Another Thought

Wouldn't the verse below be a problem for hyper-Calvinists?

Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11)

What A Catch!

Chris Miller sent me this picture of a fish he caught. And no Chris, I don't think all Missionaries "goof off" - just you! Hahaha!!!

What has happened to logic and our legal system?

While eating lunch today, I saw a news item on Fox News concerning "Sanctuary Cities." The news item focused on San Francisco and its mayor (both of which have issues), and how the city was spending taxpayers' money to advertise itself as a "sanctuary city" for illegal aliens. While I have major issues with the whole idea of sanctuary cities, one statement was made that almost made me choke on my poppy seed chicken casserole.

(To give you a clearer understanding of the following statement, let me inform you of an issue being discussed. There was an illegal alien that had committed a crime and was not deported because he was able to make it to a sanctuary city. Unfortunately, he then killed a man and his two sons. The widow wonders why this man was able to remain in the United States after committing a crime and then able to kill her husband and two sons. While they were discussing this issue, the following was statement was made.)

"Sanctuary cities are not designed to protect criminals."

Then for what reason do you have a sanctuary city?!? A sanctuary city allows illegal aliens (someone who has BROKEN a federal law) to safely live there. So, you have a city designed to protect criminals but it's not a city to protect criminals...uhhh...okay. This is idiocracy (nice word, huh?)! No wonder our nation is in the mess it is. Politicians and citizens cannot even fathom the problems because they don't understand simple issues such as this!

Well, I say let the sanctuary cities be sanctuary cities. In fact, I'll make sure I stay out of there and keep my money out of there. I'll make sure cities such as San Francisco, Austin, and Houston (sanctuary cities) do not have to worry about "my kind." Besides, we don't want law-abiding citizens there...oops, I mean...criminals.

Well, I have more - but for now, I'll stop and let you post your thoughts.

Whew!

What a summer! It has been one BUSY summer for me. I have loved every minute of it, but my body (and mind) is exhausted. Regardless of that though, I am glad God helped me in so many ways to accomplish His work. And yes, it was because of His blessings that I was able to do the following in the last 7 weeks:

Outrigger Island VBS
ABA Messenger Meeting in Spokane, WA
Kids Kamp Evangelist
Encounter Camp Evangelist
The Journey Team Rec Director

Well, now I can get back to my "normal" routine and hopefully catch up on a few things...yeah right!!!

God Bless America

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people - Proverbs 14:34.

The United States of America is a great nation, and has been preserved for 232 years by God. The young country of 1776 has grown from two million strong to over 300 million, with fifty states, much wealth, and power. The necessities of life are available to all and freedom is granted as a right to each individual citizen. What a truly blessed nation we are. However, can such a nation continue being blessed when abortion, pedophilia, drugs, murder, and a general hatred towards one’s neighbor is the norm? We all know the issues facing our country, but what can be done about it?
Fortunately, we are given the answer in Scripture. To continually be exalted, we must be righteous. Yet, the righteousness spoken of here is that of just principles and actions which seems to be foreign to the train of thought of many Americans. No matter what the pundits say, righteousness is required by God for a nation to be blessed and that righteousness can only be found in Jesus Christ. We as a nation are not righteous, but we as a nation following the Lord Jesus Christ can be righteous.
“Justice, reigning in a nation, puts an honor upon it. A righteous administration of the government, impartial equity between man and man, public countenance given to religion, the general practice and profession of virtue, the protecting and preserving of virtuous men, charity and compassion to strangers, these exalt a nation; they uphold the throne, elevate the people’s minds, and qualify a nation for the favor of God. Vice, reigning in a nation, puts disgrace upon it: Sin is a reproach to any city or kingdom, and renders them despicable among their neighbors. The people of Israel were often instances of both parts of this observation.” (Commentary)
The early leaders of our nation realized morality and righteousness were needed for a nation to truly succeed.
“Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices ?” (George Washington in his farewell address to the nation)
May we as Christians pray for our nation, repent of our sins, allow the righteousness of Christ to lead us, and be the godly citizens the U.S.A. needs!

Fox News Reports...You Decide

Schoolboys punished with detention for refusing to kneel in class and pray to Allah

Two schoolboys were given detention after refusing to kneel down and 'pray to Allah' during a religious education lesson. Parents were outraged that the two boys from year seven (11 to 12-year-olds) were punished for not wanting to take part in the practical demonstration of how Allah is worshipped. They said forcing their children to take part in the exercise at Alsager High School, near Stoke-on-Trent - which included wearing Muslim headgear - was a breach of their human rights.

Alsager School, near Stoke, has received furious complaints from parents after two Year 7 boys were punished for refusing to kneel to Allah during a religious studies class. One parent, Sharon Luinen, said: "This isn't right, it's taking things too far. I understand that they have to learn about other religions. I can live with that but it is taking it a step too far to be punished because they wouldn't join in Muslim prayer. Making them pray to Allah, who isn't who they worship, is wrong and what got me is that they were told they were being disrespectful. I don't want this to look as if I have a problem with the school because I am generally very happy with it."

Another parent Karen Williams said: "I am absolutely furious my daughter was made to take part in it and I don't find it acceptable. I haven't got a problem with them teaching my child other religions and a small amount of information doesn't do any harm. But not only did they have to pray, the teacher had gone into the class and made them watch a short film and then said 'we are now going out to pray to Allah'. Then two boys got detention and all the other children missed their refreshment break because of the teacher. Not only was it forced upon them, my daughter was told off for not doing it right. They'd never done it before and they were supposed to do it in another language."

"My child has been forced to pray to Allah in a school lesson." The grandfather of one of the pupils in the class said: "It's absolutely disgusting, there's no other way of putting it. My daughter and a lot of other mothers are furious about their children being made to kneel on the floor and pray to Islam. If they didn't do it they were given detention. I am not racist, I've been friendly with an Indian for 30 years. I've also been to a Muslim wedding where it was explained to me that alcohol would not be served and I respected that. But if Muslims were asked to go to church on Sunday and take Holy Communion there would be war."

Parents said that their children were made to bend down on their knees on prayer mats which the RE teacher had got out of her cupboard and they were also told to wear Islamic headgear during the lesson on Tuesday afternoon. Deputy headmaster Keith Plant said: "It's difficult to know at the moment whether this was part of the curriculum or not. I am not an RE teacher, I am an English teacher. At the moment it is our enterprise week and many of our members of staff are away. The particular member of staff you need to speak to isn't around. I think that it is a shame that so many parents have got in touch with the Press before coming to me. I have spoken to the teacher and she has articulately given me her version of events, but that is all I can give you at the moment."

A statement from Cheshire County Council on behalf of the school read: "The headteacher David Black contacted this authority immediately complaints were received. Enquiries are being made into the circumstances as a matter of urgency and all parents will be informed accordingly. Educating children in the beliefs of different faith is part of the diversity curriculum on the basis that knowledge is essential to understanding. We accept that such teaching is to be conducted with some sense of sensitivity."

(Thanks Noah for the map!)