A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth
December 23, 2014
The War On Policemen Is A War Against Humanity
In the wake of a rash of Police deaths this past week, I can no longer remain silent. Regardless of whether you agree with the verdicts in the court cases involving the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, how could anyone think that assassinations of police officers will improve race relations or keep more people safe from suspected police tyranny?
Anyone of sound mind should realize that we must have Law and Order to maintain a civilized society. Are there bad cops? Yes, just as there are bad apples in every business, organization and community. But without rules to follow, and boundaries to control our impulses, chaos would reign. Remember studying Lord of the Flies in school? The author, William Golding, showed us just what happens when the savage side of our human nature is not constrained.
I'm tired of hearing all the blame for the deaths of Brown and Garner laid at the feet of the cops. I happen to agree with the decision rendered in the Brown case, and disagree with the result of the Garner case. But there were two parties in each circumstance! Can you honestly say that neither of the men who died contributed to their own demise?
And, yes, I believe that policemen who use excessive force should be carefully examined to see if they still meet the psychological criteria to "protect and serve." But I want to see the NYPD police itself -- and there are ways to demand that; and it is not any ol' citizen reaping vigilante justice as he sees fit.
As a matter of fact, I want everyone to consider what it takes for a man to decide to become a policeman. I know from personal experience what kind of man answers that call ... I have three nephews, all sons of my middle sister, who have answered the call to put themselves in danger to serve their fellow man. I know their hearts, and I think I know why they took this path. I remember when the oldest one was around eight-years-old, and attending Catholic grade school. He was having trouble sleeping at night and when my sister asked him why, he revealed that there was a young black boy in his classroom that was being bullied by the other kids, and the injustice bothered him. After talking over his feelings with his mom, he decided he had to go talk to the Monsignor the next day and stick up for the tormented child. That's the kind of child who chooses to be a police officer when he becomes a man.
My youngest nephew loved to hear my dad's WWII stories and what it meant to be brave in the face of evil. When he was in junior high, he watched the entire series of Band of Brothers several times; once with my husband, his uncle, and they discussed the character of the men of the 101st Airborne's Easy Company; that band of heroes that fought from D-Day through the Battle of the Bulge and to the end of WW11. They discussed what would make the Greatest Generation continue to fight the bad guys, even when all the odds were stacked against them. That's the kind of young man that wants to live up to an ideal. He followed his two older brothers into the Police Academy, and graduated last year.
My middle nephew is the one that marches "to a different drummer" than the other two; not in an unorthodox way -- maybe just in a little more daring way. Last year, I wrote a blog post, about his mindset as a police officer. I shared an essay he wrote while at the Police Academy. In it, he revealed two of his important influences: 1) a book by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, titled: On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, and 2) the very wise words of his father, who counseled him every day to "Be a leader, not a follower." This is a young man who sees himself as a leader and isn't afraid to say, "I want to be the person people look to in a time of crisis. I want to stand up for what I believe to be morally right." And he thinks that being a police office is one of the best ways to accomplish this. And he is currently trying to be that leader as he serves in the Ferguson, Missouri area.
While I am extremely proud of my nephews, they aren't the only examples of what makes a good policeman. In 1970, radio legend Paul Harvey wrote an essay in honor of his father, a policeman who had been killed in the line of duty when Harvey was three years old. In part, it reads: "A policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity ... What is a policeman? He, of all men, is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature who is “sir” to his face and “pig” or worse to his back ... He must make instant decisions which would require months for a lawyer ... The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men twice his size and half his age without damaging his uniform and without being “brutal.” If you hit him … he’s a coward. If he hits you … he’s a bully. He runs files and writes reports until his eyes ache, to build a case against some felon who will get “dealed out” by a shameless shamus. The policeman must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy and a gentleman. And of course, he’ll have to be a genius…for he will have to feed a family on a policeman’s salary."
The men who were shamelessly killed this week for being nothing more than a policeman, didn't deserve to be singled out. Charles Kondek, an officer near Tampa, Florida was gunned down and then run over by the perpetrator after responding to a disturbance call at 2 a.m. Charlie "K" was a 17-year police veteran, and worked the midnight shift so that he could watch his 15-year-old daughter Aleena’s soccer practices and travel with her wherever she played. New York City officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were murdered as they sat in their patrol car, by a man determined to take revenge against cops for the death of Eric Garner. Ramos was a Christian who would have been officially commissioned as a lay chaplain on the very day he died. As evidence of their legitimate faith, his family is calling for peaceful co-existence, saying they've already forgiven the murderer.
But, as expected, policemen across the nation are on high alert and the threat of violence against them appears to grow. How do you make angry people realize that policemen are not the cause of the injustice they feel? How do you make them recognize that it is an immoral system that keeps them enslaved to a government handout, and robs them of dignity, opportunity and self-sufficiency? How do you do that when there are corrupt politicians and social agitators who benefit from perpetrating the lies of injustice?
I have a genuine fear of where all this is leading. I can see chaos and anarchy on one end of the spectrum, and over-reaching authority and power on the other. And somewhere in-between lies you and me, the average citizen who still observes and respects law and order; and the men and women who stand in the gap against the law of the jungle. I pray that law and order will prevail, and we don't descend into that madness.
Psalm 94:16 "Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?"
December 22, 2014
The Light In Our Lives
Yesterday I celebrated twenty-eight years of marriage to a man that I greatly love and respect. But this post is more than an ode to our anniversary. It is about taking the time to contemplate all that one life can mean on this planet. Twenty-eight years ago, I could not have foreseen what God had planned for PLW and me. In fact, I am sad to report that I didn't give a whole lot of thought to what role I wanted God to play in my journey.
I couldn't see that He would orchestrate a car accident just a month before my wedding that would send my little Dodge Colt spiraling end over end from the rear impact of a hit-and-run driver. No one seemed to have seen the accident, even though it happened on a well-lit stretch of Interstate highway on a Saturday night. No one stopped to help me, and I ran to a nearby hotel, covered in blood, to ask that the night clerk call my fiancé.
PLW raced to the hospital, arriving at the same time that the ambulance rolled into the emergency entrance. I was lucky that night. I only received six stitches on the top of my head, and they were well healed by the time our wedding ceremony took place in front of a fireplace and lit Christmas tree at a friend's home. We were surrounded by family and friends, and our vows before God were all the sweeter thanks to His intervention in my accident.
And, yes, I say "intervention", because I truly believe He has involved Himself in this marriage and our lives from the very beginning. From the moment that I cried out to Him as my car rolled out of control; through His pushing me out of this world's "systems" and supporting my husband's God-given talents (by trusting in Him for our financial security); to the revelation I received 5 years ago to "be the pen, not the blank piece of paper", and use my own talent for writing [that came from Him] ... it has all been to glorify Him.
I have seen the transformation of my husband from someone who had a solid belief in God from childhood, to an outspoken recruit for God's Kingdom here on earth. We have both become tireless in our efforts to understand His Word and share the need that mankind has for His saving grace. He is our priority, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep body and soul together in this world.
Perhaps because of the transforming paths which we have experienced, we have learned not to take anything for granted; especially our human relationships. The material things of this world don't interest us; people do. As we've grown closer to God, it is our human interaction that has become important to us. He seems to be bringing us into contact with people who are searching for Him; we are drawn to those who yearn to know Him and it is our privilege to share what He has done in our lives... because we know all too well, how quickly this life can be snatched from us.
For some reason -- and I don't know if it is because this world seems to be growing darker -- but this Christmas season has been engulfed in death. Everywhere I turn, I am hearing sad stories of the unexpected deaths of loved ones.... someone's mother killed by a drunk driver; another's young niece who fell asleep at the wheel and was killed; the death of a dear friend from a long cancer battle, and the subsequent death of his brother-in-law from a heart attack while on the way to visit him; the impending death of a faithful friend from his battle with brain cancer. These are real and personal stories to us.
Then there are the countless stories flashed across the TV screen: children murdered in a Pakistan school; children beheaded in Iraq; threats of nukes, world starvation, and rampant plagues. The faces may not be familiar, but the shadow of death and darkness remains the same.
But then I remind myself that it was the same on the eve that our Savior was born. The world was a dark place two thousand years ago, much like it is today. It had been over 400 years since the nation of Israel had heard directly from God through His prophets. And His presence certainly didn't seem to be apparent in His children; nor is it too visible today.
The nation of Israel was oppressed by the tyranny of Rome. The modern nation of Israel is undergoing its own oppression, and persecution and repression are felt around the globe. The priests and leaders who were to represent God to the people had grown corrupt and distorted God's message. The focus was on growing richer, and they had abandoned their responsibility to care for the poor and widows. They worshipped themselves and their position, more than they revered God. Is it any different today? It was dark then, and it is certainly dark now.
But into that darkness shown a Holy Light, and it still shines into the darkness today! Through whatever darkness is in your life at this moment; whether it be death, broken relationships, financial troubles, failing health, or the oppression of this world ... remember that Christ brought Light into this dark world. It is available to all of us, and we can share it with those who need it most this Season. Take no one for granted; speak His Light into everyone's life; take every opportunity to dispel the darkness. It is the reason He came, and our reason for existing.
Matthew 4:16 "The people who dwelt enveloped in darkness have seen a great Light, and for those who sat in the land and shadow of death Light has dawned."
I couldn't see that He would orchestrate a car accident just a month before my wedding that would send my little Dodge Colt spiraling end over end from the rear impact of a hit-and-run driver. No one seemed to have seen the accident, even though it happened on a well-lit stretch of Interstate highway on a Saturday night. No one stopped to help me, and I ran to a nearby hotel, covered in blood, to ask that the night clerk call my fiancé.
PLW raced to the hospital, arriving at the same time that the ambulance rolled into the emergency entrance. I was lucky that night. I only received six stitches on the top of my head, and they were well healed by the time our wedding ceremony took place in front of a fireplace and lit Christmas tree at a friend's home. We were surrounded by family and friends, and our vows before God were all the sweeter thanks to His intervention in my accident.
And, yes, I say "intervention", because I truly believe He has involved Himself in this marriage and our lives from the very beginning. From the moment that I cried out to Him as my car rolled out of control; through His pushing me out of this world's "systems" and supporting my husband's God-given talents (by trusting in Him for our financial security); to the revelation I received 5 years ago to "be the pen, not the blank piece of paper", and use my own talent for writing [that came from Him] ... it has all been to glorify Him.
I have seen the transformation of my husband from someone who had a solid belief in God from childhood, to an outspoken recruit for God's Kingdom here on earth. We have both become tireless in our efforts to understand His Word and share the need that mankind has for His saving grace. He is our priority, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep body and soul together in this world.
Perhaps because of the transforming paths which we have experienced, we have learned not to take anything for granted; especially our human relationships. The material things of this world don't interest us; people do. As we've grown closer to God, it is our human interaction that has become important to us. He seems to be bringing us into contact with people who are searching for Him; we are drawn to those who yearn to know Him and it is our privilege to share what He has done in our lives... because we know all too well, how quickly this life can be snatched from us.
For some reason -- and I don't know if it is because this world seems to be growing darker -- but this Christmas season has been engulfed in death. Everywhere I turn, I am hearing sad stories of the unexpected deaths of loved ones.... someone's mother killed by a drunk driver; another's young niece who fell asleep at the wheel and was killed; the death of a dear friend from a long cancer battle, and the subsequent death of his brother-in-law from a heart attack while on the way to visit him; the impending death of a faithful friend from his battle with brain cancer. These are real and personal stories to us.
Then there are the countless stories flashed across the TV screen: children murdered in a Pakistan school; children beheaded in Iraq; threats of nukes, world starvation, and rampant plagues. The faces may not be familiar, but the shadow of death and darkness remains the same.
But then I remind myself that it was the same on the eve that our Savior was born. The world was a dark place two thousand years ago, much like it is today. It had been over 400 years since the nation of Israel had heard directly from God through His prophets. And His presence certainly didn't seem to be apparent in His children; nor is it too visible today.
The nation of Israel was oppressed by the tyranny of Rome. The modern nation of Israel is undergoing its own oppression, and persecution and repression are felt around the globe. The priests and leaders who were to represent God to the people had grown corrupt and distorted God's message. The focus was on growing richer, and they had abandoned their responsibility to care for the poor and widows. They worshipped themselves and their position, more than they revered God. Is it any different today? It was dark then, and it is certainly dark now.
But into that darkness shown a Holy Light, and it still shines into the darkness today! Through whatever darkness is in your life at this moment; whether it be death, broken relationships, financial troubles, failing health, or the oppression of this world ... remember that Christ brought Light into this dark world. It is available to all of us, and we can share it with those who need it most this Season. Take no one for granted; speak His Light into everyone's life; take every opportunity to dispel the darkness. It is the reason He came, and our reason for existing.
Matthew 4:16 "The people who dwelt enveloped in darkness have seen a great Light, and for those who sat in the land and shadow of death Light has dawned."
December 21, 2014
Micah 5:2
AND THOU, BETHLEHEM Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel: and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity.
As we approach the day on which millions of Christians around the world celebrate the birth of our Savior, I wanted to take the time to contemplate this miracle and what Scripture reveals about this holy event.
We are all familiar with the "Christmas story"; the wise men who traveled from the east to Jerusalem, following the star that would lead them to the birthplace of the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). But first, they went to Jerusalem to inquire of King Herod where they might find the birthplace of this infant King. Herod then asked all of his scribes and seers and Jewish religious leaders to tell him the location. And within the verses of Matthew, Chapter Two, we read the 700 year-old prophecy by the prophet Micah ... that out of Bethlehem, one of the smallest communities in all of Judea, would come the One who would rule in Israel; and his birth was planned from the beginning of time, for all eternity. It is that child whom we worship this week, and who came to fulfill all the prophecies of King and Ruler of the world; to save mankind from condemnation and sin.
But the story in Matthew 2 is rich with meaning and significance, far beyond the picture of an infant in a manger. For instance, the "wise men" were no ordinary sojourners. And there were likely more than the traditional three we have come to accept. The word “Magi,” comes from the Latinized form of the Greek word magoi, transliterated from the Persian for a "select sect of priests." (Our words “magic” and "magician" come from the same root.) So, did you know that these "Wise Men" or "Maji" were very likely Persian priests? Makes sense, when we read in Scripture that they "traveled from the east."
Furthermore, the ancient Magi were a hereditary priesthood of the Medes credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge. After some Magi, who had been attached to the Median court, proved to be experts in the interpretation of dreams, Darius the Great established them over the state religion of Persia. So, being experts in dreams, we can assume that they had received dreams, or visions, about this "King of the Jews", and perhaps received instructions to follow a great star to his birthplace.
(AS AN ASIDE, remember that during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, Daniel was made "chief of the magicians", because of his ability to correctly interpret dreams -- all received from divine revelations. In the subsequent Persian Empire, King Darius appointed Daniel, a Jew, over the previously hereditary Median priesthood because of these same astonishing "revelations". Could it be that Daniel entrusted a messianic vision (to be announced in due time by a 'star') to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment more than 500 years later? Is that the reason that these Magi were looking for the Star and knew what it meant?)
Also, it was very likely that the sudden appearance of a large group of Magi -- probably traveling with every imaginable oriental pageantry, and accompanied by a cavalry escort to insure their safe penetration into Roman territory -- would have certainly alarmed Herod and the populace of Jerusalem. Their request of Herod as to the whereabouts of one “who has been born King of the Jews” would have been an insult to him. After all, he was a non-Jew who had conspired and bribed his way into that office. The arrival of the Jewish King, or Messiah, was a direct threat to his power!
Have you ever wondered why Herod inquired "diligently" (meticulously) of the Magi as to what time the star appeared? Consulting his scribes, Herod discovered from the prophecies in the Old Testament that the Promised One, the Messiah, would be born in Bethlehem. In particular, the prophecy of Daniel, which was written 537 years earlier, predicted that the arrival of the Jewish Messiah would occur exactly 173,880 days from the time a legal decree would be given to the Jews to completely rebuild Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25). Herod's scribes knew that this decree was actually, and specifically, declared by King Artaxerxes on March 14, 445 B.C.! So Herod was well aware that the countdown was nearing zero, and he instructed the Magi to visit the child and then report back to him.
But, then we read in Matthew 2:12, that the Magi were warned by God "in a dream" not to return to Herod. And so we see the supernatural protection of the Divine child who would be born to become Savior of the world!
This miracle of the Savior's birth was predicted through ancient prophecies and surrounded with great symbology. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were also prophetic, speaking of our Lord’s roles of king, priest, and savior. Gold speaks of the divine ... the ark of the covenant was overlaid in gold; Christ tells us (the Church at Laodicea) to buy refined gold from Him so that we may be rich in our faith; gold signifies his Kingship.
Frankincense was a spice used in the priestly duties; it was expensive (spoke of a costly sacrifice), and it was a pleasing aroma to God. Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up for our sakes.
Myrrh was an embalming ointment, made from an Eastern spice, and it signified His death. Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man, and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.
By now, we should see that the ceremonial offerings by the Magi at the birth of the Christ child are about more than the mere giving of gifts. So we must ask ourselves this ... what does this holiday truly mean to us? Has it been reduced to the buying and giving of gifts? Or can you see all the true miracles that it represents ... the fulfilling of ancient prophecies of a Messiah King of Israel; God appearing in the flesh through a miraculous conception; and how God worked through the gifts from men of foreign religions to show us the divine nature of a humble baby born in the remote regions of Judea.
This is truly a holy season, and my prayer for each of you, is that this coming week you can contemplate how much Jehovah God loves us -- that He was willing to send His Divine Son as a defenseless baby into the world to show us the way to reconcile with Him. May you perceive the majesty, the sacrifice, and the hope that this precious child personifies. And may we strive to hear the multitude of angels that sang that day, and praised God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Thank you to the teachings of Dr. Chuck Missler for the historical knowledge about the Magi.
December 20, 2014
The Failure Of The Ten Commandments
Don't worry ... I'm not talking about the REAL Ten Commandments; the only ones that can truly result in righteous living. I want to draw your attention to the secular Ten Commandments that atheists have determined will modernize Judeo-Christian values. By organizing an online "rethink" and "reimagination" of the Biblical Ten Commandments, Lex Bayer and John Figdor, authors of the book “Atheist Mind, Human Heart,” hope to create a more inclusive set of rules to live by; ones that will allow people to live "a more reasonable, ethical, and happy life without God."
One of the author's, John Figdor, is a self-described "humanist chaplain", who believes that atheists don't need God to give them a clear set of constructive principles to live by; that, on their own, they can live a meaningful life, thereby establishing atheism as a positive worldview. OK, I was intrigued. Just what is a "humanist chaplain", I wondered.
Here's the official description, as described by the Humanist Chaplaincy Network: Humanism is the belief that you can lead a good life without god. It is the belief that we only have one life and that we should make the most of it, for ourselves and for our fellow human beings. Humanists make sense of the world by means of reason and evidence while rejecting superstition. Humanists have a positive outlook on life, guided by rational thought and focus on the importance of human cooperation and compassion for solving problems.
In fact, "positive" is a good adjective to describe the Ten Commandments that the Humanist/Atheists have adopted. So, let's take a look at how they would have you live your life, if you don't faith in God, or have need of Him in your life:
1. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.
3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
4. Every person has the right to control have over their body.
5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
7. Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.
8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
9. There is no one right way to live.
10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.
Not a bad group of general rules to live by ... compassionate, empathetic, nonjudgmental ... like I said, "positive". But my first question is this: do they really believe that all the world can act in this manner? How do they reconcile evil in the world? They surely can't deny it exists! If they believe that "there is no one right way to live", then do they give the same weight to their compassionate values as ISIS murderers do to theirs? Don't there need to be some standards by which the world lives? And who is going to determine what those guidelines will be? Remember ... if you want everyone to be "open-minded" and alter their beliefs with new evidence, how will you decide whose "new evidence" has more importance or authority? Won't this lead to conflict in a multitude of spheres?
Of course, every atheist/humanist loves to elevate the scientific world over the natural. But I would like to submit that we actually live in a supernatural world; one which was created by supernatural means and by a Supernatural Being. As a created being, my focus is on the One who created me; of being found acceptable in His sight and in a harmonic relationship with Him.
As evidenced by their 10 Commandments, atheists are focused on themselves and their own desires... it's pretty much a philosophy of "self", with a principle or two for "others" thrown in. But, I guess that's understandable when, in their blindness, they cannot see our lives are more than the few short years we occupy this earth. Do they never wonder what it is like the second after this body dies? And what do they mean by "making the most of this one life we have?" Is it material wealth? Power? Having fun? What if another person's idea of making the most of this life is to enslave others to serve him? Obviously that would violate their 10th Commandment, which is to leave the world a better place than you found it. Are there no consequences if you leave the world a worse place? And if not, then why follow all the other 9 Commandments?
I know that the Biblical Ten Commandments don't have the "warm, fuzzy" feelings of the atheist version. And I also know that I will never convince them that there is a reason my Ten Commandments have stood the test of time. Because they cannot conceive of my God, they cannot understand that He established these rules so that we could get a better picture of who He is; how big He is; and to demonstrate our devotion to Him. God demands that we have no other gods before Him; or make idols to worship; or take His name in vain; and to keep His holy day separate -- all so that we could keep our focus on Him, and not make gods or idols of our self and and our stuff. He also gave us commandments on how we are to treat each other: honoring our parents; not physically harming each other; being devoted and faithful to our spouses; being honest and truthful with each other; and being content with our lot in life -- all which I maintain, would lead to a better, more stable world than the one the atheist rules propose. At least, there's not as much "wiggle room" in determining how we are to act; it's pretty plain and simple.
But, here's the ironic thing ... I think the world has pretty much been following their rules instead of my Biblical ones for quite awhile, and how's that working for us?
Both sides can discuss the pros and cons between the sets of Commandments and never agree. We all know that. While the authors of the book want us to think that both sets are closely linked, there is one very important element that cannot be compromised or abandoned ... as a Believer in YHWH, I wish to live my life to please Him, and I choose to follow His rules. The atheist or humanist is committed to following a set of rules that are personal and subjective, and therefore have no universal validity. The bottom line is this: they promote open-mindedness, truth, and loving others ... as long as my Truth and Love don't point to God. That's when they don't want to hear "my evidence".
Exodus 20:1-2 And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt; out of the house of bondage."
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Atheists/Humanists developed their Ten Commandments by popular opinion |
Here's the official description, as described by the Humanist Chaplaincy Network: Humanism is the belief that you can lead a good life without god. It is the belief that we only have one life and that we should make the most of it, for ourselves and for our fellow human beings. Humanists make sense of the world by means of reason and evidence while rejecting superstition. Humanists have a positive outlook on life, guided by rational thought and focus on the importance of human cooperation and compassion for solving problems.
In fact, "positive" is a good adjective to describe the Ten Commandments that the Humanist/Atheists have adopted. So, let's take a look at how they would have you live your life, if you don't faith in God, or have need of Him in your life:
1. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.
3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
4. Every person has the right to control have over their body.
5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
7. Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.
8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
9. There is no one right way to live.
10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.
Not a bad group of general rules to live by ... compassionate, empathetic, nonjudgmental ... like I said, "positive". But my first question is this: do they really believe that all the world can act in this manner? How do they reconcile evil in the world? They surely can't deny it exists! If they believe that "there is no one right way to live", then do they give the same weight to their compassionate values as ISIS murderers do to theirs? Don't there need to be some standards by which the world lives? And who is going to determine what those guidelines will be? Remember ... if you want everyone to be "open-minded" and alter their beliefs with new evidence, how will you decide whose "new evidence" has more importance or authority? Won't this lead to conflict in a multitude of spheres?
Of course, every atheist/humanist loves to elevate the scientific world over the natural. But I would like to submit that we actually live in a supernatural world; one which was created by supernatural means and by a Supernatural Being. As a created being, my focus is on the One who created me; of being found acceptable in His sight and in a harmonic relationship with Him.
As evidenced by their 10 Commandments, atheists are focused on themselves and their own desires... it's pretty much a philosophy of "self", with a principle or two for "others" thrown in. But, I guess that's understandable when, in their blindness, they cannot see our lives are more than the few short years we occupy this earth. Do they never wonder what it is like the second after this body dies? And what do they mean by "making the most of this one life we have?" Is it material wealth? Power? Having fun? What if another person's idea of making the most of this life is to enslave others to serve him? Obviously that would violate their 10th Commandment, which is to leave the world a better place than you found it. Are there no consequences if you leave the world a worse place? And if not, then why follow all the other 9 Commandments?
I know that the Biblical Ten Commandments don't have the "warm, fuzzy" feelings of the atheist version. And I also know that I will never convince them that there is a reason my Ten Commandments have stood the test of time. Because they cannot conceive of my God, they cannot understand that He established these rules so that we could get a better picture of who He is; how big He is; and to demonstrate our devotion to Him. God demands that we have no other gods before Him; or make idols to worship; or take His name in vain; and to keep His holy day separate -- all so that we could keep our focus on Him, and not make gods or idols of our self and and our stuff. He also gave us commandments on how we are to treat each other: honoring our parents; not physically harming each other; being devoted and faithful to our spouses; being honest and truthful with each other; and being content with our lot in life -- all which I maintain, would lead to a better, more stable world than the one the atheist rules propose. At least, there's not as much "wiggle room" in determining how we are to act; it's pretty plain and simple.
But, here's the ironic thing ... I think the world has pretty much been following their rules instead of my Biblical ones for quite awhile, and how's that working for us?
Both sides can discuss the pros and cons between the sets of Commandments and never agree. We all know that. While the authors of the book want us to think that both sets are closely linked, there is one very important element that cannot be compromised or abandoned ... as a Believer in YHWH, I wish to live my life to please Him, and I choose to follow His rules. The atheist or humanist is committed to following a set of rules that are personal and subjective, and therefore have no universal validity. The bottom line is this: they promote open-mindedness, truth, and loving others ... as long as my Truth and Love don't point to God. That's when they don't want to hear "my evidence".
Exodus 20:1-2 And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt; out of the house of bondage."
December 19, 2014
The Spirit of Chanukah
As one who embraces the Jewish roots of my faith, I strive to comprehend what it is God would have me understand about His various Feast days and those holidays celebrated by the Hebrew faithful. And since the holiday of Chanukah began at sundown on the 16th of December, and will continue for eight days, I want to take a look at its historical significance and how I can relate it to my Christian walk in this current age.
You will get the fullest picture of the origin of Chanukah by reading the First and Second Books of Maccabees. You will not find these books in our modern Protestant Bibles. They were, however, part of the Septuagint, the translation of the Hebrew Bible into the Greek language. This was accomplished in the third and second centuries B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt. Because Israel was under the authority of Greece for several centuries, the Greek language became more and more common. By the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C., most people in Israel spoke Greek as their primary language.
As to why the Books of the Maccabees are no longer part of the Biblical canon, and have never been part of the Hebrew Bible, I have no definitive answer. I am not a Torah scholar, and I am far from all-knowing when it comes to Bible history. Suffice it to say that for centuries the Books were lost to both the Christian and Jewish faiths due to politics, religious squabbles, and man's interference. But now there is renewed interest in them for their historical value by both faiths. Although not considered canon, they are a major contributor to our understanding as to the origin and significance of the holiday Chanukah. I think you will find fascinating parallels to what we are experiencing today.
So what do these compelling Books have to say about the time period in which the celebration of Chanukah first began? Remember, that most people in Israel spoke Greek as their first language. And there lies a big problem. How did this happen? In the wake of Alexander the Great's conquering of the known world, he wanted to "Hellenize" all the vanquished people. In other words, he wanted to make them as Greek as possible, destroying their native religions and traditions. After his death in 323 B.C., his empire was split between four of his generals. Two of the ensuing kingdoms (the Ptolemies in Egypt, and the Seleucids in Syria) would greatly influence Jewish history, as the land of Israel found itself situated between these two rival kingdoms.
Antiochus Epiphanes would become the Seleucid king in 175 B.C., and he was able to take advantage of the division within the Jewish community; between those who wanted to become "more Greek", and those who wanted to maintain "traditional" values and practice their faith according to their covenant with God. But Antiochus became extremely arrogant, demanding that all peoples unite in a common religion (his), and abandon their traditions and practices according to the Law (teachings) of Moses.
Not only did the Hebraic Jews, who were faithful to God, find an enemy in Antiochus Epiphanes, but also adversaries among the Hellenized Jews. To show just how devastating were the policies of the Greek tyrant, Epiphanes, the Jewish religious practices were forbidden; dietary laws were not to be observed; objects associated with Jewish worship were destroyed; the observance of sabbath and feast days was made illegal (punishable by death); circumcision was forbidden; and the Jewish sacred books were burned. In essence, he attempted to destroy the Jewish people and their faith.
But a recurring theme in the Bible is the fact that God always keeps a remnant who are faithful to Him -- even amidst persecution and apostasy. At the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, that faithful few can be found in Mattathias, a Jewish priest, and his five sons. They revolt against the Hellenizing policies of the Greek tyrant, as well as the Jewish collaboration of their own people. When Antiochus orders a pig to be sacrificed on the altar in God's Temple, Mattathias slays the heretical priest who would do so, and flees with his sons to the hills outside of Jerusalem. With his ragtag army, he vows to defend his nation and his covenant with God.
For nearly 25 years, a civil and religious war is waged -- Jew against Jew; between those willing to defend God's covenant against those who would compromise their faith to be "politically correct". In addition, the maniacal rage of Antiochus Epiphanes against the Jews who dared to revolt against him resulted in massive persecution. "There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery." (2 Maccabees 5:11-14).
After the first three years of war, the Maccabees, now led by Judas after his father Mattathias's death, are able to recapture Jerusalem. When Judas and his supporters arrive at the Temple, they find it desecrated by ungodly pagan sacrifices using pigs, the altar of the Lord destroyed, and a statue of the Greek god Zeus erected in its place. Judas and his followers tear down the pagan altar and rebuild a new altar, as prescribed by Moses' teachings. They then purify the Temple and make new sacred vessels; they brought the lamp stand, the altar of incense, and the table of showbread into the temple. They rededicate the Temple and the new altar to the Lord, on the anniversary of the date it had first been defiled by the Gentile Greeks.
1 Maccabees 4:56-59 says, "For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered holocausts and sacrifices of deliverance and praise ... Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days ...". 2 Maccabees 10:7 says, "they lighted lamps and celebrated for eight days in the manner of the festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)".
This is the origin of the eight-day celebration of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. Part of the modern story of Chanukah includes the legend that when the lamp stand (menorah) was lit, the appointed priests discover that there is only one vial of pure lamp oil with the special seal still intact. They use this vial to light the menorah, and miraculously, it stays lit for eight days, by which time fresh pure oil has been pressed and delivered to the Temple. It is this "miracle" that is also celebrated during the Chanukah festivities.
Whether or not this "miracle" actually happened is not for me to say. I would point out, however, that when you read the First and Second Books of Maccabees, you will find no mention of oil being required for the lighting of the "lamps". And there are some Jewish scholars who will point out that this part of the story didn’t become significant until hundreds of years later. Having witnessed the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD (by the Romans) and two failed rebellions, the Rabbis of the day wanted to de-emphasize the notion of might and fighting – which wasn’t working so well. They added the miracle of the oil to the Oral Tradition to shift the focus toward faith in God.
I do not wish to take issue with the veracity of the Chanukah "miracle". It doesn't really concern me or diminish the importance of this holiday. Much of our Christian "traditions" and holidays have no Biblical foundation, yet can be observed in a way that honors God's Word. And as I have grown in my desire to know God's Truth (rather than man's interpretation and embellishment), I find myself shunning the commercialization and myths associated with our own Christmas holiday and choosing a "simpler, more honest" celebration of God's great love in sending His Son into our fallen world.
I know that Yeshua was not born on December 24th, but I can celebrate the fact that He came as an innocent child to bring us salvation. I do not disparage those who choose to enjoy the lights and glitter and displays of the Christmas holiday; I just look upon those displays differently now -- enjoying them, but without assigning them a heavenly significance. My emotional response to the holiday is now centered on the "miracle" of my Savior's birth.
So, too, does the holiday of Chanukah retain it's foundational importance. I can look upon it as historical fact; when everything that Evil could manifest against God's Holy Temple was washed away; when the Temple was rededicated and created anew. I can honor the fact that Chanukah mimics an eight-day celebration just like the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates when God's presence was with them amidst the Tabernacle in the desert. I can appreciate it being the "Festival of Lights", noting that the tradition of lighting the menorah celebrates the dedication of a group of faithful Jews to restore their faith, and to protect it against the schemes of the world that would compromise it. I can celebrate the victory against Evil that Chanukah represents. Perhaps most importantly, I can celebrate that Chanukah represents religious freedom; to pursue your faith as established by God's holy covenant with all believers. And I can be thankful that God is connecting the dots for me, and opening the doors to greater understanding of His ways. There is much to celebrate ... Happy Chanukah!
Revelation 14:12 "Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus."
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December 18, 2014
The Spirit of Christmas
Today is the twenty-second anniversary of the opening of the first Fisher House at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. As we have for the past three years, PLW and I journeyed the couple of hours to serve a Christmas luncheon to our servicemen and women, their family members, and the dedicated staff that helps care for and rehabilitate them.
As part of a service organization called Angel Chefs, we periodically come into the Fisher House to provide several days of home-cooked meals to give a respite to family members, and to show our veterans that we support and honor their service. It is a simple, yet heartfelt method to show our gratitude.
(In case you are unfamiliar with the history of Fisher Houses, let me give you a brief history. Zachary Fisher was a wealthy New York philanthropist who answered the call for temporary lodging facilities for our wounded veterans and their families while they are recuperating from their debilitating injuries. In 1990, he and his wife, Elizabeth, began the non-profit Fisher House program, dedicating more than $20 million to the construction of comfort homes for families of hospitalized military personnel -- free of charge. These "home away from home" facilities vary in size, and can accommodate 16 to 42 family members; oftentimes for months on end. There are currently 64 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers, with more planned in the future... and all are built from private donations. The U.S. government is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the homes.)
This Christmas at Fisher House was no different, in many aspects. I don't think I will ever become accustomed to the sight of 19 and 20-year-olds with missing limbs, due to the horrors of IED attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am continually amazed at the acceptance of their condition and the determination with which they work at reclaiming their lives. But I also see the pain and the weariness that comes from knowing their life is changed forever. Then there is the disguised emotions on the faces of wives and parents, whose own lives have been altered by the need to care for their loved ones.
While our Christmas cheer provides a moment of respite from the countless days of rehabilitation, no home-cooked meal can ever repay these veterans and their families for what they have sacrificed on our behalf. We have so little to give in return for their bravery and commitment to keep our nation safe. The blessings we receive by being in the company of these heroes is so much greater than any comfort we bestow on them.
But this year, there was an added poignancy to our Fisher House experience. Through the years, we have grown to respect and love Inga Godfrey, the Director of Fisher Houses at Fort Sam, and the much-beloved "House Mother" to all the inhabitants. With her thick German accent, Inga runs a tight ship; but her capacity to watch over her families and love them through the hard times knows no bounds.
The meal preparations were being well-handled by the group of Angel Chefs, so Inga commissioned PLW and myself to accompany her and Mr. & Mrs. Claus to the vast Medical Center on Post. We loaded up bags of wrapped toys and proceeded room to room, with a carefully prepared list of children whose day needed to be brightened just a little.
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Our littlest heroes, and Santa's elves (Inga and PLW) |
I was also glad to see that these children and their families were not just a number to the hospital staff, or to Inga. She had coordinated with hospital administrators to find out the names and ages of the sickest of the children, and the gift they had requested from Santa. Even PLW was coaxed into putting on an elf hat and carrying Santa's red bag of presents! The wonder and the smiles on those little faces made us all forget the state of the world for just a moment; while the smallest of them, an eight-month-old little boy hooked up to tubes nearly reduced me to tears. We locked eyes through his open door and I was once more aware how fragile this life is, and how every life is important. His young mother welcomed us and talked of her son's fighting spirit; a fitting representative of the best of our American fighting forces.
After making our rounds of the hospital, we returned to the Fisher House and served up our meal. As I contemplated the huge dining room and its tables full of smiling faces, I didn't see missing limbs or devastated lives. I saw a room full of courageous people; I saw champions and victors over the worst that war can inflict on a person. And above all else, I saw the commitment, and the grace and mercy, that one person can give to another through the loving Spirit of Christ. This is what Christmas should be all about!
1 Corinthians 13:7 "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
December 17, 2014
Could This Become Our Nightmare?
No more excuses! Everyone in this country should be fully awake now. The horrendous massacre of innocent students in Peshawar, Pakistan is to be condemned by every human being on the planet. But lest we think that this is a nightmare in some far-off land, we need to quit fooling ourselves and pretending that we are somehow exempt from such atrocities.
We have a real enemy, people! It is an enemy that has broadcast their plans to strike us from within. And from the 2004 Beslan school massacre, carried out by Islamic terrorists to this one in Pakistan, the surest way to devastate any nation is to harm its children. So let's not be naive. It is by the grace of God that we have yet to suffer such a tragedy.
It is time the American people got real about what we are facing. It is time we made plans to protect our most innocent citizens. Read William Forstchen's Day of Wrath, and you will see how easily this threat could be carried out against our politically correct society. Ignoring the extent of the depravity ... reports of headless children; teachers burned alive in front of students; suicide bombs placed amongst the children ... will not make it disappear, or less likely to occur again. And we must not make it easy for the terrorists to commit such a horrendous campaign on our soil.
Do you think they aren't aware that our schools are "gun-free zones"? And do you think that well-armed and well-trained teachers just might be a deterrent to their evil plans? When are we going to realize that the Western mindset of civilized and rational behavior is no defense against ancient cultures that celebrate cruel and savage attacks to demoralize their enemy?
And for all those who, in recent days, have criticized the CIA and their advanced interrogation methods as "torture", I would ask you to consider this ... if you knew that your child was going to be in that Pakistani school this morning when the terrorists stormed through a cemetery to launch their attack, would you approve of a water boarding session -- or a few nights without sleep -- of one of the terrorists in order to gain information to stop the possibility of your child being shot, beheaded, or worse?
I have heard people referring to the CIA methods as "barbaric" and "diabolical". While, I absolutely hate the idea of war and what it makes men do to each other, I cannot equate interrogating a prisoner to the merciless and monstrous acts of these terrorists. It is they, who are the barbarians. And, unfortunately, what we may be called upon to do to stop Evil incarnate, goes against everything that our faith asks us to do in serving our fellow man. While I never want to take another person's life, I have decided I must adopt the attitude of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor who faced the worst that the devil could throw at him, in the person of Adolph Hitler.
Pastor Bonhoeffer made the difficult decision to become involved in an assassination plot against the Fuhrer. As he struggled with his conscience, he came to the final conclusion that God would have to understand that his decision was based on the need to stop such heinous evil. He would take his chances at the throne of God, instead of living one more day doing nothing to stop Hitler's atrocities. Have you given thought to the idea that we, too, may soon be faced with similar dilemmas?
It is time that we come out of our national fog. It is time that we see our enemy for who he is. It is time that each individual must decide what he is willing to do to protect himself, his family, and his nation. And it is time that we turn back to our God in repentance and supplication to "Deliver us from Evil."
This is more than a matter of law and order; Evil does not respect the rules of a society ... it demands chaos, ruin, and death. Are we going to wait until it targets our children, or are we going to get mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually ready to defend what's ours?
Psalm 44:5 "Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever."
December 16, 2014
Securing My Personal Safety
The title of today's blog post comes from the emergency warning issued by the U.S. consulate in Sydney, Australia, after an Islamist terrorist took hostages in a Sydney cafe yesterday. American citizens were urged to "maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance [their] personal security". I would like to suggest that it is a good idea for ALL Americans, EVERYWHERE, to follow that directive ALL THE TIME. And since the Supreme Court of the United States has decided that our Second Amendment rights are vested in Individuals, I exercised that right this past weekend, and took definitive steps to secure my personal safety.
It has been awhile since I've written anything about my decision over the last few years to add firearms training to my set of skills. I've especially encouraged women to think about stepping outside their comfort zone and being responsible for learning how to defend themselves.
It has not been easy for me. Besides being among a minority of women in the classes, I am easily one of the oldest students on the range, and I'm not always efficient in the physical requirements of the courses. But that is no reason to hinder myself from learning skills that could some day save my life. In the final analysis, I am there for myself, and no one else. Age, previous experience, or apprehension should not prohibit you from learning these skills. Your life, that of a loved one, or an innocent person could someday rely on your ability to master a firearm. If you still think that someone is coming to rescue you, or that nothing harmful will ever happen to you -- that's probably what those good folks in that coffee shop in Sydney thought yesterday morning, too.
That is the reason why I signed up for my first Defensive Carbine class. Now, you might think that women have no place in a Carbine class; nor could they possibly be as proficient with an automatic rifle as a man. But, I'm here to tell you that me and my three women teammates held our own with the other 9 men in the class. We covered the gamut in platforms -- from AK to AR to Sig 522, and we handled them well. We matched the men when it came to learning basic skills, such as trigger reset, clearing malfunctions, tactical and combat reloads. And we definitely kept pace when it came to shooting on the move and the various reactive drills and relays. We learned to be effective shooters while reacting to a threat, as well as how to work under pressure as part of a team. At the end of the two-day course, we could hold our heads high when it came to speed, stamina, and accuracy; and we can now be more confident that we can increase our chances of winning a gunfight, should we ever find ourselves in that situation.
So, I'm sure there are still those who question why women should not simply be satisfied with handgun training. I'll give you several recent reasons ... Moore, Oklahoma; New York City; Sydney, Australia; and Lower Salford, Pennsylvania -- all within the last three months; and the latter two in the last 24 hours! In case, you haven't noticed, the world is not as safe as it used to be. And the threats come in many different forms ... beheadings, hatchets, "lone wolf" attacks, and random rampages. The threats are domestic, as well as international. ISIS is encouraging stateside attacks ... and no one can predict when or where they will occur.
Yes, my handgun training is beneficial and highly important, but living within a couple hundred miles of the Texas/Mexico border, I can tell you that a handgun may not be enough to stop the potential threats we face. More often than not, the unknown enemies will use carbines in their attacks; and in that instance, my pistol is not going to be as effective. As several of our excellent trainers have taught us, "Your pistol is used to fight your way to your carbine." In order to rise to that occasion and be skilled in defending myself, it only makes sense to learn this weapons platform as well; and learn it to the best of my ability.
I am very lucky in that I am married to a man that is not only willing to teach me and train me, but he encourages me to know how to defend myself. I don't want to sound like "Chicken Little", but the instability of the world, and the rise of Evil, demands that we all take the notion of "securing our personal safety" in a very serious manner -- men and women, alike! Oftentimes law enforcement will only be reactive, and they arrive on the scene after the damage has been done. It should be obvious that we cannot rely on someone else to come to the rescue; we must prepare and train in order to be proactive when it comes to our personal defense and safety.
I am also extremely fortunate to have easy access to one of the best firearms training groups in the nation. They are especially responsive to women wanting to learn defensive firearms training, and they help us develop the necessary mindset to learn these important skills. It is important to note that these skills are not intuitive; one must train until they become second nature -- and then train some more.
Unlike the women at the founding of our nation, or those that survived Indian raids on the frontier, Society has taught us that we should lay down and wait for someone to save us; instead, we must learn to save ourselves. And me and my Sisters-in-Arms have just taken another important step down that road, just as the women throughout our history have done. Thank God for self-reliant women and the Second Amendment!
Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come."
It has been awhile since I've written anything about my decision over the last few years to add firearms training to my set of skills. I've especially encouraged women to think about stepping outside their comfort zone and being responsible for learning how to defend themselves.
It has not been easy for me. Besides being among a minority of women in the classes, I am easily one of the oldest students on the range, and I'm not always efficient in the physical requirements of the courses. But that is no reason to hinder myself from learning skills that could some day save my life. In the final analysis, I am there for myself, and no one else. Age, previous experience, or apprehension should not prohibit you from learning these skills. Your life, that of a loved one, or an innocent person could someday rely on your ability to master a firearm. If you still think that someone is coming to rescue you, or that nothing harmful will ever happen to you -- that's probably what those good folks in that coffee shop in Sydney thought yesterday morning, too.
That is the reason why I signed up for my first Defensive Carbine class. Now, you might think that women have no place in a Carbine class; nor could they possibly be as proficient with an automatic rifle as a man. But, I'm here to tell you that me and my three women teammates held our own with the other 9 men in the class. We covered the gamut in platforms -- from AK to AR to Sig 522, and we handled them well. We matched the men when it came to learning basic skills, such as trigger reset, clearing malfunctions, tactical and combat reloads. And we definitely kept pace when it came to shooting on the move and the various reactive drills and relays. We learned to be effective shooters while reacting to a threat, as well as how to work under pressure as part of a team. At the end of the two-day course, we could hold our heads high when it came to speed, stamina, and accuracy; and we can now be more confident that we can increase our chances of winning a gunfight, should we ever find ourselves in that situation.
So, I'm sure there are still those who question why women should not simply be satisfied with handgun training. I'll give you several recent reasons ... Moore, Oklahoma; New York City; Sydney, Australia; and Lower Salford, Pennsylvania -- all within the last three months; and the latter two in the last 24 hours! In case, you haven't noticed, the world is not as safe as it used to be. And the threats come in many different forms ... beheadings, hatchets, "lone wolf" attacks, and random rampages. The threats are domestic, as well as international. ISIS is encouraging stateside attacks ... and no one can predict when or where they will occur.
Yes, my handgun training is beneficial and highly important, but living within a couple hundred miles of the Texas/Mexico border, I can tell you that a handgun may not be enough to stop the potential threats we face. More often than not, the unknown enemies will use carbines in their attacks; and in that instance, my pistol is not going to be as effective. As several of our excellent trainers have taught us, "Your pistol is used to fight your way to your carbine." In order to rise to that occasion and be skilled in defending myself, it only makes sense to learn this weapons platform as well; and learn it to the best of my ability.
I am very lucky in that I am married to a man that is not only willing to teach me and train me, but he encourages me to know how to defend myself. I don't want to sound like "Chicken Little", but the instability of the world, and the rise of Evil, demands that we all take the notion of "securing our personal safety" in a very serious manner -- men and women, alike! Oftentimes law enforcement will only be reactive, and they arrive on the scene after the damage has been done. It should be obvious that we cannot rely on someone else to come to the rescue; we must prepare and train in order to be proactive when it comes to our personal defense and safety.
I am also extremely fortunate to have easy access to one of the best firearms training groups in the nation. They are especially responsive to women wanting to learn defensive firearms training, and they help us develop the necessary mindset to learn these important skills. It is important to note that these skills are not intuitive; one must train until they become second nature -- and then train some more.
Unlike the women at the founding of our nation, or those that survived Indian raids on the frontier, Society has taught us that we should lay down and wait for someone to save us; instead, we must learn to save ourselves. And me and my Sisters-in-Arms have just taken another important step down that road, just as the women throughout our history have done. Thank God for self-reliant women and the Second Amendment!
Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come."
December 15, 2014
It Feels Like The Terminator Is At Our Doorstep!
It seems that with each day, our future comes closer to resembling a screenplay for the next Terminator movie. Make no mistake, I applaud the advancement in technology that can aid our Military men and women with the latest in prosthetic development. I believe that every effort should be made to help them get back to their normal lives, and that being able to connect the device to peripheral nerves that allow for mind control of the prosthesis will help them do just that. But where does it end?
According to CBS News, there is an international team from South Korea and the United States that has designed what they call "smart skin". It will help amputees "feel their environment, whether that be humidity in the air, or a warm, firm handshake."
This skin has been designed to resemble natural skin, and it also features electroresistive heaters that emulate body heat. In a handshake, or on a baby's tummy, an artificial limb would give off a familiar warmth. But, now we're getting close to the "creepy factor". Are we to discern that it won't be long until machines and humans are interchangeable in all areas of our lives?
One researcher at the University of Texas at Dallas says, "The [next] big challenge is to effectively interface these limbs with the human nervous system." So, sounds like it won't be long until robots will move and feel like us. And there is ongoing research and development that has them thinking like us. Anybody else see Arnold Schwarzenegger waiting in the wings?
Along those lines of thinking, the U.K.'s Mail Online, reports that "Robots that can think and act without human intervention are fast moving from fiction to reality ... The nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing and agricultural industries are starting to develop autonomous systems that can carry out tasks that are either too difficult or too dangerous for humans, while driverless cars are already with us."
Then there's this bit of news, that Google has actually set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Board to review the possibilities that AI could become a potential threat to humanity. In fact, Google has purchased a London-based company called DeepMind, whose goal is to create software that tries to help computers think like humans. (Has Google forgotten their corporate motto to "do no evil?)
But here's the disturbing part of this new partnership: Shane Legg, one of the founders of DeepMind, recently said this, in an interview: "'Eventually, I think human extinction will probably occur, and technology will likely play a part in this." Among all forms of technology that could wipe out the human species, he singled out artificial intelligence, or AI, as the "'number 1 risk for this century."
And, so, these wise entrepreneurs and inventors now find themselves faced with developing "ethical" robots. They want us to believe that we can trust robots; that we will always be safe in their presence, and that we should move forward into this new technological age -- at the same time that they state we need to pay attention to what is called the Asimov Three Laws of Robotics (named after sci-fi author Isaac Asimov): 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
But the very fact that millions of dollars are being spent on research to convince us that robots can be autonomous, and non-threatening, tells me that there are some very real concerns. And why the rush to bring robots to this advanced stage of creation? It seems to be coming at us from all sides, and there are enough voices warning us that there is considerable danger. This technology seems ripe for exploitation -- not only by man, but the power behind all evil creations, our old Enemy, Satan. We would do well to listen those sounding the alarm that the biggest event in human history, just might be its last.
1 Corinthians 6:12 "All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything."
According to CBS News, there is an international team from South Korea and the United States that has designed what they call "smart skin". It will help amputees "feel their environment, whether that be humidity in the air, or a warm, firm handshake."
This skin has been designed to resemble natural skin, and it also features electroresistive heaters that emulate body heat. In a handshake, or on a baby's tummy, an artificial limb would give off a familiar warmth. But, now we're getting close to the "creepy factor". Are we to discern that it won't be long until machines and humans are interchangeable in all areas of our lives?
One researcher at the University of Texas at Dallas says, "The [next] big challenge is to effectively interface these limbs with the human nervous system." So, sounds like it won't be long until robots will move and feel like us. And there is ongoing research and development that has them thinking like us. Anybody else see Arnold Schwarzenegger waiting in the wings?
Along those lines of thinking, the U.K.'s Mail Online, reports that "Robots that can think and act without human intervention are fast moving from fiction to reality ... The nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing and agricultural industries are starting to develop autonomous systems that can carry out tasks that are either too difficult or too dangerous for humans, while driverless cars are already with us."
Then there's this bit of news, that Google has actually set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Board to review the possibilities that AI could become a potential threat to humanity. In fact, Google has purchased a London-based company called DeepMind, whose goal is to create software that tries to help computers think like humans. (Has Google forgotten their corporate motto to "do no evil?)
But here's the disturbing part of this new partnership: Shane Legg, one of the founders of DeepMind, recently said this, in an interview: "'Eventually, I think human extinction will probably occur, and technology will likely play a part in this." Among all forms of technology that could wipe out the human species, he singled out artificial intelligence, or AI, as the "'number 1 risk for this century."
And, so, these wise entrepreneurs and inventors now find themselves faced with developing "ethical" robots. They want us to believe that we can trust robots; that we will always be safe in their presence, and that we should move forward into this new technological age -- at the same time that they state we need to pay attention to what is called the Asimov Three Laws of Robotics (named after sci-fi author Isaac Asimov): 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. 2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
But the very fact that millions of dollars are being spent on research to convince us that robots can be autonomous, and non-threatening, tells me that there are some very real concerns. And why the rush to bring robots to this advanced stage of creation? It seems to be coming at us from all sides, and there are enough voices warning us that there is considerable danger. This technology seems ripe for exploitation -- not only by man, but the power behind all evil creations, our old Enemy, Satan. We would do well to listen those sounding the alarm that the biggest event in human history, just might be its last.
1 Corinthians 6:12 "All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything."
December 14, 2014
Jeremiah 6:10
To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.
The entire Sixth Chapter of Jeremiah is a lament for how far the children of Israel have strayed from God. The aging prophet speaks the Lord's truth over the nation and Jerusalem; they are full of oppression, violence and plundering. They have committed abominations against the Lord and are unashamed. They ignore the teachings of the Prophets and reject the Word of the Lord. Jeremiah calls them "stubborn rebels", and warns that there is a refining fire coming upon the Land, in which the Lord will no longer protect them. He asks if there is anyone who will listen to him, but knows that no one will hear because their ears have been closed by God because He is tired of their rebellion.
How often have we read this same cautionary warning in the New Testament? How many times did Jesus say, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" I will tell you that I am writing about this theme today because my husband had a recurring dream that I was to bring this to your attention, and that we were to pay special attention to exactly what it was that Jesus wanted us to hear.
A glance at the Bible told me that our Lord spoke these words often, as an ancillary follow-up to His parables. I found it interesting in Matthew 13, that the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, and He told them that the mysteries of Heaven had been given to certain people, but not to all. As Matthew Henry, the 17th Century theologian, so eloquently puts it: "A parable is a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent, but keeps it from the slothful."
In other words, Knowledge is a gift from God, and through His Grace and Sovereignty, He gives or withholds it at His pleasure. For the one who diligently wants to grow in his understanding of God, he will find that he hears the hidden message in the parables. To those who hear God’s word, and see his divine interventions, and yet make no effort to understand and perceive His will, they will receive the teaching of the parables in vain. The words of the Lord will be wasted on them, because their heart is hardened.
So, just what did Jesus want us to hear? In fact, in both Matthew 13, and Mark 9, the Parable of the Sower is repeated. Apparently, God wants to make sure we get the meaning. He is trying to teach the Disciples that the Gospel Message will not bear fruit among everyone with whom they share it. There will be those who hear the Word, and it is easily taken from them because they do not guard it. Others will embrace it for a time, but it has not pierced their hard hearts because it was laid in shallow ground. Still others will hear the Word, but they are surrounded by forces that will choke the life out of it, and it cannot survive the sorrows of this world. But they will have success when the Word is planted in a rich soil, and a yearning heart; it will grow, and spread and produce a harvest far beyond what was planted. Those are the ones who will hear!
In Mark, Chapter 4, is the difficult passage in which Jesus compares John the Baptist with the Prophet Elijah. He reveals that the Spirit of Elijah, who was taken up to God, has now returned as God's Messenger through the Prophet John the Baptist. When Jesus tells them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear", He is telling them, in essence, that those things were dark and hard to understand, and therefore needed their attention. They were of great concern and consequence, and deserved their full scrutiny. If they were given the gift of hearing and understanding, then they needed to use it to understand that John the Baptist is the one of whom their prophet Malachi spoke; the one who would prepare the way for their Messiah. It was incumbent upon them to use the gift of understanding that they had been given by God, so that they could share it with others who would hear.
The same could be said of Christ's repeated command to the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." This directive is repeated for each of the Seven Churches in Revelation 1-3. Don't you think He wants us to pay special attention to what is plainly revealed to us in these passages? The Lord makes it very clear that He holds these Churches in His Right Hand -- they are HIS churches!
As He points out the characteristics of each Church, He tells them to hear what He has to say to them. To the Loveless Church (Ephesus), He tells them to overcome their strict, legalistic heart and return (repent) to exemplifying the Love of Christ that they first demonstrated. If they will hear what He has to say, they will once again eat of the Tree of Life and exhibit new life in their church.
To the Persecuted Church (Smyrna) He reveals that He intimately knows the hate and suffering they are experiencing for His sake. But wants them to hear the encouragement He is offering that they will be rewarded for their perseverance.
To the Comprising Church (Pergamus), Jesus shows that He is aware that they have slipped in their devotion to Him, and have admitted false doctrine into His Church. He wants those who will hear to eat only of His sustaining Bread, and to repent of their sins. In return, they will receive new life in their faith.
To the Corrupt Church (Thyratira), He appears as the Son of God, with blazing eyes. He is angry that they have let the immorality of Jezebel overtake the purity of His Church. He sternly warns those who follow her, that He is able to search hearts and minds, and His justice will be swift. To those who have ears to understand His teaching, they will need to hold fast until He returns, and they will be given power over the nations.
To the Dead Church (Sardis), Christ warns that He is not fooled by their good reputation of works, for He knows that their heart is cold and lifeless. Once again He promises renewal to those who repent and understand the hearing of their ears.
It is only to the Faithful Church (at Philadelphia) that Jesus has strong praise. They are an example of those who have used their ears to hear, and who have not denied His name, but kept His commandments to persevere in the midst of temptation and suffering.
And, finally, to the Lukewarm Church (Laodicea), Jesus warns them that their wealth and position will not buy them security in His kingdom. They choose to hear only what makes them comfortable, and it will be their ruination. He tells them to repent and seek His Kingdom, not the wealth of this world.
So, as you can see, when people shut up their ears, it is usually because the word of God is offensive to them. It gives them no pleasure and they do not wish to receive the life-giving sustenance and wisdom that God offers them through faith in His Son. And it is sad to contemplate that there will be some people to whom we cannot teach His Gospel Message, because they refuse to hear. But we must not be discouraged, and continue to sow the Word upon all the ground before us. Ultimately, whether people hear or not, is the Sovereign decision of God. But we must all be like Jeremiah and continue to ask "Who will listen to me?" You never know whose life you will speak the Word into, and how they will respond. But you can trust God to use it for His glorification!
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