The TERRORIST comes to STEAL, and to KILL, and to DESTROY.
“…I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it MORE ABUNDANTLY.“ – Jesus
The solution to terrorism is Jesus.
Easter Morning Sunrise over Chattanooga
Category Archives: current events
A Helpful Heave for Hump Day
It is Hump Day, i.e. Wednesday.
So, besides using the Paint program on my computer to draw an amateurish illustrative, I have creatively compiled a collection of encouraging encouragers which may help heave your heavy heart over Hump Hill.
10 Reasons to be Glad It’s Wednesday
- At least it’s not Tuesday.
- Going uphill works muscles you use all the time; going downhill works the other ones.
- Oh, Monday is now two days in the past!
- Wednesday night is prayer night at many churches. That means tonight you can finally vent and feel spiritual at the same time.
- If you’re reading this that means your power hasn’t been shut off. Yay for you!
- People don’t like you? That’s OK! The people still liked Jesus on Wednesday, and look what happened to Him by the time Friday rolled around. It’s Wednesday, but it could be worse.
- If you like Wednesdays, it’s only 7 days (or 6, depending on your time zone) till the next one! Yippee!
- Unless you’re using it as a metaphor for impending doom, or unless you’re brakes have failed, you just fixed your hair, or there’s a swarm of bees ahead, going down hill can be fun!
- It’s easier to coast on a bicycle and yell “Look Ma! No hands!” when you’re going down a hill, as opposed to peddling up it. Take advantage of the week winding down to lift your hands in praise!
- Sunday is that much closer! Hallelujah! Easter is almost here!
Filed under current events, Easter, General Observations, Humor
Spin, Spin, Spin
When the newly-twenty Katie was just a wee tike, she loved to spin and spin and spin. It didn’t matter whether or not she got anywhere, just as long as she went in circles.
Hmm… she could have been a politician.
Filed under current events, politics
The IMB: How Did We Get Here?
The following was written and posted today (March 9) by Dr. Randy Davis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. It was so heartbreaking that I not only had to share it here, but I will be sharing it in our prayer meeting tonight.
It was a dark day two weeks ago when International Mission Board President David Platt stepped to the microphone to inform Southern Baptists that 983 missionaries and 149 IMB staffers were stepping…
Source: The IMB: How Did We Get Here?
Filed under baptist, Church, current events, ministry, Witnessing
Save the Pragmatism For Later
The following is an iPost.
Today is Super Tuesday, the day when people in 13 states go to the polls to cast their ballot for the person they think should serve as their party’s nominee for President.
Unfortunately, many are not going to cast their vote based on principle or for conscience sake. No, many are going to the primary polls with a resigned sense of pragmatic inevitability. They are going to vote for the one they think is going to have the best chance of winning.
But why? Why not use the primary election to vote your conscience? Why not take this time to vote based on principle? Why not go ahead and vote for the one you REALLY want to be President, not the one everyone says in “inevitable”? If he’s inevitable, voting on principle won’t change things, but at least you’ll have a clean conscience.
When the general election rolls around, that’s when you can be pragmatic, if necessary. You will have already voted with your heart, then you’ll be able to vote with your mind. With only two choices, one has to be better than the other in some way, so think what’s best for the country and vote accordingly.
But for today, vote for who you really want. Who knows? Others may feel the same way.
Filed under America, current events
Just the Sound of BB’s
This post was first published in 2013.
Now that it’s an election year, it’s time for a reminder.
The attached video is not graphic, but hopefully disturbing. It is not gross or disgusting, only sobering.
Please listen to the sound of BB’s in a tin can.
I agree with the author of this video – God help us!
Here is another video you should watch. It is of an abortion survivor. Very powerful.
But you know what, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that there is hope for those who have had abortions. Watch and listen to my friends (who I used to play bass guitar with), Adam and Kathy Glover (Adam is now a pastor). This was from several years ago.
We were at their home when this aired, and you should have seen the emails that flooded Kathy’s computer.
Kathy had abortions, but God has brought healing. Now they devote much of their time reaching out to those who struggle with the guilt of past and hidden sin.
Filed under Abortion, America, current events, Relationships and Family, Uncategorized, voting
A Tragic Loss
To the family of Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Antonin Scalia (3/11/36 – 2/13/16), you are in our prayers. May the God of all comfort bring you peace at this time of mourning.
Your nation mourns with you.
Justice Scalia was one of a rare breed of principled, God-fearing men, never afraid to speak the truth, even when public opinion might be drifting in a different direction.
Justice Scalia believed that the Constitution of the United States was not something to be twisted into an adulterated tool of political correctness. He also decried the current tendency of the Supreme Court to “make law” instead of simply interpreting it.
“Persuade your fellow citizens it’s a good idea and pass a law. That’s what democracy is all about. It’s not about nine superannuated judges who have been there too long, imposing these demands on society.” – Antonin Scalia
The First Amendment has lost a champion.
Filed under America, current events, Life/Death
Kindled But a Little
This morning I left home early to retrieve my daughter from the college where she attends and resides. On the ride up to Bryan College, and then on the way back with her in the van, I listened to a sermon delivered years ago by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones. Taken from Psalm chapter 2, the title was “Why Do the Heathen Rage?”
One particular point that the great old preacher stressed was that God has allowed many things to happen to men and nations, all because they have spurned His guidance. The heathen of the world, those that want nothing to do with God, conspire with each other, plan together, and do all they can do to live without God’s Law.
They raise their unified voices in harmonious rebellion as they cry out, “Let us break free from the restraints of this imaginary “lawgiver” and cast them utterly aside!”
Yet, God laughs.
And then He lets them see how life works with no restraints, no laws, no God.
When His anger is kindled but just a little, He takes away His providential hand and lets man destroy himself. Is this not what we see even today? Men destroying themselves because they refuse to live by God’s most simple commands?
But even yet, we have only seen God’s wrath kindled but a little, and men “perish from the way.”
OH! What it will be like when God pours out His wrath upon men? How will they that mock Him stand? They won’t.
Oh, if they could only get a glimpse of the mighty terror of the Creator!
Then, on the way back home this morning, as the sun was rising over a cold, cloudy Chattanooga, I saw light break through the gray and stream upon the city below.
From one small, blazingly-bright spot emanated white beams. At this sight I said to Katie, “You know, that sort of looks like an eye, but instead of a black pupil, the pupil is light, and the streams of light make up the iris.”
Then I thought of the descriptions of the returning Christ as spoken of in the Book of Revelation. Fire. Righteousness.
I drove home as fast as I could and started drawing this picture. It’s the best I could do. And then I began to write what you are reading.
And this was but one eye.
And it was only the sun in the sky, not the Son.
And on Him was the wrath of God poured out for me! OH, the GRACE OF GOD that He would love me! “What is man that Thou are mindful of him?”
And then once more I contemplated the text Dr. Lloyd-Jones read…
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him. – Psalm 2:12
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those that are wise fear Him. Those that fear Him love Him. Those that love Him rest in His mercy and grace.
And all this made me shudder as tears came into my own eyes.
Filed under current events, Faith, General Observations, God, worship
Why, Dear Muslim? Why?
Reasons for Killing
I know this is dangerous, but I just want to ask the question that so many others are asking:
Why?
Last Friday more Christians were killed by Muslims (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb {AQIM}), this time in Burkina Faso. The following was given as the reason:
“In a new message from the heroic champions of Islam, with their blood and their bodies, to the slaves of the cross, the occupiers of our homes, the looters of our wealth, and who would undermine our security, launched a group of knights, Al Murabitoon, on a commando raid in Hotel Splendid…. [This is] a reminder to the worshipers of the cross of their crimes against our people in Central Africa and Mali and other Muslim countries and revenge for our Prophet.”
Seriously?
Missionaries Amy and Michael Rittering
American missionary, 45-year-old Michael Riddering, ran an orphanage, helped women in crisis, and even helped dig graves during the Ebola crisis! What did he loot? What did he occupy? How did he undermine your security? How many of your children did he kill?
Canadians Yves Carrier, Gladys Chamberland, and their two children, Charles-Élie, 19, and Maude, 37, along with two of their friends, Suzanne Bernier and Louis Chabot, were volunteering as short-term missionaries…helping the poor and the orphans! What wealth did they loot? What did they occupy? How did they undermine your security? How many of your children did they kill?
Reasons for Living
Slaves of the cross? At least you go that part correct. But do you know why? Because of love! The cross of Christ compelled them to LOVE!
You terrorists think nothing of taking innocent life. In your twisted thinking you justify killing helpless women and children as you dare call yourselves “knights”? What kind of cowardly soldier of the crescent are you? You think it’s brave to shoot a crying child with an AK-47? The brave ones are the ones who go unarmed into your countries, risking their lives, all to help alleviate the suffering your oppressive and sadistic beliefs bring about.
Dear Muslim, why can’t you see that this path of bloodshed, of beheadings, of stabbings, of raping in the streets, of sex slavery, of beatings, of destroying ancient artifacts, of killing those who only want to bring peace is the WRONG path?
Why?
The greatest Christians are those who willingly lay down their lives so that others might be saved; the greatest Muslims (from what we see) are those who willingly lay down their lives so that others may die. Can you see the stark difference?
You follow Islam and the Prophet with such legalistic fervor. You keep all the laws with such religiosity, yet never truly know if you are accepted by Allah. You do all these things in order to earn his praise and the respect of others. But what is it really getting you? Love? Grace? Forgiveness for your sins? Peace? No, only bloodshed.
We follow Jesus Christ because it was He who laid down HIS life – not to take the lives of others, but to set them free from the law of sin and death! He died on the cross, in our place, in order to satisfy the righteous judgment of God! When we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! All we have to do is accept the Gift of God’s mercy and be forgiven! We voluntarily submit our lives to the One who gave His so that we might live forever!! And we don’t have to blow ourselves to pieces, either!
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Galatians 3:13 – “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:”
Titus 2:14 – “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
1 Peter 2:24 – “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
There is a better way, dear Muslim! Why can’t you see it? Or, rather, why can’t you see Him? Why?
- Call 1-800-NEED-HIM if you’d like to talk with someone about Jesus.
Filed under Countries, current events, Faith, Life/Death, ministry, Struggles and Trials
At Least It’s Not 107 Degrees!
Cold
It’s cold in Chattanooga. How cold is it? I put ice cubes down my shirt just to warm up.
Seriously, this morning schools are delayed two hours because it’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just stupid cold for this part of the country.
My daddy used to say, “It’s as cold as a witch’s upper torso.” If you can figure out what that means, more power to ya’.
Heat
The funny thing is that no matter what the temperature, whether cold or hot, people are always going to wish it was the opposite. When it’s hot outside people complain. When it’s cold outside people complain. The only people I never hear complain are the ones who have the same climate year round, like the North Pole or Hawaii.
So, as you down here in the South complain about how cold it is, just remember the heat wave of 2012. That was when we would have welcomed a cold snap. I mean, 107 degrees and humid is hot no matter where you live!
“I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11-13 HCSB
Maybe we should just take a cue from the Apostle Paul and learn to be content – no matter what temperature life may bring.
Filed under Christian Maturity, current events
