Tag Archives: Current events

Christianity, Current events, doctrine, Theology, Uncategorized

Three Visions, One Faith, One Fall

As we watch the division in the Catholic Church between Norvus Ordo from Vatican 2 and the Traditionalists, between the soft hand against the German bishops to the heavy handedness toward the SSPX, are we seeing the implosion of the 2000 year old stronghold of the Christian faith? What makes this more interesting and notable are three things. A book by Taylor Marshall called Infiltration, which describes ideologies creeping into the Church since the late 1800s and leading to the call of Vatican 2 for changes. The understanding of the Reformers. And three Marian Apparitions that directly speak of the Church in the state it is now in.

This article will discuss two of the three, the Reformers and the Apparitions because they seem to play hand in hand. Included will be the messages of the Blessed Mother, the statements of the Reformers and scriptural basis for those statements. And how they match up in many ways to the Marian messages. Will this cause controversy? Yes. Will it bring a visceral hatred? Probably. But it is a fact based article, and the truths as seen when connected.

The first Apparition occurred in 1846, in La Salette, France. And this one is the most explicit in terms of the Seat of Peter. Only parts of the message were approved by the Church. And true to ow many apparition secrets are not revealed at the time, a few points were left out of the official tell of the apparition message.. In 1879, Melanie Calvat wrote the full message points that the Church either didn’t want released or had chosen not to speak of. While some Popes apparently knew and possibly favored knowledge of these points, Pope Leo XIII had them sealed and forbidden from release.

And once they are seen in the writings of Ms Calvat, one can see why.

  • Rome will lose the faith and become the seat of the Antichrist.
  • In the year 1864, Lucifer together with a large number of demons will be unloosed from Hell; they will put an end to faith, little by little.
  • The Church will be eclipsed and the world will be in consternation.

This can be seen as a warning to repent, as the message from the prophets of old. In 1870, the first Vatican Council set as dogma, Papal Infallibility. This determination set the concept that the Pope cannot make a mistake when speaking on Faith and Morals. The issue that can cause an issue here is that view, that the Pope has authority to set doctrine without question. And we can see that what has happened through the last century in the Church, from changing the 1955 Missal to Vatican 2, that this ‘little by little’ change has created a major issue within the Church.

The Reformers has already stated this scenario as one of their main points.

  • Luther (1537) – The Pope is the very Antichrist, who has exalted himself above, and opposed himself against Christ because he will not permit Christians to be saved without his power.
  • Calvin – The Pope takes upon himself the position of Christ, using the name as a pretext, to be the leader of an impious and abominable kingdom.
  • Westminster Confession (1647)  – Nor can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition.

Scriptural basis for this ideology can be seen in the book of Revelation (Apocalypse).

Revelation 17 – Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters,  with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”  And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”  And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.  The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;  they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.  As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.  And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.  These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.  They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.  And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.  And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

The next apparition was in Fatima (1917). There were three main messages, with the third not being revealed even to this day. While there is a an image that emerges, the explanation of the images remains hidden. The text released by the Vatican describes a vision seen by the children:

  • A bishop dressed in white (understood to be the Pope) makes a difficult pilgrimage through a ruined city filled with corpses.
  • He reaches a large wooden cross on top of a mountain, where he is gunned down by soldiers and arrows.
  • Other bishops, priests, and lay people are also killed, while angels collect their blood and sprinkle it on souls making their way to God.

There has been speculation, deservedly so, that the true interpretation was never released. After the attempted murder of Pope John Paul II, the official version of the secret was this assassination attempt. But it doesn’t connect. The Pope was the only one attacked. Not on a pilgrimage, no dead bodies of martyrs. So this leads to the question, what was the true interpretation that remains hidden? Sister Lucia, one of the original 3 visionaries, never directly stated since she was forbidden by Rome to do so. But as an SSPX article points out, she did hint. “This disorientation is diabolical, it is sad that so many people let themselves be dominated by the diabolical wave sweeping over the world! And they are blinded to the point where they are incapable of seeing error! Their principal fault is that they have abandoned prayer.”

This hints at apostasy within the Church of Rome. We can see small signs of this in Vatican 2, especially in the removal of prayers of the liturgy. Key Prayers Removed or Altered

  • Leonine Prayers: These were a set of prayers—three Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen, a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, and a three-fold invocation to the Sacred Heart—added by Pope Leo XIII to be said after Low Mass for the intention of the Church and the conversion of Russia. These were officially removed in 1964. [1]
  • Psalm 42 (Judica Me): The opening prayers at the foot of the altar, which included Psalm 42, were removed from the introductory rites. [1, 2]
  • Last Gospel (John 1:1-14): The traditional reading of the Prologue of John at the end of Mass was eliminated. [1]
  • Prayers at the Foot of the Altar: Prayers such as the Aufer a nobis and Oramus te (a prayer to St. Michael) said by the priest while ascending the altar were removed. [1]
  • Specific Penitential Prayers: The Misereatur and Indulgentium (absolution prayers) following the Confiteor in the traditional rite were omitted. [1]
  • Private Prayers of the Priest: Many prayers that the priest previously recited privately at the altar, intended only for him, were removed, shortened, or made audible. [1]

Other Liturgical Changes

  • The Trinity Prayer (Offertory): Some older offertory prayers that referenced the sacrificial nature of the Mass were replaced with prayers inspired by Jewish table blessings.
  • The Triple Kyrie: While the Kyrie itself remains, the structure of the Nine-fold Kyrie was often replaced or altered. [1]

While some prayers were removed to simplify the mass and encourage active participation, others were made optional or replaced, resulting in a distinct shift from the 1962 Missal. But, it did not start there. Many prayers were removed from the 1955 Missal by Pope Pious XII that were used during Holy Week.

 Key prayers, blessings, and ritual elements that were altered or removed include:

Palm Sunday

  • Suppressed Blessing Prayers: Out of seven traditional prayers used to bless the palms in the pre-1955 rite, six were abolished, leaving only a single, significantly shortened prayer. [1, 2]
  • Processional Prayers: Prayers that framed the procession as a public witness of the faith were removed, and the historical rite of the priest knocking at the church doors was suppressed. [1]

The Easter Vigil

  • Blessing of the New Fire: Three traditional prayers for the blessing of the new fire were replaced by a single, newly composed prayer.
  • The Triple Candle (Tenebrae / Triple Reed): The ancient Lumen Christi ceremony featuring the triple candle was completely eliminated.
  • The Exsultet Preface: The consecratory preface of the Exsultet was removed and replaced with a newly created prayer.
  • Post-Exsultet Prayers: Liturgical prayers originally offered for the Pope, bishops, the congregation, and the civil government were entirely removed from the end of the Exsultet. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Good Friday

  • Mass of the Presanctified: The ancient, solemn Mass of the Presanctified was replaced with a simplified service.
  • Passion Truncations: Specific verses detailing the preparations for the Last Supper (e.g., in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22) were removed from the recitation of the Passion. [1, 2, 3]

General Daily Mass Revisions

  • Prayers at the Foot of the Altar: Although preserved in regular Masses, the Judica me (Psalm 42) and the prayers at the foot of the altar were completely omitted during Palm Sunday and the Easter Vigil. [1]
  • The Last Gospel: The recitation of the Last Gospel (the prologue of St. John) at the conclusion of Mass was eventually made optional in 1964 and removed altogether in the 1969 Novus Ordo. [1, 2, 3]
  • Omission of Vigils and Octaves: Most liturgical vigils and octaves throughout the year were suppressed to simplify the liturgical calendar. [1]

Reformers made statements on this perceived apostasy within the Roman Church.

  • John Calvin – I deny that See to be Apostolical, wherein nought is seen but a shocking apostasy.
  • John Know – The Roman Catholic Mass is as idolatry and an abomination, a total departure from the Church that Christ established.
  • Westminster Confession – There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.

Scriptural basis for this view:

2 Timothy 4:1-4 “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,  and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The final Apparition in the trio is from Akita, Japan in 1973 and 1981. There were three messages (always seem to be in threes). The last one is the one that falls into this report. Like the other apparitions, there is a call to repentance and use of the Rosary. But it seems that the third message is always a vision of the future of the Church. The third message of this apparition can be seen fully in the Church of Rome as it plays out on the front page of newsprint and in news videos.

  • The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres… the Church will be full of those who accept compromises…”

This statement needs no explanation as we see this very thing playing out in the actions of acceptance to dismantling of tradition by men like Bishop Martin in North Carolina and the German Council of Bishops. While banning men like Archbishop Vigano and Bishop Strickland for upholding 2 millennia of the faith.

The Geneva Bible commentary heavily targets the “cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops” as agents who abandon Christ to defend a corrupt earthly system. The Akita prophecy describes a system so thoroughly hollowed out by “compromise” and demonic infiltration that the institutional framework completely fractures. To a historicist Protestant, this mirrors the chaotic, spiritually destitute state of the Harlot church described in Revelation 17 and 18.

Scriptural basis:

Revelation 17 can be seen above.

Revelation 18:

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.  And he called out with a mighty voice,      
 “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
 She has become a dwelling place for demons,
 a haunt for every unclean spirit,
 a haunt for every unclean bird,
 a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
   For all nations have drunk
 the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
 and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
 and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
   Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,      
 “Come out of her, my people,
 lest you take part in her sins,
 lest you share in her plagues;
   for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
 and God has remembered her iniquities.
   Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,
 and repay her double for her deeds;
 mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
   As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,
 so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
 since in her heart she says,
 I sit as a queen,
 I am no widow,
 and mourning I shall never see.’
   For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,
 death and mourning and famine,
 and she will be burned up with fire;
 for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
   And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning.  They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,      
 “Alas! Alas! You great city,
 you mighty city, Babylon!
 For in a single hour your judgment has come.”
   And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore,  cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,  cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls.
   “The fruit for which your soul longed
 has gone from you,
 and all your delicacies and your splendors
 are lost to you,
 never to be found again!”
   The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,
   “Alas, alas, for the great city
 that was clothed in fine linen,
 in purple and scarlet,
 adorned with gold,
 with jewels, and with pearls!
   For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.”
 And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off       and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning,      
 “What city was like the great city?”
   And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out,      
 “Alas, alas, for the great city
 where all who had ships at sea
 grew rich by her wealth!
 For in a single hour she has been laid waste.
   Rejoice over her, O heaven,
 and you saints and apostles and prophets,
 for God has given judgment for you against her!”
   Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying,      
 “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence,
 and will be found no more;
   and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters,
 will be heard in you no more,
 and a craftsman of any craft
 will be found in you no more,
 and the sound of the mill
 will be heard in you no more,
   and the light of a lamp
 will shine in you no more,
 and the voice of bridegroom and bride
 will be heard in you no more,
 for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
 and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.
   And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints,
 and of all who have been slain on earth.”

While one can try to validate change made over the years by the Church, what cannot be denied, are we are seeing out the actions prophesied by the Blessed Mother in three locations in the span of 117 years. In three countries and two continents. The first coming before Vatican 1. The second coming before Vatican 2. And the last coming before the writing of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. Take from this article what you will.

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Current events, Uncategorized

Fact Checking Senator Todd Young on US vs China

On May 29, 2026, Indiana Senator visited Huntington University to have a sit and chat with the Huntington County Chamber of Converse. While there, he spoke on various topics such as AI, technology innovation, and industry. Of the topics that were discussed, Mr. Young upheld the concept of the US being preeminent in most categories of topics. This article will look at a few, mainly in the technology and industrial areas. Each section will have his synopsis and then fact check.

AI & Innovation:

Senator Young said America stands at a defining moment in the age of artificial intelligence and believes Indiana is uniquely positioned to benefit because of its manufacturing strength, research universities, and entrepreneurial culture. While acknowledging public anxiety about AI, he argued the United States has advantages China cannot replicate because of America’s innovation-driven system.

Young said, “This could be the second American century … if we can optimize our system for this 21st century, there’s no way we’re going to lose.”

Fact check: While Mr. Young states that the US is better at AI and the technology that goes with it, this opposite of what the experts actually state. According to an article by the ITIF (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) in 2025, they show the US vs China in areas of technology. And when one looks at the rates in various areas, their research shows China having a definitive lead in areas such as AI. The also quote a ranking by ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker. In this specific report, the research shows China leading in 57 categories while the US leads in only 7.

In the report, China shows a large percentage lead in nine categories.

  • Quantum Technology – US (25%) China (28%)
  • AI – US (18%) China (30%)
  • Biotech – US (21%) China (31%)
  • Advanced ICT – US (12%) China (33%)
  • Sensing/Timing/Navigation _ US (15%) China (40%)
  • Defense/Space/Robotics/Transport – US (15%) China (40.5%)
  • Energy/Environment – US (10%) China (45%)
  • Advanced Materials – US (11%) China (45%)
  • Unique AUKUS Tech – US (8%) China (54%)

.Manufacturing & Supply Chains:

Young discussed efforts to reshore semiconductor production and rebuild strategic manufacturing capacity through the CHIPS and Science Act and related initiatives. He emphasized that some industries are too critical to rely on foreign supply chains, particularly when national security is involved.

“We can’t reshore everything. I don’t want to make tube socks here. It’s not a high value added product. We don’t need to make them. So what exactly do we want to reshore? I’ve been pretty clear about this. We want to reshore semiconductors because there’s a national security dimension to it,” Young said. “It’s a very high value-added product, and we should never again be dependent on China for something that important.”

Fact Check: Mr. Young want to start making various product here that he states is a matter of National Security. And at some points, it may be. Such as products used in military technology. While the mentioned CHIPS and Science Act provided the ability to out manufacture in this area (52 billion in incentives, tax credits, R&D funding, and workforce development), the infrastructure in place in the US cannot handle the proposed initiatives as it now sits. It will take five major areas of implementation to catch and over China. These are:

  • Decades of industrial policy
  • Major infrastructure expansion
  • Faster permitting
  • Large workforce training and placement programs
  • Rebuilding of the supplier ecosystems (meaning every manufacturing participant will need to restructure the entire infrastructure relating to the individual product and process).

For the increase in production and areas of energy, the following percentages show the US industrial base highly lacking in various areas compared to China. In the following areas, China is at or above 60% while the US is at or below 20%.

  • Hydrogen/Ammonia for power
  • Nanoscale materials and Manufacturing
  • High specification machining processes
  • Supercapacitors
  • Advanced aircraft engines
  • Coatings
  • Autonomous underwater vehicles
  • Electric batteries
  • Hypersonic detection and tracking

But all is not lost. The US does lead China in a few areas.

  • Vaccines and medical countermeasures
  • Quantum computing
  • Small satellites
  • Atomic clocks
  • Nuclear medicine and radiotherapy
  • Natural language processing
  • Genetic engineering

While Mr. Young, and the US in general, believe that China is not a threat in specialized areas and the US is the top of the various fields, data shows the opposite. One of the major contributors for the advancement of China in these areas is the link between Education and the Military. In global educational rankings, China sits at 17 out of the top 20, while the US sits at 18. In science and math, China sits a 4  of the top 20, while the US is at 19.

So to answer Mr. Young’s claims. China has better infrastructure, better capabilities, and better education in the areas required. The data does not support Mr. Young’s claims.

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Current events, Human Right, war

Trump 45 Actions Lead to Trump 47 War with Iran

On July 13, 2015, Iran’s nuclear material was at 20% purity. That means it was higher than needed for simple power production and closer to weapons grade. They had a large stockpile within the country. Estimated at 19,000 centrifuges installed at Natanz and 9,000 of those were enriched. They also had approximately 8-10,000 low-enriched. The estimated time to have what would be needed for weapons, at that time was estimated at 2-3 months.

On July 14 of that year, the JCPOA was signed by the US, other nations, and Iran. Under this agreement, enrichment levels would be held to 3.67%. Production wold be cut and the Fordow facility would be moved from production to research. As well as a few other changes within the system. It also allowed unfettered access by IAEA inspections.

Within the next few months, Iran shipped over 11 tons of enriched Uranium out of country due to the restrictions of the agreement. So started the nation of Iran to hold up to the agreement established by the global community.

On May 7, 2018, the nation of Iran was well below the limits set by the agreement. Approximately, as determined by IAEA inspections, Iran had 123.9 kg of 3.67% enriched uranium (U-235). This was below the agreement standards. This remained under the 300kg UF6 cap. They had retained only 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz. Also less than the agreed upon amount. The 3067% enrichment was only 10% of the level required for weapons grade material. Here is the point when things drastically change.

On May 8, 2018, under the first Trump administration, the US was removed from the JCPOA agreement. Ending three years of Iranian nuclear compliance. Trump’s belief was that the initial time-frames within the agreement were not satisfactory. So instead of renegotiating for longer time-frames, President Trump removed the US from the agreement, opening the door for the agreement to fail and for Iran to restart their pursuit of weapons grade material.

By August of 2018, inspectors found that Iran had increased their stockpile from 1239.9kg to 139.4kg. The percentage had not changed and remained at 3.67% Both within the set agreement. But by the same time the next year (2019), that changed.

The July 1, 2019 inspection report showed an increase of plutonium (U-235) to the level of 205.0kg, 2.2kg over the required cap of 202.8kg. Also noted was that the enrichment held at 3.67%. But, just one week later, the inspectors found that within that week, Iran had increased enrichment to 4.5%. This exceeded the cap of enrichment of 3.67%. Now the world started to see the ramifications of the US removal from the treaty and renewed sanctions on Iran by the first Trump administration.

By the September 2021 reporting date, Iran has increased enrichment from the required 20% to 60%, This is only 30% from weapons grade enrichment. Their stockpile had gone from 2.4kg to 10kg in a span of a few moths, showing a huge uptick in production. The November report that year, showed that production of the 20% enrichment at 113.8kg while the 60% enrichment grew to 17.7kg. By the 2024 election cycle, the stockpiles in Iran had grown to 6,200kg. This included over 140kg enriched at the 60% level.

At the time of the start of the war with Iran by the US and Israel, IAEA reports showed that Iran had approximately 440-441kg of its uranium stockpile at 60% enrichment. An estimated total of 6,000kg covered all levels of percentages in the stockpile. According to the  IAEA Director, General Rafael Grossi, the amount of material listed at 60% purity, if purified to the 90% required for weapons grade, it would arm an estimated 10 nuclear warheads.

Iran was now producing at three facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.  The stockpile was kept in underground areas to prevent destruction if attacks occurred. IAEA inspectors were also being limited in inspection ability. The 60% enrichment purity is, understandably, concerning.  Civilian nuclear purity is only 5%. Nuclear reactors for electricity are only 20%. The increase to 60% is 40% over what is needed for electricity generation and closer to weapons grade by 10% in distance.

So the summary reads this way. The Obama administration initiated and agreement with Iran, which Iran followed and therefore was not to be seen as a nuclear threat. Donald Trump, in his first term, removed the US from the agreement and placed more sanctions on Iran. This opened the door for a massive increase of production and enrichment that sets at almost weapons grade level.

Because of this increase by Iran, the Trump administration (Operation Epic Fury) and the Israeli government (Operation Roaring Lion) launched the first attacks on Iran on February of this year. So the need to attack Iran for possible future nuclear attacks was the fault of the first Trump administration. By removing the US from the agreement, which Iran was following (at levels below required by the agreement), Donald Trump had opened the needed space and reason for Iran to grow its nuclear program. This nation is now in a war, initiated by the Current Trump administration for an issue that the first Trump administration caused.

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Current events, security, Uncategorized

A Shield for the Innocent

I came across a news story on my feed today that definitely grabbed my attention. In San Diego, Security Officer Amin Abdullah lost his life protecting an Islamic school from the armed attack that was meant to take the lives of dozens of children and staff. This article is to honor him, and the thousands of Security Officers that protect the lives of the innocent daily.

Most of the populace see these officers only in respect of the movie Paul Blart Mall Cop or as men and women who are wannabe cops that failed in joining a police department. Here’s the facts. There are an estimated 1.2-1.7 million security professionals in the US. Of those, there are an estimated 15-30% that are ex military and law enforcement.

Yes, there are those in the ranks that are the buffoonish type. Yes, there are those that have a superiority complex. But those are the fringes of the industry. The majority are those that due their duty with honor and pride. I have worked with them. But I have also worked with officers that truly believe they can make a difference.

While most jobs in the field can be mundane, they are still needed positions. And then there are officers that are specialty trained. Those that patrol industrial complexes (petroleum facilities, military contracted manufacturing facilities, etc). There are those that do diplomatic and executive security. There are those that are SRT and Cert trained. They patrol banks, prisons, and housing complexes in some of the worst neighborhoods. And many do it for less than adequate pay, often having to get their gear on their own dime.

I have been in this industry for over a decade. I have worked for the top three known companies: Allied Universal (and a couple they acquired), G4S (best known internationally and now part of Allied Universal), and Securitas. But I have also worked for smaller firms. I currently hold certifications in most major industries, US Court Services, and a plethora of federal certificates like incident command and weapons of mass destruction training. I have secured banks (unarmed) and private military manufacturing. But I have also secured holding lots, factories, hospitals, and college campuses.

And one thing I have learned. Like emergency dispatch, security is a highly underrated profession. The majority of us in the field, do so because we hope we can make a small difference in a world gone mad. And yes, we get the typical reactions, until the person needs us. A good officer has not only the respect of the client and the staff, but also of those we protect.

Take this with you. While there is no national memorial for those that fall in the line of duty, and the majority of the populace look at Security Officers in jest, when you go to NYC and look at the memorials of 9/11, look for the memorial to the 39 Security Officers that died doing a duty that most make fun of. When you travel, look for local memorials to to fallen officers.

And remember this. When you are making fun of them at your local mall, that man or woman you joke about and call Paul Blart, is the first one that will pace it all on the line to protect those that make fun of them.

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Ang mga Mangangaral ngayon ay Mga duwag

Sa piling ng Diyos at ni Cristo Jesus, na hahatulan ang mga buhay at patay, at dahil sa kanyang paglitaw at kanyang kaharian, binibigyan kita ng singil na ito: Mangaral ng salita; maging handa sa panahon at labas ng panahon; tama, sawayin at hikayatin ang — na may malaking pasensya at maingat na pagtuturo. Para sa oras na darating na ang mga tao ay hindi magtitiis ng mabuting doktrina. Sa halip, upang umangkop sa kanilang sariling mga hangarin, magtitipon sila sa paligid nila ng isang mahusay na bilang ng mga guro upang sabihin kung ano ang nais marinig ng kanilang mga nangangati na tainga. Ilalayo nila ang kanilang mga tainga sa katotohanan at tatalikod sa mga mito. Ngunit ikaw, panatilihin ang iyong ulo sa lahat ng mga sitwasyon, tiisin ang kahirapan, gawin ang gawain ng isang ebanghelista, ilabas ang lahat ng mga tungkulin ng iyong ministeryo. 2 Timoteo 4: 1-5

Ang Amerika ay umalis mula sa Great Awakening hanggang sa henerasyon ng Woke. At ang isang nilalang na, hanggang sa huling ilang dekada ay lumingon sa pagtalikod. Ang simbahan ay ang tagapag-alaga ng moralidad at budhi ng Amerika. Ang mga pews ng simbahan ay puno ng mga nagtatanong sa ‘ bakit walang muling pagbuhay ’ habang binabalewala, demonyo, at tinatanggihan ang mga utos ng ating Lumikha. Tulad ng dati kong sinabi ng lola ‘ hindi mo maaaring bantayan ang bahay ng hen sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaalam sa fox ’, na kung ano mismo ang nagawa ng mga kalalakihan sa likuran ng pulpito.

Ang unang Mahusay na Gumising sa panahon ng Kolonyal na Era ng ating bansa ay dinala sa isang masayang simbahan. Ang mga kalalakihan na tulad ni George Whitfield, na may tinig na sinabi ni Ben Franklin na maaari niyang marinig ang kalahating milya ang layo. At marahil ang pinakadakilang mangangaral ng panahong iyon ng pagbabagong-buhay, si Jonathan Edwards. Ipinangaral niya ang isang sermon na alam bilang pinakadakilang sermon na ibinigay. Ito ay tinawag na ‘ Mga makasalanan sa Kamay ng isang Galit na Diyos ’. Ito ay batay sa banal na kasulatan ng Deuteronomio 32:35 “ Ang kanilang paa ay dapat mag-slide sa takdang oras ”. ( https://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.sinners.html)

Ang unang Great Awakening ay mayroong 5 pangunahing punto ng talakayan:

Lahat ng tao ay ipinanganak na makasalanan

Ang kasalanan na walang kaligtasan ay magpapadala ng isang tao sa impiyerno

Ang lahat ng mga tao ay maliligtas kung aminin nila ang kanilang mga kasalanan sa Diyos, humingi ng kapatawaran at tanggapin ang biyaya ng Diyos

Ang lahat ng mga tao ay maaaring magkaroon ng isang direktang at emosyonal na koneksyon sa Diyos

Ang relihiyon ay hindi dapat pormal at itinatag, ngunit sa halip kaswal at personal

( https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/great-awakening)

Ang pangalawang Great Awakening ay nag-post ng American Revolution at tumagal hanggang sa mga 1830. Dinala nito ang Camp Meeting. Noong 1802 Kentucky ang pulong ng kampo ay binibilang 20,000. ( https://www.ushistory.org/us/22c.asp) Ang pinakamahusay na kilalang konsepto na nagmula sa kilusang pagbabagong-buhay na ito ay ang konsepto na ang freewill ay nanaig. Ang ideya na mapipili ng isang tao na maligtas, at ang kaligtasan ay para sa lahat. Mayroon din itong mas malaking tungkulin para sa mga kababaihan at itim na komunidad.

Ito ay sa oras na ito, natagpuan ng mga kalalakihan na tulad ni Charles Finney ang kanyang kaligtasan. Noong 1821 sinabi niya na pupunta siya sa kakahuyan sa New York upang matukoy ang katotohanan ng kaligtasan ng kanyang kaluluwa. Sinipi niya ang sinasabi na “ Ibibigay ko ang aking puso sa Diyos o hindi ako bababa mula doon ”.  Noong 1824 siya ay naorden. Siya ay may natatanging paraan upang maabot ang mga nakarinig sa kanya at isang mensahe na hindi kilitiin ang mga tainga. Ang pagtatapos ng isa sa kanyang mga sermon ay sinabi niya sa mga tagapakinig, “ Ikaw na gumawa ng iyong isip upang maging mga Kristiyano, at bibigyan ang iyong pangako upang gawin ang iyong kapayapaan sa Diyos kaagad, dapat tumaas ”. Umupo pa rin ang kongregasyon. Ang kanyang tugon ay “ Tinanggihan mo si Kristo at ang kanyang ebanghelyo ”. Nagalit ito sa kongregasyon, at sa pamayanan. Sa punto ng galit, sa susunod na gabi ang isang ginoo ay naglalayong patayin siya.

Kinabukasan ay nangaral ulit siya. Sa oras na ito, ang mga naroroon sa pagtatapos ng mensahe ay tumayo upang bigyan ang kanilang pangako. Habang ang iba ay nahulog na umungol at nag-bell. Ang kalungkutan para sa kanilang mga kasalanan at ang nauunawaan na pangangailangan para sa pagsisisi ay pumalit sa kongregasyon. ( https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/evangelistsandapologists/charles-finney.html).

Ang iba pang mahusay na mga pagbabagong-buhay ay tumama sa ating bansa kung kinakailangan sa mga edad mula noon.

Ang Mahusay na Panalangin sa Panalangin ng Panalangin 1857 ( hindi bababa sa 1 milyon ang na-convert )

Civil War Revival ( isang tinatayang 300,000 na na-convert, parehong USA at CSA )

Ang Urban Revivals 1875-1885 ( Nakita ni DL Moody ang pagbabagong loob ng daan-daang libo )

Ang Welsh Revival ng 1904-1905 ay dumating sa Amerika ( Billy Linggo na ipinangaral sa pagbabalik ng hindi bababa sa isang milyong )

Nagsimula ang Azusa Street 1906 bilang isang serbisyo sa pagdarasal sa bahay ( na natikman sa loob ng 3 tuwid na taon, araw-araw sa buong araw at gabi )

Mula sa WW2 hanggang 90s, nakita ng Amerika ang mga magagaling na mangangaral tulad nina Henry Blackaby, William Branham, at Billy Graham.

Ang mga kalalakihan na ito ( at kababaihan ) ay nagtanim ng mga buto na nag-convert ng milyun-milyon sa US lamang. Ipinangaral nila ang pagkilala sa kasalanan at pangangailangan para sa kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ni Kristo. Ang bibliya ay ang kanilang ginamit na materyal lamang. Sinabi ito ng Diyos, isinulat ito ng manunulat, kaya ipinangaral ito ng mga mangangaral. Hindi sila nagbigay ng quarter at hindi nag-aalala sa kanilang sarili tungkol sa kung ano ang iniisip ng mga tao tungkol sa kanila o sa kanilang mensahe. Naunawaan nila na ang mensahe ng kasalanan at pagsisisi ng Diyos ay tulad ng isang tabak, hindi cotton candy.

Ngayon mayroon kaming mahina na mangangaral na naghahangad na punan ang mga pews at hindi masaktan. Nais nilang magustuhan hindi kinapopootan. Nais nilang makita bilang kaibigan sa masa hindi ang pagpapatuloy ng mga Apostol. Dahil sa pagkawala ng kapangyarihan sa mensahe ng pulpito at kompromiso ng Salita ng Diyos, ang mga Kristiyanong simbahan ay naging mga sosyal na club kung saan hindi tinalakay ang kasalanan at pagsisisi, at ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay nangangailangan ng walang anuman kundi maging mabait. At binalaan kami ng mga ganitong uri ng mga mangangaral. ‘ Ang pagkakaroon ng isang anyo ng kabanalan, ngunit ang pagtanggi sa kapangyarihan nito: mula sa gayong pagliko ’. ( 2 Timoteo 3: 5 )

Pinuri ng mga kalalakihan ngayon at halos sumamba ay ang mga kalalakihan tulad nina Kenneth Copeland, Joel Olsteen, at Creflo Dollar. Ang mga uri na ito ay tinatawag na mga mangangaral ng kasaganaan. Ang kanilang mensahe ay simple. Kung hindi ka malusog at mayaman kulang ka sa pananampalataya. Kung kinamumuhian ka ng mga tao, mali ang iyong pangangaral. Ipadala sa amin ang iyong pera bilang isang binhi ( marami ang nawala sa lahat ng mayroon sila sa mga charlatans na ito ) at pagpapalain ka ng Diyos. Walang tawag sa pagsisisi, walang pagtawag sa kasalanan, at hindi na kailangang pumasok sa aparador ng panalangin.

Pinapayagan ng mga simbahan ngayon na umunlad ang homoseksuwalidad dahil hindi mahalaga ang mga patakaran ng moralidad ng Diyos, mahalin lamang ang bawat isa. Sige at gumawa ng pagpapalaglag dahil ang utos na hindi pumatay ng ( pagpatay ) ay hindi nalalapat, maging maganda lang. Ang paggamit ng mga talatang sinasabi na huwag hatulan at madulas sa mata upang bigyang-katwiran ang isang mahina na makamundong mensahe. Mas pinapahalagahan nila ang tungkol sa pag-kiliti sa tainga kaysa sa estado ng kaluluwa.

Siyempre ang mga Kristiyano ay hindi perpekto. Gayunpaman maraming nagsasabing ganoon o naibigay sa konsepto ay ang pag-ibig ang mahalaga. Ang isang tunay na Kristiyano ay maghanap sa kanyang puso, tingnan kung nasaan ang kasalanan, magsisi, humingi ng kapatawaran at biyaya mula sa Diyos. Ang isang tao na nagsasabing isang Kristiyano lamang ang nagsasabing hindi na kailangan dahil “ Mahal ako ng Diyos at sinabi ko sa isang oras na naniniwala ako kaya mabuti akong pumunta ”.

Sinagot ni Kristo at ng mga apostol ang tanong na ito. ‘ Kung mahal mo ako, susundin mo ang aking mga utos ’ ( Juan 14:15 ). ‘ Ang sinumang may Aking mga utos at pinapanatili ang mga ito ay ang nagmamahal sa Akin. Ang umiibig sa Akin ay mamahalin ng Aking Ama, at mamahalin ko siya at ihayag ang Aking Sarili sa kanya. ’ ( Juan 14:21 ). ‘ Namangha ako kung gaano kabilis mong iwanan ang Isa na tumawag sa iyo sa pamamagitan ng biyaya ni Cristo at bumaling sa ibang ebanghelyo – ‘ ( Gal 1: 6 ). ‘ Ngunit kung sanhi ka ng isa sa mga maliliit na taong nagtitiwala sa akin na mahulog sa kasalanan, mas mabuti para sa iyo na magkaroon ng isang malaking millstone na nakatali sa iyong leeg at malunod sa kailaliman ng dagat ’ ( Mateo 18: 6 ).

Ngayon nakikita natin ang Simbahan ng Laodicea. Sa anghel ng simbahan sa Laodicea isulat: Ito ang mga salita ng Amen, ang tapat at tunay na saksi, ang pinuno ng nilikha ng Diyos. Alam ko ang iyong mga gawa, na ikaw ay hindi malamig o mainit. Sana maging isa ka man o iba pa! Kaya, dahil ikaw ay maligamgam — hindi mainit o malamig — malapit na akong iwaksi sa aking bibig. Sabi mo, ‘ Mayaman ako; Nakakuha ako ng kayamanan at hindi kailangan ng isang bagay. ’ Ngunit hindi mo namamalayan na ikaw ay kahabag-habag, walang awa, mahirap, bulag at hubad. Pinapayuhan kita na bumili mula sa akin ng ginto na pino sa apoy, upang maaari kang maging mayaman; at puting damit na isusuot, upang maaari mong takpan ang iyong nakakahiyang kahubaran; at mag-salve upang ilagay sa iyong mga mata, upang makita mo. Ang mga mahal ko ay binabadlong ko at disiplinahin. Kaya’t maging masigasig at magsisi. Narito ako! Tumayo ako sa pintuan at kumatok. Kung may makakarinig sa aking tinig at magbubukas ng pintuan, papasok ako at kakain kasama ang taong iyon, at kasama nila ako. Sa isang matagumpay, bibigyan ko ng karapatang umupo sa akin sa aking trono, tulad ng ako ay nagtagumpay at umupo kasama ang aking Ama sa kanyang trono. Kung sino man ang may mga tainga, pakinggan nila ang sinasabi ng Espiritu sa mga simbahan. ” ( Rev. 3: 14-22 ).

Hindi epektibo ang simbahan dahil patay na ito. Patay ito sapagkat nakompromiso ang mga turo ng mga propeta, apostol, at si Jesucristo mismo. Ang kompromiso na ito ay nangyari dahil sa kahinaan ng mensahe mula sa pulpito. Mahina ang mensahe dahil napagpasyahan ng mga nangangaral na ang pagiging tanyag ay mas mahalaga kaysa sa mga kaluluwa ng mga tupa na inaakala nilang may posibilidad. Sa mga bansa ng Africa at Gitnang Silangan, ang mga Kristiyano ay namatay para sa kanilang walang tigil na pananampalataya sa mensahe ni Cristo. Ang mga apostol ay nabilanggo, binugbog, pinatay, at pinalayas dahil sa kanilang pananampalataya kay Cristo. Sa Amerika, ang mga mangangaral na ito ay natatakot sa panunuya at panlalait. Isipin kung ano ang mangyayari kapag ginawa ni Kristo ang kanyang maluwalhating pagbabalik at nakikita ang simbahan sa Amerika.

‘ Hindi lahat ng nagsasabi sa Akin, ‘ Panginoon, Panginoon, ’ ay papasok sa kaharian ng langit, ngunit siya lamang ang gumagawa ng kalooban ng Aking Ama sa langit. Marami ang sasabihin sa Akin sa araw na iyon, ‘ Panginoon, Panginoon, hindi ba kami nanghula sa Iyong pangalan, at sa Iyong pangalan ay pinalayas ang mga demonyo at gumawa ng maraming mga himala? ’ Pagkatapos ay sasabihin ko sa kanila nang malinaw, ‘ Hindi kita nakilala; umalis ka sa Akin, kayong mga manggagawa ng kawalan ng batas!…’ ( Mateo 7: 21-23 )

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Chasing Dragons

A song released in 2016 is a huge Tik Tok trend tune. The title of this song is Suga Boom Boom. Part of the song says “Suga Boom Boom, I’m chasing dragons, this dragon’s got my hands. Suga Boom Boom, I’m robbing people but I’m an honest man”. The song goes on to talk about being on parole. But when you look at just the first couple lines, it shows the oldest war in human history, God and Satan. And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne (Revelation 12:1-5).

So what this song does, without knowing it, tells the plight of man. In this case, man is chasing the dragon (Satan). To understand this, one needs to understand original sin. Although not a popular topic today, original sin is inherent in all sin the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12). For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And because of that inherent sin, man is evil and following Satan’s path.For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please (Galatians 5:17).

Today, many people who claim to follow Christ have forgotten His teachings. They say, don’t judge. And in a way they are right. A Christian isn’t to judge the heart of a person, but they are to watch a person’s actions and determine how the person acts, within righteousness or evil. Men like Joel Olsteen preach God’s love. They do forget that love of a parent comes with chastisement. These are false teachers and prophets. And we are warned against them. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30). The ones who fit this description are preachers like the prosperity preachers and preachers who only preach love or say you can get to God ONLY because you are a good person with a good heart.

But, there is true hope in this world. You don’t find it through politics. You don’t find it through any misguided gospel. You find it only through the blood stained cross of Jesus Christ. No man on this rock is, or has been, perfect but God in the flesh, Jesus. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens (Hebrews 7:26). For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).

So here is the question one must ask. Are you going to continue to chase the dragon? Or are you going have faith to ask Jesus Christ to free you from the burdens of sin? Only one leads to Eternity in Heaven.The other leads to destruction. You can be free from original sin through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Defiance, Debosyon, at Bunga

Ang sangkatauhan ay may dalawang pagpipilian na gagawin sa buhay na ito. Ang sumunod sa Diyos o ang suwayin ang Diyos (na sumusunod kay Satanas). Si Jesus na Anak at ang Diyos Ama ay nilinaw sa pamamagitan ng lahat ng banal na kasulatan, na mayroon lamang ang dalawang pagpipiliang ito. Ang isa ay humahantong sa buhay na walang hanggan kasama ang Diyos, ang isa ay humahantong sa walang hanggang kapahamakan.Ngayon ay titingnan natin ang isang kuwento sa Daniel na naglalarawan ng dalawang pagpipiliang ito. Alam natin ang kuwento tungkol kay Haring Nabucodonosor ng sinaunang Babilonya. Alam natin kung paano ang kanyang panaginip tungkol sa multi metal na palatuntunan ay binigyang kahulugan ni Daniel.

Daniel 2At nang ikalawang taon ng paghahari ni Nabucodonosor ay nanaginip si Nabucodonosor ng mga panaginip, na kung saan ang kaniyang espiritu ay nabagabag, at ang kaniyang pagtulog ay naputol mula sa kaniya. Nang magkagayo’y iniutos ng hari na tawagin ang mga salamangkero, at ang mga astrologo, at ang mga mangkukulam, at ang mga Caldeo, sapagka’t upang ipakita sa hari ang kaniyang mga panaginip. Kaya’t sila’y lumapit at tumayo sa harap ng hari. At sinabi ng hari sa kanila, Ako’y nanaginip ng panaginip, at ang aking espiritu ay nabagabag upang malaman ang panaginip. Nang magkagayo’y nagsalita ang mga Caldeo sa hari sa Siria, Oh hari, mabuhay ka magpakailan man: sabihin mo sa iyong mga lingkod ang panaginip, at aming ipapakita ang kahulugan. Sumagot ang hari at sinabi sa mga Caldeo, Ang bagay ay nawala sa akin: kung hindi ninyo ipaaalam sa akin ang panaginip, kasama ng kahulugan niyaon, kayo’y puputolputol, at ang inyong mga bahay ay gagawing isang dumi ng dumi. Datapuwa’t kung inyong ipakita ang panaginip, at ang kahulugan niyaon, kayo’y tatanggap sa akin ng mga kaloob at mga gantimpala at malaking karangalan: kaya’t ipakita ninyo sa akin ang panaginip, at ang kahulugan niyaon. Sila’y sumagot uli at nagsabi, Sabihin ng hari sa kaniyang mga lingkod ang panaginip, at aming ipapakita ang kahulugan nito. Sumagot ang hari at sinabi, Nalalaman ko nang may katiyakan na inyong matatamo ang panahon, sapagka’t nakikita ninyong ang bagay ay nawala sa akin. Datapuwa’t kung hindi ninyo ipaalam sa akin ang panaginip, ay iisa lamang ang utos sa inyo: sapagka’t kayo’y naghanda ng mga kasinungalingan at mga salitang bulok na magsalita sa harap ko, hanggang sa ang panahon ay mabago: kaya’t sabihin ninyo sa akin ang panaginip, at aking malalaman na inyong maipapahayag sa akin ang kahulugan niyaon.Sumagot ang mga Caldeo sa harap ng hari, at nagsabi, Walang lalake sa lupa na makapagpapakita ng bagay ng hari: kaya’t walang hari, panginoon, o pinuno, na humingi ng gayong mga bagay sa sinomang salamangkero, o astrologo, o Caldeo. At ito’y isang bihirang bagay na hinihingi ng hari, at walang ibang makapagpapakita nito sa harap ng hari, maliban sa mga dios, na ang nananahan ay hindi may laman. Dahil dito’y nagalit ang hari at labis na nagalit, at inutusang lipulin ang lahat ng pantas ng Babilonia. At ang kautusan ay lumaganap na ang mga pantas na lalaki ay papatayin; at hinanap nila si Daniel at ang kanyang mga kapwa upang patayin.Nang magkagayo’y sumagot si Daniel na may payo at karunungan kay Arioch na kapitan ng bantay ng hari, na nagsilabas upang patayin ang mga pantas sa Babilonia: Siya’y sumagot at sinabi kay Arioch na kapitan ng hari, Bakit ang utos ay nagmamadali sa hari Pagkatapos ay ipinaalam ni Arioch ang bagay kay Daniel. Nang magkagayo’y pumasok si Daniel, at hiniling sa hari na bigyan siya ng panahon, at ipahayag niya sa hari ang kahulugan. Nang magkagayo’y nagsiparoon si Daniel sa kaniyang bahay, at ipinaalam ang bagay kay Hananias, kay Misael, at kay Azarias, na kaniyang mga kasama: Na sila’y magsisipagnais ng mga awa ng Dios ng langit hinggil sa lihim na ito; upang si Daniel at ang kanyang mga kapwa ay hindi mapahamak kasama ng iba pang mga pantas na tao sa Babilonia.Nang magkagayo’y nahayag kay Daniel ang lihim sa isang pangitain sa gabi. Pagkatapos ay pinagpala ni Daniel ang Diyos ng langit. Sumagot si Daniel at sinabi,

Purihin ang pangalan ng Diyos magpakailanman at walang katapusan:

sapagkat ang karunungan at kapangyarihan ay sa kanya:

At kaniyang binabago ang mga panahon at ang mga kapanahunan:

kaniyang inaalis ang mga hari, at nagtatayo ng mga hari:

siya’y nagbibigay ng karunungan sa mga pantas,

at kaalaman sa mga nakakaalam ng pag unawa:

Inihahayag niya ang malalim at lihim na mga bagay:

alam niya kung ano ang nasa dilim,

at ang liwanag ay nananahan sa kanya.

Pinasasalamatan kita, at pinupuri kita, Oh ikaw na Dios ng aking mga ninuno,

na nagbigay sa akin ng karunungan at kapangyarihan,

at ipinaalam mo sa akin ngayon ang aming ninanais sa iyo:

sapagkat ipinaalam mo na ngayon sa amin ang bagay na hari.Kaya’t pumasok si Daniel kay Arioc, na inordenan ng hari na lipulin ang mga pantas na tao sa Babilonia: siya ay yumaon at nagsabi ng ganito sa kaniya; Huwag mong lipulin ang mga pantas na lalake sa Babilonia: ipasok mo ako sa harap ng hari, at aking ipapakita sa hari ang kahulugan. Nang magkagayo’y isinugod ni Arioch si Daniel sa harap ng hari na nagmamadali, at ganito ang sinabi sa kaniya, Ako’y nakasumpong ng isang lalake sa mga bihag ng Juda, na magpapaalam sa hari ng kahulugan. Sumagot ang hari at sinabi kay Daniel, na ang pangalan ay Beltsasar, Ikaw ba’y makapagbibigay alam sa akin ng panaginip na aking nakita, at ng kahulugan niyaon Sumagot si Daniel sa harapan ng hari, at nagsabi, Ang lihim na hiniling ng hari ay hindi maipakikita ng mga pantas, ng mga astrologo, ng mga salamangkero, ng mga manghuhula, sa hari; Datapuwa’t may Dios sa langit na nagpapahayag ng mga lihim, at nagpapaalam sa haring Nabucodonosor kung ano ang mangyayari sa mga huling araw. Ang iyong panaginip, at ang mga pangitain ng iyong ulo sa iyong higaan, ay ito; Tungkol sa iyo, Oh hari, ang iyong mga pagiisip ay pumasok sa iyong isipan sa iyong higaan, kung ano ang mangyayari sa kabilang buhay: at siya na nagbubunyag ng mga lihim ay nagpapakilala sa iyo kung ano ang mangyayari. Datapuwa’t tungkol sa akin, ang lihim na ito ay hindi inihayag sa akin dahil sa anumang karunungan na mayroon ako nang higit kay sa sinumang nabubuhay, kundi dahil sa kanila na magpapaalam ng kahulugan sa hari, at upang malaman mo ang mga kaisipan ng iyong puso.Ikaw, Oh hari, ay nakakita, at narito ang isang dakilang larawan. Ang dakilang larawang ito, na ang ningning ay napakaganda, ay nakatayo sa iyong harapan; at ang anyo niyaon ay kakila kilabot. Ang ulo ng imaheng ito ay yari sa pinong ginto, ang kanyang dibdib at ang kanyang mga bisig ay pilak, ang kanyang tiyan at ang kanyang mga hita ay tanso, ang kanyang mga binti ay bakal, ang kanyang mga paa ay bahagi ng bakal at bahagi ng putik. Nakita mo hanggang sa ang isang bato ay pinutol nang walang mga kamay, na humampas sa larawan sa kaniyang mga paa na yari sa bakal at putik, at pinagputolputol ang mga ito. Nang magkagayo’y ang bakal, ang putik, ang tanso, ang pilak, at ang ginto, ay pinagputol-putol, at naging gaya ng mga dawag ng mga bakuran ng tag-init; At sila’y dinala ng hangin, na walang dakong nasumpungan para sa kanila: at ang batong humampas sa larawan ay naging malaking bundok, at napuno ang buong lupa.Ito ang panaginip; at sasabihin natin ang kahulugan nito sa harap ng hari. Ikaw, Oh hari, ay hari ng mga hari: sapagka’t binigyan ka ng Dios ng langit ng isang kaharian, kapangyarihan, at lakas, at kaluwalhatian. At saan man nananahan ang mga anak ng tao, ang mga hayop sa parang at ang mga ibon sa langit ay ibinigay niya sa iyong kamay, at ginawa kang pinuno sa kanilang lahat. Ikaw ang ulo na ito ng ginto. At pagkatapos mo ay babangon ang ibang kaharian na mas mababa sa iyo, at ang isa pang ikatlong kaharian na tanso, na siyang maghahari sa buong lupa. At ang ikaapat na kaharian ay magiging matibay na parang bakal: yamang ang bakal ay nagsisira at sumasakop sa lahat ng bagay: at gaya ng bakal na nagsisira ng lahat ng ito, ay magsisipagputol putol at magsisira. At samantalang nakikita mo ang mga paa at daliri ng paa, bahagi ng putik ng mga palayok, at bahagi ng bakal, ang kaharian ay hahatiin; ngunit magkakaroon sa loob nito ng lakas ng bakal, yayamang nakita mo ang bakal na hinaluan ng putik na putik. At kung paanong ang mga daliri sa paa ng mga paa ay bahagi ng bakal, at bahagi ng putik, gayon ang kaharian ay magiging bahagyang malakas, at bahagyang masira. At samantalang ikaw ay nakakita ng bakal na hinaluan ng putik na miry, ay makikihalubilo sila sa binhi ng mga tao: nguni’t hindi sila magkakadikit sa isa’t isa, gaya ng bakal na hindi nahahalo sa putik. At sa mga kaarawan ng mga hari na ito ay magtatayo ang Dios ng langit ng isang kaharian, na hindi kailanman malilipol: at ang kaharian ay hindi iiwan sa ibang bayan, kundi ito’y magsisipagputol putol at lulubusin ang lahat ng kaharian na ito, at ito’y mananatili magpakailan man. Yayamang nakita mo na ang bato ay pinutol mula sa bundok nang walang mga kamay, at na pinutol nito ang bakal, ang tanso, ang putik, ang pilak, at ang ginto; ipinaalam ng dakilang Dios sa hari kung ano ang mangyayari sa kabilang buhay: at ang panaginip ay tiyak, at ang kahulugan niyaon ay tiyak.Nang magkagayo’y nagpatirapa ang haring Nabucodonosor, at sinamba si Daniel, at iniutos na sila’y maghandog ng isang handog at mga mabangong amoy sa kaniya. Sumagot ang hari kay Daniel, at nagsabi, Sa katotohanan nga, ang inyong Dios ay Dios ng mga dios, at Panginoon ng mga hari, at tagapaghayag ng mga lihim, yamang maaari mong ihayag ang lihim na ito. Nang magkagayo’y ginawa ng hari si Daniel na isang dakilang lalake, at binigyan siya ng maraming dakilang kaloob, at ginawa siyang pinuno sa buong lalawigan ng Babilonia, at pangulo ng mga gobernador sa lahat ng pantas na lalake sa Babilonia. Nang magkagayo’y humingi si Daniel sa hari, at kaniyang inilagay si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, sa mga gawain ng lalawigan ng Babilonia: nguni’t si Daniel ay naupo sa pintuang daan ng hari.Ngunit tulad ng makikita natin sa kabanata 3, nagpasiya ang hari na hadlangan ang pangitain at nagtayo ng rebultong solidong ginto at iniutos ang pagsamba sa imahen. Ito ay isang foreshadowing ng Apocalipsis 13:15 ‘At siya ay may kapangyarihang bigyan ng buhay ang larawan ng hayop, upang ang larawan ng hayop ay parehong magsalita, at maging sanhi na ang maraming mga ayaw sumamba sa larawan ng hayop ay dapat patayin.’

Daniel 3Si Nabucodonosor na hari ay gumawa ng isang larawang ginto, na ang taas ay tatlong pung siko, at ang lapad niyaon ay anim na siko: kaniyang itinayo sa kapatagan ng Dura, sa lalawigan ng Babilonia. Nang magkagayo’y nagsugo si Nabucodonosor na hari upang tipunin ang mga prinsipe, ang mga gobernador, at ang mga kapitan, ang mga hukom, ang mga ingat yaman, ang mga tagapayo, ang mga sheriff, at ang lahat na pinuno ng mga lalawigan, upang lumapit sa paglalaan ng larawang itinayo ni Nabucodonosor na hari. Nang magkagayo’y ang mga prinsipe, ang mga gobernador, at mga kapitan, ang mga hukom, ang mga tagapagingat yaman, ang mga tagapayo, ang mga serapido, at ang lahat ng pinuno ng mga lalawigan, ay nagtipon-tipon sa paglalaan ng larawang itinayo ni Nabucodonosor na hari; at sila ay tumayo sa harap ng imahen na itinayo ni Nabucodonosor. Nang magkagayo’y sumigaw ng malakas ang isang tagapagbalita, Sa inyo’y iniutos, Oh bayan, mga bansa, at mga wika, Na sa panahong inyong marinig ang tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sakopa, salterio, dulcimer, at lahat ng uri ng musika, kayo’y magpatirapa at sambahin ang larawang ginto na inilagay ni Nabucodonosor na hari: At ang sinomang hindi magpatirapa at sumamba ay ihahagis sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Kaya’t nang panahong yaon, nang marinig ng buong bayan ang tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sackbutt, psaltery, at lahat ng uri ng musika, ang lahat ng mga tao, ang mga bansa, at ang mga wika, ay nagpatirapa at sumamba sa larawang ginto na itinayo ni Nabucodonosor na hari.Kaya’t nang panahong yaon ay lumapit ang ilang Caldeo, at inakusahan ang mga Judio. Sila’y nagsalita at sinabi sa haring Nabucodonosor, Oh hari, mabuhay ka magpakailan man. Ikaw, Oh hari, ay gumawa ng isang pasiya, na ang bawa’t tao na makaririnig ng tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sakopa, psaltery, at dulcimer, at lahat ng uri ng musika, ay magpapatirapa at sasamba sa larawang ginto: At ang sinomang hindi magpatirapa at sumamba, upang siya’y ihagis sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. May ilang Judio na iyong inilagay sa mga gawain ng lalawigan ng Babilonia, sina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego; ang mga lalaking ito, Oh hari, ay hindi nagbigay-pansin sa iyo: hindi sila naglingkod sa iyong mga dios, ni sumasamba man sa larawang ginto na iyong itinayo.Nang magkagayo’y si Nabucodonosor sa kaniyang galit at galit ay nag utos na dalhin si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego. Pagkatapos ay dinala nila ang mga lalaking ito sa harap ng hari. Nagsalita si Nabucodonosor at sinabi sa kanila, Totoo ba, Oh Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, hindi ba kayo naglilingkod sa aking mga dios, ni sumasamba man sa larawang ginto na aking itinayo Ngayon, kung kayo ay handa na sa oras na inyong marinig ang tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sackbutt, psaltery, at dulcimer, at lahat ng uri ng musika, kayo ay magpapatirapa at sasamba sa larawang aking ginawa; mabuti: subalit kung hindi kayo sasamba, kayo ay itatapon sa oras ding iyon sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno; at sino ang Diyos na yaon na magliligtas sa inyo mula sa aking mga kamay? Sina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, ay sumagot at nagsabi sa hari, Oh Nabucodonosor, hindi kami maingat na sagutin ka sa bagay na ito. Kung gayon, ang ating Diyos na ating pinaglilingkuran ay may kakayahang iligtas tayo mula sa nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno, at ililigtas niya tayo sa iyong kamay, O hari. Ngunit kung hindi, alamin mo sa iyo, Oh hari, na hindi kami maglilingkod sa iyong mga dios, ni sasamba man sa gintong larawan na iyong itinayo.Nang magkagayo’y si Nabucodonosor ay puno ng galit, at ang anyo ng kaniyang visage ay nabago laban kay Sadrach, kay Mesach, at kay Abednego: kaya’t siya’y nagsalita, at iniutos na kanilang initin ang hurno nang makapitong beses na higit kay sa nakasanayan na mapainit. At kaniyang inutusan ang mga pinakamakapangyarihang lalake na nasa kaniyang hukbo na igapos si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, at ihagis sila sa nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Nang magkagayo’y ang mga lalaking ito ay iginapos sa kanilang mga balabal, ang kanilang mga hosen, at ang kanilang mga sumbrero, at ang kanilang iba pang mga kasuotan, at itinapon sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Kaya nga dahil sa ang utos ng hari ay kagyat, at ang hurno ay labis na mainit, ang apoy ng apoy ay pumatay sa mga lalaking yaon na nagdala kina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego. At ang tatlong lalaking ito, si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, ay nahulog na nakatali sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Nang magkagayo’y nagulat si Nabucodonosor na hari, at nagmadaling bumangon, at nagsalita, at nagsabi sa kaniyang mga tagapayo, Hindi ba’t naghagis tayo ng tatlong lalake na nakatali sa gitna ng apoy Sila’y nagsisagot at sinabi sa hari, Totoo, Oh hari. Sumagot siya at sinabi, Narito, nakikita ko ang apat na lalaking nakawala, na naglalakad sa gitna ng apoy, at wala silang nasaktan at ang anyo ng ikaapat ay katulad ng Anak ng Diyos.Nang magkagayo’y lumapit si Nabucodonosor sa bibig ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno, at nagsalita, at nagsabi, Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, kayong mga lingkod ng Dios na kataastaasan, magsilabas kayo, at magsiparoon kayo rito. Nang magkagayo’y si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, ay nagsilabas sa gitna ng apoy. At ang mga prinsipe, mga gobernador, at mga kapitan, at ang mga tagapayo ng hari, na nagkakatipon, ay nakita ang mga lalaking ito, na sa kanilang mga katawan ay walang kapangyarihan ang apoy, ni isang buhok sa kanilang ulo ay inawit, ni ang kanilang mga balabal ay nagbago, ni ang amoy ng apoy ay dumaan sa kanila. Nang magkagayo’y nagsalita si Nabucodonosor, at nagsabi, Purihin ang Dios ni Sadrach, ni Mesach, at ni Abednego, na nagsugo ng kaniyang anghel, at nagligtas sa kaniyang mga lingkod na nagsitiwala sa kaniya, at nagbago ng salita ng hari, at nagbigay ng kanilang mga katawan, upang hindi sila maglingkod o sumamba sa anomang dios, maliban sa kanilang sariling Dios. Kaya’t ako’y gumagawa ng isang kautusan, Na ang bawa’t bayan, bansa, at wika, na nagsasalita ng anomang bagay ay nagkakamali laban sa Dios ni Sadrach, ni Mesach, at ni Abednego, ay puputulin, at ang kanilang mga bahay ay gagawing isang dumi ng dumi: sapagka’t walang ibang Dios na makapagliligtas ayon sa ganitong uri. Pagkatapos ay itinaguyod ng hari sina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, sa lalawigan ng Babilonia.Ang dalawang pagpipilian para sa buong sangkatauhan ay naroroon sa kuwentong ito. Ang dalawang grupo sa kuwentong ito ay nagpapakita ng tatlong bahagi ng pagpili para sa o laban sa Diyos. Ang pagsuway, ang debosyon, at ang resulta.

Pagsuway

Para sa Diyos: Sinuway ng tatlong lalake ng Israel ang utos ng hari, at tumangging yumuko sa rebulto.

Laban sa Diyos: Sinuway ng hari ang utos ng Diyos na Siya lamang ang Diyos.

Debosyon

Para sa Diyos: Sinabi ng tatlo sa Israel na, kahit hindi sila iligtas ng Diyos mula sa kamatayan, sasambahin pa rin nila SIYA.

Laban sa Diyos: Ang mga kawal ng hari, kahit na ang apoy ay mas mainit kaysa dati, ay nakatuon sa pagsunod sa mga utos upang ilagay ang tatlo ng Israel sa apoy.

BungaPara sa Diyos: Sa kabila ng pagkahagis sa nagniningas na impiyerno, hindi napinsala ang tatlo. Ang kanilang mga gapos ay bumaba, ang kanilang mga damit ay hindi nahawakan. Ngunit higit sa lahat, maging ang hari ay nakita ang kanilang pagtubos. Ang Anak ng Diyos bago siya nagkatawang tao. “Narito, nakikita ko ang apat na lalaking nakawala, na naglalakad sa gitna ng apoy, at wala silang nasaktan; at ang anyo ng ikaapat ay katulad ng Anak ng Diyos.” (Daniel 3:25).Laban sa Diyos: Ang pagpili na sundin ang utos ng hari, ay nagdulot ng buhay sa mga kawal. Ang apoy na utos ng hari na gawing mas mainit, ay naging apoy na paghatol ng Diyos sa mga kawal. Ito ay isang foreshadowing ng huling apoy na babagsak sa mundong ito. ‘at pagka ang libong taon ay lumipas, si Satanas ay palalayain sa kaniyang bilangguan, At lalabas upang linlangin ang mga bansa na nasa apat na sulok ng lupa, si Gog at si Magog, upang tipunin sila sa pakikipagdigma: ang bilang nila ay gaya ng buhangin sa dagat. At sila’y umahon sa lawak ng lupa, at pinalibutan ang kampamento ng mga banal sa palibot, at ang minamahal na bayan: at ang apoy ay bumaba mula sa Dios mula sa langit, at sila’y nilamon.’ (Apocalipsis 20:7-9).Nakikita natin sa kuwentong ito ng kasaysayan, nakikita natin ang mga bunga ng ating pinaglilingkuran. Dalawa lang ang pagpipilian: ang Diyos o si Satanas. Kung hindi mo pinili na maligtas sa pamamagitan ng dugo ni Cristo at sumunod sa KANYA, kung gayon sinusunod mo si Satanas. Kahit na naniniwala ka na sinusunod mo lamang ang iyong sarili, ang pagsuway sa Diyos ay ang pagsunod sa Kanyang kaaway, si Satanas.

Ang mga pagpipilian ay: Walang Hanggan kasama ang Diyos sa Langit o Walang Hanggang Kapahamakan sa Impiyerno.Mas maganda ang sinabi ni Joshua. ‘At kung tila masama sa inyo ang maglingkod sa Panginoon, piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran; kung ang mga dios na pinaglingkuran ng inyong mga magulang na nasa kabilang dako ng baha, o ang mga dios ng mga Amorrheo, na sa lupain ay nananahan kayo: nguni’t tungkol sa akin at sa aking sangbahayan, ay maglilingkod kami sa Panginoon.’ (Josue 24:15)

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Desafío, devoción y consecuencias

La humanidad tiene dos elecciones que hacer en esta vida Para seguir a Dios o para desafiar a Dios (que está siguiendo a Satanás).Jesús el Hijo y Dios el Padre han dejado claro a través de toda la escritura, que solo hay estas dos elecciones Una conduce a la vida eterna con Dios, la otra conduce a la condenación eterna.
Hoy veremos una historia en Daniel que ilustra estas dos elecciones Conocemos la historia del rey Nabucodonosor de la antigua Babilonia Sabemos cómo su sueño del estatuto multimetálico fue interpretado por Daniel.
Daniel 2
Y en el segundo año del reinado de Nabucodonosor Nabucodonosor soñó sueños, con los que su espíritu estaba turbado, y su freno de sueño de él Entonces el rey mandó llamar a los magos, y a los astrólogos, y a los hechiceros, y a los caldeos, para mostrar al rey sus sueños Entonces vinieron y se pusieron delante del rey. Y el rey les dijo: He soñado un sueño, y mi espíritu se turbó para conocer el sueño Entonces habló los caldeos al rey en siriaco, oh rey, vive para siempre: di a tus siervos el sueño, y mostraremos la interpretación El rey respondió y dijo a los caldeos: La cosa se ha ido de mí: si no me hacéis saber el sueño, con la interpretación del mismo, seréis cortados en pedazos, y tus casas serán hechas estercolero Pero si muestras el sueño, y su interpretación, recibirás de mí regalos y recompensas y gran honor; por tanto, muéstrame el sueño, y la interpretación del mismo Respondieron otra vez y dijeron: Que el rey diga a sus siervos el sueño, y mostraremos la interpretación del mismo El rey respondió y dijo, Sé con certeza que ganarías tiempo, porque ves que la cosa se ha ido de mí Pero si no me haces saber el sueño, sólo hay un decreto para ti; porque has preparado palabras mentirosas y corruptas para hablar delante de mí, hasta que cambie el tiempo; por tanto, dime el sueño, y sabré que podéis mostrarme la interpretación de ello Los caldeos respondieron delante del rey, y dijeron: No hay hombre sobre la tierra que pueda mostrar el asunto del rey: por tanto, no hay rey, señor, ni gobernante, que pidiera tales cosas a ningún mago, ni astrólogo, ni caldeo Y es raro lo que el rey exige, y no hay otro que pueda mostrarlo delante del rey, excepto los dioses, cuya morada no es con carne Por esta causa el rey se enojó y se enfureció mucho, y mandó destruir a todos los sabios de Babilonia. Y salió el decreto de que los sabios fueran asesinados; y buscaron que mataran a Daniel y a sus semejantes. Entonces Daniel respondió con consejo y sabiduría a Arioc el capitán de la guardia del rey, que había salido a matar a los sabios de Babilonia: Respondió y dijo al capitán del rey Arioc: ¿Por qué es tan precipitado el decreto del rey? entonces Arioc hizo saber la cosa a Daniel Entonces entró Daniel, y deseó del rey que le diera tiempo, y que mostraría al rey la interpretación Entonces Daniel fue a su casa, e hizo saber la cosa a Hananías, a Misael y a Azarías, sus compañeros: Que desearían misericordias del Dios del cielo acerca de este secreto; que Daniel y sus semejantes no perecieran con el resto de los sabios de Babilonia Entonces el secreto fue revelado a Daniel en una visión nocturna. Entonces Daniel bendijo al Dios de los cielos Respondió Daniel y dijo: Bendito sea el nombre de Dios por los siglos de los siglos; porque la sabiduría y el poder son suyos; y cambia los tiempos y las estaciones; quita reyes y establece reyes: da sabiduría a los sabios, y conocimiento a los que saben entendimiento: revela las cosas profundas y secretas: sabe lo que hay en las tinieblas,y la luz mora con él Te doy gracias y te alabo, oh Dios de mis padres, que me has dado sabiduría y poder, y me has dado a conocer ahora lo que deseábamos de ti; porque ahora nos has dado a conocer el asunto del rey Por eso Daniel entró a Arioc, a quien el rey había ordenado destruir a los sabios de Babilonia: fue y le dijo así; No destruyas a los sabios de Babilonia; tráeme delante del rey, y mostraré al rey la interpretación. Entonces Arioc trajo a Daniel delante del rey apresuradamente, y le dijo así: He encontrado un hombre de los cautivos de Judá, que dará a conocer al rey la interpretación. Respondió el rey y dijo a Daniel, que se llamaba Beltesasar: ¿Puedes darme a conocer el sueño que he visto y su interpretación? respondió Daniel en presencia del rey, y dijo: El secreto que el rey ha exigido no pueden los sabios, los astrólogos, los magos, los adivinos, mostrar al rey; Pero hay un Dios en el cielo que revela secretos y hace saber al rey Nabucodonosor lo que será en los últimos días. Tu sueño y las visiones de tu cabeza sobre tu cama son estos; En cuanto a ti, oh rey, tus pensamientos vinieron a tu mente sobre tu cama, lo que sucederá en lo sucesivo: y el que revela secretos te hace saber lo que sucederá Pero en cuanto a mí, este secreto no me es revelado para sabiduría alguna que yo tenga más que ningún viviente, sino por causa de ellos que darán a conocer la interpretación al rey, y para que conozcas los pensamientos de tu corazón Tú, oh rey, viste, y contemplas una gran imagen. Esta gran imagen, cuyo brillo era excelente, estaba delante de ti; y su forma era terrible. La cabeza de esta imagen era de oro fino, su pecho y sus brazos de plata, su vientre y sus muslos de bronce, sus piernas de hierro, sus pies parte de hierro y parte de barro. Tu viste hasta que una piedra fue cortada sin manos, el cual hirió la imagen sobre sus pies que eran de hierro y barro, y los partió en pedazos Entonces fue el hierro, el barro, el bronce, la plata, y el oro, hechos pedazos, y se hizo como la paja de las eras de verano; y el viento se los llevó, que no se les halló lugar; y la piedra que hirió la imagen se convirtió en un gran monte, y llenó toda la tierra Este es el sueño; y diremos su interpretación delante del rey. Tú, oh rey, eres rey de reyes; porque el Dios del cielo te ha dado reino, poder, fuerza y gloria. Y dondequiera que habiten los hijos de los hombres, las bestias del campo y las aves del cielo las ha entregado en tu mano, y te ha puesto por gobernante sobre todos ellos. Tú eres esta cabeza de oro. Y después de ti surgirá otro reino inferior a ti, y otro tercer reino de bronce, que gobernará sobre toda la tierra. Y el cuarto reino será fuerte como el hierro; por cuanto el hierro rompe en pedazos y somete todas las cosas; y como el hierro que rompe todo esto, se romperá en pedazos y moretones. Y mientras viste los pies y los dedos de los pies, parte del barro de los alfareros y parte del hierro, el reino se dividirá; pero habrá en él fuerza del hierro, por cuanto viste el hierro mezclado con arcilla de espejos. Y como los dedos de los pies eran parte de hierro y parte de barro, así que el reino será en parte fuerte, y en parte quebrantado Y mientras viste hierro mezclado con barro de espejos, se mezclarán con la simiente de los hombres: mas no se partirán unos a otros, así como el hierro no se mezcla con barro Y en los días de estos reyes el Dios del cielo levantará un reino, que nunca será destruido: y el reino no será dejado a otros pueblos, sino que romperá en pedazos y consumirá todos estos reinos, y se mantendrá para siempre Por cuanto viste que la piedra fue cortada del monte sin manos, y que rompe en pedazos el hierro, el bronce, la arcilla, la plata, y el oro; el gran Dios ha hecho saber al rey lo que sucederá en lo sucesivo: y el sueño es seguro, y su interpretación segura. Entonces el rey Nabucodonosor cayó sobre su rostro y adoró a Daniel, y mandó que le ofrecieran una oblación y dulces olores. El rey respondió a Daniel y dijo: De cierto es que vuestro Dios es un Dios de dioses, y un Señor de reyes, y revelador de secretos, viendo que podías revelar este secreto Entonces el rey hizo a Daniel un gran hombre, y le dio muchos grandes regalos, y le hizo regidor sobre toda la provincia de Babilonia, y jefe de los gobernadores sobre todos los sabios de Babilonia Entonces Daniel pidió al rey, y puso a Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego, sobre los asuntos de la provincia de Babilonia; pero Daniel se sentó a la puerta del rey.
Pero como veremos en el capítulo 3, el rey decidió frustrar la visión y construyó una estatua de oro macizo y ordenó adoración a la imagen Esto es un presagio de Apocalipsis 13:15 ‘Y tenía poder para dar vida a la imagen de la bestia, que la imagen de la bestia debería hablar ambos, y porque todos los que no adoraran la imagen de la bestia deberían ser asesinados.’
Daniel 3
Nabucodonosor el rey hizo una imagen de oro, cuya altura era de sesenta codos, y su anchura de seis codos: la puso en la llanura de Dura, en la provincia de Babilonia Entonces Nabucodonosor el rey envió a reunir a los príncipes, a los gobernadores y a los capitanes, a los jueces, a los tesoreros, a los consejeros, a los alguaciles y a todos los gobernantes de las provincias, para venir a la advocación de la imagen que Nabucodonosor el rey había puesto Entonces los príncipes, los gobernadores, y capitanes, los jueces, los tesoreros, los consejeros, los alguaciles, y todos los gobernantes de las provincias, fueron reunidos a la advocación de la imagen que Nabucodonosor el rey había puesto; y se pusieron delante de la imagen que Nabucodonosor había puesto Entonces un heraldo clamó en voz alta, A vosotros os está ordenado, oh pueblo, naciones y lenguas, que a qué hora oigáis el sonido de la corneta, la flauta, el arpa, el saco, el salterio, el dulcimer y toda clase de musiqueos, os postráis y adorad la imagen de oro que el rey Nabucodonosor ha puesto: Y el que no caiga ni adore, será arrojado la misma hora en medio de un horno de fuego ardiente. Por tanto, en aquel tiempo, cuando todo el pueblo oyó el sonido de la corneta, flauta, arpa, sacos, salterio y toda clase de musique, todo el pueblo, las naciones, y las lenguas se postraron y adoraron la imagen de oro que había puesto Nabucodonosor el rey, por lo cual en aquel tiempo se acercaron ciertos caldeos, y acusaron a los judíos Hablaron y dijeron al rey Nabucodonosor, oh rey, vive para siempre Tú, oh rey, has hecho un decreto, que todo hombre que oiga el sonido de la corneta, flauta, arpa, cilicio, salterio y dulcémele, y toda clase de musick caerá y adorará la imagen de oro: Y el que no caiga ni adore, para que sea arrojado en medio de un horno de fuego ardiente. Hay ciertos judíos a quienes has puesto sobre los asuntos de la provincia. de Babilonia, Sadrac, Mesac y Abednego; Estos hombres, oh rey, no te han mirado: no sirven a tus dioses, ni adoréis la imagen de oro que habéis puesto Entonces Nabucodonosor en su rabia y furor mandó traer a Sadrac, a Mesac y a Abed-nego Entonces llevaron a estos hombres delante del rey Nabucodonosor habló y les dijo: ¿Es verdad, oh Sadrac, a Mesac y a Abed-nego, no sirváis a mis dioses, ni adoréis la imagen de oro que he puesto? Ahora bien, si estáis preparados para que en qué tiempo oigáis el sonido de la corneta, la flauta, el arpa, el saclo, el salterio y el dulcémele, y toda clase de musique, os postréis y adoréis la imagen que he hecho; bueno; pero si no adoráis, seréis arrojados a la misma hora en medio de un horno de fuego ardiente; ¿y quién es ese Dios que os librará de mis manos? respondieron Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, y dijeron al rey: Oh Nabucodonosor, no tenemos cuidado de responderte en este asunto. Si es así, nuestro Dios a quien servimos puede librarnos del horno de fuego ardiente, y él nos librará de tu mano, oh rey. Pero si no, sé tú, oh rey, que no serviremos a tus dioses, ni adoraremos la imagen de oro que has puesto Entonces Nabucodonosor estaba lleno de furia, y la forma de su rostro fue cambiada contra Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego; por eso habló, y mandó que calentaran el horno una siete veces más de lo que solía calentarse. Y mandó a los hombres más valientes que estaban en su ejército que ataran a Sadrac, a Mesac y a Abed-nego, y que los echaran en el horno de fuego ardiente Entonces estos hombres fueron atados en sus abrigos, en sus mangueras, y en sus sombreros, y en sus otras vestiduras, y fueron echados en medio del horno de fuego ardiente Por lo tanto porque el mandamiento del rey era urgente, y el horno excediendo caliente, la llama del fuego mató a los hombres que tomaron Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego Y estos tres hombres, Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, cayeron atados en medio del horno de fuego ardiente Entonces el rey Nabucodonosor se asombró, y se levantó apresuradamente, y habló, y dijo a sus consejeros: ¿No arrojamos tres hombres atados en medio del fuego? Respondieron y dijeron al rey: Verdadero, oh rey Respondió y dijo: He aquí, veo a cuatro hombres sueltos, caminando en medio del fuego, y no tienen daño; y la forma del cuarto es como el Hijo de Dios Entonces Nabucodonosor se acercó a la boca del horno de fuego ardiendo, y habló, y dijo: Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, vosotros siervos del Dios altísimo, salid, y venid acá Entonces Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, salieron de en medio del fuego Y los príncipes, gobernadores, y capitanes, y los consejeros del rey, estando reunidos, vieron a estos hombres, sobre cuyos cuerpos el fuego no tenía poder, ni un pelo de su cabeza estaba chamuscado, ni se les cambiaban los abrigos, ni el olor del fuego había pasado sobre ellos Entonces Nabucodonosor habló, y dijo: Bendito sea el Dios de Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, que ha enviado a su ángel, y ha entregado a sus siervos que confiaban en él, y han cambiado la palabra del rey, y dado sus cuerpos, para que no sirvan ni adoren a ningún dios, excepto a su propio Dios Por eso hago un decreto: Que todo pueblo, nación, y la lengua, que habla cualquier cosa mal contra el Dios de Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, será cortada en pedazos, y sus casas serán hechas un estercolero; porque no hay otro Dios que pueda librar después de esta especie Entonces el rey promovió a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego, en la provincia de Babilonia.
Las dos elecciones para toda la humanidad están presentes en esta historia Ambos grupos en esta historia muestran las tres partes de elección a favor o en contra de Dios El desafío, la devoción y la consecuencia.
Desafío
Por Dios: Los tres hombres de Israel desafiaron la orden del rey y se negaron a inclinarse ante la estatua.
Contra Dios: El rey desafió el mandato de Dios de tener sólo a Él como Dios.

Devoción
Por Dios: Los tres de Israel dijeron que, aunque Dios no los salvara de la muerte, todavía lo adorarían.
Contra Dios: Los soldados del rey, incluso después de que el fuego fuera más caliente que nunca, se dedicaron a seguir órdenes de colocar a los tres de Israel en el fuego.

Consecuencia
Para Dios: A pesar de ser arrojados al infierno ardiente, los tres no fueron perjudicados, sus ataduras se desprendieron, su vestimenta intacta Pero lo más importante, incluso el rey vio su redención El Hijo de Dios antes de que se encarnara “Lo, veo a cuatro hombres sueltos, caminando en medio del fuego, y no tienen daño; y la forma del cuarto es como el Hijo de Dios.” (Daniel 3:25).
Contra Dios: La elección de seguir las órdenes del rey, costó la vida a los soldados La llama que el rey ordena que se caliente, se convirtió en el juicio de fuego de Dios a los soldados Esto un presagio del fuego final que caerá sobre esta tierra. ‘y cuando los mil años hayan expirado, Satanás será desatado de su prisión, Y saldrán a engañar a las naciones que están en los cuatro cuartos de la tierra, Gog y Magog, para reunirlos en la batalla; cuyo número es como la arena del mar. Y subieron sobre la anchura de la tierra, y rodearon el campamento de los santos y la ciudad amada; y descendió fuego de Dios del cielo, y los devoró.’ (Apocalipsis 20:7-9).

Al ver en esta historia, vemos las consecuencias de a quién servimos Solo hay dos elecciones: Dios o Satanás Si no eliges ser salvo por la sangre de Cristo y seguirLO, entonces sigues a Satanás Incluso si crees que te sigues solo a ti mismo, el desafío a Dios es seguir a Su enemigo, Satanás.
Las elecciones son: Eternidad con Dios en el Cielo o Eterna Condenación en el Infierno.
Josué lo dijo mejor. ‘Y si os parece mal servir al Señor, escogeos hoy a quién serviréis; ya sean los dioses a los que sirvieron vuestros padres que estaban al otro lado del diluvio, o los dioses de los amorreos, en cuya tierra habitáis; pero a mí y a mi casa serviremos al Señor.’ (Josué 24:15)

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, Theology, Uncategorized

No hay mujeres en el púlpito

Mujeres en la iglesia moderna
En las iglesias y denominaciones de hoy, las mujeres tienen una variedad de roles. Enseñan, escoltan, sirven. Pero también tienen posiciones que NO les pertenecen. Sabemos a través del Tanach ( Antiguo Testamento ) que las mujeres no eran sacerdotes ni trabajaban dentro del templo. Y las iglesias que defienden esa posición se llaman legalistas y sexistas. Sin embargo, esa posición es la posición de los Apóstoles también. Se menciona en varias epístolas. Entonces, este artículo es para poner a la vanguardia, el lugar de una mujer dentro del ministerio y las áreas en las que no están ordenadas.

Personas como Paula White, Gloria Copeland y otras, mientras proclaman que están llamadas a predicar, muestran que realmente desafían las enseñanzas de la primera iglesia cristiana dirigida por los Apóstoles.

Escrituras sobre el papel de una mujer en la Iglesia
En Hechos 2:17, el escritor habla las mismas palabras que el Profeta Joel. “ En los últimos días, Dios dice, derramaré mi Espíritu sobre todas las personas. Tus hijos e hijas serán profecías … ” Entonces los profetas pueden ser hombres o mujeres. Los profetas son aquellos que hablan los edictos de Dios, generalmente en una situación específica.

Hay múltiples escrituras que dicen que pueden enseñar, tanto hombres como mujeres. Tales como Colosenses 3:16, Lucas 24:44, Colosenses 1:28 y Efisios 5: 18-20. Entonces tienen varios roles dentro de la iglesia y el hogar ( 1 Timoteo 5:10, Tito 2: 3-5 ) Pero, como veremos, el púlpito no es uno de ellos.

Escritura sobre mujeres en el púlpito
Estos versículos se establecen en las Escrituras y deben tomarse como la Palabra inspirada de Dios ( 2 Timoteo 3: 16-17 ), así como los cristianos deben aceptar todo de principio a fin.

Pablo nos dice en su primera carta a los corintios capítulo 14 versículos 33 a 35, “ porque Dios no es un Dios de confusión sino de paz, como en todas las iglesias de los santos. 34 Que las mujeres guarden silencio en las iglesias; porque no se les permite hablar, sino que se sometan a sí mismas, tal como también lo dice la Ley. 35 Y si desean aprender algo, que les pregunten a sus propios maridos en casa; porque es inapropiado que una mujer hable en la iglesia. ”
1er Timoteo 2: 11-15, “ Una mujer debe recibir instrucciones en silencio con sumisión completa. Pero no permito que una mujer enseñe o ejerza autoridad sobre un hombre, sino que permanezca callada. Porque fue Adán quien fue creado por primera vez, y luego Eva. Y no fue Adam quien fue engañado, sino que la mujer engañada cayó en transgresión. Pero las mujeres serán preservadas a través de la porte de los niños si continúan en la fe, el amor y la santidad con autocontrol. ”

Entonces, si bien este artículo es corto, es directo al punto dentro de las Escrituras. Las mujeres no deben estar detrás del púlpito o al frente de una iglesia / congregación. Tienen deberes dentro de la iglesia: profecía, enseñanza, orientación, líder de canciones, etc. Pero una mujer no puede ser ordenada por una denominación porque no está ordenada por Dios para ese puesto.
Las Escrituras nos dicen en Hebreos 13: 8 que Jesucristo es el mismo ayer, hoy y mañana. Siendo ese el caso, las reglas establecidas en el Antiguo Testamento sobre las mujeres en puestos de liderazgo en la iglesia ( incluyendo el pastorado ) no cambian. Hebreos continúa diciendo en 13: 9 “ No te dejes llevar por buzos y doctrinas extrañas. ”

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Piliin Ngayon Kung Sino ang Paglilingkuran Mo

Si Josue ay nakipag-usap sa mga anak ni Israel samantalang siya’y naghahanda na mamatay sa pinagpalaang pag-asang iyon na darating pa. Kaya’t ngayo’y matakot kayo sa Panginoon, at maglingkod kayo sa kaniya sa katapatan at sa katotohanan: at inyong alisin ang mga dios na pinaglingkuran ng inyong mga magulang sa kabilang dako ng Ilog, at sa Egipto; at maglingkod kayo sa Panginoon. At kung sa inyong mga mata ay masama na maglingkod sa Panginoon, piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran, kung ang mga dios na sinambaan ng inyong mga magulang na nasa kabilang dako ng baha, o ang mga dios ng mga Amoreo na inyong tinatahanan sa lupain nila: nguni’t tungkol sa akin at sa aking sangbahayan, ay maglilingkod kami sa Panginoon. (Josue 24:14-15).

Ang simbahan ngayon ay talagang nakagugulat sa akin. Hindi laging sa mabuting paraan. Iyan ang dahilan ng artikulong ito. Kung titingnan ng isa ang mga lugar na gaya ng Aprika, at Silangan, makikita natin ang dalawang magkakaibang grupo na tinatawag ang kanilang sarili na Kristiyano. Sa mga lugar na hindi kanluranin, ang mga Kristiyano ay nahaharap sa araw-araw na pagkamartir.

Hindi lamang tinatrato ng Islamikong pinamumunuan ang mga Kristiyano bilang isang uri ng alipin, wala silang problema sa pagwasak ng mga simbahan, paaralan, at mga tahanan. Tingnan ang Pakistan noong nakaraang taon. Dahil sa isang maling ulat na isang ministro ang nagpakapahamak sa Qur’an, ang malalaking grupo ng mga gusali at ang kanilang mga nilalaman ay sinunog nang buo. Ang mga Kristiyano ay walang mga simbahan, walang mga tahanan, at nawalan ng kanilang mga ari-arian. Kahit na ang mga bata ay napipilitang magtrabaho sa mga lugar ng mga hurno ng ladrillo kasama ng kanilang mga magulang.

Sa India, sila’y nahaharap sa mga pag-atake mula sa parehong mga tagasunod ng Hindu at Islam. Kung hindi pinatay, ang mga Kristiyanong ito pagkatapos ng pag-atake ay patuloy na nangangaral ng ipinako sa krus na Kristo. Sila’y nakaharap sa dalawang kaaway sa bansang iyon. Dalawang frontong ipagtanggol.

Sa mga lugar sa Aprika, ang mga Islamikong grupo na gaya ng Boko Haram ay hindi lamang pumatay ng mga Kristiyano. Sinasakop nila ang mga nayon ng mga Kristiyano at dinukot ang mga estudyante na Kristiyano. Ang ilan ay tinubos, ang ilan ay natagpuan, ang ilan ay tumakas, at ang ilan ay pinatay.

Sa Tsina, sinasabi ni Pangulong Xi Jinping at ng kanyang kinokontrol na administrasyon sa mga simbahan kung sino ang maaaring maging mga pastor, pari, atbp. Kailangan nilang ilagay ang kaniyang larawan sa mga simbahan, walang mga krus, at ayon sa ilang ulat, ay nagpaplano na muling isulat ang Banal na Kasulatan. Sa bagong pamumusong ito, ang estado ang magiging tagapagligtas at si Jesus ang anti-Kristo.

Kaya ano ang nangyayari sa Kanluran? Ang makasalanang ideolohiya ay nakaupo sa pulpito at mga bangko. Yaong mga nangangaral ng Kristo na ipinako sa krus ay tinutuya, tinutukso, “kinansela” at ikinulong dahil sa pulisya ng kaisipan. Oo, kung minsan sila’y sinasalakay at pinapatay, ngunit hindi sa pangkalahatan.

May tatlong kampo sa Kanluran na nagngangalang Christian. Ang una ay yaong mga hindi sumasalungat sa lahat ng pagsuway at kasalanan, sapagkat ang kanilang ipinangangaral ay ang Diyos ay pag-ibig at samakatuwid tinatanggap ka Niya at hindi ka hinihiling na magbago. Ang mga ito ay hindi mga Kristiyano ni ipinapangaral ang Kristo ng Kasulatan. Nagbabala si Pablo tungkol sa mga ito (Galacia 1:8-9). Ang mga ito ay ang mga lobo (Mateo 7:15). Sila’y maliwanag na nagpapahamak sa Soberanong Diyos at sa Kaniyang Anak. Sila, gaya ng sanlibutan, ay tumatawag sa masama na mabuti at sa mabuti na masama (Isaias 5:20).

Pagkatapos ay mayroon ding kampo ng mga debotadong Kristiyano. Ito ang mga nangangaral  ⁇ kung gayon ang sabi ng Panginoon ⁇ . Naniniwala sila na ang bawat salita ng Kasulatan ay totoo. Naniniwala sila na ikaw ay dumating kay Kristo kung ano ka, ngunit hindi ka iiwan ni Kristo kung paano ka dumating (2 Corinto 5:17). Sila’y nangangaral gaya ni Jesus, ni Juan Bautista at ng mga Apostol. Tinatawag nila ang tao na magsisi (Mateo 3:2, Marcos 1:15, Gawa 2:3). Ang pagsisisi ay pagbabago ng isip at puso. Isang bagay na tanging ang Soberanong Diyos lamang ang maaaring gawin. Sila’y nangangaral ng Krus ni Kristo na ipinako sa krus (1 Corinto 2:2). Ipinapangaral nila na ang tanging daan sa walang hanggang kaligtasan sa Diyos ay sa pamamagitan ni Jesu-Kristo (Gawa 4:12).

Pagkatapos ay may ikatlong grupo. Ito ang mga naniniwala na katulad ng ikalawang grupo. Ngunit magngangalit kapag dumating ang mga suliranin. Habang ang mga Kristiyano ay ipinatapon sa bilangguan dahil sa pulisya ng pag-iisip (Inglatera) at dahil sa pagtatanggol sa kanilang mga karapatan (Canada at E.U.A.), sila’y nag-aayuno at nagrereklamo. Ang pagpunta sa bilangguan dahil sa pananampalataya ay dapat na maging isang kagalakan. Kung ikulong ka nila sa bilangguan, kung gayon sila’y nagtagumpay sa kanilang sariling layunin. Binigyan ka nila ng isang nakabilanggo na madla. Isaalang-alang ito. Isinara ka nila dahil sa pagsasabi mo sa ilang tao tungkol sa kapangyarihan ni Kristo na magliligtas, pagkatapos ay inilalagay ka nila sa isang naka-lock na gusali ng maraming tao na hindi makaiwas sa iyo. Tulad nina Pablo at Silas. Ang pagtangis at pagiging tahimik ay ipinagbabawal sa Kasulatan (Mateo 10:33). Ito ang mga taong matatakot sa pagkawala at panganib upang sabihin ang pangalan ni Jesus (Mateo 15:8).

Sinabi ni Jesus sa atin, bilang tunay na mga alagad, kung ano ang ating haharapin. “Kung magkagayo’y kayo’y ibibigay nila upang kayo’y madusa at papatayin kayo; at kayo’y mangapopoot sa lahat ng mga bansa dahil sa aking pangalan. At sa panahong iyon marami ang masisira, at magtataksil sa isa’t isa, at magkapoot sa isa’t isa ⁇  (Mateo 24:9-10). Kung kinapootan nila ang mga propeta, si Jesus, at ang mga Apostol, kung gayon bakit hindi maniniwala ang mga Kristiyano na tayo’y kinapootan din? Si Jesus ay dumating upang iligtas tayo mula sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kaligtasan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng Kaniyang sarili. Hindi niya sinabi na magiging madali ang buhay. Hindi niya sinabi na siya ay nagmamahal sa lahat at pinapayagan silang mabuhay ayon sa kanilang nais.  ⁇ Huwag ninyong isipin na ako’y naparito upang magpadala ng kapayapaan sa lupa: hindi ako naparito upang magpadala ng kapayapaan, kundi ng tabak. Sapagkat ako’y naparito upang paghiwalayin ang anak na lalaki laban sa kaniyang ama, at ang anak na babae laban sa kaniyang ina, at ang manugang na babae laban sa kaniyang biyenan. At ang mga kaaway ng tao ay ang mga nasa kaniyang sariling sambahayan. Ang nagmamahal ng ama o ina higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin; at ang nagmamahal ng anak na lalaki o babae higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. At ang hindi tumatagal ng kaniyang krus, at sumunod sa akin, ay hindi karapatdapat sa akin. Sinumang makahanap ng kanyang buhay ay mawawala ito: at sinumang mawawala ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay makakahanap ito ⁇  (Mateo 34-39).

Ang Pastor na si Adrian Rogers ang pinakamahusay na nagsabi nito. Ang kaligtasan ay walang bayad. Ang pagiging alagad ay magugugol sa iyo ng lahat. Kailangan mong magpasya ngayon, kung aling kampo ng Kristiyano ang nasa iyo bago ang digmaan. Kami’y nakikipaglaban sa maliliit na labanan ngayon, ngunit ang digmaan ay darating pa. Isusuot ang armadurang ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos. Sa wakas, mga kapatid ko, maging malakas kayo sa Panginoon at sa kapangyarihan ng kanyang kapangyarihan. Magsuot kayo ng buong sandata ng Dios, upang kayo’y makapagtakda laban sa mga panlilinlang ng diyablo. Sapagkat tayo’y nakikipaglaban hindi laban sa laman at dugo kundi laban sa mga pamumuno, laban sa mga kapangyarihan, laban sa mga pinuno ng kadiliman ng sanlibutang ito, laban sa mga espiritu ng kasamaan sa kataas-taasang dako. Kaya’t magsuot kayo ng buong sandata ng Dios, upang kayo’y makapaglaban sa masamang araw, at pagkatapos na gawin ninyo ang lahat, ay makatatayo. Kaya’t kayo’y tumayo, na ang inyong mga baywang ay nakasuot ng katotohanan, at nakasuot ng kalasag sa dibdib ng katuwiran; at ang inyong mga paa ay nasusukat ng paghahanda sa ebanghelyo ng kapayapaan; higit sa lahat, na ang inyong hawak ay ang kalasag ng pananampalataya, na sa pamamagitan nito ay inyong mapapalag ang lahat ng nagniningning na mga baril ng masama. At tanggapin ninyo ang helmet ng kaligtasan, at ang tabak ng Espiritu, na siyang salita ng Diyos: na lagi kayong nananalangin sa lahat ng panalangin at pagsusumamo sa Espiritu, at sa pag-iingat na ito ay magpatuloy kayo sa lahat ng pagtitiyaga at pagsusumamo para sa lahat ng mga banal; at para sa akin, na ako’y bigyan ng pananalita, na aking buksan ang aking bibig nang may katapangan, upang ipabatid ang hiwaga ng ebanghelyo, na kung saan ako’y isang embahador na nasa mga tanikala; upang sa pamamagitan nito’y ako’y makapagsalita nang may katapangan, gaya ng dapat kong pagsalita. ⁇  (Efeso 6:10-20)

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology

The Cross’s Price

Many western Christians have not truly been tried in the fires. Not to say that they don’t face a few hardships. But compared to the Christians of the East, the West has it easy. To a point. This article will take a look at what it will cost to walk with Yeshua. The cross a true believer will need to carry and the things that it can cost in terms of lifestyle, family relations, and life itself.

In today’s western society, Christianity has merged with paganism and sin, and yet go to church, sing praise and worship songs, and claim they  (the modern hip ‘Christians’) know what the bible actually means. They will tell of how certain things were left or put into scripture my men to keep the patriarchy. How words used don’t mean what they say. How the scriptures are man’s construct and less reliable than a cookbook.

And when those that follow God, in Yeshua, through the power of the Holy Spirit, try to correct misconceptions, fail to go with the societal norms, and preach the faith that has stood the test of time for thousands of years, they are ridiculed, blasted, and attacked. And these attacks don’t come from the ungodly, They come from ‘Christians’ that have been enlightened to a special understanding and truth.

In this article, we will look at what scripture says, what great theologians and preachers have said through the ages, and show the difference of what western society thinks a Christian should be, how they should act, and what the truth is.

There is no prosperity gospel in scripture. There is no ‘you get everything you want’ in scripture, and there is NO easy path when walking in the righteous grace and mercy of God. Yeshua points this out at different times.

He spoke against the prosperity gospel. ‘And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no travel bag, no bread, no money, nor even to have two shirts.Whatever house you enter, stay there and depart from there.And whoever does not receive you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a witness against them.” (Luke 9:3-5) 

Again when talking to rich young man. ‘Yeshua said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you own, and give to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving, for he had much property.Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “Amen, I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:21-23)

And a third time. ‘Yeshua tells him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20)

Through these verses, we see that Christians won’t always be worth millions and have personal jets. In fact, ‘Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.’ (Acts 3:6) 

In fact, the opposite is true. It is not being said that wealth may not be part of God’s plan for a believer. But Yeshua did say that it hard for a rich man to get to heaven. So as we go through a few points about what will happen when a Christian follows Yeshua like scripture says, take a look at how the Gospel has been distorted in western society, what Yeshua and scripture writers taught on that point, and look at real world consequences of following the Scripture based Gospel instead of modern man’s anti-gospel.

In June of 2015, the liberal leaning US Supreme Court legalized homosexual marriage. Former President Obama said that ‘love is love’. As you look through the last eight years, a mass of ‘churches’ jumped on the gay pride ship. They preach God is all loving (and He is) so He would never send a member of the lgtbq to hell for being a homosexual.

In the last few years, mainline Protestant denominations have started to have infighting and breakups over acceptance of homosexual unions and lgtbq ordainment. One of the largest fights is within the United Methodist Church. This denomination is the second largest in the US, with Roman Catholic being the largest. The have agreed to split the two factions. https://theweek.com/religion/1024883/the-united-methodist-church-has-lost-20-of-us-congregations-in-schism-over-lgbtq. The one’s that stayed with the General Conference are more allowable for this pro-gay agenda.

Scripture says specifically what God’s views on the LGTBQ are. Here are a few.

  1. God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)
  2. If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination, and they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them. (Leviticus 20:13)
  3. Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, those who practice homosexuality,thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. (1st Corinthians 6:9-10)

Since it can be seen what God’s views are on the lgtbq, let’s look at what it can cost a follower of Yeshua for defending God’s position. https://www.christianpost.com/news/street-preacher-arrested-in-england-for-preaching-during-pride.html 

Staying in the lgtbq frame, look at the next run which includes transgender (not a real thing) and actions like drag queens. Trans is the concept that a person was born with the wrong sexual parts. So Eve becomes Steve and Adam becomes Amy. Then there is a special grouping, drag queens. And while it is a tradition in acting (Mary Martin as Peter Pan, Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria, or Tyler Perry as Madea. These two actions can be combined into one for looking into scripture.

Posted above was the creation of mankind, so need to repeat it. So look at these verses on cross-dressing. God’s view can be seen on both cross dressing and transgender in light of these verses.

  1. A man’s apparel is not to be on a woman, nor is a man to wear woman’s clothing—for whoever does these things is detestable to Adonai your God.(Deuteronomy 22:5)
  2. Likewise, women are to adorn themselves in appropriate clothing with modesty and sound judgment… (1st Timothy 2:9)

Since God’s views on this are written, let’s see what happens to those that go against this part of the lgtbq as a Christian. https://www.theblaze.com/news/pastor-shoved-out-door-knocked-flat-on-his-back-after-protesting-librarys-drag-queen-event-for-children-now-canadian-cops-have-charged-pastor-with-hate-crime 

These are just a few things that have happened to those who present the Gosspel of Yeshua and the commands of God about these ideologies in the west. We also see faithful Christians in other areas of the world enslaved, brutally attacked, imprisoned, and killed because of there faith in Yeshua.

  1. https://www.cato.org/commentary/christianity-worlds-most-persecuted-religion-confirms-new-report
  2. https://www2.cbn.com/news/homepage/these-christians-were-burned-alive-their-faith
  3. https://www.persecution.org/2023/03/20/over-70-christians-killed-in-drc-in-two-weeks/

Yeshua has told us that being a Christian won’t be easy.“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues.You will be brought before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them and to the Gentiles.But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you should say, for it shall be given to you in that hour what you should say.For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end shall be saved.Whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next. Amen, I tell you, you will never finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

“So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed and nothing hidden that will not be made known.What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear in your ear, proclaim from the housetops!And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them shall fall to the ground apart from your Father’s consent.But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.So do not fear; you are worth more than many sparrows.

“Therefore whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father who is in heaven.But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

“Do not think that I came to bring shalom on the earth; I did not come to bring shalom, but a sword.For I have come to set ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.’ (Matthew 10:16-36)

Yeshua tells us we are to carry our cross. That can men facing persecution, prosecution, and death. It can also mean taking the chance on losing a job or position, losing friends, and even losing family. When the scripture above quotes Yeshua about family turning against a family member for his/her faith, He understand that family is one thing that would make someone question between faith and their spouse or child.

Yeshua, after the statement above, tells us where Christians must stand. Even if the believer becomes the pariah of the family, and his/her family turns there backs on them. “He who loves father or mother more than Me isn’t worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me isn’t worthy of Me.And whoever does not take up his cross and follow after Me isn’t worthy of Me.He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)

So, to pick up the cross and follow Yeshua, may cost you everything this planet can give you: money, fame, friends, and family. But one thing comes from it that none of those things can give….eternal salvation in Yeshua. It’s not an easy walk. It’s not for the timid, so to speak. Because it is a battle in the spiritual war zone. That’s why Paul writes in Ephesians.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm then! Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Strap up your feet in readiness with the Good News of shalom. Above all, take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation[d] and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Ruach on every occasion, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, keep alert with perseverance and supplication for all the kedoshim.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

نافرمانی، عقیدت اور نتیجہ

انسان کو اس زندگی میں دو انتخاب کرنے ہیں۔ خدا کی پیروی کرنا یا خدا کی نافرمانی کرنا (جو شیطان کی پیروی کر رہا ہے)۔ یسوع بیٹا اور خدا باپ نے تمام صحیفوں کے ذریعے یہ واضح کر دیا ہے کہ صرف یہ دو انتخاب ہیں۔ ایک خدا کے ساتھ ابدی زندگی کی طرف لے جاتا ہے، دوسرا ابدی موت کی طرف لے جاتا ہے.آج ہم دانیال کی ایک کہانی دیکھیں گے جو ان دو انتخابوں کی وضاحت کرتی ہے۔ ہم قدیم بابل کے بادشاہ نبوخدنیسر کی کہانی جانتے ہیں۔ ہم جانتے ہیں کہ ڈینیئل نے ملٹی میٹل قانون کے اپنے خواب کی تشریح کیسے کی تھی۔

دانیال 2اور نبوخدنیسر کے دور حکومت کے دوسرے سال میں نبوخدنیسر نے خواب دیکھے، جس سے اس کی روح پریشان تھی، اور اس کی نیند اس سے دور تھی۔ تب بادشاہ نے جادوگروں، نجومیوں، جادوگروں اور کلدیوں کو بادشاہ کو اس کے خواب دکھانے کے لیے بلانے کا حکم دیا۔ پھر وہ آئے اور بادشاہ کے سامنے کھڑے ہو گئے۔ بادشاہ نے ان سے کہا کہ میں نے ایک خواب دیکھا ہے اور میری روح اس خواب کو جان کر پریشان تھی۔ پھر کلدیوں کو سریانی کے بادشاہ سے کہہ دو، اے بادشاہ، ہمیشہ زندہ رہو۔ اپنے خادموں کو یہ خواب سناؤ اور ہم اس کی تعبیر سنائیں گے۔ بادشاہ نے جواب دیا اور کلدیوں سے کہا کہ یہ چیز مجھ سے چلی گئی ہے۔ اگر تم مجھے خواب نہیں دکھاو گے تو اس کی تعبیر کے ساتھ تم ٹکڑے ٹکڑے کر دیے جاؤ گے اور تمہارے گھروں کو گوبر کی پہاڑی بنا دیا جائے گا۔ اور اگر تم خواب اور اس کی تعبیر دیکھو گے تو تم مجھ سے تحفے اور اجر و ثواب اور بڑی عزت حاصل کرو گے پس مجھے خواب اور اس کی تعبیر سنا دو۔ انہوں نے پھر جواب دیا کہ بادشاہ اپنے خادموں کو یہ خواب سنائے اور ہم اس کی تعبیر سنائیں گے۔ بادشاہ نے جواب دیا، میں یقین سے جانتا ہوں کہ تمہیں وقت مل جائے گا، کیونکہ تم دیکھتے ہو کہ یہ چیز مجھ سے چلی گئی ہے۔ اور اگر تم مجھے یہ خواب نہ دکھا سکو تو تمہارے لیے صرف ایک ہی حکم ہے کیونکہ تم نے میرے سامنے جھوٹ بولنے کے لیے تیار کر رکھا ہے یہاں تک کہ وقت بدل نہ جائے۔ پس مجھے خواب بتاؤ اور میں جان جاؤں گا کہ تم مجھے اس کی تعبیر سنا سکتے ہو۔ کلدیوں نے بادشاہ کے سامنے جواب دیا اور کہا کہ زمین پر کوئی ایسا آدمی نہیں ہے جو بادشاہ کی بات سن سکے۔ اس لئے کوئی بادشاہ، مالک یا حاکم نہیں ہے جو کسی جادوگر، نجومی یا کلدیان سے ایسی باتیں پوچھے۔ اور یہ ایک نایاب چیز ہے جس کی بادشاہ کو ضرورت ہوتی ہے، اور کوئی اور نہیں ہے جو بادشاہ کے سامنے اسے پیش کر سکے، سوائے دیوتاؤں کے، جن کا گھر گوشت کے ساتھ نہیں ہے۔ اس وجہ سے بادشاہ کو بہت غصہ آیا اور اس نے بابل کے تمام عقلمندوں کو تباہ کرنے کا حکم دیا۔ اور حکم چلا گیا کہ عقل مندوں کو قتل کر دیا جائے۔ اور انہوں نے دانی ایل اور اس کے ساتھیوں کو قتل کرنے کی کوشش کی۔ تب دانی ایل نے بادشاہ کے محافظ کے سردار اریوک کو نصیحت اور حکمت کے ساتھ جواب دیا، جو بابل کے دانشمندوں کو قتل کرنے کے لیے روانہ کیا گیا تھا۔ اس نے جواب دیا اور بادشاہ کے سردار اریوک سے کہا، بادشاہ کی طرف سے یہ حکم اتنی جلد بازی میں کیوں دیا گیا ہے؟ پھر عریق نے دانی ایل کو یہ بات بتا دی۔ تب دانی ایل اندر گیا اور بادشاہ سے خواہش کی کہ وہ اسے وقت دے اور وہ بادشاہ کو اس کی تشریح سنائے۔ پھر دانی ایل اپنے گھر گیا اور اس نے حننیاہ، مشعال اور عزریاہ اور اس کے ساتھیوں کو بتا دیا کہ وہ اس راز کے بارے میں آسمان کے خدا کی مہربانی چاہتے ہیں۔ تاکہ دانی ایل اور اس کے ساتھی بابل کے باقی عقلمندوں کے ساتھ ہلاک نہ ہوں۔ پھر یہ راز رات کے نظارے میں دانی ایل پر ظاہر ہوا۔ تب دانی ایل نے آسمان کے خدا کو برکت دی۔ دانی ایل نے جواب دیا کہ خدا کا نام ہمیشہ کے لئے مبارک ہو کیونکہ حکمت اور قدرت اس کی ہے۔ وہ وقت اور موسم وں کو بدل دیتا ہے۔ وہ بادشاہوں کو ہٹاتا ہے اور بادشاہوں کو پیدا کرتا ہے۔ وہ عقل مندوں کو حکمت دیتا ہے اور ان کو علم دیتا ہے جو عقل کو جانتے ہیں۔ وہ گہری اور پوشیدہ چیزوں کو ظاہر کرتا ہے۔ وہ جانتا ہے جو اندھیرے میں ہے۔ اور روشنی اس کے ساتھ رہتی ہے۔ میں تیرا شکر ادا کرتا ہوں اور تیری حمد کرتا ہوں اے میرے باپ دادا کے خدا جس نے مجھے حکمت اور قدرت بخشی اور اب جو کچھ ہم تجھ سے چاہتے ہیں وہ مجھے بتا دیا۔ کیونکہ تو نے اب ہمیں بادشاہ کا معاملہ بتا دیا ہے۔ اس لئے دانی ایل آریوک کے پاس گیا جسے بادشاہ نے بابل کے عقلمندوں کو تباہ کرنے کا حکم دیا تھا۔ اس نے جا کر اس سے یہی کہا۔ بابل کے عقلمندوں کو تباہ نہ کرو۔ مجھے بادشاہ کے سامنے لے آؤ اور میں بادشاہ کو اس کی تعبیر بتاؤں گا۔ تب اریوق عجلت میں دانی ایل کو بادشاہ کے سامنے لے آیا اور اس سے کہا کہ میں نے یہوداہ کے قیدیوں میں سے ایک آدمی پایا ہے جو بادشاہ کو اس کی تعبیر بتائے گا۔ بادشاہ نے جواب دیا اور دانی ایل سے کہا، جس کا نام بیلتشر ہے، کیا تو مجھے وہ خواب بتا سکتا ہے جو میں نے دیکھا ہے اور اس کی تعبیر؟ دانی ایل نے بادشاہ کے سامنے جواب دیا، اور کہا، “بادشاہ نے جس راز کا مطالبہ کیا ہے وہ عقل مند، نجومی، جادوگر، سادھو بادشاہ کو نہیں بتا سکتے۔ لیکن آسمان میں ایک خدا ہے جو راز وں کو ظاہر کرتا ہے، اور بادشاہ نبوخدنیسر کو بتاتا ہے کہ آخر الذکر میں کیا ہو گا۔

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Why the World Mocks God

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10

When one looks around today, we see every evil deed spoke about in the Holy Scriptures. Both old and new testaments show what constitutes evil in God’s eyes, the only definition allowable. And until our society (globally) became woke in to many areas, these positions and thoughts of evil were preached against by the pulpits of our nations.

What comes next in the article will make people mad and bring with it vehement attitudes. Most will be from the non-Christian society in our nation. But what will be worse is that it will also come from those that say they follow Jesus Christ. The mindset of the American Christian Church has become one of including the allowance of sin, even within the confines of the church. This is not to say that certain people or groups are not allowed to come to God. Nor do they have to be perfect. But what does need to occur is this. They have to be told the truth of God. Does God love everyone and want them to turn to him. Of course. Did Jesus deny a person’s coming to Him because of their sin. No. That’s the reason He came, died, and rose from the grave, so that we would have a means by which to make sure our souls are saved from sin.

Never once in Scripture did Jesus say, be saved and continue in your sin. He said Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee (John 5:14). She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:11).So by allowing sin to reign, these ‘Christians’ defy and deny the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. For a person who claims salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ but continue to sin, there is no more hope.For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26). This doesn’t mean that if a truly repentant sinner does fall that there is no hope. Mankind isn’t perfect so we do make mistakes. But it is expected to ask for forgiveness and strength. What the verse means is that you sin by choice after being saved, the sacrifice is not enough to cover it.

A gay preacher is loved by God. However, God does not approve of the sin. And since the preacher has claimed to be saved through the blood, he/she must seek forgiveness not continue in the sin. And yes, being any part of the LGTBQ+ community, engaging in the acts, and either not seeking forgiveness or continuing in the sin by choice is a sin. I know lovely people that are within this community, and I love the people, but have no option but to call the sinful act what it is…A SIN. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 9-10). Also included are cross-dressers The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God (Deuteronomy 22:5). 

The reason God gave us a moral code in the 10 Commandments was to help us understand that God loves us. The punishment that comes from sin without repentance is seen in how we raise our own children and deal with the criminal element. Why? Because like a parent, God chastises those who choose not to follow moral codes, laws, rules, whatever name you chose to give them. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth (Hebrews 12:6).

  It needs repented for and turned from. I will not turn my back on those that sin, but I will tell them it needs fixed. And for those in the LGTBQ+ community, God doesn’t make mistakes. He made you genetically what you are, male or female. The rest of the gender discussion is one of a sin sickness not a mental health issue or crossed wires in the brain. To say it is either of those things is strictly the devil playing games and stealing souls.

We are to pull ourselves out of the ways of the world. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).So when preachers are seen and heard saying things like, God looks on the heart, that statement is only right up to a point of understanding and redemption. The only time that the sin is not looked at is when a person is saved through grace and turns from the sinful nature of the world. A person who does not understand because he/she has not been taught will be looked at with that in mind at judgment. But for those that know and still refuse to turn from their sin will be judged according to that choice.

Romans chapters 2-4 tell us we are not to judge whether a person is good or bad. We are to show them the path to Christ and the need for redemption. No man has the ability of say this one will go to heaven or that one will go to judgment of the damned. We are to preach Christ crucified and risen. We are to lead the non-believer (and in today’s society the believer as well) to understand that God has said in the Scriptures what actions will not make it to judgment of the saved. A person can only no what sin is by biblical description. The knowing of the sin brings with it the understanding for the need of Christ’s redemptive power.

How will those that do not believe learn form those that teach error and blasphemy? Those that preach the Gospel message are warned against teaching false doctrines. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive (Romans 16:17-18). Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Ephesians 5:11).I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).

In this woke wilderness, we are searching for ways to make things better. Here’s the best way to do so. Read the bible, repent from sin, and follow Christ. We are told how to make things the way we should, without sending our nation into a tailspin of no return. We are told how to conduct business. We are told how to treat people. We are told how to raise our families. And we are told what it takes to make that trip into a heavenly home at His coming.

If you haven’t made that choice to follow Christ as a believer and follower, OR you have but still live with sin you refuse to give up and turn from, NOW IS THE TIME. Jesus Christ is coming back in all His glory. And it will be soon. When that time comes, it will be too late. Please consider your eternal future. It only takes a moment to make that choice to be covered by the soul cleansing blood of Jesus.

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Walang Babae sa Pulpit

Babae sa Modern Church
Sa mga simbahan at denominasyon ngayon, ang mga kababaihan ay may iba’t ibang tungkulin. Nagtuturo sila, escort, naglilingkod. Ngunit may hawak din silang mga posisyon na HINDI kabilang sa kanila. Alam namin sa pamamagitan ng Tanach ( Lumang Tipan ) na ang mga kababaihan ay hindi pari o nagtrabaho sa loob ng templo. At ang mga simbahan ngayon na nagtataguyod ng posisyon na iyon ay tinatawag na legalista at sexist. Gayunpaman, ang posisyon na iyon ay ang posisyon din ng mga Apostol. Nabanggit ito sa iba’t ibang mga epistles. Kaya ang artikulong ito ay ilalagay sa unahan, lugar ng isang babae sa loob ng ministeryo at mga lugar na hindi nila inorden na mapasok.
Ang mga taong tulad ni Paula White, Gloria Copeland, at iba pa, habang ipinapahayag na tinawag silang mangaral, ipinakita nila na tunay na nilalabanan ang mga turo ng pinakaunang Kristiyanong simbahan na pinamumunuan ng mga Apostol.
Mga Banal na Kasulatan sa Papel ng Babae sa Simbahan
Sa Mga Gawa 2:17, ang manunulat ay nagsasalita ng parehong mga salita tulad ni Propeta Joel. “ Sa mga huling araw, sabi ng Diyos, ibubuhos ko ang aking Espiritu sa lahat ng tao. Ang iyong mga anak na lalaki at babae ay manghuhula … ” Kaya ang mga propeta ay maaaring maging kalalakihan o kababaihan. Ang mga propeta ay ang nagsasalita ng mga utos ng Diyos, karaniwang sa isang tiyak na sitwasyon.
Mayroong maraming mga banal na kasulatan na nagsasabing maaari silang magturo, kapwa lalaki at babae. Tulad ng Colosas 3:16, Lucas 24:44, Colosas 1:28, at Ephisians 5: 18-20. Kaya mayroon silang iba’t ibang mga tungkulin sa loob ng simbahan at tahanan ( 1 Timoteo 5:10, Tito 2: 3-5 ) Ngunit, tulad ng makikita natin, ang pulpito ay hindi isa sa kanila.
Banal na Kasulatan sa Babae sa Pulpit
Ang mga talatang ito ay nakalagay sa Banal na Kasulatan at dapat gawin bilang inspiradong Salita ng Diyos ( 2 Timoteo 3: 16-17 ), tulad ng mga Kristiyano na tanggapin ang lahat mula sa takip hanggang sa takip.
Sinasabi sa amin ni Pablo sa kanyang unang liham sa mga taga-Corinto kabanata 14 na talata 33 hanggang 35, “ sapagkat ang Diyos ay hindi isang Diyos ng pagkalito ngunit ng kapayapaan, tulad ng sa lahat ng mga simbahan ng mga banal. 34 Tumahimik ang mga kababaihan sa mga simbahan; sapagka’t hindi sila pinahihintulutang magsalita, ngunit hayaan silang magpasakop sa kanilang sarili, tulad ng sinasabi din ng Kautusan. 35 At kung nais nilang matuto ng anupaman, hilingin nila ang kanilang sariling asawa sa bahay; sapagkat hindi wasto para sa isang babae na magsalita sa simbahan. ”
Ika-1 Timoteo 2: 11-15, “ Ang isang babae ay dapat na tahimik na makatanggap ng pagtuturo nang buong pagpapasakop. Ngunit hindi ko pinapayagan ang isang babae na magturo o mag-ehersisyo ng awtoridad sa isang lalaki, ngunit upang manatiling tahimik. Sapagkat ito ay si Adan na unang nilikha, at pagkatapos ay si Eva. At hindi si Adan ang nalinlang, ngunit ang babaeng nalinlang, ay nahulog sa paglabag. Ngunit ang mga kababaihan ay mapangalagaan sa pamamagitan ng pagdala ng mga bata kung magpapatuloy sila sa pananampalataya at pag-ibig at kabanalan na may pagpipigil sa sarili. ”
Kaya, habang ang artikulong ito ay maikli, diretso ito sa punto sa loob ng Banal na Kasulatan. Ang mga kababaihan ay hindi dapat nasa likod ng pulpito o sa pinuno ng isang simbahan / kongregasyon. Mayroon silang mga tungkulin sa loob ng simbahan: hula, pagtuturo, gabay, pinuno ng kanta, atbp. Ngunit ang isang kababaihan ay hindi maaaring maorden ng isang denominasyon dahil hindi siya inorden ng Diyos para sa posisyon na iyon.
Sinasabi sa atin ng Banal na Kasulatan sa Hebreo 13: 8 na si Jesucristo ay pareho kahapon, ngayon, at bukas. Dahil dito, ang mga patakaran na itinakda sa Lumang Tipan tungkol sa mga kababaihan sa mga posisyon sa pamumuno sa simbahan ( kasama na ang pastor ) ay hindi nagbabago. Nagpapatuloy ang mga Hebreo sa 13: 9 “ Huwag magdala ng iba’t ibang at kakaibang doktrina. ”

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Christianity, Current events, faith, Human Right

A Look At Our Past Evil To Envision Our Future Good

Welcome to CPNP. I was going to make this week’s article about the US President. He has said and acted in a manner that further embarrasses the nation among our fellow nations and further widens the gap between his administration and the majority of the US populace. So that will be the main content of the next article,

This week, I have decided to take a stroll down the nation’s memory lane. With all the hype over two hundred and fifty years, which is actually an error, I thought it would be good to go through the nation’s past. I will give a trigger warning, especially for those that hold the current right sided ideology. But, I am a center of the road person. I’m neither left or right. I understand that there is good and bad on both sides of the political aisle. So within this article, both may get angry, a little squirmy in their eats. And I will be doing this article without detailing a particular side. Just some historical facts.

Let’s start with our founding. The date we celebrate is actually wrong. True, the Declaration of Independence was written on June 11th and 28th of 1776 and ratified on July 4th of 1776. But it had not started to be signed until August 2nd of 1776 when John Hancock was the first to sign. The final signature did not occur until  January 1777. Here is what will upset people. That 1776 document was nothing more than our written declaration of desire to be an independent nation. The war ended on September 3rd in 1783 at the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

So, to accurately celebrate the independence of the United States, the date should be the date of the treaty. Here’s why. Without French aiding the colonies and the combination of France, Spain, and the Netherlands causing a two front conflict with Britain, the colonies would have lost. That means, the great heroes and leaders of the insurrection of the colonies toward the crown, would have been tried and hung for treason. It was the day in Paris that is the true day of independence. So the nation is only two hundred and forty three years old, this coming August.

Now that you are probably starting to feel that patriotic blood boil, lets get you really upset.

First, let’s start with the fact of the founding of the nation not being as open as the declaration states. We all know the second paragraph. “We hold these truth’s to be self-evident, that All men are created equal, that endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

We will start here. All men. Interesting since an estimated 500,000 Africans were in the colonies (with an estimated 10% being free). There were also an estimated 24,000-51,000 indigenous slaves in the colonies. And while not being chattel slaves (permanent lifelong enslavement), there were an estimated 350,000 European white indentured slaves (those who had the ability to buy or earn their freedom) including about 55,000 prisoners (criminals) from Britain. So, not ALL men were equal.

In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln started the ending of slavery. That wouldn’t officially come until the ratification of the 13th Amendment in 1865. But it came with a caveat. Prisoners could still be used as slave for labor. But freedom didn’t mean equal. That came in steps, thanks to Jim Crow laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 gave them full citizenship and equal rights (on paper not in practice). In 1864, the 14th Amendment was ratified, making every person born on US soil, US citizens. The 15th Amendment, in 1870, gave Black Men the right to vote. However, the ruling powers decided that, to vote, a person had to pass testing. Guess who seldom passed.

In 1924, the Snyder Act gave Indigenous peoples citizenship and the right to vote. On paper. But like the black community, testing and others issues barred them from that right.

In 1954, the case of Brown vs the Board of Education, determined that there would be no more segregated schools. However, that was the second court case for non-whites being allowed to enter any school of their choosing. The first was Mendez vs Westminister School District of Orange County California (1947). It determined that those of Mexican descent could not be disallowed entry into the white public school systems. From the earliest days in the 1700s through the mid 1900s, Indigenous students were barred from White schools, but forced to live and study at white ran boarding schools.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act allowed the inclusion of the black community in all facets of life. On paper. Then came the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that disallowed any barring of black citizens from voting. And in 1968, the Fair Housing Act put an end to housing discrimination. On paper.

Now we see, under this administration, and the latest ruling by the US Supreme Court, start tearing apart those hard earned rights of the minority communities that they were created to protect. But in reality, those Congressional Acts were good on paper but not in life. Even prior to the current administration, prejudice and bigoted ideology still created the problems that the Acts were suppose to remedy.

These issues were then had attempted to level the playing field with things like DEI initiatives and Affirmative Action. This administration has eliminated these initiatives, And the like minded bigotry consuming part of the populace cheers. I suppose they forget that, these initiatives only opened the door. Students still had to achieve academically. Women still had to learn the trade or business they were to work in. Minorities still had to work hard, prove their ability, and earn the spots in their respective professions.

President Trump said he wanted to take us back to the gilded age. And that statement alone proves his ideology and the mental inability to govern with respect to the populace he now governs. The gilded age was both great and horrible. The 1920s gaped the rich and the poor further than it had been up to that point. Then in 1929, the rich became the poor in many cases. Jim Crow was the standard minority political prison. So, he did keep that promise.

Now, a few small notes of miscarriages of justice and mercy (and pure evil) of this nation’s history. Since we already looked at slavery and the political fights. We will look at other areas and actions. While not listing all (as it would take volumes, and others do a better job of writing about the finer points of the nation’s evils), I will hit on some. I will trust the reader to have the academic fortitude to look up details of the things to be mentioned.

From 1787 to 1871, the US government ratified and signed 374 treaties with the Indigenous peoples of the land. All to the deterioration of those same indigenous. And guess how many were either broken or ignored. Any guesses? All of them. They took the different nations, placed them on tiny plots, gave them rancid provisions, disease infested materials, committed genocide (Wounded Knee, Trail of Tears, California Genocide) and tried eliminating their respective culture (banning rituals, banning language, and kidnapping the children and forcing them into boarding schools). To this day, not all nations have recognized tribal status.

A small look at the Mexican population. Erasure from record books throughout history. The previously mentioned issues listed that affected every minority group. Operations like Wetback in under the Eisenhower administration and the current national sweeps by ICE and Border Patrol. Both parties have been involved with this. It was started by President Trump. This current set of events is because of the progression of events. A period of gassing Mexicans in El Paso started around 1917. They were forced to bath in gasoline. Then in the 20s and 30s, Zyklon B was used to ‘fumigate’ them. This product was cyanide based. It went on to have a huge historical significance. It was used by the Nazi regime to kill millions in the death camps. (Wonder where they got the idea from). The from the 1940s through the 1960s, the government used DDT. They also used various other chemical compounds.

This brings us to a few other areas of ‘medical’ interest. The original abortion program was placed around interurban  (minority prominent areas). Planned Parenthood founder, Margaret Sanger said it was for these reasons. “We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population” (1939). “Advocate the stoppage of procreation of those deemed diseased and feeble-minded” (1921). “certain populations spawning a class of human beings who never should have been born” (1921). Proposal of sterilization of Dysgenic (the deterioration of hereditary qualities of a population) groups. (1932). Can you guess what it was never meant for? Women’s Heath. It was, and is, nothing more than population elimination control system.

The black community, like other minority communities, had more than its share of the elimination of the Hippocratic Oath in medicine.

The 1840s brought the gynecological experiments of Dr. J Marion Sims. He did procedures without anesthetics because ‘black people felt no pain’. Forced sterilizations of the 20th Century. The longest running STD test of the 20th Century. Called the Tuskegee Study (1932-1972), this tested the untreated effects of Syphilis on black men. A cure came in 1947 but was not used. In 1951, John Hopkins took cancer cells from Henrietta Lacks, without consent, to develop what is known as the HeLa cell line. Cellular treatment came from this. And in the 1950s, radiation was used on members of the black community. Just to see what the effects would be.

And while we are talking about the evils toward the black community, let us not forget names like Black Wall Street, Strange Fruit, Rosewood, Colfax, Wilmington, East St Louis, Memphis and all the pre and post Jim Crow lynchings. That 2nd point is important to me. My great grandfather was at the last official lynching recorded in Indiana. He is front (and almost center0 in the memory postcard of that lynching of two black men in Marion. Poet Abel Meeropol (Lewis Allen) wrote about the scene in the postcard. The Song was later done by Billie Holiday.

A country that, at one time, placed itself as the last beacon of light in a dark world, has its own shadows. And while things had started to be on a better track, we have gone backwards. Elimination of needed programs, elimination of aid, soldiers on the streets, the government law enforcement agencies defying the laws that guard against abuse in duty, dehumanization, and other evils that cause the deterioration of civilization.

As I said toward the beginning, this current administration is the result of issues that have been within the US psyche since in foundation as a nation. All great civilization throughout the eons of time have fallen because of the issues within, more than the issues without. Political ideologies have switched places over the years. Democrats formed the original Klan and less than a hundred years later, brought in civil rights.Republicans that gave freedom and equality to the black community, now end equality initiatives and treat those they deem unworthy as trash to disposed of. The conservative today forces their version of Christianity (which it isn’t) while the liberal advocates a vast majority of things that are unethical and immoral.

While this nation was found on the biblical foundation of the Creator and the last six commandments were the basis for our laws, the founding fathers (despite their evils) saw fit to make sure that the government DID NOT force one faith over another by demand adherence to one.

The Right demands judgment without mercy while the Left demands mercy without judgment. Both are wrong. There has to be Justice and Judgment but it must be done with Mercy. Christ wast one or the other, conservative or liberal. He was both. Conservative on the Laws of God (Matthew 5:18) and Liberal on how to treat our fellow man, friend and enemy (the entirety of the Gospels).

Ill leave you with this to ponder. First we are not a Democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic. Our voice can be heard in protest, but our say is truly in the ballot box. Second, The Constitution is not a set of God given rights. If they were, they could not be taken. They are only privileges that can be amended and removed. So elect those that will protect them.And last, whether you agree or disagree with another. Do it civilly. Do it ethically and morally. Remember. Every person born, whether or not you agree with their politics, ideologies, religions, gender issues, etc….they are worthy of dignity, just by the fact they were born. Not whether they were born here or elsewhere…..BUT because they were born.

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Christianity, faith

But For Grace, There Go I

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited (Romans 12:16).

Today, the pastor did a switch of sermon. I don’t know if he was led by the Holy Spirit to do so or if he had seen something from one congregants that caused it. But it was a message that was needed. Not just today, not just our church. But by the body of Christ globally.

You see churches like Westboro Baptist, evangelical churches, and others today forgetting that they were sinners at one point. They seem to have forgotten that they had a calling to kneel at the altar rail and ask for forgiveness. That they are still not worthy of grace but are given that grace because of the love of God through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Somewhere along the line, they forgot about hating the sin and loving the sinner. Members of the church as a whole have gotten to a point where they condemn a person instead of simply explaining sin and redemption through the shed blood of Christ. Or like my grandmother would have said in her sweet southern/midwestern mixed Ozarks voice, you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.

The passage for his message was Matthew 20: 1-16. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.“About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing.He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’So they went. “He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing.About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’“‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’“The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius.When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius?Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you.Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

He reminded us that, like the ones who had worked all day, those that have been in the faith for a long time, tend to forget that the redemption of Christ’s blood covers everybody who asks. He reminded us that it has the same exact value for those that came to that altar 50 years ago as well as those that hit the altar yesterday or have yet to hit it. He could have just as easily used the verse of the Pharisee and the sinner. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14).

Having spoke with him after service, I told him that switching a message to one that calls the faithful to account is very seldom welcomed. The Pharisees had grown so pompous, that they ran their Messiah ragged and eventually to the Cross because of their inflated self-worth. Many Christians today have that same self inflation. But this pastor had an inspiration to remind them that their time in God’s service doesn’t equate for more love than new Christians or even those who yet have the calling to come to the Savior.

After his message, he did something I have never seen a pastor do in the 51 years I have been alive and the 40 plus years I have been going to services. He went and knelt at the altar while the final hymn was sung. I found it amazing that even a pastor realized he still isn’t perfect. Many congregants in all denominations need to see his example and remember the old adage, ‘but for the grace of God, there go I’.

I understand that this may not seem like much to most. But seeing how the pulpits have become compromised and even desecrated by soft wording and no fire by the pastors, a person doesn’t need to look hard to see why our neighborhoods, towns, nations, and world are in the position that they are in.

This pastor doesn’t preach with the flair or flame of men like Billy Sunday or Billy Graham. But he speaks with the humility and humbleness of a saint. He allows the words to be like arrows of the Holy Spirit. May this man’s ministry be blessed and a blessing, calling even the saved to repentance. Because no matter how long ago you knelt at that altar, tears of regret flowing down your cheeks, and asked for Christ to be the master of your life, we all still need repentance and the renewing of Christ’s saving grace.

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Current events, Human Right, immigration, Uncategorized

New Intro, New Blog, Same Account

Welcome to Center Porch News and Perspective. For those that have read my blog, Center Porch Ministries, this new blog will be OP/ED articles about news events. It will cover many things including the things that are important to me and global events. Many will be in the areas of the Persecution of Christians globally, US immigration issues, and yes, politics. But I thought I would give a small background so that you will understand why these subjects are my main focus.

I have been a journalist, in various media styles, for thirty years this July. I started in newsprint. I have also been with online journalism outlets, as well as, independent articles wherever I could get the published. I also have four published books, and currently working on my first fiction attempt.

While today’s society fights, especially in the US, about places of origin, genetics, skin color, and the social construct of race, I am a walking UN. The majority of my being is European. But over the past few years, I was more interested in what lies beneath. And while it would seem that I would embrace the majority, I don’t. A small backstory to show why.

I grew up around migrant farm workers. Like the ones that the current administration seems to joyfully sweep up, place in cages before shipping them from our borders. It was from an early age I fell in love with the people and the culture. Having lived and worked with those of that culture for the majority of my life, I found it interesting that, through genetics, I found a connection that warmed my heart and further drove me to aid these people I learned to love.

I found three interesting points of genetics. Mestizo, the first generation of mixed blood of Indigenous and Spanish blood. And my markers in this genetic area seem to pinpoint to somewhere in the pre-US Los Angeles area.As well as Taino from the Caribbean. Although it is through the Islands (Puerto Rico, Cuba, etc), being from the US, I am going to assume it comes from Puerto Rico. Mainly because genetic similarities are closer to PR than any of the other islands. And yes, I know its not a perfect science, but its what we need to work with at this time.

But I also found a few more interesting points in the various testing results. Middle Eastern from Lebanon and the mTdna from Turkey. Punjabi, linked to genetics from Lahore Pakistan. And of course, the Irish link from Northern Ireland I already knew of (Antrim and Derry).

The Irish is the only European bloodline I acknowledge. As for the genetics listed above, I accept them as well. And this is the reasoning behind the passions I have behind the causes that affect these different grouping of people. While the issues facing the Mexican American community have always been a passion for me, before finding it in me, the others have become important enough to me to help fight for. Those, added to my Christian (I’m Catholic) faith demands that I be a voice of some type in their struggles.

The old Minsitries blog had been read globally. And yes, I can provide the proof if desired. That’s not to pat myself and say great work. It simply means that one can have some type of impact, even if microscopic, outside of his own little sphere. And while I may never see desired changes in my lifetime, I do believe in the Butterfly Effect.

To end this article, I say this. Comment on an article on the actual blog page. Yes, I use Facebook to promote my work. But answering on the blog itself tells me you actually read it and not just the Headline. Second, my articles will come with the data to back up my position. So I won’t debate. If you answer with an opposing rebuttal, please use data. Most that have tried to give an opposing opinion use memes and unverified rhetoric. And let be known. I’m neither Democrat or Republican. You find I am Liberal where needed and Conservative where needed. My views haven’t changed in decades. That won’t start being a thing now. Also, I believe that the Constitution applies for both sides. And don’t quote it only when it fits your narrative.

As for monetization. Many write and post with the intent on being paid. I have a job so their will be no monetization. That is for the simple fact that I want nobody to be able to claim that opinions are swayed by financial gain from one side or the other. If I write and post it, its because I believe it.

Have a wonderful day.

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Christianity, Current events, faith, Human Right, Uncategorized

CHURCH IN NEED

The other day, I was contacted by Pastor Emmanuel Mezu with a request for aid for his church, The Vessel Of The Lord’s Assembly International in Nigeria. Here is the request and reason in his words.

Please permit me to explain a little bit of our Ministry’s present condition:

For a long time now, our Ministry has been operating as a Fellowship in my compound, even before we were advised by the Government to register it with them, through their Corporate Affairs Commission, hence we are duly registered with the Federal Government of Nigeria as THE VESSEL OF THE LORD’S ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL. Note, this Certificate can be verified through your embassy here in Nigeria.

Since after the registration in 2018, we are yet to operate as a church because of the stipulated rules and regulations guiding the estate where I live, and that is where we do our fellowship on every Thursday. The rules and regulations was that, there will be no church nor mosques in the community in other to avoid such incident that happened in the past (Religious Clash). But, as a fellowship we were allowed only on Thursday and between the hours of 9:00Am to 12:00Noon.

Now, to your question; early last month, the estate management came and gave us a quit notice, and we demanded to know why, and they said that our numbers has grown so much that they cannot allow us to continue in the estate, but advised that we should relocate out of the estate. And considering the timing of the notice, after going through the Christian Leaders alliance Minister Directory, I deemed it fit to contact you for help on how to get a place outside the estate. During our last week’s Thursday program, the estate management came and which I saw as an embarrassment when our new converts left in anger. Please, we need your assistance at this time because we do not want to lose both our new and old members.

Beloved brother, it might sound strange for us to ask that you to send us money when you do not know us, but no, we would rather ask, if you really want to assist raise the money to either buy a land or building for us, you can arrange with your consulate here in Nigeria, so that they can invite us to meet with them in their office with all proves. Though, your professional advise is highly needed here, because I know that it takes process. Or if you would be willing to either come or send a representative that can help to oversea all.

And finally, you may wish to checkout some of our activities through Facebook, YouTube or google for your scrutiny.

Yours in service.

Pastor Emmanuel.

While I do not have the personal funding for his mission and request, I do reach out to others in hopes that God will use His people to aid this church in need. Below are pictures and verification of his church. If you have the ability, or can forward this to someone who does, I pray that you will.

This is his contact information:

Pastor Emmanuel Mezu

Leader, The Vessel Of The Lord’s Assembly International

Resident/Church addresses: 

House 1, D Close Home Foundation Estate Lagos Nigeria.

Tel/WhatsApp: +2348020925724

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Christianity, Current events, faith, Human Right, Uncategorized

Persecution in Pakistan: A Place of my Heart

Within the last year, I wrote an article on the suffering Christians in Pakistan and the persecution and martyrdom they face daily. The past weeks have been hard for these wonderful people of our Lord Jesus Christ. So this weeks article is going to be a bit different. Not only was another Christian martyred, the organization Persecution.org, International Christian Concern did their monthly magazine on those in Pakistan. So this article is going to contain links to the organization’s website and all of their social media accounts.

At the bottom will be 8 links. One to my former article, one to their main page, one to their newsletter, one to their magazine, one to their prayer calendar, one to their podcast, and one to their donation information.

We speak so much today of human slavery and the need for it to end. Most of the time, sex slavery comes to mind. But modern day slavery comes in many forms. And the children of Jesus Christ are in modern day slavery around the world.

I know a few wonderful preachers and ministries in Pakistan. I want to give special honor to them before I post the the articles below. Please check out their pages. The content in them shows both the wonders of God’s glory and the evil of man’s heart.

Pastor Ravi in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan           

https://www.facebook.com/psravidaniel.daniel

Evangelist Mariam in Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100073638895836 

Evangelist Farah in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069345996262

Pastor Shakeel in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan          

https://www.facebook.com/shakeel.bhatti.3551 

Now, Let’s get to the article. First is the news story of the latest attacks.

LAHORE, Pakistan, May 25 (Reuters) – At least 10 members of a minority Christian community were rescued on Saturday after a Muslim crowd attacked their settlement on a blasphemy accusation in eastern Pakistan, police and a community leader said.

The crowd, which accused the Christian group of blasphemy, also hurled stones and bricks at the police, said Shariq Kamal, the police chief of Sargodha district.

At least one house and a small shoe factory was set on fire by protesters who had gathered after neighbours alleged that the Muslim holy book, the Koran, had been desecrated by a minority community member, according to a police spokesman and Akmal Bhatti, a Christian leader.

“They burned one house” and several Christians were badly beaten, Bhatti said.

A large contingent of police cordoned off the settlement, Kamal said, adding that the crowd had been pushed back. One member of the Christian community who was taken to hospital was later said to be in a stable condition.

Some 25 of the protesters have been arrested, said police official Assad Malhi, adding that 11 police officers suffered injuries during the operation to rescue the Christian community members from the crowd.

The situation had calmed down by late evening, with leaders from both sides calling for peace, police said.

A Christian rights group – Minority Rights March – said a 70-year-old man accused of the blasphemy was beaten and dragged by the mob.

It said video footage showed that the police did not intervene. The police have denied the claim.

Videos posted on social media showed protesters looting items from burning properties. Others were seen throwing the items in a heap on fire in a street.

Bhatti said the videos were images from the scene.

Reuters could not independently verify the pictures.

The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the Christian community was “at grave risk to their lives at the hands of the charged mobs”.

Blasphemy is a sensitive subject in conservative Muslim- majority Pakistan, where just an accusation can lead to a street lynching.

Human rights groups say Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws are often misused to settle personal scores.

While blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, no one has been executed by the state for it, though numerous accused have been lynched by outraged mobs.

A Muslim crowd attacked a Christian community in eastern Pakistan last year, vandalizing several churches and setting scores of houses on fire after accusing two of its members of desecrating the Koran.

Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by Mike Harrison and David Gregorio

The Store owner recently died from his injuries.

More stories of Pakistani Persecutions can be found at https://www.persecution.org/?s=&cat=64.

The system is not allowing photos to upload. Below are the links to the Persecution websites. Please read the articles on Pakistan. Also, to see my original article, follow the final link.

https://www.persecution.org/

Monthly Magazine

https://twitter.com/persecutionnews   

Podcast

https://www.facebook.com/persecuted 

https://www.persecution.org/sign-up/  

https://www.youtube.com/@iChristianConcern 

http://thecenterporch.com/2022/09/29/pakistani-christians/ 

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Christianity, Current events, faith, Human Right

From Militia to Faith

Having watched a VICE program on the militia in this country, I was brought back to my time in two militias. And the reason I left both. So, in this article you will see some of the inner workings of both, a national militia and a local statewide militia.

First a small background. I was in the US Infantry (11B) and the Mechanized Infantry (11M). I left the Infantry in 1989. In 1995, I joined the SC National Guard as 11M with a Mech Inf unit. This is infantry that is mobilized. When 9/11 hit, I was still on inactive status but was not reactivated. The shock and awe phase of Operation Freedom occurred after my full enlistment time has ended. In 2019, I felt the urge to serve again but was over the age of acceptance. So, having a co-worker that was part of a national militia suggested applying. I did and was accepted into the III% Defense Militia (DM), Indiana unit.

There were no real issues and I earned a bit of rank (CPL) and attained the position of Chaplain. But, when the BLM, Antifa storm him in 2020, I started to see a mentality in many personnel that did not go with my faith as a Christian. It started with the forming of the NFAC.

For those that do not remember, the NFAC was an all black militia. They first came to prominence at Stone Mountain Georgia. But the big coming up was in Louisville, Kentucky during the protests over the Brianna Taylor killing. Yes, I remember her name. And my personal thought in this matter is that the actions following the no-knock raid, and her death, could have been avoided. As a former EMT-A in Indiana, I felt her death but not only for that reason.

While the protests were warranted, the DM was watching the situation and many units were responding, although it was left to the KY unit to deal with it and Indiana to hold at the Ohio River in case of spill over. And at that point, I argued with command stating we should have been on the side of the protesters. This thought was because one of our fell during a no-knock raid that also wounded his pregnant girlfriend.

The position of the DM was that armed BLM supporters would follow the steps of places like Ferguson, MO. It became heated in debate. My reasoning was this. We had a member fall in the same manner. We should have supported the protest. And I started to learn the mentality of the national group. They, like both liberal and conservative, choose to demand their Constitutional protects while denying the same for the side they don’t agree with. The had an issue with the protest (1st Amendment) and militia/arms (2nd Amendment) because they were against the ideology of the other side. Instead of supporting the same rights for others, I saw the racist mentality in those that I called my brothers in arms.

And let me make this clear so there is no misunderstandings about the makeup of my unit. We were 90% ex military. Some like me who never saw action, but the majority were combat vets. The XO having started his service in the first Gulf War in the 90’s and the rest from Operation Freedom. So it was not the typical non-schooled backwoods redneck. Most of us were trained infantrymen and some truly born in the flames of combat.

I resigned my position because I believe that the rights of protest/free speech and militia/arms belong to everyone with our borders. They are the guaranteed rights by which our nation was forged.

In 2021, the Indiana unit went independent and became the 19th Volunteer Militia. Personnel had changed a bit and I joined the state group, with my son, with the hope that things would be better without the national command. I was wrong. I found that looking back, despite the mentality and command by national hq, they were actually holding those racist soldiers back and somewhat in line. My son left first and I transferred into intelligence gathering. I would run the dark web and minute news sources, as well as social media, to gather information need for operations. Two things made me leave this group and call against militias. The first was personally related. My son, after leaving, outed the group including locations, names, and handles. They put cross hairs on his back. That brought the defiant parent out in me. Discussing it with command, the target was removed because I let them know that a strike against him would bring a vengeance from me.

The second reason was the lock down. While I did not agree with forced closures and masks, I knew enough of how disease worked throughout US history, I did not let it bother me. But during that close down here in Indiana, the racist hatred reared its head.

The Indianapolis group of BLM had set up emergency distribution. They did not discriminate but aided those who needed it. In intelligence, I was tasked with gathering the information the group needed to shut it down permanently (I’ll let you determine the meaning of that).I refused. This caused an issue to erupt. On comms (how we talked and had meetings) the XO and I went at it over my refusal. This then got my squad leader to personally call and read me the riot act for going against command’s order and doing so vehemently over an open meeting.

One light in the whole of this episode was my intelligence commander. He told command that they should be a bit more proud that they had a member that refused to go against his faith and ideals. The call from my squad leader was proof that they expected robots not individuals. I tendered my resignation.

What I did then was a spur of the moment decision, but the right one. I gathered all intel I had gathered from the group and notified the Indianapolis BLM of the groups intentions. Giving away names and handles, and operations. One may ask why I would have gone to this extreme. It’s simple. Evil on exists when good men choose to do nothing. I could not have allowed an operation to occur in my absence an look at myself. My faith would not allow me to go after BLM just because I disagreed with their politics. I support humanitarian aid no matter where it comes from. And despite my disagreements with much of BLM’s ideology, I saw them doing the works that Christ told us to do. Help those in need.

All of these things only led to Jan 6th. These were the precursors. Mix that hatred with the perceived wrongs of an election and the rantings of a demigod and it was only a matter of time. I do not know if my former comrades in arms went to that insurrection. But the mentality was the same as those who did. And through all of this, we have seen the rise of Christian Nationalism. Which, can not co-exist. Should one love where they come from? Of course. But Christians are held to a standard set by Christ and the Apostles. It only has two precepts (commandments). Love God and man. It does not say if they agree with you. It does not say if the look like you. Nationalism led to the National Socialist Party (NAZI) in Germany and we see how that went.

I still hold to the right to protest and speak your grievances. I still hold to the right of free speech. I still hold to the right to keep and bear arms and form a militia. What I do not believe in is the using of those rights to terrorize those you disagree with. And that goes for both liberal and conservative. Polarization from both ideological camps have caused the majority of the trouble our nation sees now. But it is not going to get any better.

The prophets of the Tanach, Christ himself, and the visions given to John on Patmos all speak of the times we see now. And whether one believes or not, Christ is the only way to turn to save your soul and help you deal with everything going bad globally. Because, even though all of this (and worse) was prophesied, we are also told the way to overcome it. Thos who have the faith of Christ and the commandments of God and endure to the end will be saved.

Now is the appointed time. Seek Christ.

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Christianity, Current events, faith, Human Right

Pakistani Christians

Pakistan started as part of India until the split in 1947. I won’t go into detail of U.S. policies concerning Pakistan because this is not information on Pakistan in that manner. But here is a brief reason we, as Americans, know about Pakistan. We know that they have ‘known terrorists’ as per the press releases over the years, brought to us by our ‘unbiased’ American news agencies. I won’t dispute this fact. We also know of Pakistan because of their fight with Indiana over the region of Kashmir. No need to go into that here.

What most do not know, is that despite being predominately Muslim, there are a multitude of Christians throughout the country. While the official Pakistani government policy is one of religious tolerance, looking at the situation without a biased lens, one can see thing differently.

A former co-worker who had been in the US Navy, had ported there a few times. He stated, that during his visits to the port city of Karachi, he noticed the squalor and lack of wealth by the majority of the population he encountered. He recalled one instance where he met a woman begging for food for a child she was carrying. But then noticed, that the child was deceased. Out of all the ports of Liberty, this was the one encounter he remembered. Although not part of the Christian tale of this article, it does relay some of the conditions of the populace.

Over the last year or so, I have gotten to meet, through online means, two Christian pastors in different regions of the country. Both had different educational pursuits. But the common denominator between them, is their desire to share the Love of Christ to a people not only with a desire for a better life, but a hunger for a hope that only Christ can bring.

Here is a little background on the Pakistani legal view of religious tolerance in the Muslim dominate nation. The Pakistani Constitution states: ‘Subject to law, public order, and morality, every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion’. They also have the right to freedom of speech, but is ‘reasonably’ restricted in accordance to the glory of Islam. Essentially, it is believe what you want but follow Islamic law and do not speak against Allah (which is a term used for God in the Middle East no matter the God spoke of) and do not desecrate the name of their beloved, yet false prophet, Muhammad.

Because of the way the law is written, those of non-Islamic faiths are basically second class citizens.  The way Pakistani Muslims deal with Christians is by forced conversion, forced marriages, assaults, menial jobs (including abhorrent child labor), and conviction of blasphemy laws that result in prison time or death.

But two men, among others, risk martyrdom by gladly and boldly proclaiming Christ and teaching of His love for everyone.

Pastor Shakeel Samuel heads a Christian organization named United’s Christian Welfare’s Society for Children (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063562256551). Pastor Samuel is from Malaysia and now lives in Lahor, Pakistan. His coverage area for the ministry is in Gulistan, Punjab, Pakistan. Pastor Samuel studied at Forman Christian College in lahore.

As you can tell by the name of the organization, pastor Samuel takes to heart the words of Christ. ‘Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”. (Matthew 19:14)

His mission is not only to feed and cloth them physically, but feed them with the Living Bread and the Water that will never allow thirst.

If you would like to help Pastor Samuel his contact information is: 

+923054332249 shakeelbhattibhatti8@gmail.com.

The second pastor I have a pleasure to know is PS Ravi Daniel Daniel. His location is undisclosed at this time. He studied at Christian Brothers University in Memphis Tennessee. He also has an affinity for bring children to Christ. If you view many of his congregation photos, you will find adults and children in attendance. His church was recently damaged from a nearby explosion, but that has not deterred him from his mission. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. (Matthew 28:19,20).

If you would like to aid Pastor Ravi, you can contact him at his Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/psravidaniel.daniel)

Besides the normal hardships they face from a lacking economy and dangers of martyrdom for being Christian, Pakistan was recently hit with the worst flooding years.

You can also donate to relief efforts at (https://www.gofundme.com/f/njgt3-flood-relief-for-pakistan?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR0AMLGFfsLR4ktjoe9nNH2O92Z0A3GEDnusGS5PwrmAKp_SiLV-M2Mh9uM).

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40)

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Current events, Human Right

Abortion is NOT a Human Right

It has come to my attention, that today (July 17th, 2022) in Huntington Indiana, there is a so called Human Rights rally to defend a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy. So, in that, I feel the need to bring some education to those that believe the termination of the unborn is a Human Right.

And to clarify my ability to speak on this, despite being an older white male, I have fought for Human Rights for over 2 decades. Earning my certification in Human Rights Education from the USIDHR. I have supported and worked through various organization such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and currently stand with groups like HIAS, Exodus, among others. Some based within the Christian faith and some that are fully secular. So, let’s begin.

Prior to fertilization, both the egg and he sperm contain half of the genetic coding of a human. Upon fertilization that combination creates a human life. This has been reported and documented as far back as 1974. But to show that, even with updates to modern medicine and research, that this offical declaration has not changed I’ll use more modern declarations. Such as T.W. Sadler’s 2006 declaration in Langman’s Medical Embryology text. It states “Development begins with fertilization, the process by which the male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (oocyte) unite to give rise to a zygote”.

It was also stated in the 3rd version of Human Embryology and Teratology, “Although life is a continuous process, fertilization (which, incidentally, is not a ‘moment’) is a critical landmark because, under ordinary circumstances, a new genetically distinct human organism is formed when the chromosomes of the male and female pronuclei blend in the oocyte”.

In 2004, the American College of Pediatrics definitively stated that human life begins at conception. Now that I have shown that the unborn is truly a human life by definitive science and not by Christian belief, we can move on from the whole concept of ‘Keep your religion out of my ovaries’ chants and the dis-allowance of science.

Let’s now quickly look at the U.S. legal definition of murder. Under the United States legal code Title 18, Part I, Chpater 51 a it states “Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. Every murder perpetrated by poison, lying in wait, or any other kind of willful, deliberate, malicious, and premeditated killing; or committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, any arson, escape, murder, kidnapping, treason, espionage, sabotage, aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse,child abuse, burglary, or robbery; or perpetrated as part of a pattern or practice of assault or torture against achildor children; or perpetrated from a premeditated design unlawfully and maliciously to effect the death of any human being other than him who is killed, is murder in the first degree.Any other murder is murder in the second degree”.

Now that we have scientifically determined that a fertilized human egg is a living being and legally defined the term murder, logic and law dictates that the unborn human is in fact a life. This is where the Human Rights part comes in.

On December 10, 1948, shortly after the founding of the United Nations, the member nations determined thirty articles of Human Rights that are to guaranteed in response to the Genocide of over eleven million (roughly six million Jews and roughly five million non-Jews) during the Nazi holocaust in the mid Twentieth Century. The Full declaration can be found at UN DOHR.

The Preamble is as follows. “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction. ”

I will write articles on each of the thirty declarations independently. Each declaration in this declaration is an issue in itself and warrants expounding upon. So lets start with the very first declaration.

The Right to Life

The right to life is the very first because with it, none of the others have a need to exist. The Declaration states this rights as such. ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood’. Now, a bit of a note. This was not the original wording. The original wording used the term ‘all men’ instead of ‘all humans’. That wording was changed so that there would be no misunderstanding that these thirty declarations were meant for everyone to be born on this planet during every future generation. The two people credited with this change was Eleanor Roosevelt of the US (widow of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and Hansa Mehta of India.

Now, the argument will come, ‘but it says born free’. Yes it does. And to be born, the conceived need to grow to fruition and delivered. And since science has determined that the fertilized oocyte is a living being and the US government has determined that murder is the ending of a life with malice and forethought (containing one but not both of these is a lesser degree of murder known as second degree murder) then logic dictates that the unborn are also protected under this declaration.

So let’s review the four main points of this article so there is no misunderstanding.

  1. Life begins at fertilization
  2. Murder is the taking of life with malice or forethought
  3. All life is protected as a human right as defined by the nations  of the world
  4. Abortion is NOT a Human Right.

Ronan O’Rahilly and Fabiola Müller, Human Embryology and Teratology, 3rd edition. New York: Wiley-Liss, 2001. p. 8.

T.W. Sadler, Langman’s Medical Embryology, 10th edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006. p. 11

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Current events, faith, Human Right, Uncategorized

The Nation that Killed Itself

There are a few things I have learned in the 5 decades I have been on this rock. And usually, that wisdom tends to upset quite a few. One learns that when you speak through gained wisdom or a truth, that those that yell the loudest fit into 2 categories. The first is the ones who have to face in themselves what they have tried to hide. The other is one who has no true concept of decency or compassion beyond themselves. And nothing brings that out of people more than the discussion of Human Rights or faith.

For me, they go together, which tends to upset both liberal and conservative. I have defended Human Rights for decades. My generation started with things like the end of nuclear weapons, end of Apartheid in South Africa, AIDS research, and famine. And for the younger generation, this was the things Gen X stood for. The term Boomers actually is the generation before mine. Please get it right. Because they fought for things like Civil Rights, the end of the war in Vietnam, and Women’s Rights. The generation before that (The Greatest Generation) stopped the regimes that slaughtered millions of Jews and Gentiles.

You are not the first generation to see an issue and demand change. But, the change you seek will not be won through the burning of cities, the ending of law enforcement, or screaming like fools because your safe space and preferred gender are not respected. And to be honest, there are more important things in this world to deal with than your feelings and self imposed ego of pretend superiority.

Why a people and culture that is almost 200 years removed from slavery, it is still a global issue. Things like forced child labor and the Caste system in India, the sex trade, forced domestic and farmer workers, and the mines that produce blood diamonds. So while you have the freedom to act like babies wanting a bottle because you can’t be called by the pronoun you choose, people truly suffer and die at the whim of those that think they have the right to commit these atrocities against mankind.

You scream that abortion is a Human Right. But the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1948 list the number one Human Right as the Right to Life. Because without life, no other right can exist. It matters because every life matters. You have no problem screaming that no life matters until all lives matter yet willingly defy science and demand the right to the most innocent lives on this planet.

The original founding of this nation and the laws they placed for the safety and common good, are solely based upon the Ten Commandments of God. For those who deny that fact need to read the words, speeches, and letters of our Founding Fathers.

And Conservatives you are just as bad. Nationalism, in historical context, has bred nothing but hatred. Germany during the early to mid 20th century is the best example of the evil that comes from a nationalist mindset. And no matter how you want to view it, the assault on the hallowed halls of Congress was not only insurrection, but treason. For the veterans and politicians that were involved in the assault, you defied your oath. Those that got jail time, probation, or nothing should feel extra happy about the light sentence. Treason against the government is a death penalty offense.

And Christians, you are the worst of all. The far right church has come to the point that you not only love the sinner but condone the sin. The far right church has come to the point of hating both. Yes, God loves everyone, hence the price of the Cross for redemption of man. But, like all other systems of justice, there is punishment as well as reward based upon actions of the person. But I find the far right church has forgotten whom they follow. As followers of Christ we are suppose to help those in need. Christ did not say only if they agree with you, only if they are from the same nation, the same color, the same gender, or the same anything as you. All he said was go help. Love those that hate and persecute you. Aid those that are hungry, weak, in jail, etc.

I am appalled at the people of this nation. The extremes on both sides scream and yell to force their viewpoint without regard how it affects the whole. But I’m more appalled at the majority in the center. Those that see the good options that lean both left and right as is warranted depending on the issue. Why? Because they are the majority but choose to remain quiet.

In another article, I will explain what I believe would be a good and centered position is on many things that cause contention in today’s political climate. And why they would work and the benefits. But right now, both sides need to get their heads out of their backside orifices and the center needs to get their heads out of the sand.

Every great power as fallen into the sands and abyss of time. Many from the inside not an outside enemy. And this nation is going the same way. I see and hear, God make this nation great again. He has lifted his hand of protection from this land because we have become what we once, as a nation, fought against. The Scriptures say there will come a time when man will be left to his reprobate mind and God will allow a nation to feel his wrath. We are there.

This nation will eventually fade into history and another shall take our place on the world stage. And it will not be from an attack or natural disaster. It will be from the combined extreme egos and mindset this nation now holds above logic and compassion. We used to be a nation that believed in the words on the Statue of Liberty in the poem, The Tempest. We used to fight for liberation of the oppressed. But we have allowed hatred of those from outside our borders and systems of injustice inside our borders to overrule common sense and common decency.

So when this nation falls, as it will if we don’t change our path and actions as a whole people, we shall have nobody to blame but ourselves.

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