Category Archives: World View

by | December 29, 2010 · 11:56 am

Turning Away the Tide

The following words are going to be disturbing on several levels.

1.  I am going to be talking about doing laundry.

2.  I am going to be talking about how girls should dress, which will make some think I am a prude.

3. I am going to be talking about doing laundry (I said that, already, but I hate doing laundry).

I do have to do laundry at times. It is not the norm, mind you, because my wife is very particular about how things are to be done. She can go totally postal (sorta) if clothes are not washed and dried properly. Towels have to be folded just so-so. Colors are an important, for some reason. She even wants it done on a regular basis. For crying out loud! I don’t know if I can handle all of the stress.

My wife is pretty particular about our laundry, but we are both capable of handling the job. However, I may know more than I want her to think. If I volunteer too much info, then you know what will happen – she’ll make me do more laundry.  I would rather wash the car, sweep the garage, or go on vacation. So, don’t be surprized to learn that a few colored items end up in the wash with whites every now and then. I don’t want her to trust me too much.  But when it comes to detergent, we are in total agreement and get along just fine. We do NOT use Tide.

What is wrong with Tide? Nothing is wrong with the product.  As a matter of fact, Tide rests on the top of the laundry pile when it comes to quality – it does what it promises.  So what is the problem? Tide’s advertising.

It seems to me that someone at Proctor & Gamble needs to learn a little about parenting, marriage, and ethics.  A couple of recent commercials leave me wondering whether or not they understand the role of a mother or a father, or the difference between love and enabling. First there was the commercial showing a mother lying to her daughter about wearing and soiling a particular top. Then came the newest commercial depicting a caring dad as a prudish killjoy, while the mom becomes the hero when she washes the daughters miniskirt.  What is going on, here? Well, it’s called advertizing.

Tide’s slogan is now, “Style is an option. Clean is not.” Style is an option. As a recovering legalist, I try to be careful when it comes to choices people make about clothing. I don’t want to be too quick to judge, for there are many options available to those who have the money to spend; yet, taste should not take precedent over decency and modesty. As a company, P&G may think it is making a point about clean clothes, but the commercials are encouraging real ethical problems.

Let’s take, for instance, the mother lying over the daughter’s green top (http://youtube.com/watch?v=1cljX9iMwgQ). The commercial is cute, for sure. It even gives a shout out to grown ups for still being able to get down and have fun (you go, Mom!). But what about lying to your children? What about taking things without asking? OK, so it’s pretty harmless, right? It’s not like the mom is causing the girl to sin, or anything, you think? Maybe not, but there’s more.

Picture this: dad walks by clothes line, sees white miniskirt, takes it down with dirty hands, then throws it away. Next, girl finds miniskirt in trash, takes it to mom who promptly washes it in Tide, then looks begrudgingly at husband before smiling with approval at scantily dressed daughter who walks passed a shocked dad. Please tell me I am not the only one who sees something wrong with this.

Again, “style is an option,” but clean is not. The only problem is that the role of the parent is to protect and mentor the child, not just provide her clean clothes. Whether or not the dad should have thrown away his daughter’s skirt is debatable (I would have, especially if she was underage). What is not debatable is that the dad did not want his daughter wearing something that was meant to make guys want to see more.  The dad wanted to protect his little girl. Mom, on the other hand, showed no respect for her husband and gave the impression that crimping one’s style is more dangerous than causing boys to lust. That’s what is wrong with this kind of advertising.

For a while there have been rumors circulating about Proctor & Gamble (makers of Tide) giving money to the Church of Satan. According to Snopes.com, the stories are completely false, maybe scandalous (http://www.snopes.com/business/alliance/procter.asp). This is not why I chose not to purchase Tide. I simply do not want to encourage a form of advertising that clearly belittles parental perogatives and elevates unethical behavior.

Style is an option, but a clean heart is not.

For the record, if you are a parent and let your daughter wear miniskirts and the like, don’t complain when you end up dealing with pregnancy, STD’s, abuse, or abduction. Even more, don’t be astonished when you stand before the Lord and give an account. Your allowing your daughter to dress that way not only puts her in danger, but leaves you partly responsible for causing another mother’s son to sin, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Mat 5:28 ESV

One more reason why I don’t use Tide is this: it reminds me too much of Alabama…ugh!

 

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by | December 28, 2010 · 2:57 pm

What’s Down the Road?

I was just thinking about the new year, not to mention all of the things that I have committed to do. First, there were simple things like pounds to lose, things to fix, books to read, tests to take, messages to preach, and people to see.  Now, on top of all of that, there are more threats of war, higher fuel prices, decreasing morals, and a new season of American Idol. What are we going to do?

A wallpaper picture really caught my attention, today. The scene was a peaceful road leading towards some distant mountains obscuring the horizon. Above the mountains were what seemed to be fireworks and the phrase, “Happy New Year!” It caught my attention because it made me think, “Are we driving into a celebration, or a battle?”

We may not like to think of it this way, but we have lived in a pretty peaceful world for a number of years. Well, just to qualify that statement, Americans have lived peacefully. Even with the last 20 years’ worth of gulf wars, nothing we have experienced in the last 30+ years compares to the Vietnam conflict, the Korean War, or especially World Wars 1 and 2. The world has had its share of trouble, but nothing on the scale of the world wars and genocides of the early to mid 1900’s. Is it possible that the road leading into 2011 may find something besides celebration?

Just a quick glance of the the world news today gave me a shudder……

When you think about it, our country is no longer the leader she once was. We have lost our moral authority and our will to act unilaterally. Our leadership is seeking a plurality of world powers in the name of peace, while giving away our blood-bought sovereignty wrapped in treaties. The peace that was maintained by our threat of force is now up for grabs by any snot-nosed maniac willing to threaten with a car bomb. Who will now lead us down the road? Even more frightening, who are we willing to let lead us?

But even with all the doom and gloom on the horizon, there is hope.

Things could really get bad in the days ahead, and that should disturb us. What is just beyond the mountains ahead could spell the end to everything we have grown to accept as normal and peaceful. Even so, our hope is not in man, nor governments, nor political parties, or fragile treaties. Our hope is in God. Our God is in control.

Just think, the Bible is a good example of how nations can come and go like the seasons of the year. Israel was hardly ever at peace, yet the believers in God were comforted with such words as, “Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isa 41:10 KJV

If world markets crumble and governments collapse; if Social Security checks cease; if jobs become harder to find than Lindsay Lohan‘s common sense; God is still God. Followers of Jesus need not fear what is down the road. He can take care of His own.

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. – Luk 12:22-30 ESV

The future could be full of conflict, or it could be as peaceful as ever. We don’t know what the fireworks mean. But one thing is for sure, “I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.” As I walk down the road of life, I am not alone.

Bring on the future!

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by | December 20, 2010 · 12:56 pm

Quick Update to the “Mr. Gore” Question

 

How did Bill define "cold?"

In a previous article, I asked if Mr. Al Gore had any more predictions about the future climate.  That article also had links to stories detailing the record-breaking cold in the UK.

 

Well, the story now is that this is the coldest it’s been in England since records have been kept.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1339149/Big-freeze-Temperatures-plummet-10C-bringing-travel-chaos-Britain.html

Funny, isn’t it.  According to a story back in 2000, the children of England were supposed to be crying in their suntan lotion over never being able to see snow again. I’ve linked the story for your enjoyment.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/snowfalls-are-now-just-a-thing-of-the-past-724017.html

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by | December 16, 2010 · 11:05 pm

What’s Your Life Worth?

So, I get a phone call from a reader who asks, “Is everything on your site serious?” Well, obviously, no. Even my chili recipe contained humor. But this post may be more serious than others.

This one is serious.

What would you die for? What is so valuable that you would risk or even sacrifice your own life? Have you ever stopped to think about that? You should.

The typical things in life that are considered so valuable, when put in perspective, aren’t really worth that much. Even the most “priceless” treasures are not worth your life – or are they? Would you fight a thief for your purse or car? Then you are saying those things are more valuable than your life, for you are willing to risk your life to keep them. It is how people die every day in the pursuit of, and the keeping of earthly possessions. Foolish, frankly.

Even more than concrete items, some value their pride more than life. They are willing to fight to the death, or kill others when insulted or “dissed.” Perception is NOT reality, just as integrity is not determined by opinion; yet, some would rather risk death than be thought of wrongly. So many have yet to learn that what people think of them does not determine the reality of who they are.

From the perspective of family, I would say that most believe life is worth risking life. If my loved ones were in danger, then it would be natural to put my life on the line. Really, there is no argument against this one. But on the other hand, society is very fickled when it comes to how it determines the value of one life. One life is not as valuable as another, after all. Life is not as valuable to some if convenience or personal pleasure is at stake.  I would die for my children, but many kill their own children before birth.  It seems to me that values gold more consistently than life itself.

What about beliefs? Are you willing to die for what you believe? Now this, I know, could open up a whole can of worms; but that’s ok. Just stop and think about it for a moment. Do you believe in anything so much that it is worth more than your own life? When your life is on the line, knowing the difference between what you believe and what is only opinion is of key importance. A martyr is one who will die for what they believe, rather than deny it.  Is your faith worth dying for?  If not, then how much do you really believe?

But here’s one more thought…how much is YOUR life worth?

Value is determined by what someone is willing to give for it, right? That’s typically the way it goes. So, if nothing on earth is more valuable than your life, does that make your life valuable? Well, maybe to you. Think about it, to someone else your life might not be as valuable as their own. Would you value the life of a total stranger so much that you would offer your own in exchange? I mean, really? Someone may even be willing to give all of the world’s riches in order to obtain your life, but are you worth it? Who would even have that kind of wealth? That leaves you with nothing more than your sense of value compared to another’s. Your worth against theirs.

Value is relative to the thing for which the buyer will exchange.  That’s a disturbing thought, isn’t it?

On the other hand, what if the Creator of the universe offered to die for you?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Rom 5:8 NIV

That would make you of incalculable worth! The King of Heaven, the Son of God, gave His own life in exchange for yours, even accepting your guilts and failures as His own, and paying the death penalty for sin on your behalf.

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. – 2Corinthians 5:21 KJV

That makes you valuable. That makes Jesus pretty unique. How many others have done what He has for you? Most of us would die for our children or spouse.  Some of us would die for a friend or maybe a good person.  But how many of us would give our own life to purchase the life of a stranger, much less a convict, drug dealer, murderer, etc?  Jesus did.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Rom 5:6-8 NIV

That’s the whole reason for Christmas, you know.  Jesus had to come to earth as a baby to grow into the Man that would willingly go to a cruel cross.  The gift of Christmas is the gift of life, purchased with the life of the Giver of Life. How ironic is that; and how wonderful?

What is your life worth?  Well, it was worth the Messiah suffering the most excruciating death Rome could conceive.  It was worth the Prince of Peace being shredded by a “cat of nine tails.” It was worth God becoming flesh so that we could know Him.  If you are worth that much, and if that kind of price was paid, don’t you think giving your life to Jesus is a fair exchange?

If you would like to know more about Jesus, and how he loves you and died for you, then call this number, 1-800-NEED-HIM. Or, if you would like to talk with me, just send me an email.  Your life is worth it.

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by | December 9, 2010 · 11:51 am

Any More Predictions, Mr. Gore?

Correct me if I am wrong, but weren’t we supposed to be covered in water by now?  Weren’t we supposed to be sweating it out in sauna-like conditions because of “global warming?”  Unless I missed something, isn’t snow and record cold temperatures sorta like, ummm, NOT a sign Santa is going to be wearing a tank-top and speedos?

Just listen to some of what is going on right now:

Al Gore said in a speech to the National Sierra Club, Sept. 9, 2005, “The warnings about global warming have been extremely clear for a long time. We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period of consequences.”  Really? Well, Al, don’t blame me if I am confused, ok? I would have thought that if the world was warming, then we shouldn’t be breaking 351 year old cold temperature records, or thinking of bringing back Rudolph to help Santa navigate through the snow storms.

There is no question that, if we looked, we could see evidence of change in global weather patterns over the years.  The thing that has to be remembered is that weather has changed and will continue to change, but man has nothing to do with it.  As a matter of fact, it is the One who created the weather that has it in His control.

Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things. – Jer 14:22 ESV

I say that we don’t put our trust in the Al Gores of the world, but in the Saviour of the world, Jesus.  After all, we can blow all the hot air we want, but it was Jesus who spoke to the wind, and there was a great calm (Psalm 107:29; Mark 4:39).

He can calm the storms in your life, too.


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by | December 3, 2010 · 1:11 pm

Clark Kent’s Glasses and Sharia Law

I got some new glasses, finally.  I have been waiting for these over-priced sight-fixers for months.  Long story short, it has been a struggle finding the right frames, lenses, price, and place that accepts Care Credit.  You can see from the picture the difference, cosmetically, from the older, black frame…the new ones are rimless (they’re also progressive bi-focals, too, because I’m getting old and decrepit).

When looking in the mirror at my new appearance, a deep and profound thought crossed my mind: “How would rimless glasses affected the secret identity of Superman?”  You know what I am talking about, right?  Superman had a clever, foolproof disguise which kept his identity from being discovered – glasses.  Superman (a.k.a. Clark Kent), when not out saving the day in his jumpsuit and cape, wore a business suit and dark-rimmed glasses.  That fooled everybody!  Even the love of his life, Lois Lane, could make out with him without his glasses, only to totally not recognize him later at the office – it was the glasses.  Amazing.

Now, consider for a moment, what if the styles had been different back then?  If, let’s say, Superman had strolled into the local LensCrafters to purchase a pair of specs, what would he have done if all they had were rimless frames?  What if, after a few decades of being Clark Kent, the styles changed and management at the news paper wanted him to upgrade his look?  What would have happened if the crew from “What Not to Wear” (on TLC) were called in to do a makeover?  Wow!  That would have been interesting!  I could just imagine Stacy and Clinton confronting him for the first time…

Clinton:  Clark, we have been watching you with our hidden cameras for a few days, and you never change clothes.  As a

Stacy and Clint

matter of fact, you disappear a lot, only to come back to work in the same clothes you always wear.Stacy:   That’s right, Clark, and your coworkers have gotten together to do an intervention.  They want you to change with the times.

Clinton:   Yeah, Clark, you have got a look straight out of the 1940’s and it’s got to change.  Let’s start right now.

Stacy:   Clark, we have an appointment set for you with the Optomitrist to the stars, Franko Foofoo, and we are going to update your eyewear….here, let’s just imaging what you might look like, for instance, in a pair of Sillouette rimless frames…..let me just take those old, black ones………

Clinton:  OMG!!!!  It’s SUPERMAN!  (whispering to Stacy, “I always thought he looked super in those tights.”)

Seriously, how crazy is it that just a pair of glasses would keep a famous person from being recognized by his closest friends?  I mean, really?  The truth about Superman’s identity should have been easy to see, even if he had worn a wig and a rubber nose.  All the fans of Superman figured it out the first episode.  Well, sometimes I wonder if the same sort of blindness to the obvious is what is wrong with most people today.  I could site example after example until this article turned into a book the size of “War and Peace.”  Instead of that, let me just share with you one example.

If you follow this link, http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/12/afghan-women/addario-photography, you will see a picture of a poor woman in Afghanistan.  Let me quote the caption beneath the picture…

The Wails of a Jailed Wife

A female inmate at a Mazar-e Sharif prison has just been released, prompting Maida-Khal, 22, to cry out because she is still trapped in her cell. When Maida-Khal was 12, she was married to a man of about 70 who was paralyzed. “I was so young, I couldn’t carry him because he was so heavy, so his brothers would beat me,” she recalls. When she asked for a divorce four years ago, she was imprisoned. “I am in jail because I don’t have a mahram [male guardian]. I can’t get a divorce, and I can’t leave prison without a man.” She says, with remarkable understatement, “I have had a difficult life.”

Is that not just horrible? What kind of law would allow a 22 year old girl to go prison because she wanted to get a divorce from an abuser, then keep her there indefinitely because she didn’t have a man?  It’s called Sharia Law, and it’s coming to a courthouse near you!

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about allowing Sharia Law into our American courts.  A case is being battled at this very moment (see link at bottom of page) between the people of Oklahoma and Muneer Awad, director of the Oklahoma chapter of  the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Oklahoma was the first state to say “no” to Sharia Law being considered, or worse, implemented in court.  Muneer Awad said this was an affront to his religious rights.  So, even though the people voted overwhelmingly, a judge put a hold on the results.

Alan Combs, the well-know Liberal spokesman, quoted in his blog a professor from the University of Oklahoma’s College of Law, Joseph Thai:

“There is no plausible danger of international law or Sharia law overtaking the legal system,” Thai said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. He said courts only consider international law when deciding issues involving a federal treaty, a business contract or a will that incorporates international law.

http://www.alan.com/2010/11/05/cair-seeks-injunction-on-oklahoma-vote-banning-sharia-law/

The problem with all of this is, however, akin to not recognizing Superman, in spite of his disguise.  Many of us know the true intentions of those who want Sharia Law to be allowed in our courts.  We can see through the horn-rimmed glasses and distinguish the face of terror and oppression.  This is not a battle for equal rights and religious freedom.  This is a fight for Western Culture, for Judeo-Christian ethics, for a Constitution that was based on the premise that “all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” among them the right for women to not be treated as cattle, sex–slaves, and punching bags! For crying out loud, where’s Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem when you need them?  What about Equal Rights?

Look again at that picture of the woman in Afghanistan.  My heart literally breaks for her.  Does the American system of law allow that kind of abuse?  No, but Sharia Law does.  Where in our Constitution does it state that a man can behead his wife or daughter, keep his daughter locked up, or kill a person for just embarrassing the family by converting to Christianity?  Nowhere, but Sharia Law allows it. Who gives a flying prayer rug if this guy in Oklahoma is offended?  I’m not!  If he wants Sharia Law, then let him go to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, etc.  There, his view will be welcomed with open, manly arms (I’m just not sure the women are too thrilled about it).

The supporters of Sharia Law are walking around our country wearing Clark Kent’s glasses…

Who could it be?

They are saying, “I am not who you think I am.  I am not trying to change your country or your culture.  I don’t want this country to become a Muslim theocracy governed by Sharia Law, NO WAY!  I like American apple pie just as much as you, friend.  As a matter of fact I, too, think America is the greatest country in the world! I don’t want to change a thing.”  Then, just when you think everything is going fine, the glasses come off, but it’s too late.  The difference between Superman and Sharia is that Superman fought for “truth, justice, and the American way.”  Sharia Law and it’s supporters follow a five-fold path that is anything but the Constitutional way.

In conclusion, you may think that I should give a “shout out” to all the “peaceful” Muslims out there who want to live in harmony with other Americans and people of all faiths, including Christians.  You may think that I should admit Islam is a “peaceful and great religion” that has been “highjacked and perverted by terrorist.“ If that is what you want me to say, then let me say this, “You, too, would have believed Clark Kent was just a mild-mannered reporter.”

Look past the glasses, folks.

For further consideration, here’s an enlightening article from the Heritage Foundation, “The Real Impact of Sharia Law”: http://blog.heritage.org/?p=42257.

Story on the Oklahoma case: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/08/oklahomas-ban-shariah-law-blocked-critics-say-attorney-general-failed-respond/

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by | November 26, 2010 · 7:10 pm

The Home Depot: Supporter of Non-Traditional Homes


“A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs. The predominant usage in modern American English refers to persons hostile to those of differing race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, various mental disorders, or religion.”  – Wikipedia

“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” – Jesus, John 7:7

This may be controversial.  You may disagree with me; but I have read the articles.  I have tried to examine both sides of the story. Now, let me throw in my two cents (and maybe a third).

Do you ever have to purchase supplies for your home or business such as , let’s say, lumber, lighting, plumbing, or painting products?  If so, then you have probably made the choice to go to The Home Depot, at least once.  You have to admit, they draw you in with the big, orange sign, don’t they?  Well, you may also be aware that there are several other places you could go to purchase the same products.  Home Depot is not the only shop in town.  I would advise you to consider other options.  Let me tell you why.

Wait, before I go any further, let me say that privately owned businesses have every right to decide how they want to spend their money, write their employee dress code rules, and to what degree they want to support a charity or cause.  Therefore, it is perfectly fair that The Home Depot is taking advantage of every right available to them.  With that in mind, because they are exercising their freedoms, I believe that it should be acceptable to exercise our free right to choose where to shop…especially if there is an option to shop at another business which does not promote gay marriage and the redefinition of traditional marriage.

Whoa now, partner! Get off that sawhorse!

Am I saying that everyone should stop patronizing The Home Depot because they treat homosexuals with equality?  No, of course not.  What I am saying is that everyone who believes that marriage, as defined by the Bible and current social norms, not to mention natural observation (yeah, I’ll stand by that), should exercise their privilege to shop at places that don’t, as a matter of company policy, stand at odds with said beliefs, norms, and observations.  The Home Depot is NOT a neutral player in the current culture war. So, if you believe that there comes a time when one must take a side, The Home Depot has provided the rainbow-colored fence.

Oh, you may say that if I am going to take the stance of not shopping at The Home Depot, then I might as well stop shopping anywhere for anything, right?  What company does not involve itself with homosexuals?  Few, I would imagine.  Sadly, there is evidence that multiple companies with which I have to do business support LGBT events and market advertising towards gays and lesbians.  Coke was one of two “Rainbow” sponsors (the other was Bud Light) at the 2010 Gay Pride parade in Atlanta.  Suntrust bank was a minor sponsor, also (at least they provided t-shirts to one group in the parade).  Then there was Ford who, in 2005, produced an add for gays, then pulled it, then reinstated it a week later.  If I were to disassociate myself from every company that had anything to do with homosexuals I would have to dig a hole and live in it.  I understand that.  In this case, however, with The Home Depot, I am choosing to draw a line.  Why, because more than just trying to make a buck, as typical companies, The Home Depot has more in mind.

Recovering Legalist Teaching Moment Alert!

I understand that not everyone will choose to do what I do.  Each person must feel convicted in his own heart about such decisions.  Some may have family members that work at The Home Depot and have families to support.  It would be foolish to ask them to walk off their job, especially if they felt God put them there.  Sometimes people have to purchase items from places which aren’t the perfect choice.  Sometimes you have to do what you have to do – that is what grace is all about.

The legalist would say that if you now know that all these places give money to gay organizations, you should never give them your patronage.  If you do, they would argue, you would be committing sin and risk banishment.  Grace doesn’t work that way.  At times, the only good decision is the one that is better than the other – neither may be perfect.  Sometimes you may have to get your water from a bar.  One day you may find yourself having to “eat the showbread” from the temple (1 Samuel 21:4-6).  All God asks is a heart and mind that seeks after Him first.  To Him only do His slaves answer.

Now, back to the main article.

For a while now, The Home Depot has been very involved in supporting the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) lifestyle.  Recently, The Home Depot has financially and materially supported numerous Gay Pride parades and activities* (see links below); the most controversial being the youth activity tents. Hey, “go for it,” I say!  Support whoever you want, Home Depot!  But guess what, I support the defense of traditional marriage and the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.  If you, El Depot, are going to choose to actively support and encourage a lifestyle that actively seeks to destroy the culture and belief system I defend, I am going to choose to go elsewhere.  Choice works both ways (I just don’t GO both ways).  I don’t want your version of plumbing.

If The Home Depot wants to provide new closets to replace the ones the gays “came out” of, then hey, that’s the way the rainbow arches. However, I can decide where I want to spend the gold at the end of my rainbow.  If you want to allow some employees to decorate their aprons with slogans and emblems which offend the God of heaven, while denying others the right to wear a pin which says “One Nation Under God,“* then I don’t want to give my dollars, with the prohibited slogan printed on them, to help you.  Thanks, but no thanks.

God has made me a steward of His gifts.  He has given me the ability to work and earn an income.  He has called me to be a witness and an example of His mercy and grace.  But because He has made me a steward, it is my responsibility to use His money (it all belongs to Him) in such a way that reflects His holiness.  Because of this, I don’t think He would be pleased with me using His money to support, almost directly, the destruction of the family, as HE defines it, by supporting gay and lesbian causes championed by Home Depot.

You know, we do live in a fallen, sinful world.

It would be impossible to totally remove ourselves, as Christians, from every aspect of life that rubs shoulders with things we object.  We have to choose our battles, though.  We may have to eat at places that sell alcohol to drunks.  We have to get help at hospitals that have to perform abortions.  We put fuel in our cars that probably came from Christian-killing, Muslim sheiks in Saudi Arabia.  We buy clothes from the same manufacturers who’s designers are probably ALL gay.  So, we can’t totally get away with boycotting everything – but we can make smarter choices.  We could choose to pay more and buy local, for one thing.  All I am saying is pick one battle, at least.  Then, pray the prayer of Peter Marshall:

Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for — because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.

Check out the links below to find out more on this subject.  Feel free to check out both sides of the story, too.  But do this: If you are a Christian, or if you care about TRUE fairness and equality in the workplace, then let your voice be heard on this subject, and others like it.  Don’t sit back and think that it is going to go away or get better.  There is a battle going on out there for the hearts and minds of future generations.  The LGBT crowd is doing all they can to become mainstream and accepted by all, regardless of religious or personal convictions.  While there is still hope, take a stand, bear your cross.   If you need the wood to build one, well, why not go to Lowe’s?  Heck, “Ace is the place with the helpful hardware person,” and that should be enough.

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another…” – the Apostle Paul, Letter to the Romans, Chapter 1


*Links for your further consideration:

The American Family Association’s take on the matter.   http://action.afa.net/item.aspx?id=2147496231

Change.org’s (Gay Rights) opinion.  http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/home_depots_pac_gives_liberally_to_anti-gay_politicos_dont_tell_the_afa

The Home Depot’s own words (see Affinity Groups).  https://careers.homedepot.com/cg/content.do?p=diversity

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by | November 25, 2010 · 10:30 am

Remembering to WHOM We Give Thanks

The Thanksgiving holiday is all about thanks, but so little about the Object of our thanks.

What would be the harm in reflecting upon the words of our Founding Father, President George Washington?  Do you remember him? Supposedly, he was a guy that people say was a deist.  A deist?  Yeah, a person who believes that God made the universe, the world, and maybe even man, but took a hands-off approach after that.

But wait!  What can you thank a “hands-off” God for?

If George Washington was a deist, then he hid it really well.  It seems to me that he believed America owed a great debt of gratitude to an Almighty God who bestowed “benefits,” “mercies,” and forgiveness for “transgressions [national and other].”  That doesn’t sound like a card-carrying deist to me.

And to think, there are those who say our founding fathers wanted to separate faith from public life.  Evidently, they were….shall I say….wrong?

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

May God continue to bless the United States of America.  May we humble ourselves and give Him thanks.  Without His mercies and providence, we would not be the nation we are.  Without Him, I fear what we will become.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

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by | November 16, 2010 · 2:52 pm

Bumper Stickers

"The Ride"

My wife will not let me put a bumper sticker of any kind on her car.  Even if she was driving a rusty Chevy Vega which desperately needed the qualities of something with adhesive properties to keep her bumper stuck to her car…no bumper stickers.  Not so with my Ride.  I don’t need no stinkin’ sticky things!  Just staples and zip ties, thank you.  Really, what I mean to say is that “The Ride” is not too good to advertize TheRecoveringLegalist.com, even though my wife thinks her car is too special.  HA!

Bumper stickers are something akin to free advertisement…

…They promote whatever you want other people to know about you and what you think, or for that matter, how well your kids think.  Plastered to the back of a rolling billboard, they catch the eye of total strangers who have the random chance to find themselves behind you and I in traffic, or who catch a glimpse in a parking garage.  Some people, I have come to realize, are advertizing more than they know, for some bumper stickers betray a hidden (at least to the owner of the car) stupidity.

There are so many bumper stickers that scream “MORON!”

Here is one that I saw.  What a profound question.  Why do we kill people that kill people?  Could it be that we don’t want them to killpeople again?  Could it be that they deserve to die for taking an innocent child’s life?  Could it be that there are those out there on parole who would love to shoot your stupid…..(calm yourself, Anthony)…..well, they would love to steal your car and leave you beside the road in a ditch, then drive away with your false advertisement on THEIR bumper.

The one that I would have to say gets me the most, maybe because I see it the most, is COEXIST.  I just love all the little symbols that are used to make up the happy little plea for love and harmony.  Too bad what it tells me is that the owner of the car is a blooming idiot, at the very least, or somehow an ostrich has learned how to drive with his head in the sand.  The message behind the little sticker is really, “Hey you Christians!  Can you quit being so narrow-minded and hateful?  Don’t you know that we all just want to get along, but you keep screwing it up?”  All religions are the same, you know, or that’s the idea.  We are all worshipping the same god, just by a different name.  All paths lead to heaven, it’s just that some choose to take a shortcut by blowing themselves to Allah in the name of Jihad…is that so wrong?

Tell that to the "C"

I like the following verse. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy…”  As Christians, we should be speaking out about the goodness and mercy of our God, not trying to seek favor with false gods by “COEXISTing” in perfect joy and mutual admiration.  People in this country have the right to free speech and to freedom of religion, but if you haven’t noticed, we are in a real religious war.  The “C” doesn’t like the “T” in that bumper sticker.  If you’re going to put something on your bumper, make it something that points people down the narrow road, not the wide one that leads to destruction.  Show your intelligence and advertize your faith…just don’t be tacky and weird about it…or then we get back into the looking-like-a-moron thing that my wife so desperately wants to avoid.

Now here's an idea for the "perfect" bumper sticker!

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by | November 1, 2010 · 10:44 pm

Don’t Give Up On Her Yet

Some people want to say that America has seen her best days. Some want to say that God is done with America.  Some want to give up hope that this nation can ever see a revival of morality and a return to its founding principles.  Some Christians say that we should just abandon ship and only focus on the Ship of Zion.  Well, if America is “going to h*** in a hand-basket,” then we need to do what only a people with a will can do…get out of the basket!

To be able to elect who we want to lead our country is an unbelievable privilege.  Just stop and think about it.  How many countries have come and gone which had a form of government which was set up to be “of the people, by the people, and for the people?”  How many billions live in subjection this very moment to a dictator or tyrant, or even a king?  We have been given a sacred treasure in our Constitution, one which was purchased with the lives, fortunes, and sacred honor of our founding forefathers.  Are we to treat such a priceless gift with flippancy and disrespect?  I hope not, but so many do.

Don’t give up on America, guys.  The journey is not over. This nation is not like all of the ones which have come and gone.  We are unique in our founding, our foundations, and our Founders.  The United States is not like any nation before it, and there is none like it today.  We have the rarest of abilities in that WE can decide who will lead us.  WE can decide what laws we will accept.  WE can decide the moral direction of this nation, for WE are the power and the authority to whom our leaders are accountable.  God, through His providence, allowed our founding fathers to create a Constitution which spells out the divinely given rights of the people, not of kings.  WE ratified our Constitution and Bill of Rights.  WE elect those to whom WE give the authority to govern.  WE can decide when enough is ENOUGH.

God-fearing men and women forged an uncharted, untravelled path when they chose to wade through the pain and suffering of building America.  They fought for freedom of speech and freedom of religion.  The took what was NOT and brought it into BEING.  What is NOT right now, can BE AGAIN.  All it will take is the same level of sacrifice that our forefathers were willing to give.  The United States, “one nation under God,” does not have to cease to exist, or continue to decline….WE can decide right now that WE will begin again as WE did before, so help us God.

What is the answer?  Revival.

The reason we need revival can be found in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”  Are the righteous in authority?  They could be.  They should be.  Otherwise the people will mourn.

Who are the ones in authority?  Well, in one sense, it is people like our President, or our congressmen, senators, or judges.  The context of this verse of Scripture would definitely imply that.  But, again, America is different.  We the people have no king or dictator.  No princes rule over us.  We are ruled by Law.  We are self-governed.  WE are in authority.  So the question then is this:  Are the people of the United States righteous?  The answer to that has to be an unquestionable “no.”  If the government, then, is of the people, and if the people are wicked, the nation will mourn, not rejoice.

Turn, therefore, oh citizens of this great land.  Turn back to the paths from which you have strayed; to the paths hewn from the wilderness by honorable, moral, God-fearing men and women.  Walk in those paths and follow in the footsteps of those like Washington and Lincoln.  We don’t need to see every man and woman in the country turn to Christ as their Savior.  Not every founding father was aborn-again Christian.  However, the overwhelming majority were men and women who knew that this great nation did not come about by chance, nor simply by the strength of men, but by the Providence of a guiding Hand.  Turn, therefore, back to the God that brought this nation into being, and can just as easily revive it from the dust heap of irrelevance. “WE THE PEOPLE” are in authority, so WE need to get our act together and elect men and women who will do what a righteous people demand.  It can start with just a few.  It can start with YOU.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

(4th verse, National Anthem)

P.S. For all of you who doubt that the founding of this nation was based on the faith of Christianity, please refer to the above verse, and the comments from the Supreme Court in The Church of the Holy Trinity vs. The United States, 1892.  Oh, how far we have come.

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