Roots by the River

I'm in correspondence with someone that has been sending me messages from his meditations. To provide a broader distribution, I will be posting these occasionally. See following: Taking Up the Cross And Jesus said to all, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Today I would focus in on just one of Christ’s words, “daily”, as in taking up our cross daily. In today’s culture, we have a great tendency to segment our lives. We have our work life, our family life, and the life we share with our friends. Finally, we have our religious life, our relationship with God, which we often like to put into a little two or three hour block on Sunday. Now, how do you think the almighty God, creator of everything, feels about being so marginalized. Not to mention the fact that we would most certainly be shirking our duty to be Christ’s ambassadors to everyone we meet through our attitude of love, kindness, patience, and ge...

Recently I received several sermons that I would like to make available: The Inheritance of Moses and Esau “[See to it] that no one is…unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.” (Hebrews 12:16-17) As Christians, we share in a great inheritance of grace, mercy, peace, and joy, and after this world, eternal life and unending glory. With most worldly inheritances, you do little or nothing to earn it, you are merely born to it. Our Christian inheritance is much the same. We can by no way earn it, it is a gift. We gain this gift only by simply believing that it is there to be had, and by having faith in He who gives it. Faith, not being a matter of head-knowledge, but of heart-knowledge, a true and deep acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior. Let us take firm hold of this blessed inheritance, being fully...

There is much misinformation about lighthouses. In my seventy years of reading books, poetry and having conversations, if lighthouses are in the text they have always had, with no exception, the wrong reason for lighthouses being lighthouses. “They are on dangerous rocky shores to warn ships to stay clear of the rock and the surf.” This non truth is spoken authoritatively and seems to be accepted by the hearer or reader. In reality it is a myth. Here is the correct definition: “A structure with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators.” Each lighthouse in the world has its own distinctive signal and its exact location. When that signal is seen, the ship’s navigator knows exactly where he is. The lighthouse is navigational structure only. It has nothing to do with rocks and safety. They are beautiful pieces of architecture as seen from the shore. From the sea the signal is the only thing worth seeing. The navigator does not want to see the bea...

We linked the Tenth Commandment with the Seventh. Today we will attach it very strongly with the First and Second Commandments. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 Money is the other god that is before the God of the First Command; “You shall have no other gods before me.” Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 Greed is idolatry. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

There is another temptation that is more present than sexual temptation that does not seem so evil. After all it is the last commandment and it is not stealing or committing adultery; it is only wanting to steal or commit adultery. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17 Jesus spoke to this in Matthew 5:27. You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' According to Jesus when you have violated the Tenth Commandment you have already violated the Seventh. The Tenth Commandment defines greed and greed is one of the signs of advanced depravity in Romans 1. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. Romans 1:29 Do your own study of greed in the Luke 12:15, Ephesians 5:3, 5, Colossians 3:5, 2 Peter 2:...

We can easily recognize sexual temptation. It is very present in life, in pictures, advertisements, fiction and ritual. We are told how to handle these temptations. RUN! Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 This is how Joseph handled it. He ran. She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. Genesis 39:12

1. You may have figured this out that many “born again” Christians have not been born again. How do we know? There are two basic reasons: • They do not show the evidence of life in Christ • They are later truly born again and the evidence then immediately is apparent. 2. You may also have realized that there are Christians, real ones, who live like unbelievers. How can we tell the difference between the believer and the unbeliever? It is difficult, but here is the basic evidence. • The unbeliever can enjoy his sin. • The believer cannot enjoy his sin. Even if not caught by the culture, he is always caught by God and disciplined by God! And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as...

Forty-five years ago Lyndon Johnson was President of the United States. Art Buchwald wrote the following: “As soon as the President finished his State of the Union speech, I was ordered to get some public reaction. So I immediately called my father in Forest Hills, New York, and asked him what he thought of all the things the President wanted to do (The Great Society). “If he’s got the money,” my father said, “let him go ahead.” “I don’t think he has the money, Pop.” “I knew there was a catch to it.”

Here is a description of a politician between 900 and 1000 BC. It is in 2 Samuel 15:1-6. Absalom was not a good guy. He used promises and flattery. Sometimes this happens in the church too. People are bought with promises, lies and flattery. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. 1 Thessaloni...

If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:9-11, 18 This glory is a glory which is given to men. The one glory faded; in fact it looks as if it had no glory at all in comparison with the surpassing glory, a glory which lasts. This glory which lasts is ever increasing. We as believers have more glory than Moses as long as we keep our hearts and faces unveiled to reflect God’s glory.

These two words both describe one who is following Satan. Yes we know that lying is following Satan. We did not know that being lied to was following Satan. Eve was lied to; she followed Satan. We know we are not lie. We are not to believe lies that are told to us. If we do believe a lie, we are in sin. The liar says that he is telling the truth. The truth teller says that he is telling the truth. It is up to the listener to know the difference. Here are a few ways to discern lying: 1. smooth talk 2. flattery 3. suggestion 4. subtlety 5. involved explanations 6. know the truth very well 7. know the enemy’s tactics well

In the August 27, 2009, Wall Street Journal there was a note on the front page with no story attached. “The Federal Government sent about 3900 stimulus payments of $250 each this spring to prison inmates.” I am assuming that these inmates are old enough to be on Social Security. I can thank of no other reason. That is why we received the $250 each. It certainly could not be intended to buy future “votes” because a conviction of a felony deprives the felon the right to vote. Even if this package was not intended to buy votes, it demonstrates moral irresponsibilty. Our returned checks to the Secretary of the Treasury still has not cleared.

Yesterday I wrote down 35 different questions or statements that have been given to me over the 61 years I have been a Christian. These short sentences and questions were why the questioner was not a Christian. While I was thinking about these reasons I wrote down a Biblical answer to each of them. Although the questions were different there were only a few different real reasons. 1. The person loved sin. 2. He did not want to repent to change. 3. He was afraid God would change him. 4. In other words he did not want an answer to his question. Are there people who ask questions who really want an answer? Yes, but the questions sound different in content and manner. They sound more like this: • God be merciful to me a sinner! • What must I do to be saved? • I am afraid to die. • I am sick of sin. The questions that I wrote down do not sound like this! Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant ...

For those who may be interested, a few months ago, I related how I had returned the $250 stimulus money from Social Security which was electronically deposited in each of our accounts on May 7, 2009. I sent the $500 check made out to the Secretary of the Treasury to our state senator with a letter. This was with the advice of his office. I sent it in April upon the receipt of the announcement from Social Security that we were going to receive the $250 deposits. On 7 May I received the check back from the senator with a letter that it was against Senate rule to handle things associated with the Executive branch of the government. He suggested I get in touch with I.R.S. The I.R.S. said that they could not touch it because it was Social Security money. I got no personal response from Social Security. On 6 June I sent the check directly to the Secretary of the Treasury with a letter. I sent it certified mail. It was signed for on 24 June, 15 days later. It is now 17 August. The ch...

We are greatly concerned about civilian fatalities in Iran and Iraq. We are also very concerned about every American serviceman who is killed in these wars. In a war area it is more dangerous to be a civilian than a soldier. In World War II in addition to the 5, 752,400 Jews killed in the Holocaust, 42,168,000 civilians were killed as opposed to 25,282,100 military personnel. In the Viet Nam war South Viet Nam military fatalities were 220,357. Civilian deaths were 1, 177,446. Let me throw in a few other facts of sin and death. According to John McCardell in the July 2009 Atlantic Monthly, “each year underage drinking kills some 5000 young people, 600,000 injuries and 100,000 cases of sexual assault among college students.” Another 8000 deaths are from legal age drinking. Center for Disease Control says alcohol related deaths not including accidents and homicides are 22,073 a year. Planned Parenthood says that there are 42 million abortions a year, 1.37 million of which are in t...

But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 1 John 3:5-6 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.1 John 5:18 Do we find it easy to believe that Jesus died so that we might be forgiven and go to heaven yet find it difficult to believe that He died to set us free from the power of sin? His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 God gave us many provisions not to sin, but the basic one is the new birth.

On Crowds, Mobs, World Cup games, celebrations after the winning of the World Series, NBA finals and the Super Bowl. The crow at the Vienna symphony is not the same as a crowd at a Rolling Stones concert. There will be applause at one and frenzied raucous noise in the crowds of the other. There is a great difference between a frenzied man and a frenzied mob. A frenzied man may be crazy and can be subdued but a frenzied mob is considered innocent and cannot be subdued. A few may be arrested in a riot, but not everyone. A frenzied crowd is contagious for more frenzy. This has been going on for centuries. But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. Acts 17:5 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Acts 17:8 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting ...

On April 15 while driving in Moscow, Idaho, I came across several hundred people having a tax “tea party”. As I understand it was one of several hundred such parties across the United States. I have not participated in these kinds of events. A few days later we received two letters from the Social Security Administration telling us that each of us was having $250.00 deposited into our bank accounts. This was from the law signed by President Obama in February. I immediately made out a check to the US Treasury for $500.00. I am sending it to our senator to give to the Secretary of the Treasury. There were several reasons for this action: 1. We are not AIG, Chrysler, General Motors, Wells Fargo, or Bank of America – we are not too big to fail. We may be too small, but we are not failing. Our home is paid for, as is our car. 2. To send $250.00 to each of millions of Social Security recipients is irresponsible and immoral. It is either conscious money or buying votes. 3. We have alr...

Many of you have read the Chronicles of Narnia . You liked them when you read them or had them read to you. You should read them again for your second or third time. You may say “I am an adult.” Listen, these are stories for adults. I am not talking about the movies. The reason for this important encouragement is this; I first read, The Last Battle 51 years ago. I am reading it again. Please read chapter three and encourage all your friends and relatives to read it also. If all you see is an interesting story, enjoy it and keep reading. However there might be more. Pay attention. Pass this on.

Adam was made a little lower than the angels. Adam was crowned with glory and honor. Everything was put under his feet. Adam died and lost that glory and honor. Jesus was made a little lower than the angels. He is now crowned with glory and honor. Because He suffered death , so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. The death of Christ for everyone is the reason that Christ is now crowned with glory and honor. He shared in our humanity so He could die. He died to destroy him who holds the power of death – that is the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. You can find all this in Hebrews, chapter 2.

Two and a half years ago we received the following testimony on the booklet, How to Be Free From Bitterness. It had been forwarded twice when we received it. You can download the booklet from our website www.ccmbooks.org or you can write us for hard copies (we ask $1/each). A paperback version can be ordered from Canon Press at http://www.canonpress.org/shop/item.asp?itemid=392&catid= To Whom It May Concern: Wanted to share: Because I’ve had deep-rooted bitterness and anger for so many years, I kept re-reading the pamphlet, highlighting stuff, but only up to about 2/3rds of it. I couldn’t “sincerely” say the prayer it calls for. After several months of this, I was able too, and found that the other essays after it were XCLNT and informative also. My anger made me a felon almost 7 years ago. Within the last year I’ve been blessed with having that dismissed even. This pamphlet impacted my life, and I will always keep it and reread it to maintain the level of forgiveness it hel...

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 Here is another comprehensive paragraph. First of all that: 1. Requests 2. Prayers 3. Intercessions 4. Thanksgiving 5. Be made for everyone Why? God is pleased to use our obedience in this to save men by bringing them to the knowledge of the truth.

What are the differences between the following lists of characters in books? 1. Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher, Nancy Drew, Oliver Twist, Huckleberry Finn, Jim Hawkins, and Penrod. 2. Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, Amy Carmichael, Adoniram Judson, David Brainard and, Gladys Aylward The first list of names are fictional, the second are real people. The first list are heroes without being Christian. The second are heroes because they are Christian. The first list are forever boys or girls. They never grow up. The second list we have their whole life. The first hat cannot be, or should not be imitated. The second list can be and should be imitated. I encourage you to read biographies of Godly people. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Hebrews 13:7

We have many ways of teaching truth. These include Sunday Schools, Vacation Bible Schools, camps retreats, confirmation classes, Bible studies, Bible colleges, Christian elementary and secondary schools, Christian colleges and universities, seminaries, parachurch group like the Navigators, CBMC, Young Life, Inter Varsity, Campus Crusade for Christ, Youth for Christ, Child Evangelism Fellowship, mass evangelism, radio and TV evangelism, preaching in churches, personal evangelism, literature evangelism, Bible translation, Gospel recordings, foreign missions and parent-child evangelism. Assuming all of these are effective, but considering how much of the above there is, this nation should be a converted and godly nation. Of this list we have participated in, prayed for, or given to all but confirmation classes. Some of the works are very effective, some are less effective. Less effective: 1. where law and judgment are not presented before the good news 2. where there is not genuine lov...

Do you have enough money to be secure? The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. Proverbs 18:10-11 Notice the difference. The name of the LORD is a strong tower. The wealth of the rick is an imaginary defense. One is real; the other is not. The righteous are safe. The rich are not.

How are you praying? And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 Notice how comprehensive this sentence is. Pray: 1. in the Spirit 2. on all occasions 3. with all kinds of prayers and requests 4. be alert 5. always keep on praying 6. for all the saints.

Why are you praying? I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 Here is another comprehensive paragraph. First of all that 1. requests 2. prayers 3. intercessions 4. thanksgiving 5 be made for everyone. Why? We do this because it pleases God our Savior and because it is part of the process of people being saved and coming to a knowledge of the truth.

There are at least two types of knowledge: 1. information, facts, truth, 2. personal experience of the facts. It is possible to know that Barack Obama is president of the United States without knowing Barack Obama. It is possible to know that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior without knowing Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Much of the world does not have either kind of knowing Jesus Christ. Much of the United States knows who He is but still doesn’t know Him. How can we correct this anomaly? It is by using the facts with love, kindness, and the Holy Spirit. We seem to be short of speaking the truth in love in the power of the Holy Spirit, in joy, in peace, in patience, in kindness and goodness. These are the things that will make people want to know Him, and not just know about Him.

Here are two definitions of words that are related. Agnostic: unknown or unknowable, 1870, from the Greek gnostos, known, one who holds the view that any ultimate reality (or God) is unknown and probably unknowable. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20-21 Ignorant: destitute of knowledge or education, lacking knowledge or comprehension. Because he has chosen not to know the agnostic says it is not knowable in order to excuse his sin and ignorance. Now that he has chosen ignorance he is now incapable of knowing. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand ...

Here are a few home truths about atheists. Atheists for some reason become strident. If God does not exist there is no reason to become hysterical. However, if God does exist and you think He does not, then there is a good reason to become hysterical. Here are some expressions which describe such people: “Whistling in the dark” “Argument weak, shout here” Atheists find that they cannot stay off the subject of this non-existent being. Two famous examples in recent history of this are George Bernard Shaw and Bertrand Russell. Three contemporaries are Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens.

A few rational thoughts on atheists. There are three kinds of self proclaimed atheists: 1. The most common kind says, “I do not believe in God.” Notice the grammar. The “not” modifies “believe” not “God”. What he is really saying is: “There is a God in whom he does not believe.” 2. The second most common kind of atheist says, “I believe there is no God.” In this case the “no” modifies “God.” However the “atheist” says he believes there is no God. His basis is belief. His is a faith position. He is saying either that he has a positive faith in nothing or a positive belief in something . If it is nothing then he is a faith atheist. If it is something , the something is his god. 3. The rarest kind of atheist says, “There is no God.” He makes a dogmatic statement as if he was declaring a fact. His is not a faith position. It is a factual position, not a theoretical position. However, when he makes a factual statement the burden of proof rests on him. A believer has no bu...

A few biblical pronouncements on atheists. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. Psalm 53:1 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools Romans 1:19-22 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowle...

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. Daniel 5:20 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. Ezekiel 28:17 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ...

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you o...

CSD is C. Stephen David. We have been in touch with him for several years. His wife’s testimony is in “How to Be Free From Bitterness.” He had the booklet translated into Telegu. I am passing this link on for information and prayer. http://www.sakshitimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=43 CSD lives in Hyderbad, India.

There are two answers to the following question and statement, 1. What are the lyrics in Heaven? 2. Search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are true. The first quotation is from “90 Minutes in Heaven” by Don Piper. Over 3 million copies of that book have been sold. “As I stood before the gate, I didn’t think of it but later I realized that I didn’t hear such songs as “the Old Rugged Cross” or “The Nail-Scarred Hand.” None of the hymns that filled the air were about Jesus’ sacrifice or death. I heard no sad songs and instinctively knew that there are no sad songs in heaven. Why would there be? All were praises about Christ’s reign as King of Kings and our joyful worship for all he has done for us and how wonderful he is.” Page 3, 90 Minutes in Heaven Don Piper The second quotation is from Revelation 5:9-14. And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased ...

The Lord Jesus, about 2000 years ago said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” John 3:19-20 Maybe 200 years before that Job (24:13-17) said the following: There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths. When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up and kills the poor and needy; in the night he steals forth like a thief. The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, 'No eye will see me,' and he keeps his face concealed. In the dark, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light. For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness. We who know the Lord Jesus are His light in...

There have been many evil dictators, kings, emperors, popes, and sultans in the Bible before and since. There have been relatively few good and godly heads of state. People, when choosing a leader, will overlook immorality, infidelity, and lack of ethics but will not stand for incompetence. They would rather have a competent man who lacks integrity than the other way around. It would be nice to have both. It is rare. If this is of interest to you, make a list of leaders to make your case.

The following is a quotation from a letter from Abou-Elia. I remember as a child sensing the eerie calm as a storm approached. Gaza is in the midst of a violent storm… though for you who live far from that patch of real estate bordering Egypt to the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, it may appear to be a storm that impacts only that local vicinity. This will probably not be the case. There are good guys and bad guys on both sides of the issue, as well as a lot of spiritual blindness. I’m not a Muslim and am strongly opposed to extremist ideas, forcing others to accept Islam or Islamic law or harming people who want to further understand spiritual truth that conflicts with Islam. The Islamic side is so focused on honor and gaining better world positioning that they’d sacrifice every Gaza resident. Additionally they would never, EVER admit to fault as they cannot bear the possibility of not being right. But then I look at the Jewish side and am appalled at their dullness, spir...

This quotation is from Bob Flynn, President of The Christian Military Fellowship. One day Jesus said to His disciples, “There will always be temptation to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” (Luke 17:1-4 NLT) I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality (unless I watch myself very carefully) asking Him to do something very different. I am asking Him not to forgive me but to excuse me. But there is all the difference in the world between forgiving and excusing. Forgiveness says, “Yes, you have done this thing, but I accept your apology; I will never hold it against you and e...