There is little doubt that Shania is the epitome of feminine beauty. She's rich, she's hot, and she's Canadian. She's also the quintessential girl-next-door who happened to make it very big. Here are a few of my favorite Shania pictures. Feel free to use them as screensavers!
Johnny Cash
I thought these two circle graphs were hilarious and pretty much bang-on. You can view the original here.
Johnny Cash
If there was one characteristic that you could ask for and receive in abundance, what would it be? For me, the answer is courage. Think of all the positive attributes you'd want to have. Resiliency. Even tempered. A quiet confidence. The assurance that you are loved and are capable of giving love. Every single one of these attributes begins with courage.
Now think of all the negative attributes none of us want yet still possess: Fear - not really sheer mortal terror necessarily, more like a perpetual feeling of your heart being in your throat. The insecurity of feeling unlovable or an unwillingness to reciprocate for fear of rejection. On and on the list goes. What's causing that sense of fear and rejection? Let's look at Psalm 139:23-24:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Why Do We Consistently Miss Out On Life?
There are likely two reasons for this. Number one, we have unconfessed sin in our lives. This is usually some sordid action or harsh word that we refuse to deal with. Most Christians if they're honest will have taken that immediate step. But what if the problem runs deeper?
Why The Constant Sense of Foreboding?
Are you growing in your walk with Jesus Christ? So many miss out on God's blessings because of our spiritual and emotional immaturity. Take a look at the above scripture and let's ask ourselves a hard question: How well do I know myself? Have I done a recent personal inventory of my life? If so, am I going to like what I see? We carry around too much emotional baggage that we need to jettison before God can begin the healing process.
How Well Does God Know Us?
Lets look at some earlier verses of Psalm 139:
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
As promised I will give my insight into what happened in 2008 and what that will mean in the upcoming year.
First and Foremost
I hope everybody survived the holiday season. Christmas is not unlike a roller coaster: A long wait leading to an exhilarated rush followed by an overwhelming desire to get off the second it ends. January is a time when many couples call it quits, whether they be married or unmarried. Nobody wants to be the Grinch by pulling the plug just before Christmas and New Year. Hence the reason why many delay the inevitable until January.
Man of the Year: Barack Obama
Of this there is little doubt. Although Michael Phelps had an unprecedented eight gold medals and the lovely Sarah (You betcha!) Palin made quite the impression, it is clear that President-Elect Obama is the man for 2008. Once President Obama assumes office, harsh realities will be front and centre. When looking at President Bush, it's clear that the office of POTUS ages a man like gasoline on fire. Mr. Obama is still a young man but even after four years (never mind the distinct possibility of eight), he will have a few grey hairs to show for it. Four years in the White House ages a man by at least a decade.
Musings on Democracy and the American Republic
Democracy is tyranny. How many of us know this rather salient political point? If 'rights' can be invented or nullified (and therefore abused) by a mere majority vote, how can that not be tyranny? Democracy was never meant to be an absolute, hence the reason why government powers must be curtailed. I think the Americans got it right. If more and more power is concentrated into fewer and fewer hands, liberty becomes endangered. Winston Churchill, never a shy man when it came to the art of bloviating, said it best:
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried (from time to time).
What Mr. Churchill was eluding to was the tendency towards dictatorship and as an indictment of Man's corrupt nature. It was never meant as a green light for the rich and the powerful to undermine a republic if that republic (meaning her government and her people) stands in the way of their internationalist ambitions. What I fear - with the liberal media being the chief enablers - is that's exactly what's going to happen. Many will interpret an Obama victory as a blank cheque to re-engineer America into their own humanistic and global worldview. A kind of secular-progressive jihad will be waged against America's Christian roots, a battle which will tear the world's most freest sovereign republic to shreds.
Peace In Our Time (Yes We Can? No We Can't!)
Gaza and Israel are once more in the crosshairs of the diplomatic world. The Palestinians in Gaza WERE given their land in 2005 and have been nothing but a constant thorn in Israel's side since. The godless Left, who never met a dictatorship they didn't like, has come roaring to the rescue. Not to the Israelis of course, but to the likes of Hamas! None of which surprises to those who keep a tab on the Left's movements.
This is an ongoing regional conflict in the Holy Land. We must remember however the danger is one of escalation. So long as the superpowers stay out it will remain a regional conflict. I've argued before that the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is largely a static one. Neither side is capable of victory because of their overarching tactical familiarity with one another. There's no reason to believe this most recent military incursion by the IDF is going to any different. This is going to continue for some time minus the happy ending.
The End of History (The Marxist Dream That Will Not Die)
History will end all right. Just not in the way that people expect. Marx taught that capitalism will fade away to be replaced by a socialist new world order. The problem is it's not going to happen. The rise of globalism shows that capitalism is waxing, not waning. The Bible does not teach that things are going to get better, but rather the reverse:
For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
(1 Thessalonians 5:2-5)
'The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night'. That ought to send a jolt of lightning to every liberal supporter. The expectation that history will come to an abrupt end the second Bush 43 leaves office is but pure fantasy. Not only will it not end, there's every reason to believe it will accelerate like never before. 2009 will be a year of destiny for Bible prophecy to converge on a mass scale. The theme for this year? FULL STEAM AHEAD!
Johnny Cash
I've been having problems recently with my computer, hence no recent posts in the past two weeks. I intend to get it fixed sometime this week so I can get back to regular blogging. In the meantime, I offer you my humble assessment of the question of illegal immigration.
The Bone-Headed Assumptions of the Far Left
The likes of the ACLU drive me insane. The foundation these lefties rest on is that America is an inherently racist nation and that Americans are mean-spirited. This for not allowing Mexicans to flow across their southern border. Are Americans such horrible lot for depriving illegals of their freedom and a right to make a living? Absolutely not! Here are three reasons why the security of international borders in free nations is of utmost importance.
Open Borders Enables Criminal Activity
In the rose-colored world that leftists occupy, it is inconceivable that some would arrive here with less than noble intentions. The so-called freedom that these malcontents seek isn't a new life, it's often to flee a record or to proliferate their criminal activities. Commodities such as drugs, firearms and alcohol are part of the international trade that crosses our borders each day. And that's just the legal stuff! Rum runners, cocaine smugglers and the sale of military style weapons to thugs are mixed in with the legal movement of goods. Is it racist to suggest that this trade is one that ought to be rigourously monitored and defeated? The answer is clearly no.
Open Borders Enable the Sex Trade
Another dirty little secret the defenders of open borders won't tell you. I would bet with an absolute certainty that a significant number of strippers, massage parlour attendants, escorts and street prostitutes have arrived in the country illegally. Naive women from Asia or Eastern Europe are told they'll be working with children - a nanny for instance - only to be given the cruel 'bait and switch' treatment as soon as they arrive. I'm not talking about lands far away, I'm talking about this going in Brampton and Mississauga! So long as these 'erotic dancers' are young enough (some under the age of 18) and reasonably good-looking she's put to work - no questions asked. Is it mean-spirited to put this to a halt?
Open Borders Enable Human Trafficking
Whereas the sex trade exploits young women in particular, human trafficking is much broader in its scope. Stories of illegal construction workers in the 905 suburbs come to mind. What happens to these workers if they suffer a significant injury on the job? How does a worker refuse dangerous work when they aren't properly qualified or sufficiently equipped to do? Under normal circumstances, labor laws protect the worker from these dangers. In the case of illegals, they have no such protection and are completely vulnerable to predatory employers. Sweatshop owners have the illegal at their mercy with no recourse or appeal. No wonder so many business owners love unsecure borders!
Who's the Open Targets Then?
We are. So are those who come here thinking the streets are paved with gold. Open borders enable human misery, period. Of course, there's money to be made in all this misery. A lot of it. Where there's money, there's competition. Where there's competition, there usually is violence and truly reprehensible behaviour that no freedom-loving society should tolerate. The only thing we are depriving of anybody is dangerous and risky consequences. Americans are not mean-spirited. If anything, they are generous and trusting to a fault. So forgive me if I don't buy the leftist rhetoric on illegal immigration. Will they take heed of my sage advice? Not on your life.
Johnny Cash
This is the final part of a trilogy on relationships. Though currently single myself, I feel blessed to share some Godly wisdom when it comes to human relationships. For earlier reference, I strongly suggest you read these two posts before continuing:
The Most Beautiful Woman in the World
The Most Interesting Man in the World
Two Problems: Not Enough or Too Much
What exactly do I mean by this? As I said before, the quickest way to scuttle a courtship is to enforce a rigid and unforgiving equality. It's balance, not 'equality' that men and women seek.
Not Enough! Not Enough!!
Alas men, this happens in the majority instance. Not flattering I know, but we men must face up to reality. Despite the feminist caterwauling that you hear, women want a guy that's confident and assured. A weak man is one that willfully abdicates his responsibilities leaving a frustrated woman in his wake. You don't have to be the strong and silent Clint Eastwood type you see in the movies. Show backbone and be a man of principles and have a stout heart. A weak and indecisive male forces her to be the decision maker. Thus it emasculates him further and the vicious cycle trends downwards. Which leads me to my next point.
Too Much: The Oprah Winfrey Scenario
I feel for Steadman Graham. No man should tolerate such humiliation from a woman. Again, the key word here is balance! Is Oprah trying to be both the man and the woman in the relationship? No wonder Mr. Graham feels overwhelmed! While this is a minority scenario, sadly I see this trending upward. There's nothing wrong with a woman who wishes to take the lead from time to time. Some men may even prefer such a strong women! However, the woman should not lead all the time, every time. Let him have the reigns once in a while! You won't regret it.
Too Much (Part Two): The Marginalized Woman
Guys, listen to me. Make sure that she is fully included in the decision making process. I cannot stress this point enough. The imbalance here is not that the male is not exercising leadership. Indeed, he is exercising too much! Get rid of the 'Little Hitler' syndrome and your woman will be eternally grateful. The woman must be given a place as an equal partner at the table. She may (or may not) defer the decision to her partner, but by making sure she gets a full say - not a partial one - will make her feel as a treasured partner. Her feminine insight is to be sought after and valued. A man should lead a woman by the most delicate of strings, not a heavy chain.
Word to the Wise to Those Who Advance Same-Sex Relationships
Am I about to deliver a homophobic rant? Absolutely not! However, I'd be remiss if I didn't include this. I have often used the term 'balance' to describe the perfect relationship. The problem of a gay marriage is this: It is in a state of permanent and entrenched imbalance. Furthermore, there is no antidote to this problem. Though the courts have given gays the legal right to marry, this doesn't mean that it's right nor does it indicate long-term success. A man cannot complement a man and a woman cannot complement a woman. These are the hard facts, not hate speech! Reality has such a horrible habit of offending delicate secular-progressive sensibilities!
Johnny Cash
What's good for the goose is good for the gander as they say. This is a continuation of my earlier post of the most beautiful woman.
Bond. James Bond. Aside from Clive Owen, what actor wouldn't want to be the famed British super-spy? Of course, this post isn't about the Bond franchise or Daniel Craig. It's about you men out there who want women to swoon over them. Or at least get a date. We guys want to be 007. Most of us end up like Don Adams from Get Smart instead.
First the Preliminaries ......
Get a job. Burn all your disco clothes. Learn to drive a car - preferably your own. Buy yourself a spiffy shirt and look sharp. Polish your shoes. Shower using soap. Freshen your breath. Cut your fingernails for the first date and your toenails for the second. Be polite. Open doors for her. If she has class she'll take it as a compliment. If not, forget about her. Clutching and grabbing may be appropriate in some sports but not on a date.
Five Key Points to Consider
One: Learn to Appreciate Women
Believe it or not, many gay men do a better job of this then their hetero counterparts! Be someone who genuinely appreciates women for what they are. Women want to be treated as a lady, not like one of your poker buddies. Many men think that constantly lusting after every pretty thing is appreciation. It isn't! It tends to be more like leering and regarding them as you would a piece of meat. Such crude behaviour should be put away. Loving women requires spiritual maturity, an ingredient most men sadly lack.
Two: Get Rid of Your Anger and Submit to God
I see this more often then I care to admit. Men who love their women but harbor bitterness and resentment towards them. Whether it comes from early childhood or a string of broken relationships, unresolved anger will almost always come home to roost. Sure, frustration will set in from time to time. However, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IS UNACCEPTABLE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. If you have anger in your heart, don't deal with it by yourself. Give your weakness to God and He will give you strength. A man with an angry spirit has no space in his heart for the Holy Spirit. A good man is always a godly man.
Three: Don't Be A Wuss! - The Glory of Meekness
Guys, women have radar when it comes to this. A weak and indecisive male is one that women will steer clear of. Understand that meekness isn't weakness! It's strength under control. Women aren't neccessarily looking for the proverbial 'Big Man on Campus' alpha male. What they're looking for is a man of principles who's willing to take a moral stand. A guy without a brain, heart or spine is someone that's going to be lonely for a long time.
Four: Avoid Mean-Spiritedness and Overt Cynicism
A lack of empathy towards your fellow man is a huge turnoff for most women. Empathy is not defined as being 'nice' to others when they're nice to you. That's easy! Empathy is showing grace and forgiveness to somene even though it's undeserved. By all means, a man should be a doormat to no-one (see above). However, a woman will not tolerate a man with a sadistic streak. For she knows full well that that cruelty will one day be visited on her. Not cool.
Five: Money, Money, Money!
Turns out you do have to have some to get by. Not all women are looking for someone who's filthy rich. What they're looking for is a man who is a good steward of their money, whether it be a little or a lot. A splurger reveals someone who is insecure and lacks discipline. In other words, they appear weak (Point #3). A miserly penny-pincher is someone hiding a mean streak (Point #4). Women want a guy with a generous spirit yet can still live within a budget. Where the heart of a man truly lies is where his money will go.
Johnny Cash
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
(Proverbs 31:10-12)
This post is not about Shania Twain. Mind you, it does give me a good excuse to post one of her pictures. A woman with long flowing hair while wearing a long dress is the picture of femininity.
I May Be Going Out On A Bit of a Limb Here
So what's a guy like me offering you ladies advice? Please delay your judgement and give me a chance. My true purpose of this post is to make YOU the most beautiful woman in the world. Unless you happen to be male in which case pay careful attention!
First the Bad News
May as well get this out of the way before we can proceed. The simple fact is that both the fashion and cosmetics industry are billion dollar businesses and that isn't going to change anytime soon. Now you still have to take care of yourself. So don't throw away all your toiletries just yet. Showering/Bathing on a regular basis is also strongly recommended. Physical beauty matters to men but that alone is not enough. So presentation is still important but it's not absolutely critical to feminine beauty! There's gotta be some substance there too!
Before we get to our main point, let's look at .......
THREE FATAL RELATIONSHIP MISTAKES MANY WOMEN MAKE
One: Personality Matters
Now is it just me, or do most feminists scare off men? You know the ones I'm talking about. Women with a huge chip on their shoulder whilst carrying an ideological axe to grind (against men) and a permanent rain cloud over their heads. Strangely enough, that intimidates us. You don't necessarily have to perky or happy all the time. Just don't be continually gloomy or melancholy. Put away those chips, axes and rain clouds and us men will endear you. We like women who exude positive energy and are a pleasure to be around. That 'Me Against the World' attitude is one that all men will find distinctly unattractive.
Two: Conformity Leads to Emasculation
This is a big one that many women stumble upon. Ladies, a simple basic doctrine needs to be taught here. Men are men and will remain so indefinitely. While we appreciate your efforts to expand our horizons and have us get in touch with our emotions, please don't treat us like we're one of your girlfriends. We're not. Attempting to conform your special guy into some fantasy role that strictly pleases you will cause nothing but pain and anguish. Love should set you free, not imprison you. You wouldn't like it if we told you how to dress, talk and act. Be kind and extend the same courtesy to us.
Three: Don't Be Like Us. There's Plenty Enough Testosterone Out There Without You Adding to it.
Here's a shocker: Men like the fact that women are fundamentally different from us. Please don't be like us in order to please us. Let the man be the man and the woman be the woman. It's really not that hard a concept. Guard against excesses and things will flow a lot more naturally. It's balance, not a rigid equality that makes a healthy relationship grow.
What Makes a Woman Irresistable to Men?
A Study in Contrasts: Camilla vs. Diana
At first glance, it seems strange that when Charles and Di were having their marital problems that Charles would seek solace in Camilla's arms. Clearly Diana was the far more attractive of the two. Why then Camilla? I'll tell you why: Camilla appreciated Charles' masculine traits far better than Diana ever did. And that's the key. The woman whom men will chase after is one that appreciates and admires masculinity for what it is, rather than what she would want it to be. The irresistable woman genuinely enjoys men for who they are and withholds harsh judgement. The man that doesn't stray is one whose woman takes an interest while still giving him his space. Smother him and he'll leave. Ignore him and he'll stray. The irresistable woman makes her man feel important. My final advice? Be our greatest fans and we'll be more than happy to reciprocate.
All hail Shania, the Canadian Country Queen!
Johnny Cash
What's hotter than an Asian woman? An Asian woman who can fight. Therefore, the only thing hotter than that is TWO Asian women fighting each other. Compliments of Rotten Tomatoes are 25 best action heroines that kicked ass and took no prisoners.
Here's Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Zhang Ziyi is the younger one in white and Michelle Yeoh is wearing lavender. Both are just as equally deadly. Oh my God I'm in love! Mind you, I wouldn't try to touch either one without permission.
Here's the veteran Michelle:
And here's the lovely Zhang Ziyi:
Hope you enjoyed the fight scene. I'll something a bit more substantive for you this weekend. Happy Birthday Canada!
Johnny Cash
With this being Father's Day, it seemed appropriate to have a Father theme mixed in with my usual banter.
My Parents
I'm extremely fortunate to have two loving parents. As they've now become grandparents to my two nephews I have to treasure each moment that I have with them. As I'm out of the house, I only see them once a week for 2-3 hours at a time. As for my Mom, motherhood is an unassailable institution and she is no exception.
My Dad I could right volumes about. I don't think I would be the man that I am today without him. Even as he approaches his 70th birthday (as of 2011) my father isn't just my Dad, I consider him my friend. I doubt many individuals can say the same. I shudder at the idea when he will be no longer with me but I know that day will come. Not for my sake, but for my mother's sake. They enjoy their empty-nest lifestyle and I hope it lasts as long as possible.
Fatherhood: The Ultimate Example of Masculine Leadership
So what did my sister and I do to deserve a loving and safe childhood? As I grew in wisdom I realized but for the sheer grace of God I was lucky that I had such a blessed upbringing. That and nothing else. Others, through no fault of their own, aren't so lucky or blessed. Did they do anything wrong to deserve such an upbringing? No. Our earthly dads are mortal. They make mistakes, some humorous and some more serious. Sometimes they aren't always there when you need them the most. Never once did I feel neglected by my Dad despite his often gruelling work schedule.
Which leads me to one of my first major points about fatherhood. There is nothing more devastating to a child than having a negligent (or non-existent) father. Many violent criminal males in our justice system had fathers who were absent, abusive (to the mother and/or the kids) and/or were emotionally unresponsive.
Secondly, females growing up with absent dads carry through their adult lives a sense of abandonment. A high-risk lifestyle, including promiscuity, is often chosen to 'make up' for that male attention that she so lacked.
I think God has a special place reserved for stepdads. Being the biological father of a son or daughter is tough enough, for a stepdad it's twice the work.
Make no mistake, having a strong and consistent masculine presence makes the world of a difference to a young person. When ideology is placed ahead of the natural bond between husband and wife and between parent and child everyone suffers.
The Sanctity of Sodomy?? I Don't Think So!!
Ready for some bona fide hatemongering? Here goes: I believe that marriage solely consists of a union between one man and one woman. That's it. I take serious issue with the 'reimagining' of marriage as some warped liberal 'ideal' or 'alternative lifestyle'. Here now are three major objections I have to gay marriage.
First, let it be said that every single time a referendum is put forth to its citizens, it's consistently voted down. So what do these gay activists do? They go to the courts to have a majority decision overturned. Now I have no problem with gays or anybody else hiring lawyers to petition the courts. It's a free country and they have every right to do so. What gets my dander up is the profoundly anti-democratic nature of these proceedings. Nobody is being deprived of their rights here. An adult male can marry an adult female so long as he has her consent. What's the problem here? Why this need by an activist court to circumvent and undercut clear majority decisions as it pertains to family law?
Here's my second point. If two men or two women are to be regarded as 'married', what next? Polygamy? Incest? Bestiality? Polyamory? Pedophilia? Inanimate Objects? Rights is rights, right? Once the golden standard of marriage is abandoned, a Pandora's box is opened and all manner of unintended consequences will naturally follow. Furthermore, it would be next to impossible to make a legal argument barring gay couples from adopting children. Depriving a child of the love of a mother or a father is nothing short of criminal.
Thirdly, all this strikes me as incredibly selfish. 'So long as I get what I want is all that matters' is a theme I hear time and time again from these liberals. Does the ends truly justify the means here? Be it sexual attitudes or something else, why this narcissistic need to offend others so as to appear 'cutting-edge' or 'avant-garde'? To earn the applause of Man is to earn the condemnation of God. The false god of ego, 'Me first, all the time, right now', is one that dominates the secular-progressive worldview. Leading a selfish life is but an empty one.
Good enough for now. Sorry about not posting sooner. Time flies when you're not paying attention.
Johnny Cash
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)
Who's Your Daddy?
This may come as a shock to you, but you are not your own person. Consider carefully the above set of scriptures: You either have a sinful nature led by your ego or you have the Holy Spirit of God. Who has your ear? Whom do you trust more? Your ego or the spirit of God? If you have not been saved by the grace of God it is Satan (the Anti-Father) that dominates your thoughts and actions.
When A Man Loves A Woman
This is a big one for many of us. Is love performance-based or grace-based? Is it all about pumping up the love resume for us guys? An old movie line goes like this: First you get the money. Then you get the power. Then you get the women. I can tell you right now, that is not of God. Let's be honest here. There are some women out there who are impressed by the money and power that certain men yield. They are impressed by great exploits and fancy titles that confer importance. But I can assure you this kind of love is not Biblical. True love looks something like this:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor 13:4-7)
How much of this do we really see? Not much. The simple fact of the matter is this: Performance-based love cannot last. It is impossible to maintain that level of intensity for a prolonged period. It might shine brightly for a time but when it starts to fade it does so quickly.
I think when we give without expectation of some kind of return we have a much better chance of standing the test of time. Naturally we want affirmation and a positive reaction from the object of our affection. Who doesn't? But an ongoing game of one-upmanship that drains the spontaneity and liberty of love is a surefire relationship killer.
Follow Your Heart
I love to drive and listen to the radio. I do notice though that sometimes the signal is strong and other times it is weak. The further away I am from Toronto (the signal is usually broadcast from the CN Tower) be it whether I go north or east, the less likely I'm going to hear that radio station loud and clear.
So it is when we do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. God desires nothing but the best for us. However, if we are not listening to Him either because we are distracted or we are not properly attuned, the signal is weak and we end up following foolish advice instead. Following our heart in this instance is the worst possible thing we could do. A person not tuned to the will of God and properly rooted in scripture is a disaster waiting to happen. Which leads me to my next question:
Check, Check, 1,2,3: Is Your Conscience Working?
Here's a second shocker: Struggling with your conscience is actually a good thing. Amoral people don't struggle with their conscience. Why? Because they don't have a conscience to struggle with. Dead people don't struggle. Therefore to struggle indicates that you are still alive and well. So take it as a compliment. If morals and ethics are important to you, you can expect anguish and hardship. Desiring to be a righteous man in an unrighteous world will not make you popular. Eternal life is far more important than that.
Johnny Cash
Sorry, couldn't resist. In the wake of Charlton Heston's passing I'm going to dedicate this post to Chuck and to all those who love to eat their young. The soylent green line and the 'Get your hands off me, you damn dirty ape!' has to be two of the most memorable movie lines ever delivered.
The Destruction of Western Civilization From Within
We must remember Jesus' admonition that we must first remove the plank from our own eye before we attempt to remove the splinter in someone else's eye. Self-criticism must therefore precede the sins of others.
Politics: The GOP, Democrats and the Hollywood Left
Nobody escapes unscathed here. George W. Bush is perhaps one of the greatest lame duck presidents that America has had to endure. Bush has achieved the impossible: He has made Bill Clinton (D) look positively benign by comparison. In his article, Pat Buchanan notes:
Since 2001, he (meaning Bush - JC) has presided over the seven largest trade deficits in history, the loss of 3.5 million manufacturing jobs and the collapse of the dollar, and added but one-fifth of the private sector jobs Bill Clinton created. Gold has gone from $260 an ounce to $1,000, oil from $28 a barrel to $100.
With this in mind, shouldn't the Democrats be laughing all the way to the White House? Not so fast! With Barack Obama (the used car salesman of the year for 2008) getting hammered over his dubious association with 'Black Liberation Theology' and Hillary's obsession with power (All hail Queen Julia!) looking eerily similar to Glenn Close in 'Fatal Attraction' it's a wonder that the bitterly divided Democrats will capture any votes at all.
Our Hollywood liberal 'friends'
Does anyone in the entertainment industry know how to be a loyal dissident anymore? And why are Congressmen Jim McDermott (D-WA), David Bonior (D-MI) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) shilling for Saddam Hussein as late as 2002? Useful idiots the lot of them. Uncle Joe would be proud of such simpletons. Such an unholy alliance the Left has with all those America haters.
Israel and the 'Peace Process': No Shortage of Stupid People in the ME
There is nothing more frustrating than watching this debacle unfold before our very eyes. All evidence shows a gathering storm in the ME and that Israel's relations with Syria and Iran are growing increasingly hostile. Abbas is no moderate and Palestinian children are still being indoctrinated with hate (who unsurprisingly grow up to become hateful adults).
Our response? We defer constantly in the vain hope that through appeasement this will all go away. The jihad that America and Israel face is not based on some cultural or religious misunderstanding. It is a fundamental difference in worldview that Islam preaches to its young that creates conflict. War, death and martyrdom become unassailable virtues. There is no 'gap' between the West and the Muslim world. It's more like a bottomless abyss. The sooner our leaders take this to heart the better (and safer) we'll all be.
Abortion: The War Against Women and Children
No other industry exemplifies human sacrifice and the eating of our young better than the abortion racket. In China and India, many fetuses are being aborted simply because they're female. Not due to some physical deformity. Not because of Down's syndrome. Just for being female. Men in China and India have no hope of getting married and starting a family of their own. Now this godless secular-progressive 'ideal' has come to the Western world. As someone who admires feminine beauty I find this repulsive. So too do many other Americans. Where are all the feminists to be found to denunciate this blatant gender discrimination? Nowhere to be found. As usual it is left up to us Judeo-Christian conservative voters to give a voice to the unborn.
Doing It Right
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
These Nepalese missionaries know what true wealth is. Praise God!
Johnny Cash
Has there ever been a more misappropriated scripture than the 'Golden Rule'? I strongly doubt it. Here is my attempt at giving a proper Biblical understanding to this portion of God's word.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40)
Two Rules for Living
Jesus did not come to give us mere suggestions and cheap advice. Living for Him is exclusive, it is not a multiple choice endeavour. It is not just any old way to live or the best way to live, it should be seen as the only way to live. Understand Jesus is not being heavy-handed is His assessment. He is saying, 'Look, you can live like this or you can face your destruction. Your choice'. The two rules for happy living are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. Seems simple enough but lets take a closer look:
Love the Lord your God
This is not meant to be repeated as some empty mantra. It is both an instruction and a warning. As I talked about in my previous post, false idols (and the false systems of worship they propagate) are in endless supply in our so-called enlightened society. The god of pleasure, which gave us STD's, homosexuality, feminism and abortion has destroyed the natural and healthy expressions of our sexuality. The god of fortresses (such as Allah) has given us the love of money, materialism, naked ambition and the doctrine of 'power at all costs'. All these false worship systems have deceived, disappointed and destroyed those who have not known Jesus Christ as their saviour.
You cannot please God apart from faith. God will not heed the prayers of rebels unless it happens to the prayer of salvation. Nor will He listen to half-hearted or insincere prayer. None of us is where we want to be in our personal development if we are truly honest with ourselves. There's always more room for a more mature faith in our lives. Having a forgiving spirit and showing compassion for others is also crucial. To honor and love Jesus as He truly ought to be is something we should all aspire to. We should ALWAYS want to make more room for wisdom and discernment in our lives. All of this means we've simply fallen short of God's expectations for us. Let no-one say, 'I have enough wisdom, love and compassion in my life'. No friend, you don't. Such pride in one's self-worth has no place in the Kingdom of God.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Which brings us to our second point. Now that you're all squared away and love God with all your heart, soul and mind, loving your neighbor should be a snap right? Well no. You see, it's easy to love someone who's just like you. Same race, same ethnic heritage, same sensibilities and sense of style. But what about those who are remarkably different in their culture and worldview? In happy multi-cultural Canada where peace and harmony are supposed to rule, we want to wring each other's necks. Thankfully, the likelihood of civil strife is low.
Here's my take on this: God deliberately puts difficult people in our path in order to train us. The neurotic, the fool, the bully, and others that simply rub us the wrong way. This 'training' as I put it is for His glory, not ours. How are we to be an effective leader in the Kingdom of God when we only deal with people we like in ideal scenarios? God wishes to equip us. Being a leader means dealing with difficult people in near impossible circumstance. The 'love your neighbor' command is designed to humble us. Why? So we can be ready for that eternal position which God has personally prepared for us.
Here's another angle to this which I'm quite sure you've not considered. God loves families and the institution of marriage. You see, in a tribal society, a man's pool of potential brides is small. The 'loving you neighbor' command significantly enlarges that pool and therefore increases the likelihood of marriage. If both the man and woman have a fear of God (Note: A fear of God means exactly that. Not reverence. Not admiration. Fear. Got that?) and want to raise their children with the same holy fear, the race or culture factor diminishes significantly. Thus harmony within society is all but assured. See, God truly knows what's best for us!
It's late. I'm going to bed.
Johnny Cash
Why do we continue in our self-destructive ways?
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. (Exodus 20:3-5a)
Understand what a false god is. It doesn't have to be some crude carving made out of stone, wood, or precious metal. A false god is anything that you love more, serve more and fear more than JHVH God. It is a sin that has been glorified and placed on an altar for all to worship.
My Rant, Part I
I am not going to say to you, 'Don't believe in that' or 'You must believe in this'. Indeed, the more I argue, the more entrenched (and stubborn) you'll likely become. I will challenge you this: Do you know what you believe in is in fact, true? If your belief system is rooted in a lie then what's the point? All your efforts look to be in vain! An untested faith is an unsure one.
My Rant, Part II
The so-called 'wisdom of this world' is based on human pride and arrogance. Here are two main reasons why you and I should oppose false beliefs:
1) The devaluing of human life: The urge to place oneself above others is the heighth of pride. Sexism, racism, anti-Semitism and all other supremacist ideologies devalue the life of those whom we wish to dominate and/or eliminate. If we are made in the image of God, male and female, black and white, Gentile and Jew, there should be no place in our hearts for these hateful things.
2) 'It's Not My Fault!' - Ducking Responsibility: Let's be honest, we've all uttered the phrase. God demands that we take individual responsibility for our actions. It's easy to blame our screw-ups on others. It takes a great deal of maturity to admit you messed up. However, saying 'sorry' isn't enough. Action must follow to rectify the situation. For a Christian, the example that we must follow is Jesus Christ. An impossibly high standard for sure, but those who truly love Him will want to emulate Him all the time. Immature people ALWAYS deny, deny, deny and project their faults onto others.
There are so many false gods out there being worshipped today. Here are a few notables that enslave us:
The god of Sexual Freedom
This month marks the 35th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade in America. Our desire for greater sexual freedoms has come with a great price. Marriage and the very notion of family itself is under attack. Abortion devalues the fetus and the avoidance of marriage vows falls under the 'ducking responsibility' umbrella.
Click here to take a multiple choice quiz on Roe vs. Wade. You'll find the Roe IQ Test in the sidebar as a permanent link as well. I scored a miserable 3 out of 12!
The god of Fortresses
The Russians are at it again. Along with a naval alliance with Libya, they've also created an axis of evil with China and Iran.
The god of fortresses is a god of power. Understand not all power is bad. Jesus Himself had tremendous power and He gave His disciples power to do the Lord's bidding. What I'm talking about here is power purely for power's sake. A man such as George Soros worships this false idol. The insatiable lust for power, the power of 'one more dollar' has lead many to their destruction.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.
The opening Sura of the Koran is a chilling one. Allah is also a god of fortresses, one that is specifically tied to Islam. From honor killings (and the subsequent failure of Western feminists to condemn these atrocities) to 'forest fire jihad' to staged blackouts in Gaza, Islam represents the motherlode of delinquent behaviour. Political correctness, both domestic and foreign limits our calls for much-needed reform (if possible) within the Muslim world.
The simple matter is this: More and more people are doing their own independent research and analysis on Islam and they're not liking what they're seeing. The MSM is hopelessly chained to its PC mantle of cultural sensitivity and moral relativism. As a result, fewer and fewer are tuning in. Expect this trend to accelerate and continue. May there be a thousand more like Robert Spencer and Ayaan Hirsi Ali who are willing to spread the truth.
Jesus Christ, the One and Only
Make the choice. You can live for yourself or for the one who is truly worthy of worship, Jesus Christ. Religion won't save you. Neither will being 'good' or great deeds. In Haryana, India and in Nepal, people are living for Jesus and the transformation is incredible.
Some X-Def Updates
I've reorganized the sidebar as some headers were getting a wee bit unwieldy. I've deleted Debbie Schlussel and Layla Gonzalez' links along with American-Israeli Patriot. Debbie and Layla's links were off topic and AIP was outdated. I've also added a few link such as the aforementioned Roe IQ Test homepage and Reject the UN, an anti-globalist blog. Terror Finance blog was added a while ago. Please feel free to explore these informative sites.
Johnny Cash
It's about time somebody unapologetically said 'Merry Christmas'! This is a wonderful little plug by Mike Huckabee. As I've stated previously, I've endorsed Huck to be America's new president in 2008. Mike's 'Fair Tax' plan will empower the poor and the middle class. As it turns out, even I made a mistake: This guy is for real. While Rudy is still the GOP frontrunner, Huck has surged forward by as much as 18 points! This is huge. Politics is really all about momentum. Who had it but lost it, who didn't have it before but do now and those who never had momentum in the first place. Rudy and Romney are in the first category whilst Huckabee is clearly in the second. Thompson, McCain and Ron Paul fall into that unfortunate third slot. Now we must remember that November '08 is still a ways off and a lot can happen between now and then.
The Great Communicator - Part II
Huckabee understands the American heart just like Ronald Reagan did. I believe it's that simple. Huck doesn't have secret mutant powers as some have tongue-in-cheek suggested. What he does have is an ability to engage men and women directly while putting them at ease. He's that 'family friend', someone who always gets an invite to Christmas dinner.
Capturing the Female Vote
Mike is not what you would call model material. Nor will he ever be mistaken for James Bond. As men tend to vote conservative irrespective of who's running, the ultimate swing vote ends up in the hands of women. It's the women in a democracy who are the king makers. So if good looks aren't the be all and end all (nor are they entirely irrelevant), what drives women away from a particular candidate? In a word: Anger. Women (and more than a few men) don't like angry candidates. Guys, listen to me: It's not just what you say, it's how you say it that matters to women. Overly aggressive body language turns women off. A masculine leader that is confident and self-assured with a hint of mischief in their eyes will melt most women's hearts. Huck has got that whole mojo thing going with his body language. How do you think Bill Clinton avoided impeachment? The worst twentieth century U.S. president who never 'got it' as far as body language was concerned has to be Richard Nixon. Look how history judges them now! Looking at the current GOP slate, Mitt looks stiff and Rudy looks like a deer caught in the headlights. Not good for them, that's for sure!
Haven't had a post in over a week so I'd like to thank you for your patience. I've also included Mike's own website for your leisure.
Johnny Cash
This is a sign leading to Mecca, Islam's most revered site. Actually, I think this sign should read 'The Broad Path To Destruction' on the left while 'The Narrow Gate Which Leads To Life' on the right. But that's just my opinion.
This is part two of the previous post. I felt (correctly) that trying to get all the links in one post would be horribly unwieldy. Think of it as your favorite double album, X-Def style.
Sorry, but Dubya has got to go. Here's what's got me in a tizzy: According to America's Commander-in-Chief, Muslims and Christians all pray to the same God. Yep, George said so so it must be true. Is W incompetent? Bush is much more cunning than that. Is he stupid? I tend to believe he's playing this 'Good Ol' Boy From Texas' role to the hilt. No, I think he's afraid of the Muslim backlash and is mindlessly pandering to the multi-culti hordes. Rather than be a man about it and make his misgivings of Islam as a 'Religion of Peace' be known, Bush has decided it far more politically expedient to turn his back on America's Christian heritage and coddle terrorists instead. In the end we all suffer for such dhimmitude.
Islam is bad for gays and lesbians. This is obvious for anyone that bothers to do the research. Why then is the gung-ho Hollywood pink mafia so silent? Because the persecution of gays in the ME do not fit into their anti-American, anti-Christian crusade, that's why. To admit the obvious, that gays and lesbians enjoy a far greater range of freedoms and rights in a post-Christian America than anywhere else is anathema to these ideologues. The church won't give the rubber stamp approval that the pink mafiosos so desperately crave, the church must be punished. This is stupid, short-term thinking. If gays think it's tough now, they haven't seen anything yet. An Islamic caliphate will go on a bloody rampage, killing every gay, lesbian and trans-gender they can get their hands on. I don't want to see this. The greatest love you can show a gay person is to tell them about Jesus. They may not like it or give you the courtesy of hearing you out, but they need to hear the Gospel and the forgiveness that only Jesus can bring.
There is no other country on Earth that feels the sting of Islam daily more than Israel. In Gaza, a 31 year-old Christian named Rami Ayyad was murdered. His offence? He was the only Christian book store owner in town. Arabs displaying their love for Israel (yes, some do exist) are also stigmatized by their 'brethren'.
I'm cutting this post short. I'll expand on it later. Sorry for the shoddy work.
Johnny Cash
There are two big lies undermining Western civilization:
1) Shoddy theology divorced from Biblical truth and;
2) 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' PC multiculturalism.
The persecution that Christians are enduring today is increasing. The shadows of what is to come will only increase with time as the church age draws to a close. There are two groups which are leading the charge: The secular-progressives and the Muslims. This post will deal with the first enemy of Christianity.
The Church of Militant Secular-Progressive Humanism
What do a bisexual female rabbi, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Methodist Church have in common? Absolutely nothing. These three disparate groups recently combined for a bizarre spectacle on Capitol Hill protesting the Iraqi war. I have no problem if someone wants to protest the ongoing debacle that is unfolding in Iraq. Nor do I have a problem if a bunch of religious groups want to get together to issue a joint statement. What I do have a problem with is what these groups are preaching and teaching. Ecumenicalism is a bloodless gospel and is shoddy theology (see above). Any effort to deny the shed blood of Christ as the only atonement for sin is bad doctrine. The opposite of truth isn't error, it's pure death.
Support Our Troops
There can be no shallower statement issued by the self-serving left. Given their actions, why bother? Terrorists hide behind children while American troops are hamstrung by a long list of ROE's. News of success in the field is largely ignored by the press while any hints of wrongdoing by our military is given blanket coverage. Is it any wonder I get a little cynical?
The Hermit Kingdom
It should surprise no-one that North Korea is at the forefront of Christian persecution. Being found with a Bible in your possession sends you and your entire family to prison camp. North Korea is also in the business of arming Israel's enemies.
Free Speech Is Acceptable Provided We Agree With It.
That is if you happen to be rich, white and liberal. Or give generously to the Democratic Party. As the lovely Michelle Malkin reports, God help you if you make your dissatisfaction with MoveOn.org public. The difference between the German SS and MoveOn.org's lawyers? The latter are better dressed. The tactics are frighteningly similar though.
Forget about Islam. That's what students at Columbus State in Ohio are being told as efforts to bring Islamo-Fascism Week to campus is shut down by the school's administrator. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was given a forum at Columbia University in NYC yet students at a public college are denied access to their own campus. The hypocrisy couldn't be starker. The censorship of unpopular speech and the use of intimidation is alive and well in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Two more miscellaneous links to close out this post.
Mark Of The Beast Update: The technology for this has already arrived. Right now it's simply a matter of logistics and the gaining of public support. One of the biggest enablers of the MOTB is credit card and debit card fraud. A microchip embedded in the card will go a long way in preventing identity theft. It will also facilitate the greatest persecution of Christians just prior to the Second Advent. 'Chipping', as it's being called is already in use by veterinarians and cattle farmers. The jump to chip humans is not as big of a leap in public policy as you might think.
So long as we're here we'll still be helping the less fortunate. In West Bengal, flood relief by GFA workers are opening up doors for the Gospel. Hallelujah! Praise God for He is Most High!
Johnny Cash
The jihad waged against artists critical of Islam continues. Below is a cartoon that caused a stir recently from Berkeley Breathed of 'Opus'. I think this was an edited version as the woman in the cartoon calls herself 'Fatima Struggle' instead of the more obvious 'Fatima Jihad'. In the last frame, the English phrase 'God willing' is used instead of the Arabic phrase 'Inshallah'. The latter would be the more natural response from a devout Muslim(ah). Even with this top-heavy editing, it still created trouble. If you have problems reading it here, just click on it and a new window should open with the cartoon enlarged.
On to more serious stuff. A disturbing story from the Guardian UK about the rise in female suicides in Batman, Turkey. Sorry, no Robin jokes here. I guess the move from 'honor' killings to a coerced suicide is seen as progress in these parts. A bizarre notion of honor if ever there was one.
Here's a true life horror story of two underage Christian girls (11 and 16) in Pakistan who were kidnapped, converted to Islam and forced to marry. Again this is par for the course for Islam. So long as Islam is advanced is the only thing that matters and all ethical considerations are shunted aside.
More weak-kneed cowardice from the multiculti crowd as the turning of the blind eye to female genital mutilation (or FGM) continues. This is an inexcusable sin of omission. Those in love with their own apparent goodness fail to realize you can be condemned for NOT doing certain things. I don't care how 'good' you are. If you take a see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil approach you are part of the problem. Period.
In Antwerp, Belgium, horror story #2 about a female boss and her male Muslim employees. Should it surprise you that these chauvanist pigs refuse to recognize her authority? Or that the woman's superiors refuse to back her because they're intimidated too? None of this should come as a surprise. No Muslim male will ever submit to a woman in charge. Nor will they bother with a non-Muslim boss. Hell, a male Muslim boss deemed 'not Islamic enough' will get the cold shoulder too. Is it any wonder that our fantasy-based policy of Iraqi 'democracy' is failing?
Get it? Islam does not respect women, despite all protestations to the contrary. It does not respect our laws, our culture, our institutions or our religious beliefs. Oh, if only women would reciprocate the love/lust (y'know, whatever) I have for them! But that's another story for another day.
Johnny Cash
Jesus had much to say about the Devil. In John 8:44 we read:
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Doesn't leave much wiggle room, does it? When Jesus spoke, He spoke with clear authority from the Father. Satan is the father of ALL LIES, no matter what anyone else tells you. We've all fallen a little short and we've all told a fib or two to gain the advantage. Why is this bit of scripture so important? Because Satan is still in the business of telling lies to the world. Satan is also a murderer and uses lies to get others to do his bidding. There is only one innoculation against the lies of the enemy and that is to put yourself under submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit, and only the Holy Spirit, that can give you discernment and see the Devil's lies for what they truly are. Please do this today. Your life here and the life to come is at stake.
By now you have heard of the shooting at Virginia Tech University. Please don't tell me that evil isn't real because it is. Mass murder is something that repells us, an aberration of the highest order. It appears to be the work of a 23 year-old South Korean student named Cho Seung-Hui. I'm actually relieved that there was no Islamist connection although that's small consolation to the families of the victims. In all, 33 victims are dead with many more wounded. A picture gallery from the BBC can be found here.
I think many a Christian living in Canada bemoans the fact the gay marriage is the law of the land. When you look at the Liberals and the Conservatives do you see any remarkable difference of opinion? I sure don't. Let's face facts here: The gays have won, hands down. Yep, we've lost and they're the victors. Which is not to suggest that they're right; they aren't and they never will be. Look, Satan hates marriage and the church because it was God Himself who ordained the two. So what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to introduce this? The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams faces a real schism between the more liberal churches in the West and the conservative Anglicans from Africa. Make no mistake, this is a real problem and Satan delights in the idea of causing divides in the global church. Satan despises the family and children too. In Germany, homeschooling is under assault. A 15 year-old teenager named Melissa Busekros has been separated from her family and placed in the psychiatric ward because her parents decided to home-school her. The message to Christian families from our secular gov'ts is both crude and simple: The state can do a better job of raising your kids than you can. I mean this stuff reads like a horror novel! You should also read Faith Girl's post about finding a high school for her little ones and the trials she's enduring.
Not only is the church being undermined from within, it is being attacked from without as well. You can read about two pastors being assaulted with full complicity from the police in Madhya Pradesh, India. Or you can read about Assyrian Christians in Iraq being forced to convert to Islam or be killed. Don't be deceived. Islam was spread by the sword during Mohammed's time and is still being spread by the sword.
It should also come as no surprise that Satan hates the Jews and the nation of Israel most of all. As I reported last summer, Israel's latest war with Hezbollah left them intact. Because of this foolishness, I fear that there will be an even bigger and more destructive war later on this year. The lies that Hamas and Hezbollah tell their people are so transparent and downright laughable if not for the seriousness of the situation. So what they do is make every single preparation for war and when Israel decides to take action, they turn around and claim 'Israeli aggression'! The air is thick with their bullshit. Only a complete moron would believe even one percent of what Hezbollah readily provides to an all too gullible (and liberal) MSM.
In other news, it's been reported that Johnny Cash's home in Tennessee recently burnt to the ground. Turns out there is a God after all as Bee Gee Barry Gibb was set to take up residence in Cash's old home. Lemme see: Folsom Prison Blues vs. Stayin' Alive. Which song would you prefer?
To close out this post I've got two links from Live Science on how volcanic activity is linked to earthquakes and how the power of faith influences healing in patients.
Yes, the X-Def has been updated to the new version of blogger! It's also a little messed up as I've lost some stuff including my buttons. Hopefully I'll get things back into shape real soon. I also promise to post more often. A week between posts is not acceptable. Enjoy the new Christian Defender!
Johnny Cash
It was Daylight Savings Time this weekend and so we here in Ontario lost an hour's sleep. I celebrated by sleeping in an extra hour causing me to miss church, a rarity for me. Oh well, I'll be there next week with bells on. Anyway, for my penitence I've decided to make a post on walking by faith. Very difficult to do as I think we instinctively want to trust what our senses tell us and our own understanding of things. The Bible tells us that God's ways are not our ways and so to walk by faith is to trust something that you won't understand in all its fullness. False religion lurks in the background, luring us from the path of life. Sin does have an attractiveness to it, if it didn't we wouldn't keep falling into it. A straight and narrow path is the way for those who put their lot in with Jesus. I hope you are on that lovely path of redemption as I am.
First off I have some bad news. It seems CottShop of Sacred Scoop is packing up his old kit bag and has signed off on his blog. That's too bad as I rather enjoyed his commentary a great deal. You can read his penultimate post here about that whole 'Tomb of Jesus' thingy. Sacred Scoop didn't even make it to its first anniversary as it was started in July of 2006. Like I said before, it is very rare for a blog to be maintained for one full calendar year or even beyond that, a point that I stressed on my Feb 12 post. The link above will still be good for a little while yet and I'll still maintain the link to SS until it's no longer functional. So long CottShop my friend and I'll hope to see you again somewhere in the blogosphere.
As CottShop so rightly notes, Christianity is under attack by those who will use anything to discredit it. From a rational standpoint it strikes me as bizarre to attack the one institution that can halt jihad which is the church. I'm sorry, but would Rosie O'Donnell prefer to live under Sharia law as opposed to Judeo-Christian law? If you listen to all these daft gay activists and other assorted moonbats in the leftist media, the answer is a resounding YES! Does Rosie seriously believe that the barbarism of Islam (a nightmare for women, gay or straight) is better for her? Very odd, but once you consider how Satan has easy access to the minds of those who aren't filled with the Holy Spirit you begin to understand the things we're seeing. The blindness we see here is not just PC or multiculturalism running amok, but a supernatural one. Satan is a busy one. He also happens to be running out of time, a fact I joyously remind him of every day.
Nevertheless, God's army is growing in strength and numbers despite all the billions (and I do mean BILLIONS) of money being poured in to stop the good news from being preached. Unlikely places too, such as South Korea (!). It appears that a full one-third of the population is now Christian, compared to a few hundred that existed in the late 19th century. You can also read about the wonderful influence of the Baptist churches in the Holy Land at length.
Speaking of things Israeli, I really do feel for the Palestinians. No really I do! My problem has always been that Islam is always held blameless for all their troubles. It's always the Jews or the West or it's this or it's that. But never Islam. That of course will never do. Should it surprise anyone that young Gazans have had enough and want to leave? The heart apart from the love of Jesus Christ will always have an insatiable lust for power. Seeing a wholesale change of heart is what has to happen before we lift them out of their misery. It is a waste of time, money and effort to try and make peace with a violent people. Much like the Taliban in Afghanistan where Canadian troops are stationed. Sigh.
The bottom line is this: People of faith infuriate the media. Actually, I'm glad that abolitionists such as William Wilberforce didn't have to deal with the MSM (except maybe FOX News). Women such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali openly slaying PC sacred cows terrify the Left as well. A person of faith is the proverbial 'fly in the ointment' of godless humanism - the idea that you can still be just as good apart from God. Plain old-fashioned immaturity coupled with pouting because the spotlight isn't on them. Understand this my good reader: The MSM will never report a story of advancing Christian faith. Ever. A bunch of sucks and sore losers the lot of them.
Johnny Cash
