The invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the love of a mother…therefore, we are without excuse.
Marie Baker. My Mother 🙂
Cherry On Top
Have you ever felt like your were invited to dinner for reasons you weren’t quite expecting?
How would you caption this picture?
Filed under Food, Humor, Life Lessons
7 Words that Distinguish Our Founding Fathers from Modern Americans
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…” – Founding Fathers (Declaration of Independence)
If there were ever any words that are so antithetical to today’s culture, these stand out above them all.
Believe it or not, the founding fathers of the United States of America firmly held to the belief that there are absolutes, that there are transcendent truths, truths by which we are to judge between right and wrong.
They not only believed that there are “truths,” but they believed that these truths are “self-evident.” In other words, they believed that these transcendent truths, rooted in the nature of God, were not hard to find, but were plain for all to see should they only open their eyes. Hence the term self-evident.
Today’s culture has totally rebelled against the concepts of truth and anything that is self-evident. The truth is that God created male and female (Gen. 1:27; Mark 10:6), and what is self-evident are their differences. Yet, modern Americans cannot bring themselves to admit what is obvious, no matter how self-evident.
Not long ago a man named Joseph Backholm went to the University of Washington and claimed to be a 6′ 5″ Chinese female. Not one single college student dared challenge his claims, even though the self-evident truth was that he was a caucasian male.
People wonder how long America will survive. My contention is that it can’t survive much longer. How can it when the very foundational truth on which our liberties are grounded has been reduced to shifting sand?
“We hold no truth, and nothing is self-evident; all is relative to self-identification.” – Modern Americans
Filed under America, Culture Wars
Girl Logic 101
A Pedagogical Surmise
As most of you are aware, I drive a school bus, and on my school bus there are several young girls who love to make fun of their male counterparts. With regularity they repeat a little rhyme which is suppose to show that girls are not only smarter, but inherently more capable of seeking an education.
They claim: “Girls go to college to get more knowledge. Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider.“
Jupiter. Credit: HubbleSite.org
If that is so, then the following points are in order:
1. Don’t you think that it takes a little more knowledge to go to Jupiter than to college? One requires the use of a multi-billion-dollar space ship; the other your daddy’s car.
2. In order to have acquired the technical skills to travel to Jupiter, the boys must have already attended a fine engineering college or university, maybe even grad school? Then they must have been able to pass the extremely demanding requirements to be accepted into the space program. And what is it you’re studying in college?
3. If the boys now have the ability to travel to where NASA has yet to plan, and if the girls have yet to finish college, there is evidently a MASSIVE learning gap between the two. Therefore, should they get “stupider” while on Jupiter, and yet still (by implication) have the ability to navigate a return trip to earth, then they still will have retained a cognitive advantage over Buffy and Bambi, the bantering sorority sisters.
4. “Stupider” is not a word. Therefore, ladies, I would suggest you enroll in some remedial English classes before you dive into the full-blown college stuff. Knowledge is power!
So, girls, what’s your point?
Filed under General Observations, Humor, politics
Don’t We Want the REAL Definition? {the truth of who a woman is}
I am not a woman, and I never will be. That is why you will never see me do at least two different things.
First, you will never see me walk into a woman’s bathroom or locker room – my gender orientation is not “fluid.”
Second, because I am not a woman, you will never see me write anything like what I’m reposting from Robin L. Lewis. The following is just a wonderfully inspiring – and biblical – look at the true definition of womanhood. Please take the time to read it and let her know what you think.
Have you ever looked up a word to find that the real definition was quite different than what you had believed it to be? How did that change your understanding of the sentence or the verse?…
Source: Don’t We Want the REAL Definition? {the truth of who a woman is}
Filed under America, Guest Posts, Marriage, ministry, self-worth
Shined Shoes
Several years ago (three, to be exact) a reader named Anne gave me a suggestion that got me to thinking. She said,
“More writing having to do with legalism, and the recovery process would be greatly appreciated!”
Then, I wrote the following post and saved it as a “draft.” I don’t know why I never published it, but I’m going to do so right now – 3 years late.
Thank you, Anne, for the call to refocus.
So, in an effort to encourage more debate on legalism, I am going to share a story with you. It is a story I heard from a really neat guy I met yesterday. His name – Dr. Shine.
Dr. Shine
Yesterday, I went on a service call in downtown Chattanooga (a client had questions regarding his credit card service). While waiting for the business owner to show up, I stood outside on the sidewalk under a shade tree, right next door to a shoe repair shop.
Dr. Shine (I don’t know his real name), who was also standing outside, was greeting people as they walked by. It didn’t take long for me to strike up a conversation, and before long I was invited into his shop to have my shoes shined. “C’mon in,” he said, as he led me to his specially built chair. “Jus step on up dare, and I’ll fix you right up.”
The great doctor did a great job shining my shoes, even though they hadn’t been polished much since I bought them. As he was buffing away I looked down and said, “Good-looking shoes make a difference, don’t they?”
That’s when he told me about a lawyer.
The Story
Dr. Shine told me that twice a week an attorney comes into his shop, climbs up into his chair, and pays to have his shoes shined. “Five hundred dollar suites don’t mean nothin’ if your shoes look bad,” the doctor said. “People notice.”
Evidently what happened is this lawyer had dared go to court all dressed up, but his shoes must have looked bad. According to Dr. Shine, the judge in the courtroom said, “The next time you want to bring your a** in my courtroom, you’d better shine your shoes!”
The lawyer has had polished shoes ever since.
What about Church?
Why is it that people will show the utmost respect for a judge in an earthly court, but so little for the holiness of God?
After talking with Dr. Shine, the shoeshine man, I thought about how many times I’ve seen people dress up for a court appearance, but dress down for church.
We talk “grace” and all, but what about respect? We talk about “entering into His presence,” but do we really mean it?
Clothing has nothing to do with one’s spirituality, so don’t misunderstand me. However, here’s something to think about: How would your shoes look if you were literally about to enter into the Courtroom of the Judge of all the Universe?
I’d shine my shoes.
Filed under legalism, Life Lessons
I Went to a Rock Concert
Shocked?
Honestly, how many of you were drawn to this post simply because of the title? How many of you are shocked to read that this Baptist preacher, the one who rarely listens to anything but Christian music, went to a “rock concert?”
Here’s a question… Which one is being more legalistic, the one who would judge my spirituality by reading that I went to a rock concert, or the one who would be afraid to admit going for fear of offending? Just food for thought.
Be honest, I bet there are some of you, without even knowing the whole story, who have lost a little respect for me. You have already had your suspicions – now you know I am a liberal, correct? I can think of a couple, but I won’t give their names; the comments which will show up later on Facebook will identify them.
The Story
So, here’s what happened…
Saturday evening I was scrolling through Facebook on my telephone, and that is when I noticed the advertisement. Sunday night, at 9 p.m., Kiefer Sutherland and his band was to be performing at a place called the Revelry Room in the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex.
At first I sorta thought it was a joke, a scam, or something. Then, after a click or two, I was amazed to learn that Kiefer Sutherland (a.k.a. Jack Bauer from 24) was a songwriter and musician – and he had a band! Who knew??
Do you have any idea how big of a 24 fan I am? BIG. If for no other reason than to see Jack Bauer in the flesh, I had to buy a ticket to the concert, heathenistic rock-n-roll or not. The ticket was only $15, and I didn’t even ask my wife’s permission – I just bought it.
Sunday Night
Before I go any further, let me explain something. Sunday was our “Homecoming” at our church, which meant we did not have a scheduled church service that night. Even though I had tried to schedule preaching engagements for that evening, nothing came through. Therefore, I did not feel in the least guilty for going to a concert on Sunday night.
And, even if we had had church services Sunday night, our services rarely go past 7:30 p.m.. The concert didn’t even start till 9 p.m. So, there ya’ go.
The Concert
Anyway, back to the point.
So, I went to hear Keifer Sutherland (Jack Bauer) and his band play some original southern/country Americana rock. I had no idea what to expect.
To be honest, the band was awesome. They were some of the best musicians I’ve ever heard. On the other hand, Kiefer Sutherland was so-so. But then again, who cares? It was Jack Bauer, so his band had to make him look and sound good…else he might have killed them.
Seriously, Kiefer’s musicianship and songwriting is at best mediocre, but he had with him a band that made even the so-so sound fantastic. But, to be fair, maybe it’s just the Jack Bauer fan talking…it’s just hard to watch the man who has saved our nation so many times, and killed so many bad guys, play a Telecaster and sing about lost love.
The vintage Guild, on the other hand, well…
The Reality
Let me just tell you, I was so close to the stage that at two different times I could have literally reached out my hand and grabbed Kiefer Sutherland’s leg. But I didn’t, because I’m not a crazed teen or drooling woman – like a couple I saw. Would you believe one woman beside me had actually named her two children after him? Her son she named Kiefer; her daughter, Jacklyn.
But as I stood there and listened to the songs Kiefer Sutherland sang, along with the works that he spoke, the sad reality of it all began to sink in – like I knew it would. Here was a man who has lived a hard, broken, self-abusing life. As he admitted, he was fortunate to have survived much of what many of his friends have not. He called it “lucky”; I call it “blessed.”
Without getting into all the lyrics, nearly half of Sutherland’s set was “drinking songs.” As a matter of fact, the title track of his CD is a sort of a self-admitted autobiographical tune called “Down In a Hole,” which touches on the horrors of alcohol abuse. And considering this is the “Not Enough Whiskey” tour, what else could one expect?
Kiefer Sutherland’s story is that of one tragedy after another, followed each time by another blessed opportunity to redeem himself. The worst part, however, is that ultimate redemption can only come from Jesus Christ, not drugs…not music…not acting…and not J&B Scotch.
As much as I enjoyed the rare opportunity to be up close and personal to a living legend, I left the concert with an empathetic emptiness, which was to be expected. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable (1 Cor. 15:19). Is it any wonder those with no hope can’t get enough whiskey?
Just pray for Kiefer Sutherland.
The Ruse of Ark-Hating
Last week I became aware of a full-size replica of Noah’s Ark that is about to set sail for Brazil, and later to America. It is gigantic, And just like the original, it’s gigantic, even able to carry 5,000 people.
But, it also cost a boat load of money to build. On top of that, there’s the money Johan Huibers (the builder) and the Ark of Noah Foundation will need to transport it to different locations where it will serve as a religious attraction meant to share the story of Genesis, the Flood, and the Gospel.
But, as usual, the hateful, negative comments have filled the comment sections of nearly every website or news outlet covering the story. The atheist trolls, the angry agnostics, and even a few “old earthers” couldn’t keep from mocking the project.
“What a waste of perfectly good money. Tax the churches immediately. Ya’ll are missing a HUGE revenue stream.”
“Millions of people have no homes but we need a full scale replica of Noah’s ark…way to go humanity…”
“They’re building something from the Old Testament so they can teach people about Christianity? The ark is about Noah not Jesus. How about doing good deeds and maybe using all the $$ to help the needy rather than build a useless boat.”
“Wow what a waste of time,money, energy, and talent to replicate a work of fiction…”
Brilliant, aren’t they? Scholars, scientists, philanthropists. humanitarians, and economists…the whole lot of them.
Money
OK, so it’s all a waste of perfectly good money, you say? Really? How does one actually waste money, anyway? By building a huge ark?
So, a guy spends millions of dollars (hypothetically) on a project of mammoth proportions. Where does his money go? It goes to contractors, skilled labor, unskilled labor, artists, designers, and fees to state and local governments. In other words, it went to put food on tables, send children to school, pave roads, keep families together, and help keep local municipalities funded.
Yeah, what a waste.
Seriously, what is the problem with someone spending money? Do you trolls ever protest the latest mansion your favorite Hollywood star is building? I mean, seriously, how many square feet does one person need? Do you call that a waste? Or, do you just envy it and wish you had it?
You see, it’s not about the money.
Myth
A work of “fiction”? Even though nearly every ancient civilization has a “flood story,” you discount Noah’s ark as a work of fiction. Or do you just mean the Bible? Yeah, that’s what you’re really referring to.
I read another comment that blasted building this ark because it perpetuated a “myth.” Like one of the comments above, the writer was livid over how so much money could be spent on a “piece of fiction” rather than feeding the poor.
I wonder if all the Ark haters are also protesting George Lucas and Disney (and all involved) for perpetuating the myth of Star Wars? What about Disney World? What about all the millions of dollars being spent to create a whole park just for the Star Wars universe? A waste, you say?
No, it’s not about the “myth,” either.
Message
The real problem people have with these ark projects (including Ken Ham’s in Kentucky) is the ultimate message: There IS a GOD who judges mankind. All the ark-hating is just a ruse.
It’s not about money, folks, because they don’t complain about video games, weed, or fast food – which is all a waste. It’s not about fiction or myth, because these arrogant snots are more than happy to fork out millions for the latest Harry Potter book or movie ticket.
No, it’s about the prospect of being held accountable unto their Creator, which is so terrifying they must live in denial as they mock and ridicule believers.
Oh, and to the know-it-not, would-be biblical scholar in the comment section: The Ark IS about Jesus! Try getting your theology from Scripture instead of the Huffington Post; you might learn something.
Filed under Christianity, Faith
Decaffeinated Christianity
Like vs. Love
I like coffee, but I wouldn’t say I love it. My wife and kids, on the other hand, are worth dying for. I love them. I only like coffee. I’m not going to jump in front of a moving train to save an espresso.
But there are times when I like coffee more than I like my wife. Every once in a while I want a cup of coffee more than a kiss or a hug. I still love my wife, but she won’t fit into the French press.
Now, it must be said that I also like tea. Thanks to the influence of certain English folk, my tea consumption has increased a thousand fold! Yet, tea is not coffee. Sometimes I want coffee more than tea. Sometimes tea needs to leaf me alone. There’s a big difference between loose-leaf anything and some medium roast Jamaican Blue Mountain. That’s real coffee, and I really like it.
What is Real?
But wait! That raises a question. What is real coffee? What is the difference between freshly brewed coffee and let’s say, uh, freeze-dried instant? Both are real, aren’t they?
Fake coffee. Whoever still drinks that stuff on purpose should be psychologically evaluated. Coffee is only coffee if it comes about as the result of gently ground coffee beans being caressed by steaming hot water. Chicory is of the Devil.
Instant coffee. It comes packaged in a jar, but it is made from real coffee. It may not taste as good as fresh-brewed, but it’s real, nevertheless. The worst instant coffee is still better than dandelion tea, believe me.
Nasty coffee. Even the stuff you find in a gas station, an army mess tent, or a crazy relative’s thermos is still coffee. Coffee is coffee, even if it tastes like road tar.
“Unleaded.” What I don’t understand is decaffeinated coffee. Sure, it tastes the same to most people, but why would anyone want it? Without the caffeine coffee is…well…it’s just not coffee. It has the look and taste, but no umph, no kick, no power.
Powerless
Decaffeinated Christianity is the same way. It looks like the real thing. It smells like the real thing. It tastes like the real thing. For crying out loud, it even outsells full-strength, real Christianity 10 to 1! People love it! They wear t-shirts promoting their favorite brand. Yet, decaffeinated Christianity is no better than decaffeinated coffee without the Power.
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
What are you drinking?
The Recovering Legalist 