What are you going to do?

This country is in a downward spiral and I quite frankly feel very helpless. Our country was designed to be run by the people and if anyone thinks that is still the case you are sadly mistaken. You might respond that WE put people in office to make the decisions but that is not completely true. We put only the people who are presented to us in office. The way to get elected is with money. If you have enough money to run a campaign for office then you can get elected. Problem is, money is not free. The people who contribute to your campaign will at some point call in a favor for their generosity. One that you may not want to oblige but have no choice.

Every day politicians are bought out. For instance, on the house vote for the health care reform bill which no self thinking American would want, money helped turn the vote. In an article on Fox news Republican Jim Costa was convinced to vote for the bill. How? Read this excerpt.

To get as far as the bill did so far, it appears the administration might have spread some money around. California Rep. Jim Costa was wavering but told a local newspaper last week that his vote could be contingent on getting some federal money for a new medical school in his district along with help for local hospitals.
When a constituent named Bob Smittcamp e-mailed him to complain about his vote for the House bill, the congressman explained he'd been offered the dollars he was looking for -- $128 million in federal money.
"He responded to me by basically saying that he did not like many of the elements there were in the legislation. However, he was able to procure $128m for the University of California medical school in Merced," Smittcamp told Fox News.

You can't tell me we have a significant level of control over what happens to our country. We are on the way down. In more ways than one. How in a country where a Muslim army captain kills over a dozen people is it still acceptable to be a Muslim but not a Christian. Christians are hated because we denounce homosexuality, among other things. Guess what folks, Muslims HATE homosexuals. And they kill people for not believing exactly the way they do.

Our economy is crumbling too. Unemployment, true numbers, are up to almost 20% and rising. And the government can't figure it out. Even after all that stimulus money we still have rising job loss. Maybe it's because they want to keep lending money to people who can't pay it back. The reason we are in trouble is because of debt and yet the governments answer is more debt. What?

We are on the way to our knees as a country. You won't hear that on our news channels or in our papers. You WILL hear it from other people around the world and some blogs and youtube in our country but almost never from main stream media. How is it that hundreds of thousands of conservative people march on Washington and it hardly gets a blip on the news but 50 people show up for a pro gay rally and it's the number one spot on every network news broadcast?

I know that the bottom line is our country has turned it's back on God, but this post is not like most of my others which have to do with biblical perspective. I'm angry. Our lifestyle is being taken away from us. The way I see it is we have two choices. Fight or Flight. To be honest I don't know that it's a battle that can be won. I hope it is but I have very little confidence in the people of this country who so foolishly put a (fill in the blank) like Obama in office when they had facts about his beliefs and lack of experience. Bush had a whole set of his own problems but nothing he did will ever compare to what this administration is going to do to our country and we can do nothing about it for 3 more years. It may be too late by that point. I will not fight for something I do not believe in and while I am not a citizen of this world but heaven, I still have to live here until God takes me home. We have to fight while we can but at some point we may have to make a hard decision.

In closing, to those who would say that Christians are to be passive and live in peace where they are, I have a question for you. Do you think this country was established and kept in tact by passive people? Christians and non-Christians alike gave their lives for the freedoms we have that are being taken away. So what are you going to do to ensure that this country is the best place on planet earth to live? I'm not sure I know the answer to that yet but I can assure you that I will figure it out, and soon!

Skeptics Think Before Pressing Send

There seems to be a trend, especially with folks over the age of 55, that anytime they read something especially online, they accept it as factual. I was raised to trust people by their word but as I have grown older I have come to the realization that it is best to be somewhat skeptical of everything I hear and read. This should even hold true in the realm of preaching and spiritual matters.

Before you call me untrusting and cynical hear me out. You should always make sure that what you read or hear is truthful. Believe it or not even preachers and teachers don't always say the truth. It may even be unintentional.

Two examples: My pastor stood up and said that he accidentally attributed a quote to the wrong person in a previous sermon. He was very bothered that he had done that and I respect him for making the correction. However, there is undoubtedly someone who didn't hear the correction and passed on the incorrect information. His mistake was not intentional. On the other hand we had a guest speaker who on the topic of stewardship said that "we borrow for everything else in our life so why not borrow for church projects". Um, maybe because the scripture is clear about not being in debt? Running out to get loans is not a desirable course of action. There is a difference in these two examples but they were both inaccurate and if you accepted either one of them without validating if they are true then you are passing along a fallacy.

The most glaring example of this and my biggest frustration is with emails. The generation I mentioned earlier could benefit from a healthy dose of skepticism. Just because it comes through in an email does not mean that it is true, especially if it has been forwarded. Amazing pictures you see are more often than not, very much fake. I know, I work in a program called Photoshop and I can make you think that what you see is real even if it is physically impossible. Emails about Obama eating a baby kitten are most likely not true. (Extreme example I know but you get the point)

I implore everyone young and old, check up on those emails before you send them. SNOPES.COM has put many of these emails to rest as lies. Chances are the email you are about to forward has been around for years and has been proven false. Be a little skeptical for a change. Even when hearing a sermon you should check the Word of God to make sure what is said is truth. It doesn't matter if the information you receive is delivered wrong on purpose or by accident. We all have done it ourselves without knowing it but I fear we have become so overly trusting that we accept everything we see on the news, in the paper and online as accurate and worth repeating. It's often not totally accurate and being partially right is completely wrong!

Check it before you send it or say it. Please. :)

Be Prepared

No one would argue that our economy is in bad shape. There are many financial leaders who are warning of major inflation and economic meltdown. However it doesn't seem people are doing much about it.

We live in a country now where our money is not worth much more than the pack of bills you find in your monopoly game. China is buying gold at an unprecedented rate and telling their people to buy silver as investments. 1/3 of our debt is owned by China and we have a national debt in the trillions. These are just a few points to show signs of a coming collapse.

Our problem is pretty simple actually and it is interesting how the national cancer that is eating us alive is the same cancer that has and is ruining the lives of millions of Americans. DEBT. We pay for things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't know. The people did it with credit cards backed by the banking system, the government did it through the Federal Reserve. Money from thin air with no basis for value. Our banking system put us in this situation.

"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning." - Henry Ford

To go all the way, greed is the core problem. We have forgotten how to live within our means. We are a consumer based, importer country making us extremely vulnerable and we are getting ready to take a blow below the belt and hit the floor.

Don't believe me? Ask some people who know. Peter Schiff who predicted the collapse of the housing and banking markets knows. People laughed at him in 2006 and 2007 when he painted a gloomy picture. Now you can see for yourself on YouTube that Peter Schiff was right. Watch what he has to say now about the future in a non-biased european TV interview.

In addition to Schiff and Ron Paul proclaiming warnings Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Group is just as open about the continuing financial failure of not just the US but also the worlds economy. He also has had many interviews in the past predicting what has happened in the last year and a half and predicts how present trends will effect the future. It's not good!

So now I jump on the wagon because I believe that just as it has played out in my personal life, you can't borrow more than you can pay back and credit/debt not kept in check will destroy. Four years ago we eliminated all of our credit cards and only use cash. While I am not yet totally out of the hole we have had four years head start than most and started before things got so bad. I say this to state that while I am not the authority on the subject, I can see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's a train. A train that is blowing it's horn and saying "you better watch out and prepare". (I would encourage you to do some research yourself and find out the facts about our present economic situation)

We are looking at a bleak picture but we are here on this earth for such a time as this. If you are a follower of Christ like myself you realize this is just what Christ warned of in scripture. We have an opportunity to use these days for growing the kingdom. But we can't do that if we just sit by and don't respond in preparation.

A beggar can't give money to other beggars. Many Christians have the attitude that God will take care of them all the while not using the wisdom God has given us to help ourselves. Proverbs 6 speaks to being prepared as do other passages that instruct us to be wise with our possessions. Most people now can't imagine not having a grocery store with stocked shelves that they can go and purchase what ever they need. So there is little urgency to stock up since it can be accessed at any time. But what if you couldn't, or what if your $2 toothpaste was all of a sudden $6? And if the dollar bill in your pocket was only worth $.10, what are you going to do? How will you pay your bills? How will you eat? And this assumes you still have a job.

While as Christians our true home is in heaven, but if you go on a trip you are going to take supplies to survive and even enjoy that trip. You are on a journey here but God wants us to be wise. We see the pending crisis so do something about it. Again, I'm not the expert but I can give some advice that I am following myself and submit that you do the same. Even if nothing get's worse and we live in grand prosperity are you losing anything?

So what do we do? I have some simple suggestions. First, start a non-perishables supply. Here is a list of items that you might want to consider. If things get better and you don't have to have this supply to live then you will have less to buy later.

Secondly, get out of debt as soon as you can. Thirdly, make sure you have a way to protect yourself whether it's a bat, a knife or guns. If it's a gun make sure you have ammo. Why? Remember what happened after hurricane Katrina in New Orleans? You might find yourself needing to protect your assets. Fourthly, obtain some precious metals. Gold, silver, copper or the likes. You may find it to be worth more than your dollars in the near future.

And most of all have a plan. As Ben Franklin said, "By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail." Where do you want to be in three months financially? 6 months from now what do you want to have in your survival supply? Do you want to live where you are now? You should be thinking through all of these things. Don't spend your time energy and money on things you don't need. Make saving a priority.

Some may read my very lengthy post here and laugh at me just like they did to Peter Schiff and others may just discount my concern and advice as over-reactive. I can't do anything about that and believe me when I say that I hope I am wrong. But as H. Ruff said, "It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Don't wait until it's raining.

Sin-a very good definition

John Wesley asked his mother how to define sin to which his mother replied, " Whatever weakens your reasoning, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, what takes away your desire for spiritual things, in short if anything exceeds the authority and the power of the flesh over the spirit, that becomes sin however good it is in and of itself.

A High Calling

I have someone I admire very much. This person makes daily sacrifices to make my life better and easier. She gets honored once a year but that hardly seems adequate. She is not my mother but she is the mother of our two boys and I want anyone who ever reads this to know how much I admire her.

We live in a day where the stay at home Mom is often second class and certainly not considered to have a desirable position in life. While I am not against any woman who works a job outside the home and am understanding of those that try to do both, it is my belief that there is no higher calling on this earth than being a devoted full time mother.

Our world has lost an admiration for woman hood. Peter Kreeft professor of philosophy at Boston College in the book For Heavens Sake says "...we have a civilization that is in the midst of what Cal Stern called the Flight From Woman. We extol action over contemplation, doing over being, analysis over intuition, problems over mysteries, success over contentment, conquering over nurturing, the quick fix over life long commitment, the prostitute over the mother."

My wife gave up her own desires and a good career that paid good money to pour her daily life into two little boys. Our society has become selfish and my wife has chosen selflessness, many women want power and she chose meekness. others choose financial gain and she invests in eternity.

Raina, you should know that your are incredible, irreplaceable, you are beautiful and I am so glad you are my wife and the mother of our boys. I could not say it often enough that I am eternally grateful for the sacrifice you make every day (and in the middle of the nights) to make sure our home is filled with love and peace. NEVER think for a moment that what you do is anything less than a divine calling and more important than any amount of money you might be able to make in a job. Don't be discouraged on days when your patience and composure is tested by the little ones because your reward is GREAT! Proverbs 31:28

Bad Trade

My son was so excited about going to Disney World for his first time. We made the mistake of telling him we were going a week in advance which made life difficult as he tested our patience while he asked repeatedly if we can go to Disney World. " No son, not right now. We have 6 more days. 5 more days..."

Down the street from us is a 5 acre fun park with go carts putt-put and video games. Our not quite 3 year old in his limited understanding proposed in one of his inquiries as to when we were going to leave for Disney, a trade. "Can we go to Frankies Fun park now instead of Disney World?"

He knew nothing of Disney's vastness since he had never been there nor seen it in a picture. He was willing to trade a rinky-dink fun park for the mother of all fun parks for his immediate satisfaction.

It dawned on me that we are not all that different. We are willing to give up eternal reward and never ending bliss in exchange for immediate gratification here on earth. Just like Connor, we have never been to heaven nor have we seen pictures so we have no clue that we are trading such rubbish for mind blowing glory.

Are you trading up, or down?

Where are they now?

Ever wonder where famous people are after fading into obscurity after brief or even extended time in the limelight of hollywood, the media or politics? Actually no we don't wonder too much because we forget about them as the newest shooting star or media darling quickly takes their place. This is why you have TV and radio programs dedicated to updating us on what our favorite long lost star is doing now.

Today a man who was despised by many and loved by everyone else, died after battling a brain tumor. Ted Kennedy held to the opposite view of everything that I personally stand for. I had no respect for the man but this is not a postmortem rant about what he did that I think was wrong.

My question is, where is he now?

This week it was also announced that Michael Jackson's death is now being ruled a homicide. Again I am not here to write a biography of Michael nor to state anything about his troubled life. If anything it's really sad.

I just wonder where is he now?

Both these men along with millions of others slipped into eternity so far this year. Their bodies stopped working and they were transported to another place. All the arguments in the world won't change the truth that everyone at some point will realize there IS a heaven and there IS a Hell.

While I can't accurately say where either of these two men ended up since I am not God, I can however, look at their lives and say that they never displayed any evidence that their lives had been changed by the power of Christ. The things they stood for and their actions are testimony to lives that were lived for self and not in line with any principles of the one true God. So one can conclude they are not in the presence of God but instead in torment, being separated for all eternity in a real place called hell. How can anyone be happy that these men are gone, because being dead means they are beginning an eternity of suffering.

Those who don't believe in hell can just go on with life zooming headlong towards the same fate. Those who aren't sure better start to consider the reality that without the saving power of a risen saviour Jesus Christ who has made a way to eternity with God, they too will be with these men.

And finally for those who believe that Christ IS the answer and that hell is a real place where those without Him will go, listen up! Why aren't we shouting out the good news? You don't have to go to hell! How much do we have to love ourselves and hate people to NOT tell them about the freedom in Jesus and the peace that comes with knowing where we will spend eternity. Fear is not an excuse. Ability is not an excuse. We have no excuse other than the sad reality that we don't truly believe with our heart, not our heads, that there is a place of eternal punishment called hell.

If you meet the same fate as these two men, and you will, will others be able to answer, "Where are they now?"

Have You Ever?

Have you ever let someone merge into traffic only to have them go slow, make it through the light and force you to have to stop and wait as they go on their way oblivious to the fact that your kindness made you wait?

Kindness and acts of service are only worthwhile if you are willing to happily accept the possible negative ramifications of your actions in order that someone else may benefit, even if they don't have knowledge of what you sacrifice.

Think About It

Are you a Christian? If so what does that mean? Why do you believe what you believe and do you really believe it?

You may think that those are not difficult questions to answer. But are they that simple? Is our faith in Christ and belief in God that simple to answer? Regardless of your ability to answer them is the greater question of can you answer them correctly?

I have become increasingly frustrated with believers who claim the name of Christ and yet years after conversion still know little to nothing about their faith. As humans we take big things and make them small so we can deal with them. Instead of exploring the vastness of God we fit him into a box we can understand. We over simplify.

Why are we not more wise in our faith and what we believe? People look at Christians and say we are ignorant. And we respond with, "I'm not very smart or Christ came to the poor and the weak". True he did. But through his power, those poor and week became strong. Not in a physical sense, although that may be the case sometimes, but mentally. He gives wisdom. We can't understand and know everything, but he gave us minds to think.

I have a growing desire to know more about my God and to take a stand when challenged on what I believe. Because of that I have started reading more and have really been drawn in by Ravi Zacharias who has a program called "Let My People Think". On a recent broadcast of his he had Dr. Peter Berger on his program. Dr Berger was asked, "Is evangelical intellectual an oxymoron?" Berger replied "No it isn't. There is a prejudice, in fact it's one of few prejudices in elite american society that is still permissible. Everything else is racism, sexism, or whatever. I think it is a very unfortunate stereotype which has little to do with reality. It is deplorable that this prejudice exists and it should be counteracted." Counteracted by knowing what you believe. By the way, Dr. Berger is by his own statement not an evangelical.

Why are we considered ignorant? We have not given the world a reason to think otherwise. I believe we have become lazy. We listen to others tell us what to do, what to think and it is often the world dictating these things to us. No wonder only 9% of people who called themselves Christians had a biblical world view. It's a result of watching Oprah all week and listening to the pastor on Sunday. I can assure you those two messages don't jive. We even need study guides to help teach others the Bible. Why is the Bible not enough? I'm not knocking study guides, they are helpful but they are often a crutch. We need to tap into the wisdom God says he will give if we ask for it. (James 1:5)

We have watered down our faith. The Gospel is simple and easy to understand. God made it that way. Praise Him for that. But our faith and knowledge of God is not. We need to be willing to work through difficult issues. Matthew 10:16 says to "Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves". We are do be wise about our faith. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear"

Are you ready to give an answer? What will your answer be and will it cause someone to run to God or run away?

Get some son

I planted a garden this year. Not having much land area to till up ground I was forced to use boxes. I Even followed a special formula for mixing soil to ensure that I got the maximum yield. I planted, watered and fertilized my tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, and other veggies only to have them look green, well some of them, but produce pretty sad amounts of fruit.

It occurred to me the other night that our Christian lives are like my garden. We don't produce very much fruit. We go to church and plant ourselves in good soil. We water ourselves with the preaching and fertilize our spiritual plants with Sunday School and other types of training which produces green plants. However, the fruit we produce really isn't worth much.

I know why my garden has done poorly. God revealed to me that we have the same thing lacking in our spiritual growth. We have limited exposure to the sun. The SON of God is the source for producing in us healthy, plentiful fruit.

My back yard has lots of trees that shade the yard and though I put the garden in the spot that gets the most sun, it isn't enough.

What trees in our life are shading us from the Son? Trees of busyness, hobbies, money? You see, the trees are actually good and nice to provide shade. The shade that keeps us from the Son may seem good but are actually keeping us from getting the nutrients we need from our Saviour to produce good fruit.

I know I need to trim some trees. How about you?

HealthScare

One of the biggest issues facing us as Americans other than unemployment, a dreadful economy, pending nuclear war from North Korea and a host of other issues is that of healthcare.

You won't find any passive opinions on this subject. People are very passionate about their stand on whether we should leave the system the way it is and refine it or go to a national healthcare system. All can agree on one thing-- it's a broken system.

National healthcare sounds great from many perspectives. It's free right? Hah! No, it's not free. Nothing is free. There is a huge price that has to be paid.

One might expect someone like myself who doesn't have any health insurance to be all for national healthcare. That person would be wrong. While I hate the money hungry, self preserving Insurance companies and the doctors who abuse the system and drive up premiums, I know that we will be worse off to be on the other side of the coin.

I don't write this to solve the present crisis because if I could I would be a rich man and wouldn't have time to write this. I can however give several reasons and references as to why national healthcare is NOT the solution. Perhaps I will just stick with references to prove my point. Hang on, here we go.

1. Where does the money for "Free Healthcare" come from?
The short answer. YOUR pocket.

"The most obvious component of "free" healthcare is that, in fact, it is not free. Socialized medicine is paid for through taxation, and in countries in which it is practiced, everyone pays these taxes. Much like our own "Social Security" tax, which imposes a 15.2% tax on anyone who works for a living, socialized medicine schemes are paid for through a combination of income taxes and national sales taxes, or VAT taxes. In other words, working people pay for "free" healthcare through payroll taxes and taxes on purchases. Nonworking people and individuals working for cash still pay for "free" healthcare every time they buy gasoline, food or clothing." Read more here.

2. What happens if the government runs out of money and can't pay for your doctor visit?
Think it can't happen? It's happening right now. In California. "Top financial officers say (July 28th) that's when the state will run out of cash to pay its daily expenses unless lawmakers pass a balanced budget. Schwarzenegger has warned that government will come to a "grinding halt." The state controller describes "a meltdown." Read the whole article here.

3. How well do you think you are going to get treated?
The answer: Like a number. There will be little to no personal concern for your situation. While that may be somewhat of a problem with the current system, it will become the norm under socialized medicine. Ever been to the DMV and stood in line? That's how social medicine works.

Consider this quote. "Many countries provide universal insurance but deny critical procedures to patients who need them. Britain's Department of Health reported in 2006 that at any given time, nearly 900,000 Britons are waiting for admission to National Health Service hospitals, and shortages force the cancellation of more than 50,000 operations each year. In Sweden, the wait for heart surgery can be as long as 25 weeks, and the average wait for hip replacement surgery is more than a year." Read the whole article.


4. Will you have choices in ways you can be treated?
No. In fact a treatment you need may not be provided resulting in your death. Want proof? Read this article to get more on this quote. "If I lived in New Zealand, I’d be dead."


5. Why should I have to pay for your doctor visits?
Defenders of socialized medicine have no problems stating that "universal health care transfers greater financial responsibility to an even broader base: the entire population, through some combination of taxes and premiums."(Jonathan Cohn, senior editor at The New Republic)

Um, folks that's communism. Enough said on that.

There are a host of other reasons and resources that show socialized medicine is not the answer. Do your own research, I've just provided a starting point. I get tired of people who look at solutions and embrace ideas based solely on their own perspective. A perspective that says, 'I don't have any money for health insurance so the government should take care of me by providing free healthcare'. That reasoning is selfish and ignorant. Please step outside yourself and look at how "solutions" effect everyone, not just yourself. Sadly the only way we will probably learn that socialized medicine will not work won't come from failures by other countries that we have already seen, oh no, we have to make our own disaster before we will learn.

H. L. Mencken said: "For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant, and wrong." Universal healthcare is a exactly that.

I would like to give a very short biblical perspective on this if I may. Healthcare as we know it has only been around for a short time. In the history of mankind you depended on your own remedies and most of all God to be your physician. Praise the Lord that we have the healthcare that we do, but I believe it has become another way we have said to God, "We got this under control. Thanks anyways." We have somehow come to the conclusion that healthcare is a right. No, it's a privilege. Communism says everybody has the same right to all things. This country was built on the opposite of that. It is called Capitalism. You earn what you have. That leaves some people behind and I might be one of them. The reality is some succeed others don't. That is life.

General Update

I'm getting worse at keeping this current. Part of the reason is that we just returned from spending 2 weeks in Panama City with the family. We had a great time, great food, great fun and it all went way to fast. I'm so glad we got to spend that time. I know it was good for all of us to have that much time to be together. I can't remember when we had that much time to spend together without major projects or agendas to accomplish. I did take my work with me and fortunately wasn't overly busy which made it possible to spend a little more time with the fam than I had anticipated. It wasn't really a vacation as we would describe but it got my out of the daily grind and that was very beneficial.

So I'm back in the saddle here and working on some things that have some great potential. Praying those will work out. Also looking to God for direction about our future in some areas so that is often on my mind.

I'll try to make the next post a little deeper or at the least focused on something worth reading.

We've Gone Soft

I have found, for me at least, that since my mind wanders a lot, that when I study the Bible and passages speak to me I can meditate on them better by putting down my thoughts on paper. Basically a study journal. Quite a few of my "journal entries" end up here on the blog.

Today is no different. The verse of the day at biblegateway.com, one of my study resources, is Ecclesiastes 11:5. “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” (NIV)

I have a saying that is not original to me but I use it a lot. It says, "There are two sure things in life. 1. There is a God and 2. You're not him." This saying is another way of stating Ecclesiastes 11:5. His ways are truly not our ways.

I'll admit that while I say the above quote quite a bit, I have a hard time with that reality. I don't understand what God does. Why would he take a 18 year old girl in a car accident who had incredible talents and an exceptionally bright future. Does God want my family to be burdened down by having an extra house for sale for over a year? He knows how desperately we need to sell the house. It was sold a year ago, we thought. What is he doing?

So many questions that simply have to be answered by the reality that we "cannot understand the work of God." I know God knows best and I trust that, however, I still struggle with not trying to "figure God out". This is a struggle for all of us not just me.

God has revealed to me that part of my problem I believe is a bigger issue that is prevalent here in the United States. We as a culture don't want any type of discomfort. We go to great lengths to keep ourselves from having difficulty. Like spoiled children we pray for God to remove the pain or relieve the frustrations we have and then get upset when he doesn't answer the way we want. In America we forget that life is hard. We have it so good we don't know what it's like to live with daily suffering. We have become soft. You would think that with the travels I have made to 3rd world countries and having seen the poverty and suffering that millions live with on a daly basis that I would be more thankful and less prone to frustration at my own little problems.

God forgive me for questioning your plans. Help me to remember how blessed I am and to respond with thanksgiving in spite of the difficulties I may experience. They are but light afflictions.

Still here

I have been slack on writing and I just realized it has been a month since I wrote. For two of those weeks I was in extreme pain as I experienced my second attack of Gout. The first attack was 3-4 years ago. In addition to the pain I have been very tired. Fortunately I am operating now at about 95%. Still some discomfort but I can get around almost normal.

In addition to that, work has been busy so I haven't had time to dedicate to the blog. I do have quite a few things on my mind that I will post later. For now I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still here.

I do want to thank the Lord for my Mom as well as the Mother of my two boys. God has blessed me immensely with an amazing mom and an incredible wife who is a tremendous mother to Connor and Hunter. Their dedication to their calling deserves recognition. I love you both.

Did He Die For You?

Something occurred to me this week. I hear people say in reference to Christ dying on the cross that he paid for the sins of the world. The reality is that He did NOT. Before you accuse me of false doctrine consider that if He did die for the sins of the whole world there would be no need for Hell. Selah. We all agree that Hell is a place for punishment. However if your sins are paid for then there is not debt to be paid and no punishment that needs to be enforced.

My point is that Christ died for those he knew would be redeemed. So let's say that there were 1.6 billion people throughout history that accepted the gift of salvation, then Christ took the sins of 1.6 billion people. Clear?

Some may say that my "revelation" is really not that big of a deal. Maybe not. Maybe you have already thought of it before I did. There is a high probability to that as I am a little slow sometimes. I really am just pointing out that our terminology is wrong. Not the first or the last time I'm sure.

As simple as my thought may be, this does lead us down the road to the very debated and humanly unsolvable topic of predestination. All I will say about that topic is that ultimately we cannot rationalize in our human mind, nor can we argue with what God chooses to do with HIS creation.

Many people have a hard time accepting that God chose or knows who will be saved and who will not. Hyper-calvanism takes this topic and runs crazy with their human perspective on a issue that clearly falls under the void in human understanding and finite reasoning.

For me, simple as I am, my thought that God died for me, one of his elect, drives me to one conclusive reaction. Worship! How can I not worship a God who called me even while I was young, placed me in a home that feared and worshiped the one true God, pursues me daily to be closer to Him as my Father, and has given me all the riches of His Son who took MY place. Why do we argue about things we cannot understand? Instead, let us worship in the reality that He is God and we are NOT. There is ultimate freedom in letting the Creator be the Creator and the creation be just that.

Balance

I have only been on this earth for 34 years. I'm not a wise person by many standards but I do think a lot and observe even though I also am a talker. So as I have grown older I find one thing very difficult to achieve and yet I have come to the conclusion that it is of the utmost importance in life. You can read the the title of this and know I am speaking of balance. It can also be referred to as priority. What get's first dibs from your attention.

As a follower of Jesus Christ the first priority in life is our relationship with Him. That's a no brainer. The next no brainer in the line of priority is family. 1 Timothy 5 covers that issue. But here is where I get hung up a bit. Between church and the work place (career).

I believe you should work to live not live to work. Of course that can be skewed if your idea of living is "high on the hog" as the saying goes. If one is to provide for his family, it requires holding down a job that usually requires a 40 hour week commitment at the least. Church on the other hand now requires quite a bit of time if you are to be involved on a deeper level than just coming to church on Sunday morning.

We often look to those in ministry as special people, and they are. They have a tremendous calling. All of us as believers are called to full time service though. People in paid full time ministry positions don't have to worry as much about the balance between making a living and serving the body of Christ. They get to do both at the same time.

I am searching for the balance. The fine or maybe not so fine line of working to grow a business and a career to provide for my family, and serving in an effective, committed way in Church. Not just on Sunday. Understand that I want to put more time into Church activities and ministry, NOT less, but not at the expense of my family or my job. I want to find the balance point. Some would say "you can never serve to much in God's work. He will take care of the rest". That would be essentially full time ministry. All to often men and women in full time and non-full time ministry have poured themselves so much into serving that they abandon their God given responsibilities to care for their families. They will, I believe, be held in judgment for that.


What I am saying is there needs to be a balance. So here is where I am with my priorities:

My walk with God
My Family
Work/Church

If I put work above church my priorities look off. If I put church above work I may loose my salary. You may have a clear direction on your list. Good for you.

This is tricky at best!

What we really KNEEd

I wrote in a previous post about keeping things simple concerning the "church" as we now know it. I have been continually pondering the way we participate in church and how we worship.

Side note: Along with that I have seen recently behavior and undercurrents of sin and spiritual immaturity that upsets me. I'll be the first to admit that I have a long way to go. But it seems I have a desire to at least move to another level that I would expect others to have as well, but I don't see it very much. In my disgust with how some so called believers behave (I mess up to, I'm referring to a pattern) I am reminded of a quote made by a former muslim teacher who became a believer. He said, "Judge a religion by it's Leader, not it's followers." It is true that Christ is the focus, not those around us. That thought is helping me remain.

The other day I asked God, "Is this what you intended your church to look like?" I really wonder if how we have church set up is really effective. I submit it often does more harm than good. Four services a week about different topics with little to no re-enforcement and countless projects, activities, and meetings all aimed at trying to get people off their duff and get to work fulfilling the great commission of making disciples. Yet it doesn't seem to be working. Hmmm. Wonder why?

I could go on for pages with my proverbial red pen but I won't, but believe me I want to. Instead I think there is a solution. No, I know there is a solution. Simple in answer but not so easy. It takes time, patience and sacrifice. It doesn't require a program, no visitation plan, no music style change or staff additions and no "meetings" need to take place (it could be argued that meetings do take place). The solution?

PRAYER

Here is what someone who knew a lot about this subject said:

The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men…Men of prayer." --E. M. Bounds

I want to be that man. It requires a sacrifice of time to meet (there's the meeting) with God and ask Him to change hearts, including mine. Only then will anything we do be successful. Only when God steps in and answers our cry for the Spirit to move will we begin to see progress and changed lives. Maybe the only meeting we should be having are prayer meetings, even if it is only a handful of people. It's not a one time prayer of 5-10 minutes. It has to be significant time before the throne of God asking for Him to move in a powerful way.

I'm not a great prayer warrior, though I want to be. I do know this much, that as long as we try to make it happen and ask God to bless what we do we will never see change. We have to ask God to do something great and to show us how to help. We need our wounds healed and our bills paid and food on the table but none of those things are even close to how desperately we need spiritual healing, purification and revival.

Prayer is the answer. Not programs.

Mr. President, with all due respect please SHUT UP!

I don't like politics. that needs to be clear up front. I think I have one other post in my blog having to do with the subject. I also don't watch much news. Like most my age and younger I hit the web to get the highlights and continue with my day unless something major is going on that demands my attention.

In spite of my lack of attention to all things political and the hyper-negative news full of talking heads I have still been unable to ignore the biggest talking head of them all. The mike-hog we have as a president.

He is constantly making speeches. It's unreal how many "talks" he has over every move he makes or every idea and plan he wants to sell the American people. What happened to letting your actions speak louder than words. He is like a used car salesman trying to get us to buy a really bad car, hoping if he talks enough it will convince us to make the purchase.

It doesn't matter if I voted for him or not, or whether he is republican or democrat. Case in point I think Bush should have never opened his mouth. Here is the best way to sum up both of these presidents: It is best to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!

The following is an portion taken from an article by Gene Healy. VP of the Cato Institute. You can read the entire article here. It is worth reading.

"Today's president is a constitutional monstrosity: a national talk-show host with nuclear weapons.

Our founding fathers didn't want a president who'd perpetually pound the bully pulpit. They viewed presidential speechifying as a sign of demagoguery, and thought Congress should take the lead on most matters of national policy. They expected the nation's chief executive to pipe down, mind his constitutional business, and keep his hands to himself.

From Washington to Jackson, presidents gave about three speeches a year on average. In his first year in office, President Clinton gave over 600. Things have changed, but it's not clear they've changed for the better."

Here is my final take on this: In my experience, when someone talks a lot about their agenda or their viewpoint it is usually because they are trying to convince you to join their cause. If it needs that much talking to be sold, it's not worth buying.

Part of a Plan

I have been reading through the book of Joshua lately mostly like I would read a book. Most of the time I read a few verses several times and meditate on them but I wanted to get a big picture view for a change. I am starting chapter ten and in the first nine chapters Israel has come from the desert into the promised land by way of the second parting of the waters, entering the promised land the way the entered the desert, and have been on a rampage of cleaning house. Of course only through the power of God.

I see so many lessons even by getting the big picture. Lessons such as, through God anything is possible. That even great leaders can be deceived sometimes and when God has a plan, if we will let him and are obedient, he will use us to accomplish it and reap the rewards.

Among many other lessons, this thought of a plan above all has stood out to me. I think of different people in the account of Israel taking the land. There is the God fearing prostitute in Jericho that hears of the Lord being on the side of Israel and protects the spies who in return protect her. God spares a prostitute because of her faith.

Then I see all the kings that are killed by sword, by hanging and many other ways of dead. And what about all the people that are destroyed in the many cities that are conquered. That of course includes children. So many died to fulfill a plan. Even soldiers of Israel died in battles even though they won. All of those souls into eternity to bring about God's plan. Each person was born as a part of a plan God had. If the people of Ai had not been born and established a city there would have not been a city to destroy. All of these people filled a role. Lives characterized by living then dying by the sword never to be mentioned by name or remembered.

The reality is we are a part of a plan. Most of us will never be mentioned in a newspaper except in death and we will live and die fulfilling a small part of a bigger picture. That is very sobering to me. The reality is that God has a plan for each of us. For some of us his plan is for us to live a quiet obedient life, while others do great things for God and yet others he takes away in car crashes and some from cancer leaving young children behind.

When one looks at that reality in the light of being such a small part of a huge plan it has to bring us to a place of awe and worship. I have to praise God that he found me and loved me and called me to himself. I'm on that narrow way I wrote about.

No matter what part I play or how big of an impact I make in Gods plan, it is after all HIS plan. I am just honored to be a part of it in some way and especially to be on His side of the plan.

The Seat at the Top of the Stairs

"I'm not sleepy.", he said with a sigh
"Just be still.", I said in reply.
My patience is waning so very fast
Over an hour has already past

My back is hurting and My head is nodding
Carefully my escape I am now plotting
Is he still enough now to make the trip down?
I dare not make the slightest sound.

"Daddy" he calls out, "where are you going?"
I thought I made it without him knowing
"No where son, right here I am staying."
I really dislike this game we are playing

Every night this scene will play out
I have no idea what it's about
"Why", I ask others "does this occur each night?"
Could it be a childhood fright?

It really doesn't matter, it's for his sake
This nightly sacrifice that I make
It's what we do for the little ones we love
Like our heavenly Father does up above

Patiently waiting I have plenty of time to think
These days will be gone in a blink
One day I'll look back and wish I were here
Able to easily dispel all his fears

I look one more time to see if he's asleep
Thankfully I don't hear a peep
He's finally sleeping now free from his cares
Because I stayed at the top of the stairs

CT. 2/09

God is on my side. The side of the narrow minded

This thought occurred to me today. The train started in my mind with the verse found in Matthew 7:13-14, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it

Lately I have become more and convinced that the narrow way is much more narrow than even we as believers realize. There are so many who claim to know Christ as their Savior and yet they never show fruit in their life and I have a hard time believing that they are truly converted because they say things that are contradictory to the word of God while claiming to be a follower of Christ. They throw out portions of scripture that they don't like because it confronts their sin or the fact that believing the scripture as wholly true, inspired by God and not open for "Private Interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20) means they cannot live the way they desire, forcing them to be under the authority of God not their own mind and personal desires.

Well this makes me very unpopular and what many people call narrow minded. Christ himself said that the way is narrow. Why is it narrow? Because it requires submitting your will to a higher authority. Sinful man doesn't want that. Being a subject or slave to something means you have a master and your will is not your own. EXACTLY!

I am not my own! I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20, 7:23), the precious blood of Jesus Christ who gave himself in my place to satisfy the wrath of a Holy God who was at war with me until Christ stepped in, laying down his sinless life for me. NOW I am Gods child. I have the same rights as His only Begotten Son (Jn 3:16) How can I NOT be a servant, a slave to the one who has set me free and given me eternal life with Him? I'm compelled to do as He commands. I want to serve and obey out of gratitude, not duty or obligation.

People have such a hard time with that. There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5). That does not sit well with people. They want to do it their way. "I am the way", Christ says (Jn 14:6) "No man comes to the Father but through me." No other way.

My belief labels me as an elitist, and narrow minded. Praise GOD! Why? Because I have the truth. Truth is not relative like so many want us to believe. Truth comes from God. You don't have to believe that. I'm not forcing anyone to believe that. You have the choice to reject truth. One day someone will be right and someone will be wrong. I'm very comfortable with what I believe and willing to take the "chance". Are you? If you are wrong, when truth is revealed are you willing to accept the consequences? I am!

So if Christ is my Saviour making God my Father, then He is watching out for me and has my best interest at heart (Jer 29:11). He is on my side. I sort of feel like the kid who says, "my Dad is better than your Dad". So many people are lost and without Christ because they do not accept the truth.

All around me there are people losing jobs, struggling financially and physically. As I think about that I return to the thought that I belong to God. He is on my side. If God is for me who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? How cool is that? He is no longer against me like he was before Christ entered my life. I'm on the side of the winning team!

Yes we may be a small team, but we are already the winners. God is on MY side. Won't you join? Step on the side of God. Be a part of the winning side. The side of truth. It will cost you. You will have to give up things you may want to hold on to. You will be called narrow minded. But you will have God on your side. There is nothing worth being His opponent.

I don't say any of this with a haughty spirit. Yes I am proud to be called God's child, but not in a prideful way that excludes others out of a spirit of hatred or piety. I wish everyone would come to the side of Truth and forgiveness (2 Peter 3:9). My heart hurts for the majority that snub their nose at God and say, "I'll do it my way". "I can't accept that a God of love would send someone to a place of torment forever."

You see, not only is He Love but He is Holy. He can't be near sin. We don't like holiness because it reveals our wickedness. But there is a solution. He LOVED in providing a Way. But you have to accept that way, otherwise you too will suffer eternal punishment.

I don't understand why people just can't accept that. It's so easy. It is amazing how we will sacrifice the eternal on the alter of the immediate. We want it our way for 80 years (if we get that) here on earth and give up eternal happiness. All for a blink of fleeting pleasure by doing it our way. How foolish.

On the flip side, how awesome it is to be a narrow minded child of the One True God! I am in awe that he chose me from the billions who have lived throughout history, and shown His light of truth on my heart, causing me to see my sin and accepting me when I came running to Him for forgiveness and reconciliation. He's on MY side because I'm on HIS side.

I think I will start singing now.

Welcome Home

I haven't posted in a few days because of our recent acquisition of the time hog better know as a newborn. We chose to call him Hunter. Although it is not new news to most who read this it is necessary that I post it to the blog.

We could not be more proud of our new addition, and second boy to carry on the Tuten name. Hunter Lee Tuten was born at 1:27pm on Tuesday January 20, 2009 weighing in at 8lbs 13oz. Most people say he's big but after his brother being well over 9 lbs he seems kind of light to us.

He and mommy are doing well. We had Papa and Grama here for a few days and now Nana (Raina's mom) is here for a few days to help as well. We sure enjoy having them around. Makes life a lot easier.

Sleep has been sparse lately and even more scarce for Raina as she feeds Hunter every couple of hours. While we are trying to adjust, Connor so far is doing quite well with the new intruder into his space. He calls him "my baby" most of the time and often loves on Hunter with a hug or a kiss.

I must admit, even with the lack of sleep and myriad of changes going on in the house, it still seems a little bit unreal. However, holding him and wondering what he will become and the awesome responsibility we have as parents to our two boys is by far the most sobering thought I have ever had.

Praise the Lord for another healthy baby boy!

Looking For a Hero

It seems everyone since time began has looked for a hero in someone else. Now days it is a music, hollywood or sports star. Of course the problem with looking to these people is that they are not only human and destined to fail, they are in a position to obtain things and participate in acts that are at best suspect and often times down right illegal and shameful. They have little to no character.

O.J Simpson cones to mind. It's hard to think of another celebrity that has fallen so far with actually dying. Barry Bonds in a legal battle still, trying to defend his use of a substance that gave him an edge in competition and brings into question his record of home run king. I can name more and fill page after page of examples. Everyday it seems there is some new sports star or celebrity that is arrested for a myriad of illegal activities from shootings to drunk driving to drug possession.

So why do we look up to these people? Although there are plenty of good answers I am sure, one stands out to me. Idol worship. In fact it is so obvious that one of the highest rated TV shows on right now is American IDOL. The irony is that we are the ones that make them stars. We spend the money to see them act or perform and create our gods to desire and worship.

Idol? Come on I can't be serious right? After all an idol is a statue that one worships and prays to. An image that is revered, that is...Stop! A what? Image! We have this ancient idea of an idol. Like a Budda or Greek statue that we bow down to. Well let's clarify what qualifies as an idol. According to the dictionary an idol is a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved or revered. Hmmmm. That is pretty broad.

I understand that it perfectly fine to enjoy a music performance or a good movie, etc. The problem arises when we began to desire what they have, or wish and maybe strive to look or be like that person.

According to scripture the first commandment is "To have no other gods before Me". Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. So an idol can be a superstar athlete or your dog. What is your heart set on? What can you not live without? Who would you rather be in this world?

Pain Is In Our Best Interest

This is the fourth of the sub-heads in my flurry of thoughts post. It has taken me some time to get to it but here are a few of my thoughts on this.

A friend from church just lost his father 3 months ago. He died way too soon. As I spoke with my friend last week he has an incredible hunger for the things of God. He has recently served time in Iraq in the war. Both the loss of his father and being in a war had spurned his desire to know God more.

Having lost loved ones, jobs, and struggled through a failed business and many other hardships in life, I can say that without them I would not have grown closer to God in the way that I have. I did not desire them and have at times not had the best attitude during those times of pain but I have grown through them.

C.S. Lewis, (my favorite author) in his book The Problem of Pain covers this in a much better, eloquent and comprehensive way than I can. He uses analogy of a an older dog who has undergone the pains of training from his master. The dog enjoys shelter, food, water and affection from the master. He knows what the puppy does not know. The pain of being made to conform to something that he is naturally against has it benefits. Left to himself he would be in the rain, the cold and most likely hungry trying to provide for himself.

While Lewis even admits it is not the perfect analogy, it truly is a great example of our life in relation to suffering. God allow and sometimes sends suffering to cause us to run to him. To call out to Him for direction and comfort. He is making us into a usable vessel. No we do not like it and it is sometimes more painful than we think we can handle but it IS in our best interest.

I sure wish there was an easier way. Having experienced and watched friends and family struggle through pain this past year I say as John does in Revelation 22:20, "Come Lord Jesus".

Are You Certain

As we prepare for our new arrival I have mixed emotions. Looking forward to the joy of another boy but not sure about all the sheetrock repair I am going to inevitably have to do having two boys around the house. Is it wrong to turn them loose in a fenced in area and leave food and water out for them? I'll let them in if it's cold! I'm not mean!

Actually I am looking forward to having brothers in the house and watching that dynamic. I'm looking forward to going camping with them, riding bikes and throwing the football. I am also looking forward to all the great quotes we will have to share through the years. Connor has a few of those already. Like last night when I asked him a question to which he said no, we asked in return, "Are you Certain?" he replied without hesitation,"No I Connor".