Tom Cryer took his case to court and he won. Let's re-phrase that: the IRS took Tom Cryer to court and lost. Big time.
There is no law, nor could there be, that gives the federal government a piece of you for simply exercising your God-given right to work and exchange your life and efforts for property.
There is NO LAW.
The "show us the law" petition is now obsolete. It's out there for all of Creation to see. By legal sophistry and brute force, our so-called "representatives" and our so-called "impartial" judges have conspired to rip off working Americans, who create and, by law, own the wealth in this country.
Now there is a website to orchestrate the propagation of this message: http://www.truthattack.org.
Go there, sign up, join in, TAKE ACTION. We simply cannot afford to do nothing and leave a slavery plantation to our children and grandchildren.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Why Does God Permit Evil?
I cranked off quite the essay on this topic about a week ago, then immersed myself totally in a week-long HTML experience, punctuated regularly by one or more of my three grand-daughters who clamored for immediate attention.
Then, four days ago, I rekindled a friendship with a Christian brother currently living in Florida, and a flurry of 28 emails ensued. He's involved in prison ministry and also in League of the South. He also approved of my sentiments regarding our "Woos-ified 'Jesus' " and I hope he passes the link around. I've heard quite a few sermons in my almost-60 years, and NEVER heard one that addressed the rugged masculinity of Jesus and His disciples. I'm confident there are some sermons like that out there, and I would bet that they are all of VERY recent vintage. For myself, I've tuned out almost all of it, except R.C. Sproul and Ravi Zacharias.
My views on evil are posted at http://www.rogershermansociety.org/whyevil.htm and I won't repeat them here. And I'm not sure I'll even agree with them here. A pure Reformed theology postulates that if God is sovereign, he is sovereign over ALL. I can't freely choose what color socks to wear; it's all overruled by God.
I'm not willing to go quite that far. I can allow for 'free will' that doesn't touch moral issues. And when you see the article I just referenced, you'll realize there could be (and I believe there is) a metaphysical aspect to the issue that doesn't even occur to most of us.
The only reason I bring it up is because I'm hoping someone will stumble into either this blog or the article and will offer some refining or clarifying thoughts. The 'average' Christian certainly won't, but I think there are a few thinkers out there who have abandoned our Christianized civil religion and are willing to consider the matter on its merits.
And after I get all this HTML taken care of and my new book is 'officially' published, I should be able, by God's abundant grace, to direct a little more energy in these metaphysical pursuits.
Then, four days ago, I rekindled a friendship with a Christian brother currently living in Florida, and a flurry of 28 emails ensued. He's involved in prison ministry and also in League of the South. He also approved of my sentiments regarding our "Woos-ified 'Jesus' " and I hope he passes the link around. I've heard quite a few sermons in my almost-60 years, and NEVER heard one that addressed the rugged masculinity of Jesus and His disciples. I'm confident there are some sermons like that out there, and I would bet that they are all of VERY recent vintage. For myself, I've tuned out almost all of it, except R.C. Sproul and Ravi Zacharias.
My views on evil are posted at http://www.rogershermansociety.org/whyevil.htm and I won't repeat them here. And I'm not sure I'll even agree with them here. A pure Reformed theology postulates that if God is sovereign, he is sovereign over ALL. I can't freely choose what color socks to wear; it's all overruled by God.
I'm not willing to go quite that far. I can allow for 'free will' that doesn't touch moral issues. And when you see the article I just referenced, you'll realize there could be (and I believe there is) a metaphysical aspect to the issue that doesn't even occur to most of us.
The only reason I bring it up is because I'm hoping someone will stumble into either this blog or the article and will offer some refining or clarifying thoughts. The 'average' Christian certainly won't, but I think there are a few thinkers out there who have abandoned our Christianized civil religion and are willing to consider the matter on its merits.
And after I get all this HTML taken care of and my new book is 'officially' published, I should be able, by God's abundant grace, to direct a little more energy in these metaphysical pursuits.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Dear Church -- ready for grad school?
Sometimes the lights come on.
I'm convinced that there are a whole lot less true Christians in this country than we've been led to believe. And I really don't expect much from unbelievers, no matter how well disguised they are.
But I've still believed there is a solid core of authentic disciples in this country; people who have earnestly repented, who are submitted to the LORD Jesus Christ, who study their Bibles and live out their faith. These have cried before the Throne of God for national deliverance, for a revival -- anything to stop our accelerating slide into the abyss.
But the beat goes on, the pace increases, and we watch the sign-posts of debauchery whiz past even faster. Things that were unthinkable even ten years ago (need I elaborate) are now happening. Christ is the only one who can stop the insanity, and He doesn't seem willing to do so.
And I wondered, "why not?"
Well, I decided to review my history, and I noticed a pattern: the periods of glory in the history of the church were times of persecution. For the church in America to be refined, we MUST be persecuted.
Christ is sending us to grad school.
We've had "Christianity on the cheap" for as long as I've been around (just shy of 60 years). "Just believe in Jesus" has been a mantra for a while now. The visible church has become a marketplace, and it's easy, even respectable, to be a "Christian." We've had cassettes, Bible book stores, Christian web sites, TV shows and radio programs. Let's face it, the average Christian has been washed with Bible teaching, and has also been exposed to every flaky theology to come down the pike.
And now it's about time for the rinse cycle.
Biblical Christianity is about to be criminalized in this country. Between "hate crimes" legislation and the "war on terror," large numbers of people will be rounded up and jailed. Lots of "Christians" will, of course, decide that the price tag is a little higher than "easy believism" led them to believe, and they will simply recant.
For the rest, the hot refining fires of persecution will do what persecution has always done.
So I think it's probably time we abandon the idea that Christianity, or even common decency, will be returning to America any time soon. God's plan seems to be that His people will be preserved through the rigors of an Americanized Babylonian captivity. Yes, it will be arduous and yes, some of us will die under less than pleasant circumstances. But those outside will live in cities whose streets flow with blood, and the unrestrained judgments of God will fall unrestrained on them.
When the dust settles, He will lead us out, and we will finally have become the people He wants us to be.
As Paul said, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God," (Acts 14:22) and "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12)
What Every Job-Seeker Should Know: http://www.transitioncoachingforall.com
I'm convinced that there are a whole lot less true Christians in this country than we've been led to believe. And I really don't expect much from unbelievers, no matter how well disguised they are.
But I've still believed there is a solid core of authentic disciples in this country; people who have earnestly repented, who are submitted to the LORD Jesus Christ, who study their Bibles and live out their faith. These have cried before the Throne of God for national deliverance, for a revival -- anything to stop our accelerating slide into the abyss.
But the beat goes on, the pace increases, and we watch the sign-posts of debauchery whiz past even faster. Things that were unthinkable even ten years ago (need I elaborate) are now happening. Christ is the only one who can stop the insanity, and He doesn't seem willing to do so.
And I wondered, "why not?"
Well, I decided to review my history, and I noticed a pattern: the periods of glory in the history of the church were times of persecution. For the church in America to be refined, we MUST be persecuted.
Christ is sending us to grad school.
We've had "Christianity on the cheap" for as long as I've been around (just shy of 60 years). "Just believe in Jesus" has been a mantra for a while now. The visible church has become a marketplace, and it's easy, even respectable, to be a "Christian." We've had cassettes, Bible book stores, Christian web sites, TV shows and radio programs. Let's face it, the average Christian has been washed with Bible teaching, and has also been exposed to every flaky theology to come down the pike.
And now it's about time for the rinse cycle.
Biblical Christianity is about to be criminalized in this country. Between "hate crimes" legislation and the "war on terror," large numbers of people will be rounded up and jailed. Lots of "Christians" will, of course, decide that the price tag is a little higher than "easy believism" led them to believe, and they will simply recant.
For the rest, the hot refining fires of persecution will do what persecution has always done.
So I think it's probably time we abandon the idea that Christianity, or even common decency, will be returning to America any time soon. God's plan seems to be that His people will be preserved through the rigors of an Americanized Babylonian captivity. Yes, it will be arduous and yes, some of us will die under less than pleasant circumstances. But those outside will live in cities whose streets flow with blood, and the unrestrained judgments of God will fall unrestrained on them.
When the dust settles, He will lead us out, and we will finally have become the people He wants us to be.
As Paul said, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God," (Acts 14:22) and "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12)
What Every Job-Seeker Should Know: http://www.transitioncoachingforall.com
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Our "Woos-ified" Jesus
I am becoming more aware of, and more concerned about, the picture of Christ that we -- His children -- reflect to the world. "Niceness" has become, at least in the American Christian sub-culture, the consummate virtue, trumping courage, boldness, and honesty. For the most part, the good Christian man is sweet and docile. Rugged, 'biker-dude' masculinity is passe.
But what about Jesus? I considered the lyrics to what has become one of our standard praise choruses in the church:
Substitute any other man's name in the verse above. What do you get? I'd call it "A Paean to a Pansy."
Jesus was not "sweet" and "lovely." He was a rugged and thoroughly masculine man. A lumberjack, a work-and-sweat laborer. When a carpenter built something in ancient Israel, he didn't run down to the lumber store. He cut down a tree -- by hand -- and proceeded from there. No Skil saws or power tools.
Similarly, Jesus' friends were heavy dudes. Fishermen who worked all night with hands and shoulders and backs. Do your homework and see for yourself how these people lived.
And yet, we portray Jesus and His disciples as soft and lovely, in our music and in our art.
Listen, folks. Jesus Christ is no wimp, and we give Him an insult if we portray Him as such. Christian men need to become the most manly people on the planet. Don't let either the world or the wimps in the Christian establishment define YOUR Christianity.
http://www.rogershermansociety.com
But what about Jesus? I considered the lyrics to what has become one of our standard praise choruses in the church:
"Jesus" is the sweetest name I know
And He's just the same ... as His lovely name
That's the reason why I love Him so,
"Jesus" is the sweetest name I know.
Substitute any other man's name in the verse above. What do you get? I'd call it "A Paean to a Pansy."
Jesus was not "sweet" and "lovely." He was a rugged and thoroughly masculine man. A lumberjack, a work-and-sweat laborer. When a carpenter built something in ancient Israel, he didn't run down to the lumber store. He cut down a tree -- by hand -- and proceeded from there. No Skil saws or power tools.
Similarly, Jesus' friends were heavy dudes. Fishermen who worked all night with hands and shoulders and backs. Do your homework and see for yourself how these people lived.
And yet, we portray Jesus and His disciples as soft and lovely, in our music and in our art.
Listen, folks. Jesus Christ is no wimp, and we give Him an insult if we portray Him as such. Christian men need to become the most manly people on the planet. Don't let either the world or the wimps in the Christian establishment define YOUR Christianity.
http://www.rogershermansociety.com
Friday, March 16, 2007
Jeremiah - God's Offer of Reprieve
Jeremiah gives us a view of one of the darkest time in ancient Israel. Hezekiah had been a good king, but his son Manasseh filled Jerusalem with blood from one end to the other. Now Zedekiah was king, and the Babylonians were coming to destroy Jerusalem. In chapter 17 at verse 4, God told His people that they had kindled a fire in His anger that would burn forever.
They should have been terrified!
Of interest is God's offer of forgiveness which, unfortunately, they did not accept. God simply said that if they would just obey the 4th Commandment, which they had been flagrantly violating, he would restore their city and it would remain forever (Jer. 17:19-25). His counsel to them was to observe the Sabbath.
Read the entire article at http://www.rogershermansociety.org/reprieve.htm
They should have been terrified!
Of interest is God's offer of forgiveness which, unfortunately, they did not accept. God simply said that if they would just obey the 4th Commandment, which they had been flagrantly violating, he would restore their city and it would remain forever (Jer. 17:19-25). His counsel to them was to observe the Sabbath.
Read the entire article at http://www.rogershermansociety.org/reprieve.htm
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Life Without Limbs
I was recently sent a link that introduced me to the life and ministry of Nick Vujicic. I can't add much to the content of the videos posted here: http://www.dawneden.com/2006/09/no-arms-no-legs-no-worries.html.
Monday, March 5, 2007
What about "The Secret"?
The latest fad amongst the network marketers (and others) is "The Secret" - a DVD and book combination created and marketed by Rhonda Byrne. I've seen it several times, and just read a scorching review of it and one of its new proponents -- Oprah Winfrey -- by actor/writer Peter Birkenhead. Check it out at
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2007/03/05/the_secret/.
As I've said previously (not in this blog, and it's not original with me), 90% of the stuff in rat poison is good for the rat. I doubt that 90% of "The Secret" is good for the person honestly seeking to improve his life. And fortunately, most of the really toxic stuff is blatantly obvious.
This is NOT a world where you can get what you want just by wishing for it. And there IS a final judgment.
But there are a few things RIGHT with "The Secret." Building your attitude on gratitude instead of grumbling will make the world a better place. And I don't think any vision is too big. You CAN become what you want ... sorta. It's unlikely that all the kids aspiring to become the President will do so. Still, there is no reason not to aspire to greatness.
I expect there will be a lot of responses to "The Secret" now that it's become part of "Oprah Consciousness" and has become a best-seller. And I'll be looking for a solid, Biblical response to the New Age psychobabble therein. But let's remember that even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Our "Secret" as Christians is, of course, no secret at all. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." And "Blessed is the man ... who meditates on God's law day and night .... whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1). In short, build your foundation in God's Kingdom and enjoy the fruits thereof. And, like the genie in "The Secret," there is NO LIMIT to the blessings.
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2007/03/05/the_secret/.
As I've said previously (not in this blog, and it's not original with me), 90% of the stuff in rat poison is good for the rat. I doubt that 90% of "The Secret" is good for the person honestly seeking to improve his life. And fortunately, most of the really toxic stuff is blatantly obvious.
This is NOT a world where you can get what you want just by wishing for it. And there IS a final judgment.
But there are a few things RIGHT with "The Secret." Building your attitude on gratitude instead of grumbling will make the world a better place. And I don't think any vision is too big. You CAN become what you want ... sorta. It's unlikely that all the kids aspiring to become the President will do so. Still, there is no reason not to aspire to greatness.
I expect there will be a lot of responses to "The Secret" now that it's become part of "Oprah Consciousness" and has become a best-seller. And I'll be looking for a solid, Biblical response to the New Age psychobabble therein. But let's remember that even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Our "Secret" as Christians is, of course, no secret at all. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." And "Blessed is the man ... who meditates on God's law day and night .... whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1). In short, build your foundation in God's Kingdom and enjoy the fruits thereof. And, like the genie in "The Secret," there is NO LIMIT to the blessings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
