the Judicial Branch are blindly following his lead or perhaps are willing participants in his quest to “fundamentally change America.” That’s what he said he wants to do so why do the vast majority of Americans not believe him?

Most of our news reporting is simply propaganda aimed at convincing America that “change is good.”  Our national media has embraced darkness rather than light. Where are the respected news journalists in the twenty-first century? Why are they refusing to challenge our political leaders and our President?

Will the real President Obama and political leaders step up and publicly declare your intentions.  Let’s have a return to honesty and integrity in that a person will say what he or she truly thinks.  Let’s tell and report the truth, not half-truth and innuendo.  Then, let the people decide.

That is my thought for today. What is yours?

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com Visit: http://www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

Godliness in the Last Days

The Bible teaches in 2 Timothy 3:1-5(NIV) that in the days before Jesus’ return to earth there will be terrible times.  “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.”

While these words were written during the middle of the first century (probably around A.D. 64) and could be applied to fallen societies of the past, they are the very picture of the American culture of today.  Where are the men and women of integrity? Where are the moral leaders?  Where, where, where have all people of honesty and civility of character gone?

The majority of Godly Americans have been silent and have allowed a minority of ungodly Americans to remove God and His commandments – do not: steal, commit adultery, bear false witness, worship idols (material possessions), covet/envy your neighbors or their possessions, dishonor your parents, dishonor, deny or curse God, forget to keep a holy day to rest and worship God  – from the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”

God could restore us to our greatness if we would but pray and ask. It is America’s choice.  Restore and honor the God of our forefathers and accept His commandments or continue with the Secular Humanist ideals of a Godless society and continue to embrace “change” and political correctness.  If you do not speak up you will continue to live in a society dedicated to its own destruction through the acts of godliness as described in 2 Timothy (above).

Will you join me in praying for America to make the Godly choice? If you will, pass this message to your friends and family and ask them to join us.  If God can find some righteousness among us, He may allow us to survive as a nation of free people.  

Comment to: bt@northloopcottage.com.  Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian.

|