7. September 2010 by PawBill.

Stop for a moment and think about hell.  What do you think hell will be like?  For those who do not believe in an afterlife or hell you can go back to your meaningless lives and await your death to find out whether you were right or wrong.  For the rest of you ponder on this question, “Is hell Satan’s home and will you spend eternity with him if you are destined for hell and not the heaven of Jesus?”

Satan is commonly thought of as a red dragon with a long tail and a pitchfork.  This description of him is untrue.  He is referred to in the Bible by many names: Serpent, Devil, Satan, Beast, Evil One; his true name is Lucifer.  He is a created angel of God and is described as the Morning Star, son of the dawn in Isaiah 14:12. 

Lucifer can masquerade as light or as darkness and is like a roaring lion.  In 2 Peter 5:8 it is recorded, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prows around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Lucifer’s down fall was that he sought to rise to the level of his maker (God) and to make himself like the Most High, see Isaiah 14: 11-19 NIV.  For this offense he was cast from God’s presence.

The final resting place for those who die without God and the salvation of Jesus Christ is not hell but is called the lake of fire or the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 19:20).  The lake of fire, however, can be thought of as hell as it is described as a place of torment that will last forever and forever. 

Satan will spend eternity in the lake of fire just like the rest of humanity; all who die without Jesus Christ and whose names are not written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15) will be cast there after the Great White Throne Judgment.  But unlike the common assumption that Satan will be in charge, Satan will be just like everyone—tormented day and night forever and forever. He will not be a ruler, just another fallen one.

Just as the serpent (Satan) deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, Satan can also deceive you by his craftiness.  You are not an equal of Satan; he is more powerful than mere man.  He is real! “Even Michael the archangel of God when contending with him did not make reviling accusations against him but only said, ‘The Lord rebuke you’.”  Paraphrased from Jude 1:9.  Do not scheme with him because you will come out the loser.

Turn you life to God.  He holds the key to your future.

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7. September 2010 by PawBill.

America is losing her way; she is abandoning the God of her founders and is trusting in the humanity of man to be her defender of truth and justice alone.   As Bibles gather dusk across America, decay quickens as its ugly tentacles ensnare those who have not accepted the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Only by returning to God can America reclaim the freedoms its founders fought to establish.  Our nation is in grave danger of losing what many feel was God ordained.  In no other form of government can these words ring true, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

I was recently engaged in a conversation with my spiritual adviser and confident, let the reader understand, about the current state of moral decay that is running rampant across our airwaves disguised as “Truth in News and Commentary.”  If you can stomach to watch hour upon hour of Fox, MSNBC, ABC, CNN or CBS and read Internet postings the likes of the “The Huffington Post” in the search for truth, the truth you seek will elude you until you seek to know God—the only conveyor of truth “yesterday, today and tomorrow.”

For full disclosure, the Fox and CNBC channels are my primary sources for news, commentary and market trends although I do view as time permits other Network programming.  The Weather Channel is my most trusted channel in that the weatherpersons do not intentionally distort their forecasts and programming for political purposes.   (Have you noticed that there is a high incident of pregnancy among weatherwomen; it refreshing to know that some women are not aborting their babies for their television careers.)

I record most of the programs I plan on viewing because of the viewing time wasted having to sit through seemingly unending commercials.  I fast forward through all the commercials although subliminally my mind is actively viewing those as well.  The “Glenn Beck Comedy Hour” is my barometer for comparing “honesty of programming” against the other networks commentators or propagandist, if you prefer.   No one has proven him wrong and I am sure the other networks are jealous of his ratings given the “untruth and spin” they give in reporting on his activities, but his message of God and country resonates with most Christians.

It really all boils down to this, people who believe in God are not afraid to talk about God and morality and are not judgmental of the actions of other who do not.  But, people who do not believe in God are quick to judge and criticize those who profess a religious faith.  For Christians, who represent a vast majority of the people of the United States, their Judea-Christian belief in the God of the Bible—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and His commandments serve as the basic code of morality that is essential in maintaining America’s freedoms; freedoms that can be lost if godlessness is allowed to become prevalent. 

When you are a sinful person you do not like to be reminded of your worldly transgressions, but deep down you know you are guilty.  The godless, however, cannot remain silent when confronted with people of faith and a belief in God.    Their neck hairs bristle, like the hairs on a dog’s neck, when “God Talk” subconsciously begins to convict them of their acts of immorality.   Yes, they may claim to be agnostics, amoral, atheistic, godless or whatever, but there is a “genetic moral code” in play that convicts their hearts and souls.  Not to be allowed to do whatever they want to do to satisfy the desires of the flesh is an affront to their own code of conduct, “Do Unto Others Before They Do Unto You.”   Non-believers can be moral people but their reliance on their own humanity is a slippery slope that ultimately binds their soul and spirit and prevents them from ever being truly set free in their hearts and minds.

In the godless mind, there is nothing wrong with abortion if a fetus is “declared by the courts or society” not to be a living soul just as there is nothing wrong with: homosexuality, murder, witchcraft, idolatry, lying, cheating, adultery, lust and steeling, except they are all condemned by God as violations of His code of morality.   Without God, the acts listed above are permissible but unfortunately they will lead to a degenerate society expressing itself in extremisms of hatred and condemnation against those who refuse to practice or accept the godlessness of their “godless religion.” 

For depravity at its worse, look at the story of Sodom and Gomorrah found in Genesis 18-19.  As the story goes, God was going to destroy the cities because of their wickedness and sexual deviancy.  When God’s messengers (angels) entered the city of Sodom and became guest of Lot, the men of the city sought to have sex with them.  Lot, the nephew of Abraham, offered the men his daughters if they would not harm his guest, but the men of the city refused Lot’s offer and attempted to take the men who were staying with Lot by force. Lot’s guest blinded the men of the city and rescued Lot and his two daughters.  The cities were then destroyed.  I have abbreviated the story but the bottom line is this:  The abandonment of God will only lead to the deterioration of a nation into an ever-deepening state of immorality.  Look at your history, Rome for instance, and you will find moral decay the culprit for all prior great civilizations downfall.

Those without hope of an afterlife refuse to engage in a conversation with those who do.  While I am willing to overlook a godless person who wears a shirt with a statement such as, “God Sucks,” that person would be offended if I wore a shirt with, “Let me tell you about Jesus” written across the front or back.   Just what is it about the name of Jesus that offends so many people?

Jesus never did anything wrong.  It is true that many in the name of Christianity have committed horrific acts against their fellow man.  However, a true believer in Jesus Christ, who is led by His Spirit, does not commit acts in violation of His teachings.   Acts of atrocity done in the name of Christianity were not God ordained but were the acts of man done under the guise of Christianity.   Yes, it is true as recorded in the Old Testament that deviant cities and their population were ordered completely destroyed because of their pagan immoralities, child sacrifice for instant, so that its sinful people would not corrupt the Israelites as they journeyed to the promised land.

Believers in God know that one day they will be judged for their transgression but rewarded for their faithfulness.  Jesus Christ by His death on the cross and His victory over death by His resurrection, paid for the transgressions committed by those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. 

Non-believers in God do not believe they will be judged for their transgressions.  If they are right, believers have been deceived.  If they are wrong, their ultimate reward is judgment and everlasting punishment in the “lake of fire” spoken of in Revelation 20: 15 (NIV).

These words will mean nothing to those who are enraged by the mere mention of God and the name of Jesus.   Let the “Heathen Rage” and enjoy their moments in the sun.  Their acts of greed, lust and immorality have been embraced before by the godless and like before, they will be defeated. Unfortunately for them, they will never be able to claim, “And the piece of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NIV).

Can you make that claim?  If not, claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life today.    

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28. August 2010 by PawBill.

Picture this: The women of  “The View,” along with Katie and Diane of Network News fame strutting their stuff on TV dressed in full burqas (loose body covering, head covering, face-veil). Think of the flowing burqa dressed ladies as they glide across the floor on “Dancing with the Stars.” How about the ladies portrayed as “strong and macho” in the various detective dramas; that soon to be lesbian couple of “Rizzoli and Isles,” and Kyra of “The Closer” would certainly lose viewership. And dare we forget, Kelly, of the “Regis and Kelly” show fame. Burqa dress would certainly ruin TV and advertising, as it is presently viewed and sometimes even enjoyed. 

I can certainly understand why Moslem men are allowed to have four wives and an occasional “temporary” wife for sexual pleasure, if you know what I mean. If under Sharia law a husband was not able to see their bride’s “bodily flesh” until after marriage, it would be like buying a “pig in a poke.” (Check out the biblical story of Jacob, Leah, Rachael and a father-in-law’s (Laban) deception recorded in Genesis chapter twenty-nine regarding the full burqa.) Maybe by being allowed multiple wives they would be able to find one that was attractive to them physically.  Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there are other “beauties in women” than physical beauty.  And of course, there would not be a “trophy wife” syndrome plaguing aging senior executives in the corporate world if women were required to wear the burqa. 

But, enough already of this attempt at comedy and humor at the expense of another religion and its dress code: I have taken some liberty in assuming that Islamic women are never seen without their burqas and I realize this is not true.  The picture images imagined above, however, could be comical if they were only pictures.  But, Sharia is coming and it is coming faster than anyone could have ever dreamed, and it will not bring peace and respect for women. 

Yes, Ladies, the everyday Muslim woman who has submitted to Islam and Allah may be peaceful, but Muslim men who have both submitted and “believe in their hearts” the teaching of Islam and Allah, will follow the Qur’an and Sharia law as dictated by their Mosque leader or religious authority.  The tenets of Islam require, and cannot be satisfied, until Islam has conquered the world, either peacefully or by non-peaceful means, and forces all believers to declare, “Allah is God and Muhammad is his messenger” [emphasis and word order is mine].

Islam is at war against all nations and people who have not submitted. The United States is presumably at war (“Are we at war or not?” is the question.) with Islamic extremists, but we should also be at war with “true believers” of Islam because one of their goals is the conquest of the United States for Allah.  Muslims are allowed to lie if it advances their cause unlike the Christian religion that has a commandment, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (Deuteronomy 5:20).” You cannot accept Muslims at their word; you judge them by their actions.

Islam is definitely not a religion of peace for women living under true Islam and Sharia law. Religious tolerance discussions that accept as truth a wrongly held belief that Islam is a peaceful religion are only politically correct stammerings of political leaders and “journalist (teleprompt readers).”  They delight in accepting and portraying as truth the lies of Islam, while belittling Americans of religious faith.  I find laughable the discussions of “religious tolerance” that have plagued the news almost 24/7 for the past week or so.   America is sinking and all we hear is chatter and name calling regarding the building of a Mosque in New York City.  America’s “religious liberty” discussion is all a charade orchestrated by the evil one to come. 

Should the news media types, most of whom are do-gooders, or enablers, as I like to call them, be criticized for having declared evil good and God bad, in the support of our current President and his Czars of Socialists/Communist distinction that are seeking to replace America’s Republic and its Constitution for a Godless system of government—the European model of Socialism.  Yes, but America’s problems cannot be laid solely at the feet of the media.

While news media “journalists” sat silently and read their scripts and Christian America sat silently and condoned, sanctioned and participated in immoralities, lust and greed, America’s political institutions were left to govern themself. By tossing God out of America, by discarding the morality code of the Ten Commandments and by allowing activist judges (with the aide of the ACLU) to systematically destroy what was once a great country, America is now about to embrace another god (Allah) in her ignorance to be a nation of religious tolerance.  But why not, as a pagan nation with a never satiated desire and lust for sexual immorality we have become a nation foolish enough to watch and believe the “news” that is reported nightly. Because of America’s newfound ignorance and politically correct adherence, America is deserving (as some would say) of the evil to come.

Ladies, do not worry about aging.  In the coming years you will be shielded by your burqas.  It is unpleasant to think of the innocent little grandchildren of our generation who will suffer the humiliation and abuse inflicted by Islam and Sharia law. America is now but a nation too lustful to stand for morality and too weak and fearful to defend its own borders and laws.

Thought questions of the day:

·        In a lesbian relationship, will the “woman” partner have to wear a burqa?

·        Do political women and newswomen have their heads buried in the sand? Do they understand the full   implications of Sharia law? Would they willingly wear the burqa?

·        Is America just stupid, or what?

The God of the Bible can forgive you of the sin of sexual immorality. The god of Islam, Allah, requires that the sexual immoral (a lesbian, for example) be stoned to death.  So, which one is the peaceful religion.  I will let you and your God or god decide.  As for me, I am going with the God of the Bible—the God of Abraham, Isaacs and Jacob.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have an honest discussion of Christianity and Islam? Maybe on the morning talk shows.  Maybe hell will freeze over.

“What me worry,” remarked Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine fame.  “Hell yes we worry,” screamed America’s remaining Christians.

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24. August 2010 by PawBill.

This year the Sprayberry High School class of 1960 will celebrate its fiftieth graduation anniversary.  I have not attend any of the class reunions over the past years, but I always told myself that I would attend the fiftieth reunion.  Now that it is drawing near I am beginning to have second thoughts; its arrival time has hastened as has my remaining time on earth is seemingly passing quickly. Maybe now I will wait and attend the sixtieth reunion.

It is fun to reminisce about the good “old” days.  I remember especially the late forties and fifties: no air conditioning in the car, home or school; no fast food restaurants on every corner; no rest stops on the highways, just your service stations. Do you men remember those service station calendars.  I am sure you remember the 45 and 78-RPM records and the black and white television programs. In the late forties and early fifties before we had a television, I can still remember sitting around the AM radio in the evening and listening to the evening programming. Do you remember, “Only the shadow knows.”

Did you ride the school bus to school? Unless you had a friend or knew someone with a car that would let you ride, your only option was the bus.  There are a lot of good memories to think about.  “How about the good times at the drive in movies?” Did you lose something there? 

You might say most of us grew up poor in terms of possessions but everyone else was pretty much the same so we did not really think of ourselves as being poor. (I am excluding the rich kids in this discussion. Their life was somewhat different, as they seemed to have the latest and biggest of everything.)  We were however, rich in family, church and traditions; perhaps more so than we are today.  Could we live today with Sunday store closings and Wednesday afternoon closings?  

There are some good old times that I wish we would return to, but that is just the old man in me talking.  I miss the old church hymns and gospel singings, fire and brimstone sermons and of course the church revivals.  Were you “saved” during a revival? 

For many, high school provided only good memories: first love, social status, recognition, maturity (so to think at the time), companionship, fun and etc. For others like me, high school provided memories, most neither good nor bad but memories nonetheless.  I have grown beyond the memories of high school and do not have any “it might have or could have” memories to relive.  How about you, do you have memories of the past that still haunt you or that you would like to relive? 

I’ve digressed. Let’s get back to reunions. What is my reluctance to attend the upcoming reunion?  Through my elementary and high school years, I did not make or have many friends.  I don’t recall that I ever participated in any extracurricular activities; dating was never thought to be in the realm of possibility although there were crushes.  It was not that people did not like me; it was that I did not like myself.  In essence I was pretty much a loner, but I got there legitimately.  I let a tragic accident make me that way at an early age. 

But, I have no regrets other than not being a friend to those who might have tried to “befriend me.” There might be some refinements but I cannot think of anything that I would really change.  The whole of life is like high school.  You have your athletes, most attractive, friendliest, most popular, most athletic, most talented, most ladylike, most gentlemanly, your Mr. And Miss., your most likely to succeed, your cheerleaders, your band members and so on.  If there was a most likely to fail, our categorizations would be complete.

People have their groups, and they pretty much remain in their groups; like the caste system of India. I have observed over the years that people do not really care about anyone that is not in their click or social group; they may or may not be polite, but in general outsiders are not welcomed and often are excluded through no fault of their own, other than being different in personality, social status (rich or poor), dress or looks. This is especially true in churches.  Heaven help us!  I personally have no regrets or hard feelings regarding anything that has happened in my life.  In fact, life has been very generous and rewarding and if I had to do it over, I would choose to be the same person.

I do not consider my life a failure. To read the inscriptions written in my annuals would lead you to believe I was the “nicest boy’ you would ever want to meet. It is funny how your perception of yourself and how others see you can be quite different.

I have traveled the world and I have made many friendships.  I have a loving wife, a son and a daughter-in-law, a daughter and a son-in-law and a mother-in-law. Five beautiful grandchildren are the crowns of my life.  I have had it all, and it has all been near perfect.  My greatest love, however, is Jesus Christ. All of this would not have been possible if it were not for Him and His mercy.

What about you? What can be said about your life?  Would you live it over again?  What would you change?  Would you want to be someone else?  Have you been happy? Were your parents mean or cruel? Were you raped, attacked or beaten?  Were you a social outcast? Could you be happy? Would you be willing to tell of your experiences?

There are unending scenarios that could be shared but the bottom line is this: If you are not dead you still have time left to enjoy life.  Think positively and get out and do something. Yes, there are vocations that are no longer in the realm of possibility for the aged or aging, and there are past relationships that cannot always be renewed or mended.  There are, however, many opportunities left for enjoyment.

It is all up to you.  No one else can make you happy. You have to make your own happiness.  I made mine and I will pass from this life into the next with no regrets, no thoughts left unsaid and no fear. 

What about you?  Will you be able to say the same?  I pray that you will.

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24. August 2010 by PawBill.

If you died unrepentantly today, where would you spend eternity? 

Death could come at any time for anyone.  When it comes for you, where will your final resting place be? If you have not thought about it you might want to give it some thought.  There is coming a time of catastrophic events in the not too distant future in the form of earthquakes, financial collapse, food shortages, riots and death.  Prepare yourself, your friends and your family for this time.

I plan on spending eternity with God.  “Who is this God,” you ask? God (my God) is the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God who gave the Ten Commandments and laws of morality and the God who orchestrated the founding of the United States of America.  My God is the God andTrinity of the Bible—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit. 

Who is your God? Do we worship the same God?  If “YES,” then that is great.  If “NO,” then who is you god? 

If you can be labeled or identified as supporting and practicing a decadent and evil lifestyle, your god is not my God: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murders, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur [Hell].” These were words Jesus Christ told John to write in Revelation 21:5-8 NIV. 

So, who is your god?  The world claims there are many gods and many paths to heaven.  If so, how many paths to hell are there? I can only tell you about my God because His Spirit lives in me; see 1 John 4:4 KJV,  “… greater is he (God’s Holy Spirit) that is in you then he (Satan) that is in the world.”   Has your god ever spoken to you? Can your god even talk, hear or speak? If not, you may want to consider my God. 

If you tell yourself you do not need God or a god, that’s OK.  The coming Antichrist will spare your head when you voluntarily take his mark and choose to worship him as your god; in reality, you will not have a choice when the time comes for the Antichrist to establish his godhead. If you choose my God your head will be decapitated, but your soul and spirit will be saved. 

Which will it be? There is still time for you to accept the God I worship; however, God’s Spirit may not always be available to you if you continually reject His Spirit’s call.   Will it be my God, your god or neither?  Do not by default choose for yourself the coming Antichrist. Although Satan will incarnate himself into the Antichrist and be permitted to rule the world, it will only be for a short time here on earth. However, it will be for eternity in the lake of fire that has been prepared for him and his followers.  If you do not know the difference, now would be a good time to find out. 

How powerful is your god and what does he or she demand of you? Let me know if you are not ashamed to witness about your god.   

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24. August 2010 by PawBill.

Why does God not reveal himself?  I cannot believe in something or someone I cannot see, hear, smell or touch.  Have I truly been forgiven or is there one more act of repentance that I need to do? If there is a God, why does He permit all the suffering of innocent ones?

The questions asked above are ones that have been asked by man since the beginning of time.  God has revealed to man answers, but God’s answers have never satisfied the ponderings of those who do not know Him or who are unwilling to accept Him. For many of the Christian faith, the answers are taken by faith.  As an example, there are scientific explanations for the marvels of wind, waves, heat, light and sound, but for the vast majority of people the principles behind these forces of nature have to be accepted by faith.

The Bible tells us that God has revealed Himself in nature, but man simply refuses to recognize God in His creation. We find in the book of Romans 1:18-20 NIV, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. “

Some would have you to believe life evolved out of a cesspool of muck over eons. “Life just happened,” they quibble.   There was no divine plan.  Man just evolved; a human life has a beginning in the womb and at death the body is left to rot and decay. I have often pondered to myself, “if there is no life after death, then why prolong your life here on earth if it is not easy and good.”  Why do some suffer through terrible physical hardships if they have no hope for a future life? 

God gave man a spirit.  That spirit can 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 and a belief that there is a God.   It is not easy to hear the voice of God if your mind is cluttered with worldly desires.  God gave you self-will to live your life as you please.  However, living your life as you please is fraught with dangers that will cloud your mind from finding God. 

Do you still struggle with guilt?  If you accepted Jesus Christ in true repentant faith and accepted His grace and forgiveness, your sin debt was paid by Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.  Do not continued to question your salvation or erect legalistic hurdles that you must jump through.  As Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9,  “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.”  You were set free from the law; “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2 NIV).

As a “born again believer in Jesus Christ,” do not allow Satan to bind you to works and legalism and cause you to question your salvation. Satan cannot live in your body’s spiritual “compartment” that is reserved solely for the Holy Spirit and it angers him greatly. If you allow Satan to rule your conscience and become dominant he will use your conscience to recall forgiven sins and cause you to question their forgiveness.  The more you trust and exercise the Holy Spirit, the stronger and more dominant it will become in your life and the weaker Satan’s influence will become.

To search and agonize over scripture verses questioning your salvation based upon your interpretation of scripture or the interpretation of scripture by scholars is fruitless and counterproductive to the redemptive works and grace of Jesus Christ. For example, if you committed adultery, divorced or engaged in sexual immorality prior to your salvation, do not seek to do “penitence of works” or continue to perform personal sacrifices to atone for your infidelity—Jesus Christ has already done that for you. Do not keep crucifying Jesus Christ over and over.  Jesus forgave you of your transgressions at your conversion. Accept his forgiveness and move on by serving Him with your talents and gifts and by following the lead of His Holy Spirit. 

God is not sitting in heaven at a control panel following or controlling your ever move.  If God wanted you to do only as He pleased, He could have programmed your body, soul and spirit to do just that.  Instead He gave you a body, soul and spirit that you could control at your will and by your will; however, choices can have positive or negative outcomes and “various shades in-between.” 

Within your body you have the God given pattern for achieving a successful and rewarding life if, and only if, you accept God as your creator, and allow His Spirit to dwell within you and to provide directions that your body, soul and spirit will willingly submit. 

Man’s free will to call his own shots, so to speak, led man to follow other spirits and man’s own humanistic nature to seek the pleasures of life that God told man not to do.   Adam and Eve in the garden chose to eat of the forbidden fruit even thought God commanded them not to eat. 

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. Man’s participation in sexual immorality is a perfect example.  Man was told that this was a sin, a devastating health issue (AIDs is but one example), but man refused to accept and willingly participated to the damanging of his own body and in many cases the damaging of his off springs (future generations).

I do not have a scriptural basis for my view on sexual immorality as written above.  In the Biblical book of Leviticus (chapters 15, 18 and portions of 20) specific warnings and punishments regarding sexual discharges, sexual relations with relatives, animals and the opposite sex were given.  Many offenses were punishable by death.  I personally believe sexual diseases can be spread from one generation to another, and that is why God dealt so harshly (demanded death for certain atrocities) with those who violated His commandments. 

Do I think that God gave man sexual diseases because they did not keep His commandment? No, I believe God knew that sexual diseases would result from man’s unrestrained sexual lust and unclean hygienic practices and gave man the commandments as cautionary warnings.  Man, however, refused to listen and suffered then as he suffers now for his disobedience. 

I cannot answer the question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people.  I do take solace in the words of Isaiah written in Isaiah 57:1-2, “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.”  When bad things happen to people you love, look to the cross of Jesus. Can you understand what God allowed Jesus Christ to endure on the cross for you?  A loved one is not your possession; they belongs to God and He loves them.

Life is hard to live without hope.  Do you have hope in a life after death? If not, will you consider Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? 

Bow you head and confess your sins and transgressions to God; ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and forgive you; accept his Holy Spirit and accept His grace and salvation.  You are now a child of God.  Find a fellowship of believers, find a Bible and read it daily and walk with the Holy Spirit in a new life.  Grow in His Spirit and tell others what Jesus Christ has done for you.

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11. August 2010 by PawBill.

It is entertainment for me to write about the Progressive Democrats and Republicans who are hell bent on destroying the “old ways” of America. Trying to change minds on political issues, however, is like “spitting (or pissing for those more liberal minded) into the wind” as the saying goes.  It is a waste of one’s time, but something has to be said. Sometimes you get splattered, but venting or prodding temporarily makes one feel better. Hopefully your words will tick off the intended recipient, but in reality it only stokes the fires of bitterness.  In the end, only physical action (such as a Tea Party gathering), not the art of a wordsmith, is the only activity that will bring about real change.

Just as many religious zealots pronounced judgment on the music and dance style of Elvis Presley in the late nineteen fifties and sought to retain the “old way” (of music), many of today’s religious and nonreligious of moral persuasion seek to retain the status quo or bring back the “old ways” of America’s founders by casting damnation on the “new ways” of President Obama and his horde.

I hear the young and unenlightened crying out, “ Why don’t you give Obama a chance to try his “new ways”?  I say, “President Obama seems to be having his way (although in a very divisive and non transparent way), but his vision for the future, while grandiose and noble, will only lead to higher and higher taxation and ultimately financial ruin for the most productive citizens (and the government and nation as well) unless government spending is brought under control.” 

With President Obama’s goal to “Fundamentally Change America” his new way is not new but simply a replay of old ways that have always failed—look at Europe to see a failed old way system called Socialism; a failed political/ideology that America’s current government is trying to emulate. Ask yourself why? In the end, it is never about achieving utopia for everyone, but is simply a power grab by intellectuals who think they have the knowledge and truth.

In reality the Progressive politicians are perhaps correct in their actions.  A large portion (at least 25-30 percent and increasing) of the American population is incapable, unwilling or unable to provide for their own welfare, security and survival, but they will be the first to riot in the streets if the “government dole” is suddenly not available. Progressives see themselves as benevolent leaders who will ultimately seize control of the United States government for the good of its citizens.  And unfortunately, many will welcome this new government as long as they can continue to “draw”; that’s a code word that is used by those who receive a welfare check for those of you who are unenlightened about government handouts.

Jesus taught that there would always be the poor (see Mark 14:7); He knows the truth because He is the TRUTH (see John 14:6), but it is easier for humanity to believe a lie (see 2 Thessalonians 2:11) rather than the TRUTH because of man’s freedom (his self will) to choose.  Humanity always prefers sexuality of pleasure, lust and greed to the love and freedom taught by Jesus Christ.  It is a Lucifer thing, but I guess most would not know or care about Lucifer’s ways unless they had studied the Bible and had been enlightened by God.

The old lyric, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” ring true today as they did in yesteryears but only for those who know the “whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.”  One-sided or half-truth is not the real truth but repeated ad infinitum can become “almost truth” for those whose “itchy ears” (see 2 Timothy 4:3) listen only for words to justify their own lifestyle.

The Holy Spirit of God reveals the TRUTH (Jesus Christ).  You can never have this TRUTH if God does not choose for you to hear the TRUTH.  Have you heard the TRUTH or have your ears been blocked from hearing the TRUTH by the Antichrist?

Your thoughts are welcomed!

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

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

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31. July 2010 by PawBill.

I just completed a rather lengthy blog that I have posted on the right side (just above the calendar) of this Web page.  I called it, “God left America and No One Noticed.”  There are frightening times ahead, and the most important preparation that you can make is to “get right with God.”If you call yourself a Christian, that’s great; however, be certain it is the Holy Spirit of God leading you and not a deceptive spirit of the Antichrist.

For those who do not confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I would ask that you examine your life for completeness. That is, do you have peace within your heart and soul?If not and you are searching for that peace, the Holy Spirit of God may be leading you to an understanding and belief in the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.  My blog post includes a simple prayer you may pray in the privacy of your own home that if prayed in sincerity and belief will open the door for your salvation and forgiveness.

Only through the grace of God (the Trinity)—God the Father, God the Son (manifested in Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit—can save you from the cataclysmic wrath to come.  God, the Biblical God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is the God the founders of America chose to accept as the one true God and in whom they placed their faith and trust.  It is a documented fact!

God no longer protects America, but He can protect and save you.  However, YOU must acknowledge Him, repent of your transgressions (sins) and disbelief, and accept His grace and forgiveness.

There is one last hope for America.  See Blog post dated July 5, 2010, “Prayer Requested for the United States.”

Are you willing to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?   If so, do it today before it is too late.  Let me know what you decide by emailing me at the address below.

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

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

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29. June 2010 by PawBill.

Do you have your ticket and reservation for travel to the heavenly home Jesus promised to those who love him?  A recent poll revealed that some forty-nine percent of those surveyed believe He will be returning soon.  However, unless you have confessed Him as your Lord and Savior, you will not have the travel documents required and you will be left behind.

You do not want to be left behind when Jesus calls His followers home.  There will follow a seven-year period, some say three years, of “hell on earth.”   Many Biblical prophecy scholars believe the major signs prophesied for Jesus’ second coming have been fulfilled.  Consider if you will the following coming attractions: 

• All who deny the Trinity of God and the Holy Scriptures of the Bible will intensify their efforts to completely remove and deny the truth of the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ—His death, burial, resurrection and deity. There will be a universal rebellion against the God of the Bible. Those who choose not to abandon the Christian religion will be martyred as homophobic haters of alternative lifestyles and beliefs. 

• America’s people will embrace an “ism” of godlessness and place their dependence on government to protect and provide for them.  Stupidity will abound, and people will endure acts of corruption, murder, witchcraft, immorality, theft, hatred and envy.  All people groups will be divided along their own self-serving interest without regards to those around them.

• Anti-Semitism will increase and America’s leaders will abandon Israel and its people unless they agree to a peace contract that divides Jerusalem.  President Obama, along with the rest of the world, will pressure Israel until they are forced to accept peace.

• Global terrorism will escalate.  Economies of the world will falter and fail.  Catastrophic changes will continue to occur on the earth.  Chaos will abound.

• A one-world government will be formed in an attempt to resolve terror, wars, food shortages, and global health plagues.  A one-world religion will be instituted, and worship of the one-world leader as a god will be demanded.

• Russia will use Israel’s “time of peace” to launch an invasion of Israel.  Most, if not all, Arab countries will band with Russia in an attempt to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.  Russia and the invading armies will be completely defeated by a natural cataclysmic event, possibly an earthquake or meteor impact.

 The listing of horrors that will soon plague the earth could go on and on.  It is prophesied that one-third of the seas will die.  I have often wondered how this could happen, but with the Gulf oil spill continuing to pollute the waters of the Gulf, a dead Gulf is not out of the realm of possibility. What if there are other spills?

Would you like to have a ticket and the assurance you will miss out on the most catastrophic time in human history that is about to unfold?  You cannot buy one.  They are only available as a gift from God if you will only believe and follow the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.  Maybe God will offer one to you before it is too late.

I will pray for your soul.  Write me if your heart and soul are being burdened by the circumstances of your life choices, and you feel you are hopelessly lost and no one cares.  Jesus Christ is the answer.

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

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

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23. May 2010 by PawBill.

Is the term “Christianity” now becoming a “negative label” to be used by political supporters of big government to marginalize religious Americans who will not partake and fellowship at the government trough?”  You hear it more and more often: Christians are homophobic hate mongers and bigots who are arrogant in their belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.

“Yes,” is the answer to the question asked above.  Christianity is under attack, but do not despair.  The “True Christian” will prevail though persecuted and condemned.  Those who have not accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ—His death, burial and resurrection—will one day bow and confess Jesus Christ is Lord, see Philippians 2:10-11.

My statements and beliefs may appear to be arrogant, but what difference does it make to anyone who does not believe in the Trinity of God.  Non-believers in the Trinity have their own god or gods, their own heaven and perhaps, their own hell. Compare if you will, the Gospel message of Jesus Christ recorded in the Bible and the message of Allah recorded in the Koran.  You will find two opposing theologies—one a message of love and the other a message of hate.

Whether I am allowed by the government to express my freedom of religion or speech in the future, my allegiance will always be to Jesus Christ, and I will follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in what I say and in what I write. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am not trying to convert anyone or to condemn anyone; only the Trinity can convict, convert and save.  I am simply a follower of Jesus.

Peter in his second epistle, 2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV, urged those who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ to add to their faith. How can anyone find fault with the “True Christians” belief in love for their fellow man and not hatred when they include in their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love? As Peter wrote in his epistle: 

• “… add to your faith goodness; (Try to be a good person.)
• and to goodness, knowledge; (Listen for God’s instructions. Learn the ways and truth of the Trinity.)
• and to knowledge, self-control;  (Forsake worldly, personal desires. “For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:16-17)
• and to self-control, perseverance; (Be patient and do not run ahead of God’s instructions. Never give up on your faith or give in to the human desires of the flesh)
• and to perseverance, godliness; (Develop your character, integrity and conduct; embrace your faith and live it by loving others as God and Jesus Christ loves you. )
• And to godliness, brotherly kindness; (“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 NIV)
• and to brotherly kindness, love. (“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”  1 John 3:17 NIV)

  The message of Jesus Christ is love, not hate.  You find love in True Christianity, but not in fake or false Christianity.  In the days to come an increase in hatred toward the true followers of Jesus Christ will be promoted by those with an Antichrist spirit.  “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.  These are men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” Jude verses 18-19 NIV.

You will also find in 2 Peter 3:3-4 this reference to Jesus Christ’s second coming: “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?”

Do not be deceived by the rhetoric and political correctness being espoused by those who deny the Trinity. The more you embrace and practice the love taught by Jesus Christ and His disciples, the more you will grow spiritually and become fruitful and useful to Him.  God delivered you from sin and bondage so that you might live with and for Him.

Give Jesus a chance.  You soul and spirit is worth saving from the “damnation of the world” that is soon to come.

Comments to: bt@northloopcottage.com

Visit: www.twitter.com/closetchristian 

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