by | December 13, 2010 · 6:20 pm

Making Winter Warm with Chili

I swear, I start a blog about living a life free (as much as possible) from paralyzing legalism, and now I might as well start a food critic/cooking show!  What is happening to me?  Before long, I will preaching about pepperoni, sermonizing about sirloin, or pontificating over pot roast.  I need to go hunting for furry animals, or something….anything to get my masculinity back.

Oh, but wait! There is one thing I can do – MAKE CHILI!

With winter officially around the corner, but in all practicality now freezing our tails off, I felt the need to make a pot of chili. There are some things that a man should be able to make on a stove top that aren’t stuffing, cream of wheat, or pudding.  A real man needs to know how to craft a pot of chili that can keep you alive in an ice storm. Real chili, mind you; not the watery beef-and-tomato chili-flavored soup that some try to pass off to unsuspecting desperadoes. So, if you want to make a respectable version of my chili, feel honored to have, for the first time ever, my recipe. Please try to send all thanks in the form of monetary contributions.

Brown two pounds of ground beef in an iron skillet, or preferably an iron kettle (good stuff, not the lean, cardboard type). While it is browning, add a little Worshtishire sauce and a little chopped onion, if you desire.

Brown one pound of boneless pork chops in extra virgin olive oil.  When done, slice and dice into little cubes of pork chop joy.

(Optional – fry some bacon and chop it up into fine bits and add that, along with a tad of the grease)

When all the meat is done, start adding two (2) 15oz cans of tomato sauce, along with three (3) cans of Luck’s pinto beans. If you like kidney beans, and you are weird, then replace the pinto beans according to your lousy taste.

Add one cup of strong, black coffee.  Yep, I said coffee.

Now, start adding all of the spices.

  • 2 tablespoons Chili Powder (or maybe three)
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Sage
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed Rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons Paparika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 4 teaspoons Ground Roasted Cumin (powder)
  • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper (more or less to taste, depending on whether or not you like your tongue)
  • 1-1 1/2 teaspoons of salt (don’t use sea salt, because that is just, well, not manly)
  • 1/4 teaspoon (maybe a tad more) of Liquid Smoke.
  • 1 tablespoon Oregeno

Being that I had to use what I had, and not everything I actually wanted (pastors cant always afford a fully-stocked fridge or spice cabinet), I didn’t have any onions, so I used a little onion salt.  Keep in mind when you do that, you have to adjust the actual salt in the recipe.  Also, I did not have any fresh garlic, which is why I used garlic powder, instead of 3-4 cloves (put through a garlic press). Ideally, I like to saute the onions and garlic together in an iron skillet, then add them to the beef and pork.

A final ingredient that really makes chili stand out, if you want something different, is about a half ounce of Lime Juice.

Well, there you have it.  Just bring this collection of real chili ingredients to a boil, then let it simmer for a couple of hours on low heat. Have some to eat at that point, but the best will be after you let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.

 

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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 7, 2010 · 11:09 pm

Anthony’s Appetite #4

I HEAR BANJO MUSIC!!

Yours truly jammin' on the flat 5!

Where do you go to see a grown man in a suit playing a toy (but playable) banjo?  The Cracker Barrel, of course.

By now you know how I feel about this place.  I love the atmosphere.  I love the coffee.  I love playing checkers by a real, wood-burning fireplace.  I also love a particular, Southern dish: beans and greens.

What are beans and greens?  Well, let’s start with the bean part.  If there is one bean that you just have to include in Southern cooking, it’s the pinto bean.  I am not an expert in how to make them, though.  What I do know is that there is an art to it.  Cracker Barrel knows how to do ’em right.  I have been to some restaurants than may have well just opened a can off the shelf.  These have been slow-cooked with pork (not an Adventist dish) and can stand alone as a dish unto themselves.

Next, you’ve got the greens.  What are the greens?  We’re talking turnip greens, slow-cooked with pork ( yet another vegetable ruined by the anti-Kosher, anti-Pharisaical folks) until they are tender, meaty, and savory.  For the unlearned, these are not collard greens, nor spinach.

Beans and Greens

Along with the beans and the greens come a side of chow-chow relish and a slice of onion.  I put both in my beans, along with the cornbread.  Of course, you get more than one piece of cornbread, so you can save one to eat with just butter.

Goooooooood stuff.

 

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by | December 7, 2010 · 1:38 pm

Guilt, Email, and Cartoons

You open an email from a [friend] that is meant to “make your day,” and you find something that starts something like this:

When it’s cold outside and your world is gray

Just know that love is coming your way.

Enjoy this cute picture of puppy cuteness,

And free yourself from laughing muteness.

Oh, you love the puppies…you’ve got to love the puppies.  But more than that, you have to love Jesus, right?  You know, Jesus, Saviour of the world?  So the email continues:

The world needs Love that’s ever true.

They need to hear you love them, too.

Puppies sweet will make your day;

But Christ, alone, can sinners save.

Now, who but the Neo-pagan, Muslim, Wiccan, or atheist could disagree with that logic? You are all for sharing the love of Jesus, right? Well, you may not be planning a mission trip to Africa next week, but you know the words to “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.”  Yeah, the world needs unconditional love, and maybe even a puppy, or two.  So far, the email has made you smile, feel the love, and even caused you to re-evaluate you world-mission ethic.  Great email, [friend].

Then, out of the blue, or off the white of your computer monitor, comes the rest of the email:

If you love God, Mankind, and are against the wholesale slaughter of innocent, cute puppies for the purposes of developing cosmetics for fat, uncaring capitalists, then send this email in the next five minutes to every friend you have, however distant or unheard of.  If you don’t, your lack of caring will mean that the light of this email candle of love will forever be extinguished and the Armageddon-like darkness of hatred and bigotry will forever envelope the landscape of our children’s future.  If you love life, and your mother, for the children’s sake, please forward this.

What is it with this kind of stuff?  In need of a hug, myself, I open an email meant to encourage me and find myself feeling like the scum of the earth if I don’t hand over my contact list!  Some *@!# [friend]!  I feel worse, now, than when I started!  What is it with all this guilt?

Well, if that wasn’t enough, someone on Facebook has recently gotten into the act.  The whole world is being made to feel like promoters of pedophilia and child abuse if we don’t change our profile pictures to cartoon characters.  What?  I am trying to make it through life the best way I can, trusting God to carry me as I go, and doing my best to break free from the Pharisees that would judge my spirituality.  Now, out of the internetal (I made that word up) universe, comes a flood of guilt meant to shame me into yielding to some unknown entity’s idea of what my profile pic should be.  I don’t think so, [friend]!

The reason behind all this profile-pic-changing is to increase child abuse awareness. The idea is that if all human faces could be removed from Facebook,  child-chasing perverts worthy of the lowest parts of Hell would have one less tool to lure unsuspecting kids into chatting.  I can respect that.  But how many children are going to look at my picture and think I am a 10 year old, huh?

I question the logic of all of this, also.  As I understand it, pedophiles are using cartoon characters as profile pictures of themselves. The purpose for this is to make the innocent children think that the slime on the other end is actually another child just wanting to be share cheat codes for the newest video game.  So, why not just ask everyone on the internet to post a picture of an old, sleazy-looking convict? If everyone had profile pictures that looked like Spongebob, then how would the kiddies know how to distinguish between good guys and bad guys?

I think that the best approach to stemming the tide of child abuse on the internet would be to keep your darlings off the stinking web! At the very least, parents, know what your little boys or girls are doing when they are on the internet.  How much common sense does that take?  If you know that there are preditors out there who want your children, why let them take their Dell-sized ticket to “pervert land” with them to their bedroom?

I am keeping my profile picture just the way it is.  I have no desire to give in to the self-righteous who think I don’t care about the world’s children, or for that matter, cute puppies.  So, keep your threatening emails to yourselves.  The next time I get one of your “please forward now, or else” requests, I may just forward the message that you kicked your own, cute dog……..

………and that you don’t like Jesus, either.

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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 24, 2010 · 5:57 pm

“May They be One, as We are One…”

I want thank all the people in Lookout Valley who attended our annual community-wide Thanksgiving service held at Lookout Valley Baptist Church.  At least seven (7) different congregations from 4-5 different denominations were represented.  It was a great evening of fellowship and friendship.

Each year our community has a Thanksgiving service in which all the Christian churches are encouraged to attend and participate in some way.  I guess, others in the community would be welcome, but the overall emphasis of an evening like this was to give thanks unto God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, for all of His blessings.  As believers in Christ, we have more reasons to be thankful than anyone else.  Besides being blessed beyond measure by being allowed to live in a country such as ours, we have been forgiven of our sins, made heirs of the Kingdom, and have become part of a universal family of God.  A Thanksgiving service like this is more like a family reunion around the dinner table of the Father.

Pastors Bill Akers and Anthony Baker (United Methodist and Southern Baptist)

This year’s speaker was Pastor Bill Akers, from Wauhatchie United Methodist Church.  During his sermon he shared his testimony, gave thanks to God for sparing his life, and even gave out some peanut M&Ms.  To be honest, I have never seen a Methodist preacher with so much energy.  I don’t even move around as much as he does.

Last week I tried to encourage my congregation to attend the service last night.  I wanted them to do the best that they could to show a spirit of familial love, which shouldn’t be too hard, considering we were all part of the same spiritual family.  Jesus Christ Himself prayed that we would do no less when He prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.

John 17:20-23  I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message.  May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.  May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.  I have given them the glory You have given Me.  May they be one as We are one.  I am in them and You are in Me.  May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. – HCSB

In the seventeenth chapter of John, Jesus prays for several things, but one thing that He repeats is the desire that we all be unified in the Father and the Son.  Through this unity, as Jesus prayed, the world may see the love of the Father towards Jesus, and believe on Him (vs. 21 & 23).  Sadly, it would seem that so many believers in Jesus want to keep this prayer from being answered.  How sad is this, and how ludicrous?

It is possible for a prayer of Jesus to be denied?

If Jesus prays, then you know His prayers get answered.  As a matter of observation, the only one of the requests made in chapter 17 that has not been fulfilled is the request that we be made one.  Does this mean that Jesus’ prayer will never be answered?  I don’t think so, but we should really think about this seriously.  What is it going to take for this prayer to be answered?  Will it happen after we all reach heaven?  Then what would be the point of doing it so the unbelieving world could see?

I think that it is a crying shame when certain groups cannot look past minor differences in secondary doctrines, even for just one night.  There were at least two other congregations in our community that did not participate in our community service.  Both were Baptist.  Both were independent.  Now I can understand the Church of Christ not coming.  Many of them believe that the rest of us are going to hell, anyway, so why meet with us.  The same thinking persists with the Adventists, also, because we’re anti-sabbatarians.   But for the Baptists, you would think that just because your brother or sister in Christ uses a different Bible translation, or wears pants instead of a dress to church, one night wouldn’t be so hard; but not so.  The doctrine of Separation is much, much more important than honoring the prayer of our Savior.

One day, I fear, there may come a day in this country to rival those in other countries around the world.  Here, we are so spoiled and pampered that we can afford to be separate.  We have the option to spend all of our money on different denominational specifics.  We have all the space in the world to plant a new congregation every time we disagree with each other.  We have all the freedom of speech and the freedom of time to harp more on our differences than work together to fulfill the Great Commission.  If we ever wind up having to worship underground, we won’t have it so easy.  Denominational monikers will become a thing of the past.

Are there differences between some of our denominations that are serious?  Of course.  I am not denying that we have doctrinal issues worth debating with passion.  I am fully aware that there are some out there that call themselves believers in Christ, but are actually sheep in wolves’ clothing.  However, aside from that, we are still a family that needs to stick together whenever we can.  We have the same Father.  We were washed in the same blood of the Lamb.

After all, we are going to be spending eternity together.

What is it going to take for us to make an effort to put some of our petty things aside so that a lost and dying world would see Jesus?  I am just so glad that there are a few churches in Lookout Valley that love Jesus more than arguing 100% of the time over unknown tongues, eternal security, election, translations, or conventions.  We can do that 90% of the time.  The least we can do is give God His 10% in a tithe of brotherly love and unity.

 

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by | November 18, 2010 · 10:27 am

Should I be Shocked?

What the...?

Do I have the look of shock written all over my face? It shouldn’t surprise me, but sometimes I can’t help being dumbfounded by the insanity that is so common in our country?

First, there was the story of the acquittal of a terrorist:

Jurors in New York City on Wednesday convicted Ahmed Ghailani of conspiracy to blow up government buildings in the al-Qaida attacks on two U.S. embassies in 1998, but they acquitted him on more than 280 other charges. – AP

Then there was this from the New York Post:

A squad of cops in bulletproof vests swooped into an upper Manhattan park and charged seven men with the “crime” of playing chess in an area off-limits to adults unaccompanied by kids — even though no youngsters were there.

And finally, from The Australian:

A WOMAN is suing over an incident where airport staff allegedly pulled down her top and joked about her breasts in public view.

The 23-year-old traveller, from Amarillo, US, is suing the US Government for the emotional distressed she says the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents caused.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/news/airport-staff-exposed-womans-breasts-laughed/story-e6frg8ro-1225955345734

Innocent women can be assaulted in public by “public servants.” Quiet, brain-expanding, chess-playing thinkers can be taken down by weapon-toting SWAT teams.  But when it comes to people who want to blow up America, send THEM to a New York court and they get acquitted on all but one account, the crime of which was less than what Bill Ayers, friend of Obama, admitted to actually doing.

I’m going crazy.

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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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