Oversharing vs. Overcoming

     It's not often that I find myself in complete agreement with a TV personality and commentator.  But I happened to catch a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, in which I thought, "This woman must have literally stepped into my mind.  Finally, someone has the nerve to go up against the sacred cow of social media.  She's my hero!"
     Radio host and personality, Faith Salie, presented a short, concise and accurate commentary on the word "Oversharing".  It was chosen by the Chambers Dictionary as its "Word of 2014."  You know how it is ... the self-designated guardians of the English language determine which word best represents the overall "sense" of a particular year.  Past winners have included "Chad", "Tweet", and "Unfriend".
     Ms. Salie is actually overjoyed that "Oversharing" was chosen, because she fears that otherwise, the younger generation may never have known what we older citizens recognize -- they are sharing "Too Much Information (TMI)" and overburdening us with the minutiae of their lives.  She goes on, in her commentary, to give us all the reasons that it is her biggest pet peeve:

     Chambers [Dictionary] defines "Oversharing" as being "unacceptably forthcoming with information about one's personal life."
     I recently conducted an unscientific survey of three teenagers -- who may or may not be related to me -- about the meaning of oversharing. My findings revealed nothing, which told me everything. Which is to say, those young folks were hard pressed to identify oversharing.
     They don't think it's weird when their friends Instagram photos of their new toenail polish, or tweet that they just saw a squirrel.
     It's beyond TMI -- oversharing is not just too much information; it's incessant sharing of non-information -- breaking news about your gluten-free diet complete with duck face selfies.
     We all want to feel special. To my knowledge, there are pretty much two ways to be interesting: One is to actually do interesting things, achieve the remarkable. The other way to be interesting is to be interested, curious about the world and about other people -- not relentlessly revelatory about yourself.
     And here is where Faith has won my heart!  She continues her rant:  As far as I can tell, both of these usually involve putting down your smartphone.  Hallelujah!  Someone else besides me thinks there is life beyond cell phones!  Sorry, I just had to throw my two cents worth in ... back to Faith:
     To be truly curious is to be humble, even discreet. ["Discreet," by the way, is a word. If you are under 20, please look it up.]
     Like all vices, oversharing has its consequences. Recent studies identify a malady called "text neck." The angle at which we ceaselessly check our smartphones creates a 60-lb. stress on our necks that can cause serious permanent damage. Also, someone might club you with your selfie stick.
     Not that I'm any good at it, but the beauty of meditation is that it liberates us from our own thoughts. Shouldn't we do the same favor for everyone else? Give them a break from our status updates?  And here is the genius conclusion that I want to shout from the rooftops:  By the way, everyone who thinks it is necessary, or cool, or that I might be interested in your every waking thought or deed ... you do know, don't you that Status updates don't actually give us status!
      Faith concluded her smart and savvy commentary with the following memory from times past:
Oversharing was around when I was a youngster.  It occurred in a thing called a diary, which was "a book" full of "paper" in which you wrote, using a "pen." You were the only one who saw it, and you overshared with yourself through more than 140 characters.

     Now, I know that not everyone will enjoy her witty sarcasm as I have.  In fact, it is not only the younger generation that I would direct to her commentary.  There are plenty of older, mature people who have somehow become hypnotized by the lure of technology and the "cool factor" of Facebooking, Tweeting, Instagramming, Instachatting, and whatever is the latest online app that has captured their attention.
     Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who sees how all this keeps us focused on ourselves; our eyes, our minds, and our actions are all centered around the next thing we can do, so that we can take a photo, and post it to all our social media sites, and watch how many people "like" us.  Does that sound pathetic to anyone else?
     The world seems obsessed with themselves!  And how can that be?  If they lifted their heads from their devices for just one day, wouldn't you think they would realize that the rest of the world seems to be spinning out of control?  That maybe, we need to figure out what the human race is doing wrong to reap such death, wars, starvation, and disease?  That maybe we need to recognize our need to be saved from ourselves?
     But as long as humanity continues to find solace in worshipping themselves, and craving acceptance from others, then the latest technology fad will provide the deliverance they seek -- a way to ignore the evil in the world, and escape any personal responsibility in perpetuating it or stopping it.  It's all about avoidance -- avoiding fear, avoiding accountability, avoiding moral decisions, and avoiding the consequences that will come at the end of this life.
     They will tell you they just want to "stay connected", and technology has allowed them to do that easier and faster.  I can't help but think that all this time spent updating their status on social media sites could have been better spent connecting with God -- that rather than "oversharing" their personal information with their fellow man, they could have been "overcoming" the barriers that keep them separated from their Savior.  His is the only acceptance we should be seeking.

Psalm 14:2    "The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God."

John 13:15

For I have given you an example, 

that you also should do just as I have done to you.

     Now that our celebration of Christ's birth has passed, how are we to observe the rest of His life?  In fact, how many of us view the remainder of his short time on this earth with the same reverence we give his Birth and Death?  Shouldn't we be just as interested in knowing the details of those years?  And if we count ourselves as His followers, how are we to live our lives?

     As we approach a New Year, perhaps this is a good time to take a fresh look at our Christian lives, and to discern if we are following His example, as His words in the featured Scripture instruct us to do.  To begin, Jesus gave us an example of how to live a life that is much different than the conventional way.  His values were different than the common man's in His time.  I then have to ask myself, "Are mine"?  Or do my principles and behavior mimic those of society?

     Jesus didn't value the things that the world esteemed ... in His day, it was large flocks of animals; positions of power and authority in the synagogues; wealth and material possessions.  He lived a simple life, first as a carpenter's son; and then when He embarked upon His mission for His Father, He lived a humble life, relinquishing material comforts in favor of trusting God for provision.  In truth, He did not love the things of this world. 

     Is it any different today?  Wealth, power and self-gratification are still primary motivators of most people.  If we are to follow His example, how many of us are willing to sacrifice the prestige of our careers; or the comfort of our material possessions?  Would you be willing to forego a distinguished academic career in favor of telling others about the Kingdom of God?  What about giving up your "me time", and the activities that you love -- those vacations, clubs and organizations that make you "feel good", and even that coveted position on the Church Board?  If we love the things that this world says are important, more than we are devoted to spending time to bringing others to the Messiah, then we are not following His example. 

     As we contemplate how He lived His life, we must recognize that He was willing to be rejected by the world.  That is a difficult example to follow -- especially since we all crave acceptance and love from others.  I think those of us who are members of the Body of Christ need to be particularly vigilant about how we represent Him; about how we present the example that we are to follow.  We must not become like the Pharisees who, while identifying with the common man, declared themselves experts on God's Word and His law.  They took pride in their religiosity; they knew the Scriptures well, but in their attempt to declare the authority of the Word, they added to it with oral traditions.  

      While I often comment on the lack of Bible knowledge among today's Believers, I want to make sure that we are all on the same page.  Yes, it is important to know what the Bible says and how God and Jesus instructed us to live our lives through their words.  But there are those who will never hear our words; no matter how many Scriptures we can recite.  So many more people will come to the Kingdom by how well we live those words!  The world must SEE us modeling His example, and then the Word has real meaning.  When they see us following His commandment to "love one another; as I have loved you ... By this all will know that you are My disciples...", then they will seek more knowledge of Him through the Word of the Bible.

     There is so much more about how Jesus lived His life that we should be practicing and imitating.  He healed the sick, cast out demons, and gave God the glory for all things in this life.  Do you know that we have been given the power and the authority to do all that He did?  While He was present on this earth He revealed to His followers the following truths:  1) He was preparing a place for us; that where He was going, we would go also.  2) That the Father was in Him; by believing in all Jesus did, we are seeing the works of the Father.  3)  Of all the works that Jesus did, through the Father, we would be able to do even greater works in His name.  4)  He would come to indwell us in the form of the Holy Spirit, who will teach us to remember all the things that Jesus commanded and taught.

     These principles and Truths are our inheritance and legacy from the Prince of Peace.  Do we recognize that?  Do we follow His example?  Or are we so awe-struck by His miraculous birth and sacrificial death, that we lose the significance of the rest of His life?  Think how much more we can offer the world on His behalf!  A life lived by following the example of Christ's entire life; one that is a full, vibrant, healing, bountiful, and separate life from the one lived by the world ... one that this very same world needs to see in each of us, every single day.  

      

     

In Honor Of Heroes

     The world needs heroes right now.  And today is an important anniversary for some great national heroes.  It was 70 years ago today that the legendary Battle of Bastogne ended.  Fought from December 20th - 27th, 1944, it was part of the historic Battle of the Bulge.
     I just finished re-watching the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.  I am always overcome with emotion and pride that this group of average American men (some barely more than boys) endured the hell of war in a courageous battle against Evil.  While I believe all wars are fought with ulterior motives of Power and Financial Gain, this may be one in which there is no question that Satan was at the helm.
     At this particular time during WWII, Easy Company, part of the 101st Airborne Division, were tasked with holding the line at Bastogne against superior German artillery fire.  They accomplished their mission without winter clothing and with limited rations and ammunition.  I think, of the 10 episodes of the globally successful miniseries, the one titled "Bastogne" was the hardest to watch.
     But it wasn't hard to get attached to the characters in Band of Brothers.  They became an extraordinary group of battle-hardened veterans.  The men of Easy Company began as part of an experimental airborne regiment created in 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Easy Company missions were to involve being parachuted from C-47 transport airplanes over hostile territory (Wikipedia).  They accomplished that directive as part of Operation Overlord, on D-Day.
     As one follows them through their battles in the Netherlands, the ill-fated Operation Market Garden, and on into Belgium, you cannot help but mourn the loss of each soldier.  They are no longer simply names, but real people with real stories of what war was like at close range.  As miserable and wretched as the miniseries portrayed those days and nights in the Ardennes forest near Bastogne, I doubt that it comes close to what those men actually experienced.
    But let me share a bit of the history from one man who was there, Colonel Edward Shames:  "[On the evening of December 17, 1944] we ended up in a 10-ton open tractor-trailer truck without a top, freezing our tails off. We had no ammo, no good clothing, and ended up in a place that we had no idea where it was. Some of the men even had no weapons, unbelievable, but very true. We thought we were cold that night, but we did not know that ride would become a Sunday excursion compared to what we were to experience later that month.
     When we offloaded the trucks that morning, I do not believe there was a single man that had the foggiest notion as to where we were. It was cold as hell, and very foggy. We saw hordes of our soldiers running towards us down the middle of the road, and watched them throw their weapons and equipment to the ground. They were yelling, Don't go up there! The Germans are going to kill everyone! Run as fast as you can! They are coming, run! These were American soldiers, both officers and men. I repeat, both officers and men. I was never more ashamed of my countrymen than at that moment, before or since. I will never forget that sight as long as I live.
     One good thing came about in those moments; we were able to retrieve some equipment, clothing, and ammo from what was being discarded, and there was a ton of it scattered all over the area. This material was being thrown away to lighten the load of these people, these hysterical people, so they could run faster. I refused to call them soldiers. As I recall, it was fairly early in the morning, and very foggy. You could hardly see more than 100 feet in front of you, if that. It was cold as hell, as I said before, and the enemy was very close; we felt it in our bones."
     The Facebook page for Easy Company, 506th Paratroopers Infantry Regiment of the 101at Airborne Division, gives this account:  Bastogne was to become the key to the battle. Control of its network of roads and railway systems was a critical and highly sought after military objective by both the Americans and the Germans. By the dreadful night of the 20th of December, the 101st Airborne found themselves completely surrounded at the besieged town of Bastogne along with the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion and elements of the 10th Armored Division. The 101st would form a defensive perimeter by digging foxholes into the hard and cold snow around the outskirts of the Bastogne forested area. The 101st held their position and beat back the determined and repeated attacks by overwhelming German forces. The "Battered Bastards of Bastogne" would hold the line.
     As we focus on the birth of our Savior, it is hard to reconcile that innocent child with the horrendous headlines proclaiming Evil around the world.  And this event of 70 years ago in a far-off war may seem like just a footnote in history.  But it is precisely because of the reasons those brave men found themselves in that frozen hell, that He came -- to bring Light to a dark world.  But the world refuses to embrace Him.  So just as the world witnessed the wickedness of the Holocaust, we are now observers of the heinous persecutions against Christians, Jews, and other innocents by a murderous horde of barbarians.  The peace that came after the "War that was to end all wars" only lasted 70 years.  Our hope now lies in the faith that our Savior will return to end this Evil for all time.  Until that happens, we can look upon the remarkable bravery of a small band of men who stood against the evil of their time, and did their part to stand in the gap.  We can celebrate the extraordinary actions of ordinary men, and honor their memory.  I honor the lives of the 18 surviving members of Easy Company, and the memories of their fallen brothers, on this, their 70th anniversary of "holding the line".  We salute you!

Proverbs 27:17    "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." 


   
   

Is The Glow of Christmas Gone?

   

     The thrill of Christmas morning has passed; the gifts have all been opened and family has either departed for home, or everyone is doing their "own thing" ... some parked in front of the TV; others are buried in their new technology gadgets; still others have escaped to a movie or for a long walk.
     What I'm really saying is this:  "What does Christmas mean to you?  Have you really stopped to consider what this holiday is really about?"  I ask this because I received an email from a reader who asked me the following .... Have you done an essay on Christmas not being Christian?  You know, the pagan roots of Christmas, Jesus actually born during the fall feasts, Saturnalia and winter solstice celebration, meanings of the Christmas tree, gifts giving, etc?  I'm particularly interested in how the church and Christians celebrate Christmas. We all know that the commercialism, Santa, etc are not Christian, but how about "Jesus is the reason for the season?" being a lie also? This reader then went on to say that he had changed his attitude about Christmas, but his family was slow to accept his viewpoint.  I know that there are many more out there just like him, and much more that feel something is missing; they just don't know what.
      I then pointed him to a four-part series I wrote last year on this very topic.  I made the very deliberate decision not to repeat my research or opinion this year prior to the festivities; or to discuss my personal feelings about celebrating Christmas.  Instead, I chose to just sit back and view how others -- both Christian and non-Christian -- observed this most American of holidays.  I also wanted to check how I felt this year.  What did the Christmas holiday feel like now?  Did I long for the sentimental aspects?
     All that aside, today is the day after Christmas, and I must say that I am as convinced as ever that we Christians need to know the truth about this holiday, both historically and spiritually.  I think that it may explain why so many people are left feeling depressed and disappointed after all the build-up to what is supposed to be a season filled with joy and merriment.
     I also realize that new readers of this blog have not been introduced to my spiritual journey on this topic, and may be experiencing a similar one of their own.  For that reason, I would now like to invite you to revisit my four-part series on The Meaning of Christmas.  The following are the links to each essay, with a brief summary of what is revealed.  I hope that you will read them in their entirety, with an open and inquiring mind, and accept that they are, in no way, a judgment against anyone.  I would hope that they will encourage you to do your own research and search the Scriptures for the Truth.  My essays are written to those who love the Lord, but are not restricted to Believers; all can find them instructive and fascinating in the history they reveal.

Part One:  What does God's commandment to follow His feasts have to do with our celebration of Christmas?  As we study Scripture, we discover that Christianity has its roots in the faith of the Hebrews, and God commanded certain customs and rites to be observed for all generations.  The New Testament is a renewal of the covenant that God made with the Israelites, and because God never changes, what He decreed in the Old Testament (to the Hebrews) is as relevant today (to us) as it was thousands of years ago.  This segment of the series sets up how God's holy days were replaced with man-made traditions.

Part Two:  As adopted children of God, and grafted into the faith of the Israelites (Romans 11), we Christians are commanded to also consecrate God's feasts that He instituted -- not our own.  Remember, Scripture tells us that they are HIS feasts; not the feasts of the JEWS.  You might be surprised to discover that the Church of the First Century was primarily Jewish in membership, with a growing contingent of Gentile converts.  The Early Church did observe the Lord's Feasts, which was a pleasing aroma to Him.  But with the increase and infusion of pagan influences into what were to be holy observances, God declares in Amos 5:21, "I hate, I despise your feast days.  I do not savor your sacred assemblies."
     In this part of the series, I relate how the Emperor Constantine perverted the Church and its holy days into pagan-impacted holidays.  His extreme hatred of the Jews resulted in their exclusion from the Early Church, and their subsequent contempt of our festivities.

Part Three:  God called Abraham out of the pagan world that worshipped a variety of gods, the foremost being the Sun god.  This section of my series relates how Sun god worship provided the foundation of the Christmas celebration.  The pagan holidays of "Saturnalia" and "Dies Natalis Solis Invicti" (which means "birthday of the unconquered Sun"), both of which were celebrated on December 25th, when the Romans thought the Winter Solstice took place, made it easy for Constantine to merge facets of the Christian faith with accepted pagan practices, and keep the hated Jews separate and isolated.
     Part Three provides numerous quotes from Early Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine and Tertullian, who wrote, "The pagan Romans clad their door posts with green and branching laurels.  In the Saturnalia, presents come and go.  There are gifts and banquets … yet Christians should have no acquaintance with the festivals of the pagans."  I conclude this section with the admission that it is hard to think that the warm, fuzzy childhood Christmas memories that we hold so dear in our hearts could have anything to do with pagan rituals, but we must ask ourselves, "Is our heart really a good judge of what God desires of us?"  Perhaps what Jeremiah 17:9 has to say is the answer ... The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked... We want what we want.

Part Four:  The last part of my four-part series examines the history of Christmas in this country.  Would it surprise you to know that for the first 230 years of our nation, that the celebration of Christmas was nearly non-existent?  The Puritan community in New England found no Scriptural justification for celebrating Christmas, and associated such celebrations with paganism and idolatry. In fact, James Hastings, a Bible scholar, writes that in 1644, "December 25th was proclaimed a fast day [a time of abstaining from food and festivity to focus on religious devotion]. The new rule was enforced by the army, which spent much of its time pulling down the greenery that festive 'pagans' had attached to their doors."
     By the 19th Century, Americans had re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia.  It has since become highly commercialized, and the holiness of the Christ child's birth must share center stage with Black Friday and all the materialistic ornamentation and embellishment of the holiday.  It is in the midst of this convolution of history, un-Biblical rituals, and human emotions that we must determine how we feel about, and observe Christmas.

     That is a difficult decision that each individual must determine for themselves.  I would challenge you with the following questions:  1)  Are we worshipping God in practices that are rooted in mankind’s traditions and decrees, or are we worshipping according to Biblical truth?  2) Which matters most – what it means to us or what it means to God?  As you read each part of my series, I hope you will ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as to how you should respond.
     I will say this ... without exception, it seems as if Christians struggle with letting go of what we have known in our Christmas celebrations.  Somehow, we continue to equate our emotions and memories of the holiday, along with the assault on our senses (beautiful lights, decorations, and festive trees), with the worship of our Savior.  Somehow, it seems difficult to celebrate His birth while letting go of our fleshly desires to look upon worldly delights.
     God was very exacting and clear about how He wished to be worshipped, and to Whom each Feast Day pointed.  Do you see anywhere in Scripture that He commanded the day of the birth of His Son to be a "holy day", which is the origination of our term "holiday"?  Do you see evidence of the Disciples worshipping that particular day anytime after His death?  Yes, both Matthew and Luke give us a beautiful story of the details of His conception and birth, and we should honor all that it signifies for us.  Gifts were brought to Him, but as tokens of His Kingship, His Priesthood, and His role as Savior.  Nowhere do I see suggestions of what the Christmas holiday has become.
     So, as you contemplate another Christmas, come and gone, I hope that will be able to dwell upon the true meaning of our Savior's birth, and decide what is right for you in the matter of pleasing God. You will know, because you will feel at peace and all conflict will be gone.  That is the true essence of "Peace on earth, and good will toward men."

Jeremiah 10:2-3    Thus says the Lord: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity."

A True Message of Christmas

     Christmas is embraced by our American culture as a time of joy and peace on earth.  The brightly decorated trees, twinkling lights, songs about red-nosed reindeers, and the image of a jolly fat man in a red suit have become the center of our celebration.  If you have been a long-time reader of this blog, then you know that I can no longer associate these festivities with the birth of my Savior.  While I can still enjoy experiencing the holiday with family and friends in this manner, my husband and I have separated ourselves from the commercialization, man-made traditions, and questionable roots of the holiday.  We choose to focus on the Christ child and the miracle of His birth; it doesn't matter if it is His "actual" birthday or not.  It has simply become a time to honor Him.

     So, I thought it appropriate to share with you a Christmas letter sent to a family member by Pastor Saaed Abedini, a U.S. citizen imprisoned for over two years in a brutal Iranian prison for his Christian faith.  He has been subjected to numerous harsh beatings in prison and has sustained prolonged internal injuries. 
     You may have seen his letter on other news outlets, but it should be read again today; the day that Christians around the world celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world. 
     And then, ask yourselves if you -- in all your comfort and stability and display of Christmas Joy -- could declare, with the same unwavering faith, the true miracle represented by this day. 

Rajai Shahr Prison 2014

Merry Christmas!

These days are very cold here. My small space beside the window is without glass making most nights unbearable to sleep. The treatment by fellow prisoners is also quite cold and at times hostile. Some of my fellow prisoners don’t like me because I am a convert and a pastor. They look at me with shame as someone who has betrayed his former religion. The guards can’t even stand the paper cross that I have made and hung next to me as a sign of my faith and in anticipation of celebrating my Savior’s birth. They have threatened me and forced me to remove it. This is the first Christmas that I am completely without my family; all of my family is presently outside of the country. These conditions have made this upcoming Christmas season very hard, cold and shattering for me. It appears that I am alone with no one left beside me.

These cold and brittle conditions have made me wonder why God chose the hardest time of the year to become flesh and why He came to the earth in the weakest human condition (as a baby). Why did God choose the hardest place to be born in the cold weather? Why did God choose to be born in a manger in a stable, which is very cold, filthy and unsanitary with an unpleasant smell? Why did the birth have to be in such a way that it was not only hard physically, but also socially? It must have brought such shame for Mary and her fiancé that she was pregnant before marriage in the religious society of that time.

Dear sisters and brothers, the fact of the Gospel is that it is not only the story of Jesus, but it is the key of how we are to live and serve like Jesus. Today we, like Him, should come out of our safe comfort zone in order to proclaim the Word of Life and Salvation though faith in Jesus Christ, and the penalty of sin that He paid on the cross, and to proclaim His resurrection. We should be able to tolerate the cold, the difficulties and the shame in order to serve God. We should be able to enter into the pain of the cold dark world. Then we are able to give the fiery love of Christ to the cold wintery manger of those who are spiritually dead. It might be necessary to come out of the comfort of our lives and leave the loving embrace of our family to enter the manger of the lives of others, such as it has been for me for the third consecutive Christmas. It may be that we will be called fools and traitors and face many difficulties, but we should crucify our will and wishes even more until the world hears and tastes the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas means that God came so that He would enter your hearts today and transform your lives and to replace your pain with indescribable joy.

Christmas is the manifestation of the radiant brightness of the Glory of God in the birth of a child named Emmanuel, which means "God is with us".

Christmas is the day that the heat of the life-giving fire of God’s love shone in the dark, cold, wintry, frozen hearts and burst forth in this deadly wicked world.

The same way that the heat from the earth’s core melts the hard stones in itself and produces lava, the fiery love of God, Jesus Christ, through the virgin Mary’s womb came to earth on Christmas to melt the hard heart of sin and wickedness of the world and remove them from our life. In the same process, the work of the Holy Spirit is a fiery rain of God’s Holiness and Mercy that flows into our body, soul and spirit and brings the light of Christ into us and through us making this dark, cold, wintry world into radiant burning brightness. He is turning our world into a world full of peace, joy, and love that is so different than the dark, cold, and wintry world that we used to live in. Hallelujah!
So this Christmas let the lava-like love of Christ enter into the depth of your heart and make you fiery, ready to pay any cost in order to bring the same lava love to the cold world around you, transforming them with the true message of Christmas.

Pastor Saeed Abedini
Soaking in the lava love of Christ

     Please pray for the release of Pastor Abedini, remembering that our Lord came "to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:7).  In the spirit of love and sacrifice that the Christ child represents, I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:  It has been three years since the death of a very special person in the lives of PLW and myself.  Ben Breedlove died far too young, on Christmas night 2011.  But he escaped these earthly chains, and left behind a YouTube message that touched the hearts of millions around the world, and pointed the way to God.  We miss you, and will always love you, Ben!

Isaiah 9:6-7     "For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Russia, China & The Good Book

     I would venture to guess that more people consider the Bible this time of year than any other; if for nothing else than to read the "Christmas story" in Matthew and Luke.  But I think we better start taking a good hard look at "the story" that the Book of Revelation imparts, as well ... especially as it potentially concerns Russia and China.

     Whether Christian or not, everyone has probably heard the Biblical terms "Gog and Magog", and how they refer to an End Times war that will destroy the earth's population. No one can say for sure who the players will be, but it has been popular theory to assume that Gog, the prince in Ezekiel, Chapter 38, whom God warns that He "will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army", is Russia.  The Bible goes on to prophesy that Gog will come out of the north, along with armies from Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, and Gomer (Turkey) to assault the land of Israel.
     Furthermore, there are other prophecies in Revelation that the water will dry up in the great Euphrates River, "that the way [road] of the kings of the east might be prepared"; along with a forecast of a 200 million man army that will be allowed to kill one-third of the population.  Another popular theory is that China fits both descriptions; they are certainly "king of the east", and the country's build-up of nuclear weapons ensures that it has the capability of annihilating millions via weapons of mass destruction.
     Like I said, all this is theory and cannot be proven one way or another.  But what appears to be happening before our very eyes is an alarming coalition between Russia and China.  In reaction to strong embargoes on the part of the U.S. against Russia, China appears to be positioning itself as Russia's new strategic partner.  In fact, over the last several months, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party have repeatedly exhorted the People’s Liberation Army to “be ready to win a war.” Xi has repeatedly called for greater military modernization, increased training, and enhanced overall readiness of the Chinese army, navy, and air force.
     And, if we think Russia and President Putin are just going to sit idly by while we attempt to destroy their economy, then we're more naive than I've thought.  According to one source, two Chinese officials have offered to help Russia stabilize its currency following the ruble's precipitous decline last week. "If the Russian side needs, we will provide necessary assistance within our capacity,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
     If you will remember, Russia and China were communist allies throughout the Cultural Revolution and Cold War. And as neighbors, their financial and strategic interests overlap. China is a huge buyer of Russia's natural resources, and Russia is a great consumer of Chinese exports.  They are natural allies when it comes to destroying the power of the West, especially the U.S, and it's only logical that they would like nothing better than to crush our fragile financial system.
     There are also rumors that both Russia and China are attempting to stockpile resources, as in the case of nuclear warfare.  Since we have adopted a policy of reducing our nuclear capabilities, both of these superpowers no longer fear "Mutually Assured Destruction", but rather could be preparing for "First Strikes" against a weakened U.S. mainland and military.
     While none of these "theories" or "rumors" seem to point to a Biblical prophecy of assaults on Israel, it might just be that we haven't connected the dots yet.  But remember that in the past, then Russian President Medvedev joined with Chinese President Hu, to issue an “urgent warning” to the United States that if the Americans allow an Israeli nuclear attack upon Iran, “World War will be our response”.  Israel hasn't attacked Iran yet, but we all know that the tension is there, and upon assuming the Presidency, Mr. Obama was given a stark warning by Israel’s Prime Minister, that “Either you take care of Iran -- quickly -- or I will!”  Since that threat still remains viable, I would say the puzzle pieces of the Bible could be coming into alignment.
     Whether we are about to see ancient prophecies fulfilled, or there is simply heightened stress on the relationships between the Big Powers of the World, no one can deny that Russia and China should be on our radar screen.  We should be concerned about Russia reacting like a wounded animal, and China feeling like it's a good time to take advantage of a weakened rival.
      As I said, I am not ready to prescribe an official interpretation of the Book of Revelation.  But I do think we should be on the watch for people, events, and nations that could signal the return of the Lord.  After all, He asks us not to be caught unaware.  And let's not forget this, the symbol for Russia is the bear, and for China, it is the dragon ... so, it would be foolish on our part to ignore the threats they are making.

Revelation 13:2     "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."
   

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?"
   

   

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."

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.

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."
   

Atheists/Humanists developed their Ten Commandments by popular opinion

     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."