Last night I listened to a radio show talking about what is happening to various missions groups in Haiti since the earthquake occurred last Tuesday. It is a sad day for all since the earthquake was very devastating. The 7.0 earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, many getting into 5 and 6 range. Most of the capital city of Port Au Prince has collapsed including the presidential palace, legislature and the UN building. Many are dead and missing and the rescue effort has been relentless.
The great news for the Christian community is the fact we were already there. One of the first reports I got was from a local missions group called Youth with a Mission. They had thirty people in Haiti and all were accounted for. That was a great praise the Lord. Then the CBS story of a Missionary lady who was able to call her husband on a cell phone and he drove 100 miles to dig his wife out of the rubble. Of course we lost a lot of our missionaries. Our prayers are with them in this time.
The big story is now the relief effort. With so many building collapsed there are many who are on the street. Relief aircraft are flying into the International airport but it has a space problem. Like many third world airports, it has only one runway and it has limited parking. I am curious of the fuel situation. I am sure that pilots are being told to fuel up enough to return home with what is on board. I am sure if they need to a short hop to the Dominican Republic or to Puerto Rico would be a solution.
Leading the christian relief effort as always is Franklin Graham and Samaritans Purse. Mercies Ships as a hospital ship steaming to the area. The doctors and Nurses on the ground have had to use any and all of their third world training to set splints and do amputations with little or no medicine for the pain. I heard Bill Clinton on the first night say that even a $5 donation is useful in that it could pay for a bottle of Aspirin.
Speaking of Bill Clinton, I believe he is leading the UN effort in Haiti. George W Bush has been tapped by President Obama to lead the US effort there. Nice to see he is keeping one legacy from GW. The use of former presidents, no matter what party they were to lead US efforts in a disaster situations.
Much has been made about President Obama's response versus George W Bush's in Katrina. Apples and Oranges. Katrina took place in a state not in a foregn country. In a state, the state has to ask the federal government for help. The state of Louisiana was slow in asking and therefore the help did not get there quick enough when it was needed. The federal effort in New Orleans is still ongoing. We need to compare this to Indonesia and China where our relief effort was as swift as can be expected being that we did not have a lot of our own people already on the ground at the time of disaster and anyone coming from the US was thousands of miles away. We had a lot of US nationals already in Haiti ready to go to work for this disaster. Haiti is only 600 miles from Miami.
Since this is a Blog about eschatology and end time events. How does this event play in? Matthew 24:7 mentions that Earthquakes in diverse places are a sign that the end is near. Not that it is here. It is a sign that we are to start paying attention. In Haiti tonight they are.
Someone on the facebook page for ABC news said that God wouldn't kill 50 thousand innocent people for no good reason. And in a way he is right. But he doesn't know our God. There is always a good reason. Haiti has been one of the darkest countries in the Caribbean. It has practiced a form of Voodoo for centuries. It is a mixture of African paganism with Catholic symbolism. It is more paganism then Catholic let me say. The report I heard last night said that missionaries have gone to bed with the sound of Voodoo drums ever since he could remember. The last few nights they have been silent. What he is hearing is people on the streets singing christian hymns and choruses. I think we can safely say that tonight, Haiti is listening to the voice of God.
I cannot say how the end will play out for this island nation not too far from Guantanamo Bay. I will say that we need to keep them and all the workers there in our prayers. If you have something to give, I recommend Mercy Ships or Samaritans Purse. If you already support a missionary in Haiti, give a little extra this month. If you sponsor a child there, ask your organization how you can help out. Of course check on the condition of your sponsored child. Check the links below and get involved.
Mercy Ships
Samaritans Purse
Compassion International
Mission Aviation Fellowship
World Vision
A complete list of good sources to give to is at EFCA.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
Much is made of the fact that Christmas was originally a pagan holiday. Much is made that Jesus' birthday was probably in September. So what We own the holiday now. So as a result it is our time to defend it. I do say Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish Friends. I have no idea what Kwanzaa is. But happy Kwanzaa if that is what you celebrate. But since this is the time of year we celebrate the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem in Judea. We celebrate the visits of shepherds and wise men. We celebrate the the fleeing of Joseph and family to Egypt because Hared was jealous. We celebrate all the prophecies regarding is advent. We celebrate all that Matthew and Luke who recorded of the story.
So on this blessed and holy day. Merry Christmas.
So on this blessed and holy day. Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Answering Gary DeMar
Gary DeMar is an outspoken critic of Pre Trib Pre Mill theology. He is a preterist, Post Mill. He ask these questions in his latest blog.
1. How do Christian date-setters compare with their secular and New Age counterparts?
Not very well. Jesus told us not to set dates so if you want to know when he comes, don't expect him to come on the date you set.
2. Is Israel’s 1948 nationhood biblically significant?
Yes. Many predictions of end times revolve around Israel being in the Land. 1948, 1967 are both significant dates. In fact, Ezekiel 36, Micah 4:5 require Israel to return before the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.
3. Is Russia the end-time bad guy in Ezekiel 38 and 39?
Probably 90% certainty. Everything I read leads to Russia or a Former Soviet State that is Muslem being the end time bad guy. See my article on this prophecy.
4. Is there any biblical evidence that the temple needs to be rebuilt?
The temple will be in existance for the Great Tribulation. Matthew 24:15, Revelation many references, Ezekiel 40-44.
5. Was Jesus really predicting the end of the world in the Olivet Discourse?
Three things he was talking about. The destruction of the Temple, sign of his coming, and End of the world. He answers all three questions in the discourse. If you only think he is answering one of those three questions then you haven't studied the passage correctly.
6. Should we expect an end-time antichrist?
No. 2 Thesselonians 2:7, he won't be revealed until him who restrained is removed. Most people believe that is the holy spirit at the rapture.
7. Is the European Union a fulfillment of Bible prophecy?
Good question. Probably a prelude to the final government. Not necessarily. I know a lot of teachers are excited about it. The antichrist leads a world government. The European union is just one government to give authority to the beast.
8. Is modern-day technology making the “mark of the beast” a reality?
Not necessarily. Makes for good press. Could be some reality in it. The Mark however could be a reference to something Islamic. I heard someone say that if you take the greek word for 666 and turn it upside down then it looks like what the Jehadist wear into battle. Stay tuned.
9. Are an “increase in earthquakes” and environmental changes signs of the end?
Yes. Matthew 24, Luke 21. Remember it follows it with the end is not yet. And then gives other signs that follow the earthquakes.
10. Is prophetic speculation really prophetic inevitability?
No. Just because we speculate on what a prophet saw doesn't make it so. It is one thing to say thus saith the Lord and another thing to say that John saw this or that. I wish he had a movie of what he saw but we can only go with the words he wrote.
11. Why are non-Christians worried about prophetic speculation?
Ok, do I need to go into a lesson in risk management. We all have to worry about what could hurt us. Is it better to think that the storm is coming and prepare and the storm miss us or is it better to think the storm will miss us not prepare and then get hit by the storm? All risk management does is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Preterism just hopes for the best thinking the worst happened 1900 years ago.
12. And probably some other topics once I begin to research and write.
Glad I can help.
1. How do Christian date-setters compare with their secular and New Age counterparts?
Not very well. Jesus told us not to set dates so if you want to know when he comes, don't expect him to come on the date you set.
2. Is Israel’s 1948 nationhood biblically significant?
Yes. Many predictions of end times revolve around Israel being in the Land. 1948, 1967 are both significant dates. In fact, Ezekiel 36, Micah 4:5 require Israel to return before the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.
3. Is Russia the end-time bad guy in Ezekiel 38 and 39?
Probably 90% certainty. Everything I read leads to Russia or a Former Soviet State that is Muslem being the end time bad guy. See my article on this prophecy.
4. Is there any biblical evidence that the temple needs to be rebuilt?
The temple will be in existance for the Great Tribulation. Matthew 24:15, Revelation many references, Ezekiel 40-44.
5. Was Jesus really predicting the end of the world in the Olivet Discourse?
Three things he was talking about. The destruction of the Temple, sign of his coming, and End of the world. He answers all three questions in the discourse. If you only think he is answering one of those three questions then you haven't studied the passage correctly.
6. Should we expect an end-time antichrist?
No. 2 Thesselonians 2:7, he won't be revealed until him who restrained is removed. Most people believe that is the holy spirit at the rapture.
7. Is the European Union a fulfillment of Bible prophecy?
Good question. Probably a prelude to the final government. Not necessarily. I know a lot of teachers are excited about it. The antichrist leads a world government. The European union is just one government to give authority to the beast.
8. Is modern-day technology making the “mark of the beast” a reality?
Not necessarily. Makes for good press. Could be some reality in it. The Mark however could be a reference to something Islamic. I heard someone say that if you take the greek word for 666 and turn it upside down then it looks like what the Jehadist wear into battle. Stay tuned.
9. Are an “increase in earthquakes” and environmental changes signs of the end?
Yes. Matthew 24, Luke 21. Remember it follows it with the end is not yet. And then gives other signs that follow the earthquakes.
10. Is prophetic speculation really prophetic inevitability?
No. Just because we speculate on what a prophet saw doesn't make it so. It is one thing to say thus saith the Lord and another thing to say that John saw this or that. I wish he had a movie of what he saw but we can only go with the words he wrote.
11. Why are non-Christians worried about prophetic speculation?
Ok, do I need to go into a lesson in risk management. We all have to worry about what could hurt us. Is it better to think that the storm is coming and prepare and the storm miss us or is it better to think the storm will miss us not prepare and then get hit by the storm? All risk management does is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Preterism just hopes for the best thinking the worst happened 1900 years ago.
12. And probably some other topics once I begin to research and write.
Glad I can help.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Israel God's People.
What is the commotion going on in the Middle East? There is a group of people there that seem to be hated by all it's neighbors. They seem to have stirred up a lot of ire among the world leaders speaking this week at the United Nations. What is the problem and why is it such a big deal?
Some four thousand years ago, God found a man in Ur of the Chaldees. He was the son of an Idol maker and priest. God called him and told him to go to a land that you do not know and I will make from you a great people. The promise to everyone else is "I will bless those who bless thee and will curse those who curse thee." Genesis 12:3. God made numerous promises to Abraham then transferred these promises to Isaac and to Jacob. When Jacob was given the promises, God changed his name to Israel. Thus the name of the country.
The promises given to Abraham was also repeated many times and in many ways throughout the scriptures. Abraham's promises were unconditional. Moses received some conditional promises. The promises given to Moses had to do with following the Law that he had transcribed from God. The condition would be how long they lived in the land. Deuteronomy 28. He said that if you don't obey this law then I will scatter you amoung the Nations. That has happened twice.
David was given a covenant 2 Samual 23. God said that the throne of Israel would not leave the house of David. That he would not cease to have a king on the throne.
The prophets picked up on the theme. Isaiah, Ezekial, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Zechariah, etc, all had promised that Israel would one day rule the world.
Then came Jesus. When Jesus appeared on the scene he showed up at the right time for Daniel's prophecy's to be fulfilled. It was so precise that Maggi from the East who had followed the writings and teachings of Daniel in the East for many years, saw the signs and showed up in Jerusalem at the right time to meet this new Messiah. Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem on a Donkey at the exact right time that Daniel had predicted.
The problem was Jesus wasn't coming to fulfill the parts of the prophecy the Jewish leaders wanted fulfilled. The leaders wanted Jesus to overthrow the civilian government of Rome. Jesus overthrew the moneychangers in the temple. Jesus, instead of changing government, changed the way people thought about God.
Jesus fulfilled roughly 1/3rd of the prophecies coming the first time. He left a lot of them out. Then he said, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there you will be also." John 14:2,3. The promise of a return. A promise to finish the job.
Jesus said that the temple would be destroyed and the Jews scattered. He wept over the city in Matthew 23:37 saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" The whole of the scripture could be summarized in that one verse. The desire of Israel to unit under it's messiah.
Now we as Christians are looking at this verse and at the situation with the destruction of Jerusalem and wondering what is God's plan? Is God finished with the Jew or is there still a plan for it? The situation was debated for centuries. Orthodox Jews even believed that Israel could not be it's own people until the messiah came. In May of 1947, that issue was laid to rest. Israel would be a country again. Israel would claim it's rightful land. Israel had not been forgotten. As God had promised, he gathered them from around the earth.
Jeremiah 23:3
And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Now the Idea of the Jewish state is under attack again. Iran has spilled out threats in the United Nations. Israel has been scolded by the Security Counsel for defending itself. The church has claimed that it has now inherited the promises given to the Jews and spritualized the kingdom of heaven. Romans 11 goes into great detail to say that Israel was only set aside until the fullness of the gentiles has come in. The Jewish messiah is coming. Jesus of the new testament is coming back. Zechariah 13:6 states that when the Jews see the piercings in Jesus' hands they will ask where did he get it and he will answer. "In the House of my Friends"
The Jew has not been forgotten. The Jew has not been replaced as the apple of God's eyes. Satan is well aware of this and he is on the warpath to destroy the Jew. He knows that if he can destroy the Jew then he will nullify the promises of God. He will make God to be a liar. God is not a liar and God has a plan for Satan.
America today is going down hill and quickly. The problem is the U.S. foreign policy towards Israel is to force them to give up land. Every time they have done so it has been at the peril of the Jewish state. It has given the enemy a closer point to attack from. When Jesus returns it will be with a blood stained garment from his war with the neighboring Muslim nations who have attacked Israel. If we don't stand on the side of Israel and side against them, then we are in danger of falling into the curse. We could easily be destroyed with the fall of Magog in Ezekiel 39.
This is not a Democrat and Republican issue. Truman, a Democrat recognized Israel. Nixon worked out a peace after the Yom Kipper war. Carter worked for the peace of Jerusalem with a treaty with Egypt. Reagan defended Israel by placing troops in Beirut. Even Clinton got the PLO to sign a peace treaty with Israel. Though not all these actions are perfect. These actions were taken on behalf of Israel, trying to secure the peace. Now we have a president who wants to tell Israel how to conduct internal affairs. He is in direct violation of common sense much less invoking the wrath of God.
Beyond the politics, we need to recognize that God said that all the nations of the world would rise against Israel in the final battle of Armageddon in Rev 19. For now it is the U.S. that is stopping the world from going to war with Israel. One day that won't be true. Let's pray that it is not today. Let's pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let's pray for the people called of God to be his people.
Some four thousand years ago, God found a man in Ur of the Chaldees. He was the son of an Idol maker and priest. God called him and told him to go to a land that you do not know and I will make from you a great people. The promise to everyone else is "I will bless those who bless thee and will curse those who curse thee." Genesis 12:3. God made numerous promises to Abraham then transferred these promises to Isaac and to Jacob. When Jacob was given the promises, God changed his name to Israel. Thus the name of the country.
The promises given to Abraham was also repeated many times and in many ways throughout the scriptures. Abraham's promises were unconditional. Moses received some conditional promises. The promises given to Moses had to do with following the Law that he had transcribed from God. The condition would be how long they lived in the land. Deuteronomy 28. He said that if you don't obey this law then I will scatter you amoung the Nations. That has happened twice.
David was given a covenant 2 Samual 23. God said that the throne of Israel would not leave the house of David. That he would not cease to have a king on the throne.
The prophets picked up on the theme. Isaiah, Ezekial, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Zechariah, etc, all had promised that Israel would one day rule the world.
Then came Jesus. When Jesus appeared on the scene he showed up at the right time for Daniel's prophecy's to be fulfilled. It was so precise that Maggi from the East who had followed the writings and teachings of Daniel in the East for many years, saw the signs and showed up in Jerusalem at the right time to meet this new Messiah. Jesus entered the gates of Jerusalem on a Donkey at the exact right time that Daniel had predicted.
The problem was Jesus wasn't coming to fulfill the parts of the prophecy the Jewish leaders wanted fulfilled. The leaders wanted Jesus to overthrow the civilian government of Rome. Jesus overthrew the moneychangers in the temple. Jesus, instead of changing government, changed the way people thought about God.
Jesus fulfilled roughly 1/3rd of the prophecies coming the first time. He left a lot of them out. Then he said, "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there you will be also." John 14:2,3. The promise of a return. A promise to finish the job.
Jesus said that the temple would be destroyed and the Jews scattered. He wept over the city in Matthew 23:37 saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" The whole of the scripture could be summarized in that one verse. The desire of Israel to unit under it's messiah.
Now we as Christians are looking at this verse and at the situation with the destruction of Jerusalem and wondering what is God's plan? Is God finished with the Jew or is there still a plan for it? The situation was debated for centuries. Orthodox Jews even believed that Israel could not be it's own people until the messiah came. In May of 1947, that issue was laid to rest. Israel would be a country again. Israel would claim it's rightful land. Israel had not been forgotten. As God had promised, he gathered them from around the earth.
Jeremiah 23:3
And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Now the Idea of the Jewish state is under attack again. Iran has spilled out threats in the United Nations. Israel has been scolded by the Security Counsel for defending itself. The church has claimed that it has now inherited the promises given to the Jews and spritualized the kingdom of heaven. Romans 11 goes into great detail to say that Israel was only set aside until the fullness of the gentiles has come in. The Jewish messiah is coming. Jesus of the new testament is coming back. Zechariah 13:6 states that when the Jews see the piercings in Jesus' hands they will ask where did he get it and he will answer. "In the House of my Friends"
The Jew has not been forgotten. The Jew has not been replaced as the apple of God's eyes. Satan is well aware of this and he is on the warpath to destroy the Jew. He knows that if he can destroy the Jew then he will nullify the promises of God. He will make God to be a liar. God is not a liar and God has a plan for Satan.
America today is going down hill and quickly. The problem is the U.S. foreign policy towards Israel is to force them to give up land. Every time they have done so it has been at the peril of the Jewish state. It has given the enemy a closer point to attack from. When Jesus returns it will be with a blood stained garment from his war with the neighboring Muslim nations who have attacked Israel. If we don't stand on the side of Israel and side against them, then we are in danger of falling into the curse. We could easily be destroyed with the fall of Magog in Ezekiel 39.
This is not a Democrat and Republican issue. Truman, a Democrat recognized Israel. Nixon worked out a peace after the Yom Kipper war. Carter worked for the peace of Jerusalem with a treaty with Egypt. Reagan defended Israel by placing troops in Beirut. Even Clinton got the PLO to sign a peace treaty with Israel. Though not all these actions are perfect. These actions were taken on behalf of Israel, trying to secure the peace. Now we have a president who wants to tell Israel how to conduct internal affairs. He is in direct violation of common sense much less invoking the wrath of God.
Beyond the politics, we need to recognize that God said that all the nations of the world would rise against Israel in the final battle of Armageddon in Rev 19. For now it is the U.S. that is stopping the world from going to war with Israel. One day that won't be true. Let's pray that it is not today. Let's pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Let's pray for the people called of God to be his people.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Why is Eschatology important
In I Thessalonians 4:13. Paul starts the part on prophecy by saying. "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren," That means he intended for us to know what is going to happen. He wanted us to be aware of end time events. He wanted for us to be ready.
There are two main camps right now in Christianity as to the end time events. Futurist sometimes mislabled dispensationalist are those who say that Jesus is coming back and he is coming back soon. The tribulation is still a future event. Then there is the Preterist camp who say that most if not all prophecies in the scripture were fulfilled in AD 70 or before 500AD.
The Preterist camp is a dangerous camp to belong to. As I make this statement, they are saying that the futurist camp is a dangerous one to belong to. I am going to make my point and leave it at that. There is always a problem when you make an assumption and it is wrong, There are rarely problems when your assumption is right. The only problem is that your solution on how to handle the assumption is wrong.
The Preterst says that we are now in the Kingdom of God and that the tribulation and all the trials took place in A.D. 70. They usually look to Matthew 24 for this but they also point out that the book of Revelation was written in AD 63. That the Anti Christ was Nero.
Both Bibliclly and historically it is hard to to defend those many scholars do with all their might. The Persecutions of Nero were only in Rome. The city was never destroyed. When Titus finally conquered Jerusalem, there were no Christians to kill. The temple was destroyed. There was never a pagan God set up in the Holy of Holies. The pagan God's were set up at the gate to the temple area by the solders. The final problem is that Nero actually died before the siege could be set up. This allowed Christians to escape.
In Matthew 24 it says when you see the Abomination that causes Desolation ... standing in the Holy place. It never appeared in A.D. 70. Luke 21 however says that when you see the armies encamped about the city of Jerusalem flee. The Christians of that day did. What do we know about the two passages? They were both given in the last week before Jesus died. Matthew however wrote his book to Jews. It is a handbook for the Jewish remnant. Luke wrote his to Christians. It doesn't say much about tribulation just the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and signs of the second coming.
When you look at Revelation, you are looking at a time still in the future. If you want to look at it as a past event, the everything from chapter four on has to be put in a symbolic sense. You have to name a person to be the star Wormwood for instance in Revelation 8. I will be writing later on it. But I believe there will be a literal star, not an evil world ruler as Matthew Henry likes to point out.
So why is all this important? The importance is that God doesn't want you ignorant. There is more said about the end times in the Bible than any other subject. The importance is that you have a road to walk and you know where it is going. The importance is that as you see things getting worse and worse and when it seems like God is not answering your prayers. Know that he is. He has a plan.
The Post and the A Millenialist will look at the situation and say that God will bring the efforts of the current administration to naught. When that doesn't happen, what are they going to do? There is no hope for them. We know that when things are at their worst, there is still hope. Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
There is a hope. We do not put our hope in government or in people. We put our hope in the Lord who made heaven and earth. We put our hope in the one that will eventually bring it all down and Make the kingdoms of this world the kingdoms of his Christ.
If it was all fulfilled in AD 70, why are the prophecies in the Bible starting to come together. They say it is time to dump dispensationalism. I say it is time to dump Preterism and move into the real world.
I want to know what Preterist is preaching the entire council of God, cover to cover, verse by verse. J. Vernon McGee, and Chuck Messler are the only radio broadcaste I know doing it. Both dispensationalist. Most preachers do a hit and miss approach on scripture. Only preaching on those passages that they want to preach. I know Hank Hanagraf and Gary DeMar are Preterist but they only do talk show format. They do not teach verse by verse.
It is time to take the entire council of God. If you want to hold a Preterist view that is fine. Make sure you have studied your entire Bible to come to that conclusion. As for me I will take the entire council of God and say Jesus is coming and he is coming soon. Maranatha.
J Vernon McGee, True the Bible Radio ttb.org
Chuck Missler, 66/40 Radio, khouse.org
Hank Hanagraf, Bible Answer man, equip.org
Gary DeMar, Gary DeMar show americanvision.org
Saturday, September 26, 2009
John Tyler Teacher Dies
On Wednesday, May 23, John Tyler High School Teacher Todd Henry died of a stab wound. One of his students brought a knife with him to school that morning and before 9:00 Mr Henry had been stabbed by the student. He later died at a local hospital. The student was arrested and will probably be tried as an adult though he is currently in the juvenile detention facility.
Most of what I wrote is old news by now. Our hearts go out to the Henry family and those who knew him best. Henry was a musician who played guitar for several local bands and played on Sunday mornings at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. His soul is in the Lord's hand and since I don't know him and even if I did, my bet is he is in Heaven but it is not my place to decide his fate. That is up to God alone.
What I will bring up is the Issue of public schools. After the incident there were several parents on TV talking about the lack of security at the school. They talked about how gangs rule in the school and that there are fights almost every day. They mentioned that children are afraid to go to school and the administration wasn't lifting a finger to do anything about it.
They are lifting a finger now. When the incident happened, the school by procedure went into lock down. Every student was to stay in the classroom they were in when the lock down occurred. When the situation was under control and we didn't have a mass murder situation going on, the school brought the buses and released children to their parents as they came to pick them up.
Thursday morning, the school opened with all the security it could muster as a show of force to the public that the situation was being handled. The question is now is it enough or have we already entered a path that is bad for the schools and the country.
Tyler and most of East Texas are still in the Bible belt. No school activities are planned for Wednesday night so kids and parents can attend Wednesday activities at church. There are never any Sunday activities so that people can attend church. Churches very in culture in Texas from the Strict time schedules of many of the White churches that have to be out in time to see the Cowboys play at 12:00 to the less strict Black church's that will sometimes pause a service, have pot luck and come back to finish a service sometimes late in the afternoon. To say the least, church life is important. When I worked at McDonald's, I hardly say any business between 10:30 and 12:15 on Sunday mornings.
So why is our schools getting so dangerous? First, I'll have to say the drug problem. Drugs are big in most areas with a poor population. When I was younger, I would run through many neighborhoods that today would be unthinkable because of the drugs. Revelation talks about people not repenting of their sorceries. The word in the Greek is pharmacia. The word we get pharmacy. Drugs are an end time problem according to scripture.
The other problem is the fact that because of the taking of God out of the public schools, we have taken our children out of public schools. Don't get me wrong. I am not advocating sending your kids to public schools. I am saying that without salt and light in the public arena, the darkness gets blacker. That is not a racial statement by the way. Since God has been taken out of the public school we are now subject to the curses that God has placed on the institution for leaving him. School was originally the place that we were to learn the Bible. The purpose of reading was to learn the Bible. The purpose of writing was to take notes on the Bible. The purpose of math was so we can do the numbers. The purpose of History was we could learn from our mistakes. The public schools in this country have lost that focus and as such gone into social skills. An arena that should be taught by parents, not by teachers.
So is the answer Christian schools? I don't think so. Some of them know their purpose and do an adequate job in performing them. Some of them are nothing more then public schools with prayer. I have known many schools that have taken children that have been expelled from public schools. This is a very dangerous thing. I understand the power of God to change a life. You cannot expect God to do it every time. When the child refuses to accept the life changing power of God, he then becomes a problem to your school. As a sports official I have seen more unsportsmanlike acts in Christian schools then in public.
So what is the answer? My personal preference is home schooling. For many of you this is a great option. You have a stay at home wife that is more then willing to run your home school with care and love. With the support of a great husband it can be a wonderful thing. Check titus2.com and see a homeschool that worked very well. Some don't have the option. Both parents have to work. That is a sad thing in this culture. Before you quit your job to start homeschooling you have to count the cost. Can we live on the lower income. I dare say in many cases it is a yes. You don't have to buy new clothes, put gas in the car, etc. You will have to make sure your house as adequate room for children to do school work. Have extra computers and text books. You don't have to have and education degree. Just access to great study guides. You may be surprised how much you learn. You may find out you can be "smarter than a fifth grader"
Whatever option you decide on. Remember to do it with prayer and much investigation. If you don't think homeschooling is for you, get to know the schools in your area and find out who has a good reputation and who has a bad one. Get to know your children's teachers and getting to know the security officers wouldn't hurt either. I know one of the officers at one large high school and he is a great man. I also know the superintendent at a different school. He and I grew up together. Find out what it is going on and keep informed. Education is your responsibility no matter what the NEA says. Stay on top of your children's homework and on top of what is being taught. If you stay informed then your children will grow up to be better children. Always be there for your children.
Most of what I wrote is old news by now. Our hearts go out to the Henry family and those who knew him best. Henry was a musician who played guitar for several local bands and played on Sunday mornings at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. His soul is in the Lord's hand and since I don't know him and even if I did, my bet is he is in Heaven but it is not my place to decide his fate. That is up to God alone.
What I will bring up is the Issue of public schools. After the incident there were several parents on TV talking about the lack of security at the school. They talked about how gangs rule in the school and that there are fights almost every day. They mentioned that children are afraid to go to school and the administration wasn't lifting a finger to do anything about it.
They are lifting a finger now. When the incident happened, the school by procedure went into lock down. Every student was to stay in the classroom they were in when the lock down occurred. When the situation was under control and we didn't have a mass murder situation going on, the school brought the buses and released children to their parents as they came to pick them up.
Thursday morning, the school opened with all the security it could muster as a show of force to the public that the situation was being handled. The question is now is it enough or have we already entered a path that is bad for the schools and the country.
Tyler and most of East Texas are still in the Bible belt. No school activities are planned for Wednesday night so kids and parents can attend Wednesday activities at church. There are never any Sunday activities so that people can attend church. Churches very in culture in Texas from the Strict time schedules of many of the White churches that have to be out in time to see the Cowboys play at 12:00 to the less strict Black church's that will sometimes pause a service, have pot luck and come back to finish a service sometimes late in the afternoon. To say the least, church life is important. When I worked at McDonald's, I hardly say any business between 10:30 and 12:15 on Sunday mornings.
So why is our schools getting so dangerous? First, I'll have to say the drug problem. Drugs are big in most areas with a poor population. When I was younger, I would run through many neighborhoods that today would be unthinkable because of the drugs. Revelation talks about people not repenting of their sorceries. The word in the Greek is pharmacia. The word we get pharmacy. Drugs are an end time problem according to scripture.
The other problem is the fact that because of the taking of God out of the public schools, we have taken our children out of public schools. Don't get me wrong. I am not advocating sending your kids to public schools. I am saying that without salt and light in the public arena, the darkness gets blacker. That is not a racial statement by the way. Since God has been taken out of the public school we are now subject to the curses that God has placed on the institution for leaving him. School was originally the place that we were to learn the Bible. The purpose of reading was to learn the Bible. The purpose of writing was to take notes on the Bible. The purpose of math was so we can do the numbers. The purpose of History was we could learn from our mistakes. The public schools in this country have lost that focus and as such gone into social skills. An arena that should be taught by parents, not by teachers.
So is the answer Christian schools? I don't think so. Some of them know their purpose and do an adequate job in performing them. Some of them are nothing more then public schools with prayer. I have known many schools that have taken children that have been expelled from public schools. This is a very dangerous thing. I understand the power of God to change a life. You cannot expect God to do it every time. When the child refuses to accept the life changing power of God, he then becomes a problem to your school. As a sports official I have seen more unsportsmanlike acts in Christian schools then in public.
So what is the answer? My personal preference is home schooling. For many of you this is a great option. You have a stay at home wife that is more then willing to run your home school with care and love. With the support of a great husband it can be a wonderful thing. Check titus2.com and see a homeschool that worked very well. Some don't have the option. Both parents have to work. That is a sad thing in this culture. Before you quit your job to start homeschooling you have to count the cost. Can we live on the lower income. I dare say in many cases it is a yes. You don't have to buy new clothes, put gas in the car, etc. You will have to make sure your house as adequate room for children to do school work. Have extra computers and text books. You don't have to have and education degree. Just access to great study guides. You may be surprised how much you learn. You may find out you can be "smarter than a fifth grader"
Whatever option you decide on. Remember to do it with prayer and much investigation. If you don't think homeschooling is for you, get to know the schools in your area and find out who has a good reputation and who has a bad one. Get to know your children's teachers and getting to know the security officers wouldn't hurt either. I know one of the officers at one large high school and he is a great man. I also know the superintendent at a different school. He and I grew up together. Find out what it is going on and keep informed. Education is your responsibility no matter what the NEA says. Stay on top of your children's homework and on top of what is being taught. If you stay informed then your children will grow up to be better children. Always be there for your children.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Michael Moore and Capitalism
The Question that Michael Moore brings up is "What would Jesus Do?" Let me remind you that Jesus did not live in our day and age so any answer to that is Hypothetical. You have to look at scripture and say: Is there a Biblical principal that applies?
The American way as we know it now is when you go in business, you form a corporation and raise a ton of money. You hire hundreds of people and start producing. You form a corporation because of the tax and liability laws. You could be starting small and just create a board of directors for your corporation and file for a corporation. Build your business. As you start to be successful and you need funding for more projects, you sell a part of your business to either a large investor or take it to wall street and sell stock to raise the money. There are bonds that can be sold as well as bank loans to take on to raise funds for the growth of your company.
What is the biblical way? You can't look at Jesus. He had nothing to say. Moses had plenty to say and Jesus said he came to fulfill the law. So what does Moses have to say? First there is no corporations. All businesses are sole proprietorships. Under today's laws we could go with an S corporation. I am not sure that we are to create a business so large that we need to hire hundreds of employees. The early American model has a sole proprietor taking on an apprentice and then teaching him the trade. The biblical model goes on to limit the amount of money that can be borrowed by forgiving all debts on the year of jubilee.
If you look at the year of Jubilee it is a wonderful thing. If you really want to know what Jesus would do you have to look at this. The year of jubilee, all the debts are forgiven, the slaves are released, and everyone who had to sell his land, gets it back. This puts everyone back to a level playing field every 50 years. I mentioned that our founders intended to do this when the country was founded. The Verse for Leviticus 25 is found on the liberty bell. It cracked exactly 50 years after the country was founded. The year that should have been a Jubilee but wasn't.
So what is Michael Moore trying to do by attacking capitalism. I know he is trying to get us to rethink our stand on the issue. Is greed good? Michael Douglas tried to convince us of this in his movie "Wall Street" back in the 80's. If you saw that movie you know in the end he fell on his own greed. Of course the ten commandments specifically mentions coveting as a sin.
What Michael Moore doesn't want to admit is that the Bible never gives the means of production or the responsibility for caring for everyone's every need to the Government. By giving it to the government, you create a super corporation that will oppress the people more. The warning came up when the people in I Samuel asked for a king. He said he would take all your money and all your children for his service. The idea of having a president instead of a king is that the people looking to God is the sovereign. God ask for your complete allegiance. When you have a powerful government, they expect your total loyalty. That is why Nero persecuted Christians. God's plan is for the government to be small and the people to look to God for guidance.
So to go back to what would Jesus do? He owned his own carpentry business. Then he became a freelance preacher. He surrounded himself with people who were capable of raising money. Fishermen, tax collectors, etc. He never worked for anyone as an indentured servant. He never became an employee. He never borrowed money. I don't even see him taking a collection in scripture. I know he he did watch the giving practices in the temple and synagogues. When he needed to pay a tax, he found the money. When he needed to have a service done he was able to find someone to donate the service. We know Judas was the group treasurer and they had some money. He taught. He preached. He healed the sick, lamb and blind.
When it came to businesses relating to religion, he overthrew the money changers at the temple. To understand the story. The moneychangers were there selling animals and changing money so that it would be acceptable to the priest. The priest would reject whatever a person brought and just like buying ski pants at the slopes, the animals sold in the court of the gentiles was five to ten times more expensive then buying it back in your hometown. Jesus greatly disliked the practice.
I say that Jesus would advocate that every man owned there own business, planted his own field, and sold his own products in the marketplace. He would advocate that every man use certified scales so that no man is cheated in his sale. That loans would not have a high usury. That a man did not own hundreds of servants but would hire seasonally when he needed a harvest done. That every year when your harvest, or ship came in that you gave your ten percent to the priest in the temple. That the offering would be acceptable within reason. That you leave a portion of your field so that the poor could go through it and pick their own food. This practice of not allowing people to pillage through Land Fills is not good.
What Jesus is looking for is not a system that makes you buy Gold and Silver from the world. What he wants is that you buy Gold and Silver from God, tried in the fire. Revelation 3:18. So as you go to watch Michael Moore's new film or listen to him on the talk show circuit, read Leviticus first. Learn what God really expects from a business man. Read the history of business and discover what the founders expected from us as we started building large businesses with Wall Street. Michael Moore has a point, but his conclusion is wrong.
The American way as we know it now is when you go in business, you form a corporation and raise a ton of money. You hire hundreds of people and start producing. You form a corporation because of the tax and liability laws. You could be starting small and just create a board of directors for your corporation and file for a corporation. Build your business. As you start to be successful and you need funding for more projects, you sell a part of your business to either a large investor or take it to wall street and sell stock to raise the money. There are bonds that can be sold as well as bank loans to take on to raise funds for the growth of your company.
What is the biblical way? You can't look at Jesus. He had nothing to say. Moses had plenty to say and Jesus said he came to fulfill the law. So what does Moses have to say? First there is no corporations. All businesses are sole proprietorships. Under today's laws we could go with an S corporation. I am not sure that we are to create a business so large that we need to hire hundreds of employees. The early American model has a sole proprietor taking on an apprentice and then teaching him the trade. The biblical model goes on to limit the amount of money that can be borrowed by forgiving all debts on the year of jubilee.
If you look at the year of Jubilee it is a wonderful thing. If you really want to know what Jesus would do you have to look at this. The year of jubilee, all the debts are forgiven, the slaves are released, and everyone who had to sell his land, gets it back. This puts everyone back to a level playing field every 50 years. I mentioned that our founders intended to do this when the country was founded. The Verse for Leviticus 25 is found on the liberty bell. It cracked exactly 50 years after the country was founded. The year that should have been a Jubilee but wasn't.
So what is Michael Moore trying to do by attacking capitalism. I know he is trying to get us to rethink our stand on the issue. Is greed good? Michael Douglas tried to convince us of this in his movie "Wall Street" back in the 80's. If you saw that movie you know in the end he fell on his own greed. Of course the ten commandments specifically mentions coveting as a sin.
What Michael Moore doesn't want to admit is that the Bible never gives the means of production or the responsibility for caring for everyone's every need to the Government. By giving it to the government, you create a super corporation that will oppress the people more. The warning came up when the people in I Samuel asked for a king. He said he would take all your money and all your children for his service. The idea of having a president instead of a king is that the people looking to God is the sovereign. God ask for your complete allegiance. When you have a powerful government, they expect your total loyalty. That is why Nero persecuted Christians. God's plan is for the government to be small and the people to look to God for guidance.
So to go back to what would Jesus do? He owned his own carpentry business. Then he became a freelance preacher. He surrounded himself with people who were capable of raising money. Fishermen, tax collectors, etc. He never worked for anyone as an indentured servant. He never became an employee. He never borrowed money. I don't even see him taking a collection in scripture. I know he he did watch the giving practices in the temple and synagogues. When he needed to pay a tax, he found the money. When he needed to have a service done he was able to find someone to donate the service. We know Judas was the group treasurer and they had some money. He taught. He preached. He healed the sick, lamb and blind.
When it came to businesses relating to religion, he overthrew the money changers at the temple. To understand the story. The moneychangers were there selling animals and changing money so that it would be acceptable to the priest. The priest would reject whatever a person brought and just like buying ski pants at the slopes, the animals sold in the court of the gentiles was five to ten times more expensive then buying it back in your hometown. Jesus greatly disliked the practice.
I say that Jesus would advocate that every man owned there own business, planted his own field, and sold his own products in the marketplace. He would advocate that every man use certified scales so that no man is cheated in his sale. That loans would not have a high usury. That a man did not own hundreds of servants but would hire seasonally when he needed a harvest done. That every year when your harvest, or ship came in that you gave your ten percent to the priest in the temple. That the offering would be acceptable within reason. That you leave a portion of your field so that the poor could go through it and pick their own food. This practice of not allowing people to pillage through Land Fills is not good.
What Jesus is looking for is not a system that makes you buy Gold and Silver from the world. What he wants is that you buy Gold and Silver from God, tried in the fire. Revelation 3:18. So as you go to watch Michael Moore's new film or listen to him on the talk show circuit, read Leviticus first. Learn what God really expects from a business man. Read the history of business and discover what the founders expected from us as we started building large businesses with Wall Street. Michael Moore has a point, but his conclusion is wrong.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)