Roots by the River

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...