Once I dreamed that I walked through a beautiful forest with an atheist friend. As we followed a winding trail, my friend explained his understanding of the universe. He said,”There is no reason for believing in God. Science has shown that everything can be explained by natural causes.”
The 2012 film Lincoln was a box office success grossing over $275 million dollars and was nominated for twelve Academy Awards including Best Picture. Daniel Day-Lewis won the Oscar for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln by capturing the many dimensions of this American legend.
What is the Sabbath? It the practice of observing one day in seven as a time for rest and worship. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Hebrew “rest.” Applied to the days of rest in the great feasts, but chiefly to the seventh day rest (Exodus 31:15; 16:23). Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
In the fall of ‘71, the future looked bright for three 15 year old boys entering their first year of high school in the quiet suburb of Niskayuna, New York.
Like other boys their age, they loved playing sports and having a good time. George Burgess and Jeff Sheridan played freshmen football, while George and John Maguire participated in freshmen wrestling during the winter months.
Todd Starnes, host of Fox News & Commentary reports that Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk, a 19-year Air Force veteran, “with a spotless record could be booted out of the military because of his Christian beliefs.”
Monk said, “I was relieved of my position because I don’t agree with my commander’s position on gay marriage.” He added, “We’ve been told that if you publicly say that homosexuality is wrong, you are in violation of Air Force policy.”1
Most everything surrounding man’s existence here on earth is somehow related to the concept of time and physical space. From the point of conception, to the time of our death, from the rising of the sun, to its setting, we are reminded that all things in this world expire. Science itself predicts that the sun, as we know it, will slowly transform into a “red giant” (a step in the process of the death of a star) in roughly “5 billion years.”
On March 11, 2004, three days before Spain’s general elections, 191 people were killed by a series of explosions set off in the city of Madrid. Based on a fingerprint match, attorney Brandon Mayfield was arrested and jailed.
The quality of the fingerprint match was considered to be an “absolutely incontrovertible match.”1 Typically, examiners demand that “12 unique traits correspond to declare a match.”2 Mayfield’s print shared 15 traits with the one found in Madrid. The fingerprints were so close, even the expert witness Mayfield hired testified it was a match.
Several years ago, the New York Times stated in large letters, “Found: Biggest, Most Powerful Star Yet Seen.” Not long ago it was reported that the Hubble Space Telescope witnessed, “for the first time,” the “brightest star” ever seen in the Milky Way.
On April 11, 1864 the Congress of the United States authorized the minting of a two-cent coin in which the motto, “In God We Trust,” first appeared. This was done to reflect the country’s ever present dependence upon the God of the Bible.
Many who claim the name of Christ today look to God to accept them as they are. Because God offers a full measure of grace, mercy, love and forgiveness to all who embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, some feel there is little reason to doubt God’s unconditional acceptance of them and their “lifestyle.”
In more recent years, Americans have tasted the bitter pill of trouble. History-making events such as Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, the Oklahoma City bombing, and, of course, the World Trade Center tragedy have worked to reinforce our awareness of great and various times of trouble.
It’s all about me! This catchy little phrase has been used by some to express their self-importance and by others to joke about it. Either way, the phrase holds more truth than most people realize.
Me, as a concept, is the sum total of all beings, human and non-human. It is that part of every being that acts as a compass, directing every thought, word and deed. It can be holy and pure or sinful and depraved. Me has the ability to discern right from wrong, and is capable of choosing right over wrong.
Emotions can dominate us to such an extent that we cease to function. It is foolish to underestimate the role emotions play in our decisions, temptations and trials.
The Bible describes itself as “The Word of God” (Bible References Below). As a result, it demands those who read it, view its content as an accurate compilation of a unified, yet diverse message provided and preserved by God Himself. The Bible, over the course of history, was proportionally delivered to man (generic for man and woman) through select writers chosen and inspired by God for the purpose of communicating His will to mankind.
Loneliness, depression, bitterness, negativity, sorrow, loss, etc, eat at the heart of man as a painful cancer. Emotional strife has dogged man throughout history. Those maintaining a sense of compassion for the emotionally troubled, cannot help but hurt inwardly over their trials.
As we ponder the innumerable acts of suffering man has endured, one must wonder why he has had to suffer as he has. If God is a god of love, how can He allow man to be tormented as he has? Is man’s suffering a proof that the God described in the Bible does not exist? Is this one who proclaims love a hypocrite? Or is all this simply an indicator that God truly is not concerned with man’s suffering?
In 1978 the British band, The Who, released their hit single, “Who Are You.” The song is marked by exceptional musicianship and vocal harmonics. Its presentation is so dynamic that at times the lyrical theme, “Who Are You”, becomes secondary.
During the outset of the war with Iraq, on March 23, 2003, several members of the 507th Maintenance Company were ambushed and taken as prisoners. A day later, two AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter crewmen were captured when their aircraft crashed. Upon gaining their freedom, Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Young said, “We feel like we won the lottery of life.”
Cable TV has been ripe with numerous programs predicting the impending end of the world. Like a steady drum beat, with the passing of every end date, comes another.
Beyond the captivating nature of the various predictions and scenarios, might there be a greater reason for the repetitive nature of these eschatological comings and goings?
As some within various “Christian” organizations argue the merits of such concepts, and strive to re-frame biblical teachings, essential truths have been sidelined—truths far more important than who can or cannot lead or teach within the local church.
Today, more than ever, pastors are dropping out of ministry at a very high rate. Some are leaving because they never were truly called to serve as pastors. Others depart for less than honorable reasons. Sadly, a number of pastors leave ministry because carnally minded people have poisoned their ministry.
The Civil War, World War I & II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the war in Iraq and the like, have acted as catalysts to encourage people to debate the subject of war. When people argue the validity of subjects such as a “just war,” self-defense, non-violence and non-resistance, numerous Bible passages and ethical arguments are presented.
Ants. Little creatures that are always present, yet never invited to picnics. Ants. They are tiny bits of life that continually render someone else’s property their own. Ants. Are they worth the room they take up? It depends on who you ask.
Given the independent nature of Americans, the history and form of government they’ve inherited, few could envision a scenario in which Americans would willingly humble themselves to a foreign power. When considering the tumultuous events surrounding the “end times,” few could imagine any independent minded person embracing the beings of Revelations 13:3-8.
The World is an ever changing place. Consider it from our perspective.
Every day something new is happening across the USA. Consider it from our perspective.
Culture & Religion are important to the fabric of any nation or people. Consider it from our perspective.