The Government Can by Tim Hawkins
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’Tis Jesus’ precious blood
11 hours ago
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Man carrying assault weapon attends Obama protest
PHOENIX – About a dozen people carrying guns, including one with a military-style rifle, milled among protesters outside the convention center where President Barack Obama was giving a speech Monday — the latest incident in which protesters have openly displayed firearms near the president.
Gun-rights advocates say they're exercising their constitutional right to bear arms and protest, while those who argue for more gun control say it could be a disaster waiting to happen.
Phoenix police said the gun-toters at Monday's event, including the man carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, didn't need permits. No crimes were committed, and no one was arrested.
The man with the rifle declined to be identified but told The Arizona Republic that he was carrying the assault weapon because he could. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.
Phoenix police Detective J. Oliver, who monitored the man at the downtown protest, said police also wanted to make sure no one decided to harm him.
"Just by his presence and people seeing the rifle and people knowing the president was in town, it sparked a lot of emotions," Oliver said. "We were keeping peace on both ends."
Last week, during Obama's health care town hall in Portsmouth, N.H., a man carrying a sign reading "It is time to water the tree of liberty" stood outside with a pistol strapped to his leg.
"It's a political statement," he told The Boston Globe. "If you don't use your rights, then you lose your rights."
Police asked the man to move away from school property, but he was not arrested.
Fred Solop, a Northern Arizona University political scientist, said the incidents in New Hampshire and Arizona could signal the beginning of a disturbing trend.
"When you start to bring guns to political rallies, it does layer on another level of concern and significance," Solop said. "It actually becomes quite scary for many people. It creates a chilling effect in the ability of our society to carry on honest communication."
He said he's never heard of someone bringing an assault weapon near a presidential event. "The larger the gun, the more menacing the situation," he said.
Phoenix was Obama's last stop on a four-day tour of western states, including Montana and Colorado.
Authorities in Montana said they received no reports of anyone carrying firearms during Obama's health care town hall near Bozeman on Friday. About 1,000 people both for and against Obama converged at a protest area near the Gallatin Field Airport hangar where the event took place. One person accused of disorderly conduct was detained and released, according to the Gallatin Airport Authority.
Heather Benjamin of Denver's Mesa County sheriff's department, the lead agency during Obama's visit there, said no one was arrested.
Arizona is an "open-carry" state, which means anyone legally allowed to have a firearm can carry it in public as long as it's visible. Only someone carrying a concealed weapon is required to have a permit.
Paul Helmke, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said people should not be allowed to bring guns to events where Obama is.
"To me, this is craziness," he said. "When you bring a loaded gun, particularly a loaded assault rifle, to any political event, but particularly to one where the president is appearing, you're just making the situation dangerous for everyone."
He said people who bring guns to presidential events are distracting the Secret Service and law enforcement from protecting the president. "The more guns we see at more events like this, there's more potential for something tragic happening," he said.
Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said armed demonstrators in open-carry states such as Arizona and New Hampshire have little impact on security plans for the president.
"In both cases, the subject was not entering our site or otherwise attempting to," Donovan said. "They were in a designated public viewing area. The main thing to know is that they would not have been allowed inside with a weapon."
Representatives of the National Rifle Association did not return calls for comment.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Whew!
Well, it has been one of those stretches where there is not enough time to accomplish everything. But God has been good, and all those "things" that had to be finished were finished. Another blessing is that we have Satellite Internet (WildBlue) at the church now. So, instead of fighting over who is going to be on the internet, we have a network and can share the bandwidth...well, I guess I'll share with Kyle!
Well, it has been one of those stretches where there is not enough time to accomplish everything. But God has been good, and all those "things" that had to be finished were finished. Another blessing is that we have Satellite Internet (WildBlue) at the church now. So, instead of fighting over who is going to be on the internet, we have a network and can share the bandwidth...well, I guess I'll share with Kyle!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A New School Year
I will be going to TBI's orientation today and then have a faculty luncheon/meeting followed by more faculty meetings. Tomorrow starts school with a Visitors Day with Bro. Mike Roberts, Marshall, TX as the guest speaker. Classes officially begin Thursday. I'm excited about another year of teaching Logic, Greek, Bible Geography, and Bible Related History. This will make my sixth year of teaching at the seminary. I'm part of the old crowd now...I guess. Either way, I really enjoy teaching there and hope I can keep teaching for many more years.
I will be going to TBI's orientation today and then have a faculty luncheon/meeting followed by more faculty meetings. Tomorrow starts school with a Visitors Day with Bro. Mike Roberts, Marshall, TX as the guest speaker. Classes officially begin Thursday. I'm excited about another year of teaching Logic, Greek, Bible Geography, and Bible Related History. This will make my sixth year of teaching at the seminary. I'm part of the old crowd now...I guess. Either way, I really enjoy teaching there and hope I can keep teaching for many more years.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Some Interesting Thoughts
Thought 1:
Have you ever wondered how Abraham recognized the Lord when he appeared to him in the oak grove in chapter 18 of Genesis? (Remember, Abraham was sitting in the shade of his tent and noticed 3 men standing nearby.) Well, I noticed something this morning that may or may not be new to you, but I thought it was interesting.
Before Genesis 17, it seems that the Lord had only appeared to Abraham one time while He had spoke to Abraham several times. He appeared to Abraham in Genesis 12:7 while Abraham was still young (probably later 80s). However, approximately 10 years pass before the Lord appears to Abraham again (at least from what we have recorded in the Bible). In Genesis 17:1 it states that the Lord appeared to Abraham and made the Abrahamic Covenant with him. (This is also the time where God changed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.) Now here comes the interesting part. In Genesis 17:21 the Lord tells Abraham that Isaac would be born to him "about this time next year." Now remember, the Lord has appeared to Abraham when He says these words "about this time next year." Now in chapter 18, you see Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent in the shade and sees 3 men. Why would he run and fall on his knees before these men? How did he know that it was the Lord? (Now don't get all theological on me...okay?) Well, if you look at Genesis 18:10, you will see where one of the visitors says, "I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son." Then if you look at Genesis 18:14, you will see where the Lord says, "I will return about this time next year and Sarah will have a son."
Okay, now if you put this all together, the time frame between chapter 17 and chapter 18 is short. In fact, it may only be a matter of days between the two chapters. We often think of a great span of time between these two events, but that can't be. In chapter 17, the Lord tells Abraham that would Isaac would be born "about this time next year," and then in chapter 18, the Lord tells Abraham, "I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." So, the two chapters are very close in time. Thus it would have only been days between the two appearances of the Lord to Abraham and would explain how he could recognize the Lord so quickly.
Now on the theological side, I'm sure once the Lord appeared to you, you would never forget it. But it is interesting to see how chapters 17 and 18 are so close together in time.
Thought 2:
In the following verses we see an interesting lesson from the life of Lot.
Genesis 19:17-21 (right before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) -
Vs. 17 - When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, "Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"
Vs. 18 - "Oh no, my lord!" Lot begged.
Vs. 19 - "You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die."
Vs. 20 - "See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don't you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved."
Vs. 21 - "All right," the angel said, "I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village (Zoar)"
Now, it is interesting that Lot was told to escape to the mountains, but he had a better plan. He knew things would work out better for him if he was just able to go live in Zoar. But what really happened?
Genesis 19:30 (after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) -
Vs. 30 - Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters.
Wow. What a surprise. Lot ended up realizing that God's plan was the best one after all. If only Lot had followed God's plan from the very beginning!!! But how often are we like Lot? How often do we tell God that we have a better plan only to later end up exactly where we should have been all along? Maybe we should just listen to God from the "get-go" and do exactly as He says. It might save us some trouble and embarrassment too!
Thought 1:
Have you ever wondered how Abraham recognized the Lord when he appeared to him in the oak grove in chapter 18 of Genesis? (Remember, Abraham was sitting in the shade of his tent and noticed 3 men standing nearby.) Well, I noticed something this morning that may or may not be new to you, but I thought it was interesting.
Before Genesis 17, it seems that the Lord had only appeared to Abraham one time while He had spoke to Abraham several times. He appeared to Abraham in Genesis 12:7 while Abraham was still young (probably later 80s). However, approximately 10 years pass before the Lord appears to Abraham again (at least from what we have recorded in the Bible). In Genesis 17:1 it states that the Lord appeared to Abraham and made the Abrahamic Covenant with him. (This is also the time where God changed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.) Now here comes the interesting part. In Genesis 17:21 the Lord tells Abraham that Isaac would be born to him "about this time next year." Now remember, the Lord has appeared to Abraham when He says these words "about this time next year." Now in chapter 18, you see Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent in the shade and sees 3 men. Why would he run and fall on his knees before these men? How did he know that it was the Lord? (Now don't get all theological on me...okay?) Well, if you look at Genesis 18:10, you will see where one of the visitors says, "I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son." Then if you look at Genesis 18:14, you will see where the Lord says, "I will return about this time next year and Sarah will have a son."
Okay, now if you put this all together, the time frame between chapter 17 and chapter 18 is short. In fact, it may only be a matter of days between the two chapters. We often think of a great span of time between these two events, but that can't be. In chapter 17, the Lord tells Abraham that would Isaac would be born "about this time next year," and then in chapter 18, the Lord tells Abraham, "I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." So, the two chapters are very close in time. Thus it would have only been days between the two appearances of the Lord to Abraham and would explain how he could recognize the Lord so quickly.
Now on the theological side, I'm sure once the Lord appeared to you, you would never forget it. But it is interesting to see how chapters 17 and 18 are so close together in time.
Thought 2:
In the following verses we see an interesting lesson from the life of Lot.
Genesis 19:17-21 (right before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) -
Vs. 17 - When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, "Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"
Vs. 18 - "Oh no, my lord!" Lot begged.
Vs. 19 - "You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die."
Vs. 20 - "See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don't you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved."
Vs. 21 - "All right," the angel said, "I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village (Zoar)"
Now, it is interesting that Lot was told to escape to the mountains, but he had a better plan. He knew things would work out better for him if he was just able to go live in Zoar. But what really happened?
Genesis 19:30 (after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah) -
Vs. 30 - Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters.
Wow. What a surprise. Lot ended up realizing that God's plan was the best one after all. If only Lot had followed God's plan from the very beginning!!! But how often are we like Lot? How often do we tell God that we have a better plan only to later end up exactly where we should have been all along? Maybe we should just listen to God from the "get-go" and do exactly as He says. It might save us some trouble and embarrassment too!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Circumcision vs. Tithing?
I may have caught myself in a logical "hole." I have used the argument that tithing was instituted before the Law was given to the Israelites, thus tithing is still in effect today. However, if that is the case, then would not circumcision still be a requirement because it was instituted before the Law was given as well. Yes, tithing was freely done by Abraham towards Melchizidek (a representative of God) while the circumcision was specifically commanded by God to Abraham. But does that change the dilemma? Also, in the New Testament, we see where circumcision was not to be put "around the necks" of the Gentiles. So which is it? Do we use the Old Testament to prove tithing, or do we look for New Testament passages?
And by the way, at this point, I'm still a pro-tither. But maybe I need to rethink some of my arguments.
I may have caught myself in a logical "hole." I have used the argument that tithing was instituted before the Law was given to the Israelites, thus tithing is still in effect today. However, if that is the case, then would not circumcision still be a requirement because it was instituted before the Law was given as well. Yes, tithing was freely done by Abraham towards Melchizidek (a representative of God) while the circumcision was specifically commanded by God to Abraham. But does that change the dilemma? Also, in the New Testament, we see where circumcision was not to be put "around the necks" of the Gentiles. So which is it? Do we use the Old Testament to prove tithing, or do we look for New Testament passages?
And by the way, at this point, I'm still a pro-tither. But maybe I need to rethink some of my arguments.
Monday, August 03, 2009
New Witnessing Tool?
Apparently believing that religious competition in the Middle East is not exciting enough already, the television station Kanal T in Istanbul, Turkey, is preparing a reality game show for September release in which 10 certified atheists try to resist conversion by a priest, a rabbi, a Muslim imam and a Buddhist monk. The exact rules have not been disclosed, but the "winning" convert will receive an expense-paid trip to the holy land of the most persuasive religion (the Vatican, Jerusalem, Mecca or Tibet). According to a July Reuters report, Turkey's Islamic Religious Affairs Directorate, not surprisingly, had vowed never to co-operate. [Reuters, 7-3-09]
Taken from News of the Weird.
Apparently believing that religious competition in the Middle East is not exciting enough already, the television station Kanal T in Istanbul, Turkey, is preparing a reality game show for September release in which 10 certified atheists try to resist conversion by a priest, a rabbi, a Muslim imam and a Buddhist monk. The exact rules have not been disclosed, but the "winning" convert will receive an expense-paid trip to the holy land of the most persuasive religion (the Vatican, Jerusalem, Mecca or Tibet). According to a July Reuters report, Turkey's Islamic Religious Affairs Directorate, not surprisingly, had vowed never to co-operate. [Reuters, 7-3-09]
Taken from News of the Weird.
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