Change Has Come

Israel, of course, is in the news daily and under attack regularly.  

Life is never going to be the same for any of us.  I'm truly shocked at the anti-Semitism that is voiced.  I stand with Israel.  I do not agree with a democratic Israel, and I pray for the day Israel is a Torah Theocracy.  I stand in agreement with the democratic state of Israel's right to exist and protect themselves.  They are protecting Jerusalem!  I am Israel, I stand in protection of Jerusalem.

Meanwhile in Laodicea . . .

http://youtu.be/koIBkYl0cHk

http://mobile.wnd.com/2014/08/satanic-black-mass-gets-green-light-from-u-s-city

http://christiannews.net/2014/08/27/alabama-megachurch-builds-26-million-entertainment-center-with-bowling-alley-night-club/

Born That Way?

Scripture does tell us we are all born into sin . . . and there are a number of laws/instruction regarding sexual behavior, so logically speaking, most of us are probably "predisposed" to some sort of sinful sexual interest.  Basically the two hot button political topics, same sex marriage and abortion; stem from Biblically forbidden sexual activity.  That seems to be why so much of our society defends these two issues, now . . . the Bible is open to interpretation . . . or disrespectful disregard.  This has really been happening since the Nicene Council offered Constantine's version of Christianity to the general population.  Interpreting Paul's writings to override Torah was the foundation of what we now see.

The big argument for a time was that folks were born gay, and now that's been legalized and accepted, many of the proponents now claim that anyone can choose to be gay . . . To be honest, my mind doesn't wrap around that particular train of thought.  Since I was born with a sinful nature, I had my own sexual sins, that "born that way" simply didn't excuse.  My sexual sin was not same-sex desire, so I had no excuse or agenda, much less a parade.  It's truly time for some straight talk on the matter, pardon the pun.  Except in the case of a victim of rape or incest, sexual behavior is a choice.  Rape and incest are acts of violence and abuse.  Consensual sex, of any kind, is a choice.

Let's address this "born gay" from a different perspective.  What if the circumstances of the birth caused a problem that led to a feeling of abnormality?  What if the soy formula that was so readily used, did affect the hormonal development of infants?  Research shows, soy does have an effect on hormone levels.  Several situations come to mind, of little boys that ended up being rather effeminate or even stating they are gay, in which there were complications in their birth or allergies to everything but soy.  We know some males are naturally less masculine than others, and some females are naturally less feminine than others.  The theory that a physiological issue or spiritual issue could have been caused by a delivery complication or fed by a bad formula would give that child, as they grew, the notion that they had indeed been born that way.  I knew a nurse who worked in labor and delivery with serious sexual issues and absolutely reeked of a spirit of witchcraft.  How many children were placed in her arms before their mother's?  I wouldn't want my helpless innocent child in her arms.

Based on the idea that it was actually in their chemical make-up, there is the added emotional factor of feeling different.  Truth be told, I think a great many of us realize we're not "normal" pretty early on, and many of us do "use" sex as a means of acceptance or attention, later.  The fact is, the gay agenda is now being promoted and taught in school, while the Bible is banned.  This will only serve to further confuse many young people who may, indeed, have been born a little masculine or feminine, subjected to complications in newborn care, or unnatural hormone issues due to soy formula.

An Arkansas Adventure

Probably no place in the country compares to rush hour in Los Angeles or New York City, but I did experience a shock the other day in my mission to buy goats.  I live about 20 miles from the Arkansas state line, so it's not like going to Arkansas is a day's journey.   Unlike the miles of nothingness the new overpasses have created in Missouri, the progress in Arkansas is in vast contrast.  I'll take this moment to point out the fundamental difference.

The change in Arkansas revolves around a single corporation that was started by a businessman over half a century ago.  The change in Missouri was brought about by government job creation.  I now have a fuller understanding of the true difference between "pro" and "con."  I'm not even going to address what any third generation does to a company they merely inherit, but Arkansas had a visionary that invested his own blood, sweat and tears, resulting in "progress."  Missouri had job creation, by Congress.

BellaVista is just across the Arkansas state line.  It used to be a retirement village, and I guess it still is, but in reality it's now a suburb of Bentonville, Arkansas.  Literally, as I travelled south on 71/49, the BellaVista signs were interspersed with Bentonville signs, then came Rogers, with not so much as a lull in the traffic.  As I continued, I rolled in to Springdale, still no lull in the traffic and no change of scenery to speak of.  Businesses, churches, hospitals, and billboards just lined both sides of the interstate.  There were the exits for the smaller towns, but nothing like the stark highway of Missouri.

The traffic was still bumper to bumper between Springdale and Fayetteville.  The only noticeable difference in 40 miles was the signs along the side of the road that indicated the flow of traffic had now reached a new city limits.  I haven't darkened the door of a Wal*Mart in over a decade, so when I started this article, I had no idea this would actually be a plug for entrepreneurialism vs. government job creation.  Now in retrospect, those businesses in Arkansas appeared to be thriving and the cities have expanded into each other, whereas; the new signs, concrete blockades, and shuttered businesses now stand in Missouri as a haunting tribute to government job creation.

I'm not crazy about what Sam's grandkids are doing with his business, and I don't think their big corporation is deserving of tax breaks, but when I see what my tax dollars went for in Missouri, it's plain to see the difference between Progress and Congress.

A New Low

Our President has never overly impressed me.  I've not been overly impressed with several of our recent leaders, but his treatment of Benjamin Netanyahu is outrageously rude and very disrespectful.
When I read that he is now claiming Netanyahu needs to be weakened to level the negotiation field with the Hamas leader, I find our President to be completely outrageous.

His basic premise is Netanyahu has so much more support of the Israeli people than Hamas has of the Palestinians.  He even said he was sure Mr. Netanyahu's stats with his people were higher than his own here in America.  I can explain that very easily.

When the people of a nation believe their leader has their best interest at heart, they support their leader.  Palestinians should not be supportive of a leadership that uses them as human shields.  President Obama's stats with the American people can be explained easily, also.  The number of Americans who are continuing to have to further tighten their belts while his family enjoys all the grandeur American debt has to offer, is now greater than the people who still believe in his hope and change.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been a warrior and is a dignified statesman, with character far exceeding anyone he's dealing with.  He sends warnings before returning fire.  To say Palestinians are the victims is deception.  To say Israel is to blame is an outright lie.

http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/19774/obama-netanyahu-strong-make-peace/#LkPde06DX1T2UPKR.97

The Church Has Followed Our Society Model

In most conversations amongst believers, the discussion of the world's influence in the church is a foregone conclusion.  What I hadn't really considered before, is that the interactive workings of "the recognized body" exactly replicates the culture of the nation, specifically the economy.  We of course, have the big names with big bucks, but there is also a large crowd of folk who choose their rather "meager lifestyle" while saying G-d provides, but interestingly manage to position themselves in a rather giving group of folk, and have no qualms about making their "needs" and challenges known.

So we've got the top tier telling us to send money for the cause, very much like taxation.  Even in the churches that preach "the law was nailed to the cross," well, all but tithing!  I'm not against a preacher living a comfortable lifestyle if YHWH blesses him with earthly wealth, but if he's a shepherd and his sheep aren't living in the same lifestyle, then either he's a fat shepherd referenced in Ezekiel 34, or his congregation is living in disobedience which should be addressed, or he's fleecing the flock.  The big name preachers really do seem very similar to politicians or celebrities, with their appearance of keeping the right people happy, their distant in-approachability . . . and their bodyguards.

And we've got  a complete tier of folk who have their good intentioned "needs" to contribute.  They speak of the provision of YHWH, but many live an impoverished lifestyle by the choices they make, while receiving the generosity of others.  I knew a woman who was always seeking assistance, usually financial for herself or one of her grown kids.  She always had advice or judgment for others, but she and her family remained in constant need . . .  She literally would have to make the "rounds" as her needs were many and apparently perpetual.  Unlike the government, that records all the handouts, those in religious circles tend to not share their personal contributions to these needs, as that would be boasting or gossip, and so it continues.  I've seen people who fall on hard times and appreciate every bit of assistance in holy stewardship, and I've seen people who receive without Biblical stewardship and need all over again.  There really is a generational welfare system in the body, as well as the government.  The privacy is more protected, but exists, none the less.

 Sadly, there is one more statistical similarity between the body and society.  Just like the present society, the middle tier with real jobs is dwindling and their own living expenses are increasing, while still supporting the upper tier and supplying the ever expanding lower income tier.  Keep in mind, what's collected in the offering plate is also earmarked to keep the lights on and the roof overhead.   I've met some of the big names and read a few of their books, but that was many years ago.  The new pop culture of positive spirituality is a frightening mix of holy with profane, and as for helping those in need . . . I give as Abba lays situations on my heart, then if the same needs continue to arise, I stop at the second mile.  I also consider lifestyle choices when praying about needs.  Falling on hard times is a much different situation than perpetual mismanagement.  Sometimes money management tips and work ethic assistance are a better offering than money.

It's not a sin to be rich, and the poor will always be with us . . . but many are poor by choice and a number of the religious rich are not exactly spending the money on furthering the gospel . . .