Peace lovers should renew their efforts at pointing our country in peaceful avenues that are productive for everyone, not just the conquerors. We might even take a lesson from The U.S. Army Marine Corp Counterinsurgency Field Manual. It argues that taking care of the needs of people is a tactic in fighting insurgents. This counterinsurgency doctrine proceeds from several paradoxes, one of which claims: “some of the best weapons for counterinsurgents do not shoot” (49). Dollars and ballots become the weapons of choice. The manual says that “a vibrant economy, political participation and restored hope” are the best ways to combat insurgents.
I hardly believe Jesus would argue with that. Economic development, democracy, human rights, and religious liberty, form justifiable and sustainable peace principles. Such principles go far beyond the capability of military forces to provide. Thus, non-governmental organizations and inter-governmental organizations need to work on the ground in conflict situations to help initiate these principles.
As outlined in the Manual, counterinsurgency understands the influence of nonmilitary leaders and of extra governmental leaders in conflict situations. Business people, religious leaders – including lay leaders – media people, and elders of families help the community interpret current events. These are often closest to the hearts and minds of the masses.
I wonder what would happen if inter-religious peacemaking groups worked on the ground with local people to teach conflict resolution, help organize groups to build a strong civil society, to work on issues of local economic development, and to create truth and reconciliation commissions.
I know … they might have to work with the military … to insure security, while staying far enough distant to build and maintain people’s trust. However, they would be contributing to global peace, as well as the common good. Hopefully, President Obama will continue moving in that direction.
One of the founders of Hamas tells of his early life when he wanted to be a surgeon--the 1960s, but we were already refugees (emphasis added). There was no humiliating blockade then. But now, after decades of imprisonment, killing, statelessness and impoverishment, we ask: What peace can there be if there is no dignity first? And where does dignity come from if not from justice?
“Our movement fights on because we cannot allow the foundational crime at the core of the Jewish state -- the violent expulsion from our lands and villages that made us refugees -- to slip out of world consciousness, forgotten or negotiated away. Judaism -- which gave so much to human culture in the contributions of its ancient lawgivers and modern proponents of tikkun olam -- has corrupted itself in the detour into Zionism, nationalism and apartheid.
“A ‘peace process’ with Palestinians cannot take even its first tiny step until Israel first withdraws to the borders of 1967; dismantles all settlements; removes all soldiers from Gaza and the West Bank; repudiates its illegal annexation of Jerusalem; releases all prisoners; and ends its blockade of our international borders, our coastline and our airspace permanently. This would provide the starting point for just negotiations and would lay the groundwork for the return of millions of refugees. Given what we have lost, it is the only basis by which we can start to be whole again.
“I am eternally proud of my sons and miss them every day. I think of them as fathers everywhere, even in Israel, think of their sons -- as innocent boys, as curious students, as young men with limitless potential -- not as "gunmen" or "militants." But better that they were defenders of their people than parties to their ultimate dispossession; better that they were active in the Palestinian struggle for survival than passive witnesses to our subjugation.
“History teaches us that everything is in flux. Our fight to redress the material crimes of 1948 is scarcely begun, and adversity has taught us patience. As for the Israeli state and its Spartan culture of permanent war, it is all too vulnerable to time, fatigue and demographics: In the end, it is always a question of our children and those who come after us."
Mahmoud al-Zahar, a surgeon, is a founder of Hamas. He became foreign minister in the government of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh that was elected in 2006.
We Americans must somehow become better listeners to troubled people around the world, then do what we can do to lift the level of the common masses . Speaking to the rituals practiced by the people of Israel, the prophet Isaiah thundered, "Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord? Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the hyomeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from our own flesh(Isaiah 58).
Amid the religiosity of Judaism, Islam, and even Christianity, there is often too much concern over the forms and functions of the rituals practiced and far too little actual walking in the light of love personified by the God of the Bible (I John 3:14-18).
from Warner's World, I am
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March Madness
The Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s basketball team fell short of winning its second national championships. After their heart-breaking Final Four loss on March 15th to St. Francis University, Head Coach Donnie Bostwick wrote his guys a letter, a portion of which follows:
“This year’s team showed so much toughness when tested with all sorts of adversity, including injuries, but yet continued to endure and succeed all the way to the end. I am so proud of this year’s team and their accomplishments.
“Most importantly, this year’s team focused on Christ. We, including myself, made mistakes, but we asked for forgiveness and moved on. We hope we set a good example for all of the children and fans that we performed in front of this season. It is our prayer that we let Christ shine through us and our actions and that people think of Christ when they think of our team” (Donnie Bostwick, Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s basketball).
It is fun being the winner, but for every winner at a sporting event there has to be a loser. I salute Coach Bostwick and his important life-lesson for his team. They can use it all of their lives, long after the final four is finished. A few more examples like Coach Bostwick and there would be a lot less “madness” around us, not only in March but throughout the year.
Wayne at Warner’s World,
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
“This year’s team showed so much toughness when tested with all sorts of adversity, including injuries, but yet continued to endure and succeed all the way to the end. I am so proud of this year’s team and their accomplishments.
“Most importantly, this year’s team focused on Christ. We, including myself, made mistakes, but we asked for forgiveness and moved on. We hope we set a good example for all of the children and fans that we performed in front of this season. It is our prayer that we let Christ shine through us and our actions and that people think of Christ when they think of our team” (Donnie Bostwick, Oklahoma Wesleyan University men’s basketball).
It is fun being the winner, but for every winner at a sporting event there has to be a loser. I salute Coach Bostwick and his important life-lesson for his team. They can use it all of their lives, long after the final four is finished. A few more examples like Coach Bostwick and there would be a lot less “madness” around us, not only in March but throughout the year.
Wayne at Warner’s World,
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Occupy Now ... Till I Come
Nearing Jerusalem, Jesus disciples supposed “that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately” (Luke 19:11 NASV). So Jesus told them a story of a nobleman departing to a far country “to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.”
Before leaving, he called in his servants, gave them funds with which to do business and told them “Occupy until I return” (v 13). The citizens sent delegates to reject his representatives (v. 14). After “receiving his kingdom” (v. 15) the Nobleman called in his servants to learn of their investments and reward each accordingly.
All but one invested wisely and was appropriately rewarded. The one hid his money in fear rather than investing it. The Nobleman took back his investment and gave it to another one who had reaped ten fold on his investment. When challenged, the Nobleman concluded:
“I tell you that to everyone who has shall more be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence” (vs. 26-27).
The popular Scofield Reference Bible identifies this parable as a proof of a future earthly kingdom--“The postponed kingdom.” They believe Christ (the Nobleman) merely postponed his kingdom until his second coming--to set it up then. There are compelling reasons for rejecting this interpretation.
It was said truly of the Pharisees, to whom Jesus was speaking, that “they thought” the kingdom of God should “immediately appear.” Yet, there is a difference between what “they thought” would happen and what Jesus said would happen. Let the words of Jesus be our guide rather than what the Pharisees thought.
The parable actually corrects misapprehensions (then and now)about the kingdom. Jesus did not say it would immediately appear, or that it would ever appear; he had already told them it comes NOT with observation, but within you” (Luke 17:20-21). We especially note that Jesus instructed them “Occupy till I come” (v. 13).
This word “occupy” comes from the Greek word “pragmateuomai” meaning “to do business,” or “to gain by trading.” It means “Do business till I come.” It is only used once in the Bible. It is a special command to the followers of Christ. Notice in the parable that each servant received the same capital of one pound, equal in modern value to approximately $19.25. But it was capable of greatly increasing itself if judiciously used. Obviously it represents the gift of God’s grace which the Savior bestows on every regenerate heart. His grace is the means of unlimited development and thus one servant increased his gift tenfold, another five fold, while a third made no progress during the Lord’s absence.]
Notice further that when the Lord returns, it is not to set up His kingdom--He went away and “received” that. When He returns He calls His servants and distributes rewards to those who faithfully “occupied” and served Him during His long absence, and He executes judgment on all those who would not have Him “REIGN” over them during this period. How beautifully this harmonizes with His teaching in Matthew 13 and with that of Paul and Peter.
When Jesus was received into heaven He “received” the kingdom not by any plebiscite of man but as His Divine right from God the Father. During this age He reigns over the entire Israel of God, the holy nation, the redeemed of all the earth. THIS kingdom does not come by observation. It does not “immediately appear” like “they thought” it would. No one ever “saw” a person get “born again.”
What we see is the effect the new birth has on one who is born again. Like the passing wind to which Jesus compared it, we hear the sound and see the effect. But every born again person is in the kingdom of God (John 3:5). While Jesus is exercising His sovereignty over His people He is faced with the opposition of a vast throng who say by actions or words, “We will NOT have THIS man reign over us.” That is the underlying decision of all who reject Christ. They have their choice, but when Christ returns they must suffer the eternal consequences of their lamentable choice.
As we approach Easter, the word of Jesus remains the same: “Occupy now" ... till I return for you (adapted_Ch. 19/H. C. Heffren/The Sign of His Coming).
Wayne at Warner’s World
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
_____
Before leaving, he called in his servants, gave them funds with which to do business and told them “Occupy until I return” (v 13). The citizens sent delegates to reject his representatives (v. 14). After “receiving his kingdom” (v. 15) the Nobleman called in his servants to learn of their investments and reward each accordingly.
All but one invested wisely and was appropriately rewarded. The one hid his money in fear rather than investing it. The Nobleman took back his investment and gave it to another one who had reaped ten fold on his investment. When challenged, the Nobleman concluded:
“I tell you that to everyone who has shall more be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence” (vs. 26-27).
The popular Scofield Reference Bible identifies this parable as a proof of a future earthly kingdom--“The postponed kingdom.” They believe Christ (the Nobleman) merely postponed his kingdom until his second coming--to set it up then. There are compelling reasons for rejecting this interpretation.
It was said truly of the Pharisees, to whom Jesus was speaking, that “they thought” the kingdom of God should “immediately appear.” Yet, there is a difference between what “they thought” would happen and what Jesus said would happen. Let the words of Jesus be our guide rather than what the Pharisees thought.
The parable actually corrects misapprehensions (then and now)about the kingdom. Jesus did not say it would immediately appear, or that it would ever appear; he had already told them it comes NOT with observation, but within you” (Luke 17:20-21). We especially note that Jesus instructed them “Occupy till I come” (v. 13).
This word “occupy” comes from the Greek word “pragmateuomai” meaning “to do business,” or “to gain by trading.” It means “Do business till I come.” It is only used once in the Bible. It is a special command to the followers of Christ. Notice in the parable that each servant received the same capital of one pound, equal in modern value to approximately $19.25. But it was capable of greatly increasing itself if judiciously used. Obviously it represents the gift of God’s grace which the Savior bestows on every regenerate heart. His grace is the means of unlimited development and thus one servant increased his gift tenfold, another five fold, while a third made no progress during the Lord’s absence.]
Notice further that when the Lord returns, it is not to set up His kingdom--He went away and “received” that. When He returns He calls His servants and distributes rewards to those who faithfully “occupied” and served Him during His long absence, and He executes judgment on all those who would not have Him “REIGN” over them during this period. How beautifully this harmonizes with His teaching in Matthew 13 and with that of Paul and Peter.
When Jesus was received into heaven He “received” the kingdom not by any plebiscite of man but as His Divine right from God the Father. During this age He reigns over the entire Israel of God, the holy nation, the redeemed of all the earth. THIS kingdom does not come by observation. It does not “immediately appear” like “they thought” it would. No one ever “saw” a person get “born again.”
What we see is the effect the new birth has on one who is born again. Like the passing wind to which Jesus compared it, we hear the sound and see the effect. But every born again person is in the kingdom of God (John 3:5). While Jesus is exercising His sovereignty over His people He is faced with the opposition of a vast throng who say by actions or words, “We will NOT have THIS man reign over us.” That is the underlying decision of all who reject Christ. They have their choice, but when Christ returns they must suffer the eternal consequences of their lamentable choice.
As we approach Easter, the word of Jesus remains the same: “Occupy now" ... till I return for you (adapted_Ch. 19/H. C. Heffren/The Sign of His Coming).
Wayne at Warner’s World
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
_____
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Plant a Seed of HOPE Today
Do you wonder when BAD Things Happen to GOOD People?
Recently, a South Florida District Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church wrote, “This morning, [Friday, March...12:15 a.m.], Shelley finished her last lap and crossed the finish line into the very presence of Jesus.”
Shelley Berry served as Administrative Assistant in the South Coastal district office. She worked in ministry with her husband Dan for more than 35 years. In September 2007, the Berrys were returning home to Conyers, GA, after celebrating Shelly’s final radiation treatment for breast cancer. Their vehicle was T-boned by a speeding vehicle, resulting in a horrible accident. BAD THINGS do happen to GOOD PEOPLE!
Shelley was life-lined into Atlanta. There she began a three-year hospital struggle with a brain injury. Her medical reports were viewed by thousands of people on the CaringBridge.org Web site, and they became subjects of many special prayer meetings. In spite of the best of everyone's efforts by family and medical support, she is now survived by two sons: one a staff member at a Lawrenceville, Georgia church, the other a dental student at Indiana University School of Dentistry, and two grandchildren.
Minister Berry affirmed that a “Christian’s death should be a road marker pointing toward Jesus. In the final hours of his tragedy, he declares, “I made a promise to see her on the other side. I know today that Shelley must be getting my place prepared . . . Today, she is worshipping around the throne of God and harmonizing with the angels.”
As many of us have learned, the Christian life is NOT an insurance policy protecting us against tragedy, suffering, poverty, or death. Committing one’s life to Christ is NOT a guarantee to health and wealth. Christianity is far more than a “prosperity gospel.” Faith is not a peck sack we give God in exchange for what we want, although some try to reduce God’s loving grace to such a formula.
Fouad Masri, a peer in ministry, tells this story that helps us understanding this delemma. While in the Middle East this past summer, he writes, “the owner of a baklava store asked me, "Why does the New Testament says that Jesus died on the cross? It's not fair that the messenger of God loses." In return, I asked him, "What glorifies God more: that He escaped death or that He conquered death" (Emphasis added)?
Several moments passed, and the man smiled and said, "I've never heard an answer like that. Do you have a Bible I can read?" Although I didn't have a Bible with me at the time, I left that afternoon with a box of baklava, one less copy of the Adha in the Ineel, and the joy of knowing God had firmly planted a seed in that man's heart.
So many people lack hope of such a promise. Some struggle as they attempt to equate material blessings with the blessings of God. Muslims and numerous others believe they must toil for good deeds in hopes that when Judgment Day comes, their good works outweigh the bad (earn passage into heaven). Some are taught that Christians made up a shameful lie about the crucifixion and that Jesus escaped death on a cross; and, for them, the cross is the end.
For Christians, the cross is a beginning, a reason for re-telling the Easter Story. For Christians, Easter is not a one-day-a-year celebration but a 365-day-a-year walking relationship with the Living Christ. Romans 6:9 and 11 tells us, "For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Wayne at Warner’s World,
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Recently, a South Florida District Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church wrote, “This morning, [Friday, March...12:15 a.m.], Shelley finished her last lap and crossed the finish line into the very presence of Jesus.”
Shelley Berry served as Administrative Assistant in the South Coastal district office. She worked in ministry with her husband Dan for more than 35 years. In September 2007, the Berrys were returning home to Conyers, GA, after celebrating Shelly’s final radiation treatment for breast cancer. Their vehicle was T-boned by a speeding vehicle, resulting in a horrible accident. BAD THINGS do happen to GOOD PEOPLE!
Shelley was life-lined into Atlanta. There she began a three-year hospital struggle with a brain injury. Her medical reports were viewed by thousands of people on the CaringBridge.org Web site, and they became subjects of many special prayer meetings. In spite of the best of everyone's efforts by family and medical support, she is now survived by two sons: one a staff member at a Lawrenceville, Georgia church, the other a dental student at Indiana University School of Dentistry, and two grandchildren.
Minister Berry affirmed that a “Christian’s death should be a road marker pointing toward Jesus. In the final hours of his tragedy, he declares, “I made a promise to see her on the other side. I know today that Shelley must be getting my place prepared . . . Today, she is worshipping around the throne of God and harmonizing with the angels.”
As many of us have learned, the Christian life is NOT an insurance policy protecting us against tragedy, suffering, poverty, or death. Committing one’s life to Christ is NOT a guarantee to health and wealth. Christianity is far more than a “prosperity gospel.” Faith is not a peck sack we give God in exchange for what we want, although some try to reduce God’s loving grace to such a formula.
Fouad Masri, a peer in ministry, tells this story that helps us understanding this delemma. While in the Middle East this past summer, he writes, “the owner of a baklava store asked me, "Why does the New Testament says that Jesus died on the cross? It's not fair that the messenger of God loses." In return, I asked him, "What glorifies God more: that He escaped death or that He conquered death" (Emphasis added)?
Several moments passed, and the man smiled and said, "I've never heard an answer like that. Do you have a Bible I can read?" Although I didn't have a Bible with me at the time, I left that afternoon with a box of baklava, one less copy of the Adha in the Ineel, and the joy of knowing God had firmly planted a seed in that man's heart.
So many people lack hope of such a promise. Some struggle as they attempt to equate material blessings with the blessings of God. Muslims and numerous others believe they must toil for good deeds in hopes that when Judgment Day comes, their good works outweigh the bad (earn passage into heaven). Some are taught that Christians made up a shameful lie about the crucifixion and that Jesus escaped death on a cross; and, for them, the cross is the end.
For Christians, the cross is a beginning, a reason for re-telling the Easter Story. For Christians, Easter is not a one-day-a-year celebration but a 365-day-a-year walking relationship with the Living Christ. Romans 6:9 and 11 tells us, "For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Wayne at Warner’s World,
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thoughts About "Welfare"
Many Christians are buying into the doctrine of “pioneer American rugged individualism” hook line and sinker. I support individual responsibility; I challenge the “individualism” being touted.
John Donne spoke a truth when writing “No man is an island. . .” We are each part of a body--family, church, community all of which go into making our culture. Hillary Clinton was pilloried from pillar to post over her line that it takes a village to raise a child, but it remains true to life. Jesus summarized the Law and the Gospel as loving God supremely and loving your neighbor as yourself. That puts the cross (the act of at-one-ment) at the core of community - as opposed to individualism.
Some “Bible believing” people fail to see the truth of the Old Testament. A strong case can be made for those a whole set of texts that show that the Bible mandated charity and didn't leave it up entirely to individuals to make the decision. There is a legitimate role of government (Christian or otherwise) involved in providing safety networks for the disenfranchised, the disabled, the impoverished, et al.
Examine the Old Testament Law of gleaning--mandated, a command from God. Farmers were to leave a portion of crops unharvested for the poor. True, we don't just transport laws from ancient Israel into our world, but one thing can't be denied: God mandated charity for the poor as a law that was more than voluntary. It was law--God-mandated, governmentally-instituted, and, probably, privately-enacted. There are other Scriptures but space limits discussion.
What did Jesus say? "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor . . . sent me to proclaim release to the captives. . .regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Jubilee, cf Leviticus 25:8-18).Check out also Deuteronomy 14:28-29. Law means it was against the law not to participate--individually-given but evidently distributed by the villages:
The apostle Paul told Christians to pay taxes to Rome (Godless, rapacious, idolatrous Rome). Let Rome collect taxes; let Rome distribute the money as Rome sees fit. That's what he seems to indicate in Romans 13:5-7:
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
13:6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants devoted to governing.
13:7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
What did Paul mean in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15? Does this not suggest mandatory and voluntary charity for others will eventually come full circle - a kind of "social security" in his day? “Equality" may be a radical idea, but is it only for "Christians with Christians"? Perhaps. However, isn't it making our culture more Christian to expand this principle into our culture?
8:13”: For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.
8:14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,
8:15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."
There is a Christian way that supercedes socialism and libertarianism as well as Republican vs. Democrat. Recognizing the worth of the individual while maintaining social equality and social responsibility are more than politics, they are ethical principles of personal morality.
Wayne at Warner’s World
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
John Donne spoke a truth when writing “No man is an island. . .” We are each part of a body--family, church, community all of which go into making our culture. Hillary Clinton was pilloried from pillar to post over her line that it takes a village to raise a child, but it remains true to life. Jesus summarized the Law and the Gospel as loving God supremely and loving your neighbor as yourself. That puts the cross (the act of at-one-ment) at the core of community - as opposed to individualism.
Some “Bible believing” people fail to see the truth of the Old Testament. A strong case can be made for those a whole set of texts that show that the Bible mandated charity and didn't leave it up entirely to individuals to make the decision. There is a legitimate role of government (Christian or otherwise) involved in providing safety networks for the disenfranchised, the disabled, the impoverished, et al.
Examine the Old Testament Law of gleaning--mandated, a command from God. Farmers were to leave a portion of crops unharvested for the poor. True, we don't just transport laws from ancient Israel into our world, but one thing can't be denied: God mandated charity for the poor as a law that was more than voluntary. It was law--God-mandated, governmentally-instituted, and, probably, privately-enacted. There are other Scriptures but space limits discussion.
What did Jesus say? "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor . . . sent me to proclaim release to the captives. . .regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Jubilee, cf Leviticus 25:8-18).Check out also Deuteronomy 14:28-29. Law means it was against the law not to participate--individually-given but evidently distributed by the villages:
The apostle Paul told Christians to pay taxes to Rome (Godless, rapacious, idolatrous Rome). Let Rome collect taxes; let Rome distribute the money as Rome sees fit. That's what he seems to indicate in Romans 13:5-7:
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience.
13:6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants devoted to governing.
13:7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
What did Paul mean in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15? Does this not suggest mandatory and voluntary charity for others will eventually come full circle - a kind of "social security" in his day? “Equality" may be a radical idea, but is it only for "Christians with Christians"? Perhaps. However, isn't it making our culture more Christian to expand this principle into our culture?
8:13”: For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.
8:14 At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,
8:15 as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."
There is a Christian way that supercedes socialism and libertarianism as well as Republican vs. Democrat. Recognizing the worth of the individual while maintaining social equality and social responsibility are more than politics, they are ethical principles of personal morality.
Wayne at Warner’s World
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Turning a Corner With Healthcare Reform
Healthcare reform passed after a lengthy debate. With President Obama, I agree: it was the right thing to do.
It is NEVER wrong to do the right thing, even if it is costly. It is always COSTLY to avoid doing right just because it is expensive or lessens our personal and pet accounts. It is ALWAYS RIGHT to advocate for healthcare for all people rather than protect the status quo at the expense of the weak, the dysfunctional, and the unable.
As a lifelong Republican, I found it increasingly difficult to reject change (reform) simply to protect the status quo. I could allow for States Rights until it savagely protected continued violation of the civil rights of my black friends and peers. As a Christian American, I could not tolerate that and will not!
David Brooks makes good sense when writing, “In a sensible country, people would see Obama as a president trying to define a modern brand of moderate progressivism. In a sensible country, Obama would be able to clearly define this project without fear of offending the people he needs to get legislation passed. But we don't live in that country. We live in a country in which many people live in information cocoons in which they only talk to members of their own party and read blogs of their own sect. They come away with perceptions fundamentally at odds with reality, fundamentally misunderstanding the man in the Oval Office.”
I remember when Ronald Reagan privatized healthcare. I saw some of the social effects of his "politics" first in California. Later, I worked with mentally-emotionally dysfunctional men in our current community, turned out of our government facilities and stored in privately profitable “Half-way Houses” where they wandered city streets, behaving in dysfunctional manners.
With our large number of hospitalized War Veterans, it was nothing to have those men wandering doped and drunken in the business district, publicly urinating on the streets. We had "a “home” in our neighborhood and saw health care suddenly become a private industry in quick cadence with increasingly exorbitant profits, often operated by people whose only qualification was “operating capital.” I have no problem with capitalism until we allow it to become a privatized monopoly cannibalizing and devouring the system, as it currently is.
Health Care is such that it should NEVER BE FOR "PROFIT" nor should it be allowed to monopolize, for everyone has a right to equal Health Care. Many joined me and others in complaining about the high cost of healthcare, especially after we were "priced out" after 30 years of being a "good paying customer." We complained about the high cost of Healthcare Reform, but few challenged our 2008 spending nationally of $1.9 million per minute for "war and defense", so-called.
Republicans never complained that everyone is forced--even against their wishes--to support police and fire protection, and a host of other social benefits. Nor will Republicans admit that they used the “reconciliation” procedure to pass their tax cuts that led to many of the current problems we face, as well as the War that George Bush involved all of us in (interesting how we all play politics).
Only time will tell how well our attempted Healthcare Reform will work. However, I strongly support what has been launched; I believe it is a right step in the right direction, without going to far either to the right or the left. I can and will support that.
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Wayne
It is NEVER wrong to do the right thing, even if it is costly. It is always COSTLY to avoid doing right just because it is expensive or lessens our personal and pet accounts. It is ALWAYS RIGHT to advocate for healthcare for all people rather than protect the status quo at the expense of the weak, the dysfunctional, and the unable.
As a lifelong Republican, I found it increasingly difficult to reject change (reform) simply to protect the status quo. I could allow for States Rights until it savagely protected continued violation of the civil rights of my black friends and peers. As a Christian American, I could not tolerate that and will not!
David Brooks makes good sense when writing, “In a sensible country, people would see Obama as a president trying to define a modern brand of moderate progressivism. In a sensible country, Obama would be able to clearly define this project without fear of offending the people he needs to get legislation passed. But we don't live in that country. We live in a country in which many people live in information cocoons in which they only talk to members of their own party and read blogs of their own sect. They come away with perceptions fundamentally at odds with reality, fundamentally misunderstanding the man in the Oval Office.”
I remember when Ronald Reagan privatized healthcare. I saw some of the social effects of his "politics" first in California. Later, I worked with mentally-emotionally dysfunctional men in our current community, turned out of our government facilities and stored in privately profitable “Half-way Houses” where they wandered city streets, behaving in dysfunctional manners.
With our large number of hospitalized War Veterans, it was nothing to have those men wandering doped and drunken in the business district, publicly urinating on the streets. We had "a “home” in our neighborhood and saw health care suddenly become a private industry in quick cadence with increasingly exorbitant profits, often operated by people whose only qualification was “operating capital.” I have no problem with capitalism until we allow it to become a privatized monopoly cannibalizing and devouring the system, as it currently is.
Health Care is such that it should NEVER BE FOR "PROFIT" nor should it be allowed to monopolize, for everyone has a right to equal Health Care. Many joined me and others in complaining about the high cost of healthcare, especially after we were "priced out" after 30 years of being a "good paying customer." We complained about the high cost of Healthcare Reform, but few challenged our 2008 spending nationally of $1.9 million per minute for "war and defense", so-called.
Republicans never complained that everyone is forced--even against their wishes--to support police and fire protection, and a host of other social benefits. Nor will Republicans admit that they used the “reconciliation” procedure to pass their tax cuts that led to many of the current problems we face, as well as the War that George Bush involved all of us in (interesting how we all play politics).
Only time will tell how well our attempted Healthcare Reform will work. However, I strongly support what has been launched; I believe it is a right step in the right direction, without going to far either to the right or the left. I can and will support that.
Walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Wayne
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Reforming the Reformation Movement
I belong to a people who believe the local church--congregation--should demonstrate life in the universal church in practical ways. The New Testament reveals glaring short comings, such as Paul encountered at Corinth.
So, where does any congregation fit into God’s universal church? This question deserves more attention than it receives, and being of utmost importance that every congregation fulfill its God-given mission. If it does not purposefully strive for that, it has no reason for existence.
When Paul addressed his letter to the Church of God at Corinth, he was not writing to the universal church, but to the congregation located in Corinth. When John wrote to the seven churches in Asia, he seems to address seven distinct congregations of that area. Most of them had various spiritual shortcomings that disturbed John. Consequently, he warned them of impending judgments unless they corrected their vice and evil-doing.
Whether they were seven churches, or seven thousand churches, is immaterial; they did not constitute the whole (or universal) church. They totaled a group of congregations related-to the universal church. This suggests the vital importance of a local congregation and its role in God’s plans for His Church.
H. C. Heffren concluded you cannot put the whole ocean in a tin cup, but the water in the cup remains identical with the ocean water. Likewise, you cannot pour the universal church into one congregation, or into any group of congregations. The quality of spiritual life and doctrine in each congregation should, however, be representative of the whole (universal) church.
The purpose of a congregation is not to organize the universal church but to REPRODUCE it. In other words, each congregation should demonstrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The characteristics and principles of the universal church are--should be--native (congenital) to the local congregation. If it is Christ’s Body, it will follow in His steps and pursue His redemptive work on earth. Only then is it truly His church.
Acts 2:47 reports “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Pastors are not celestial census-takers or church policemen; they are ambassadors that God calls to “preach the Word.” Christ is the census-taker; he admits “saved” people into his church. The Spirit of God becomes the policeman (the umpire) keeping our conduct harmonious with our calling. When we as ministers faithfully do our part, Christ does His part.
What is our message then? Acts 8:1-4 directs us: “Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church (congregation) which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles . . . THEREFORE, (resulting from Saul’s havoc) they that were scattered abroad went everywhere PREACHING THE WORD.”
We need only note here that when the Jerusalem congregation faced persecution’s havoc, the fire of Pentecost scattered in all directions, wherever the witnesses fled. In this way, the Kingdom of God spread. Verse 12 notes, “when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the KINGDOM OF GOD, (*the Kingdom was not postponed) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized.”
The result of Philip’s preaching the Kingdom of God, and its relationship to Jesus Christ, caused churches to spring up (were established). Verses 5-6 add this important principle: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ, (Messiah) to them.”
Consequently, “the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” The effective gospel message comes with HEARING AND SEEING and the Book of Acts begins with this: “the former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all the things which Jesus began TO DO AND TEACH.” Luke 8:1 suggests Jesus came PREACHING AND SHOWING the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God.
The gospel message offers concrete appeal--oratory and ACTION. Christ’s Kingdom produces PROCLAMATION with DEMONSTRATION. When Paul spoke of taking the gospel to Thessalonica, he reported that he brought the Word of God with POWER on the day of Pentecost.
It attracted and amazed the multitude, but it perplexed them, then convicted them of their sin. This resulted in their mass conversion. When they first came together they asked, “What is the meaning of this?” Hearing and seeing what was taking place, their question changed to, “What must we do?” Thus, their spiritual needs were answered.
Proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom of God in this manner in our communities will result in revival. Nothing less--and nothing else--will produce such results. Note: Philip preached Christ (The Messiah) unto them (v.5). Verse 12 says “they believed what he preached concerning the Kingdom of God.”
In other words, preaching Christ is announcing the Kingdom of God. As we faithfully proclaim this message, Christ builds HIS church.
So, where does any congregation fit into God’s universal church? This question deserves more attention than it receives, and being of utmost importance that every congregation fulfill its God-given mission. If it does not purposefully strive for that, it has no reason for existence.
When Paul addressed his letter to the Church of God at Corinth, he was not writing to the universal church, but to the congregation located in Corinth. When John wrote to the seven churches in Asia, he seems to address seven distinct congregations of that area. Most of them had various spiritual shortcomings that disturbed John. Consequently, he warned them of impending judgments unless they corrected their vice and evil-doing.
Whether they were seven churches, or seven thousand churches, is immaterial; they did not constitute the whole (or universal) church. They totaled a group of congregations related-to the universal church. This suggests the vital importance of a local congregation and its role in God’s plans for His Church.
H. C. Heffren concluded you cannot put the whole ocean in a tin cup, but the water in the cup remains identical with the ocean water. Likewise, you cannot pour the universal church into one congregation, or into any group of congregations. The quality of spiritual life and doctrine in each congregation should, however, be representative of the whole (universal) church.
The purpose of a congregation is not to organize the universal church but to REPRODUCE it. In other words, each congregation should demonstrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The characteristics and principles of the universal church are--should be--native (congenital) to the local congregation. If it is Christ’s Body, it will follow in His steps and pursue His redemptive work on earth. Only then is it truly His church.
Acts 2:47 reports “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Pastors are not celestial census-takers or church policemen; they are ambassadors that God calls to “preach the Word.” Christ is the census-taker; he admits “saved” people into his church. The Spirit of God becomes the policeman (the umpire) keeping our conduct harmonious with our calling. When we as ministers faithfully do our part, Christ does His part.
What is our message then? Acts 8:1-4 directs us: “Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church (congregation) which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles . . . THEREFORE, (resulting from Saul’s havoc) they that were scattered abroad went everywhere PREACHING THE WORD.”
We need only note here that when the Jerusalem congregation faced persecution’s havoc, the fire of Pentecost scattered in all directions, wherever the witnesses fled. In this way, the Kingdom of God spread. Verse 12 notes, “when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the KINGDOM OF GOD, (*the Kingdom was not postponed) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized.”
The result of Philip’s preaching the Kingdom of God, and its relationship to Jesus Christ, caused churches to spring up (were established). Verses 5-6 add this important principle: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ, (Messiah) to them.”
Consequently, “the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” The effective gospel message comes with HEARING AND SEEING and the Book of Acts begins with this: “the former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all the things which Jesus began TO DO AND TEACH.” Luke 8:1 suggests Jesus came PREACHING AND SHOWING the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God.
The gospel message offers concrete appeal--oratory and ACTION. Christ’s Kingdom produces PROCLAMATION with DEMONSTRATION. When Paul spoke of taking the gospel to Thessalonica, he reported that he brought the Word of God with POWER on the day of Pentecost.
It attracted and amazed the multitude, but it perplexed them, then convicted them of their sin. This resulted in their mass conversion. When they first came together they asked, “What is the meaning of this?” Hearing and seeing what was taking place, their question changed to, “What must we do?” Thus, their spiritual needs were answered.
Proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom of God in this manner in our communities will result in revival. Nothing less--and nothing else--will produce such results. Note: Philip preached Christ (The Messiah) unto them (v.5). Verse 12 says “they believed what he preached concerning the Kingdom of God.”
In other words, preaching Christ is announcing the Kingdom of God. As we faithfully proclaim this message, Christ builds HIS church.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Pope Apologizes
"Pope Offers Apology for Sex Abuse Scandal," so reports the NY Times (cf: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/world/europe/21pope.html?emc=na.
Confronting the sex abuse scandal currently spreading across Europe, Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday apologized directly and personally to victims and their families in Ireland. He expressed "shame and remorse" and admitted "your trust had been betrayed and your dignity has been violated."
His message came in a long-awaited, eight-page pastoral letter to Irish Catholics. It seemed couched in strong and passionate language, but it offered no direct reference to any kind of immediate disciplinary action beyond sending a special apostolic delegation to investigate unspecified dioceses and religious congregations in Ireland.
It was, as the Vatican said it would be, focused particularly on the situation in Ireland, even as the crisis has widened in Germany via the Pope’s brother and elsewhere.
Such messages are too often merely verbal manipulations by a popular celebrity,politician, or sports figure.They are delivered to secure the best position for effecting controlled public relations. The right words are spoken, but too often serious action dies and is buried in the investigating committee (any pastor knows about this kind of practice).
Such practices have been criticized within the Vatican-controlled religious community for more than one-hundred years--a century or more. Public relations remain tightly controlled, leaving the papal hierarchy still well positioned in their lucrative positions of political pride and power--something hard for any human to relinquish.
Should the Vatican hierarchy or the Priesthood ever become serious about the real issues of their ethics and morality, they would address them with the fervor with which they address abortion and similar they give attention too (they would do something more than talk).
They would address and correct such practices as the supreme wisdom of Papal decisions, the corruption of political power by the Vatican, and they would return to the biblical authority of Scripture (the faith once delivered to the New Testament Saints and the common priesthood of believers).
I often admired Pope John 23rd as a world figure. Yet, I seriously wonder at the right of any individual to “Papal Authority”, and I challenge the Pope’s bid to retain the status quo of that morally corrupt and ethically deficient Hierarchy that calls itself a church, while continuing to misread Scripture and misguide well-intentioned seekers.
Wayne,
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Confronting the sex abuse scandal currently spreading across Europe, Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday apologized directly and personally to victims and their families in Ireland. He expressed "shame and remorse" and admitted "your trust had been betrayed and your dignity has been violated."
His message came in a long-awaited, eight-page pastoral letter to Irish Catholics. It seemed couched in strong and passionate language, but it offered no direct reference to any kind of immediate disciplinary action beyond sending a special apostolic delegation to investigate unspecified dioceses and religious congregations in Ireland.
It was, as the Vatican said it would be, focused particularly on the situation in Ireland, even as the crisis has widened in Germany via the Pope’s brother and elsewhere.
Such messages are too often merely verbal manipulations by a popular celebrity,politician, or sports figure.They are delivered to secure the best position for effecting controlled public relations. The right words are spoken, but too often serious action dies and is buried in the investigating committee (any pastor knows about this kind of practice).
Such practices have been criticized within the Vatican-controlled religious community for more than one-hundred years--a century or more. Public relations remain tightly controlled, leaving the papal hierarchy still well positioned in their lucrative positions of political pride and power--something hard for any human to relinquish.
Should the Vatican hierarchy or the Priesthood ever become serious about the real issues of their ethics and morality, they would address them with the fervor with which they address abortion and similar they give attention too (they would do something more than talk).
They would address and correct such practices as the supreme wisdom of Papal decisions, the corruption of political power by the Vatican, and they would return to the biblical authority of Scripture (the faith once delivered to the New Testament Saints and the common priesthood of believers).
I often admired Pope John 23rd as a world figure. Yet, I seriously wonder at the right of any individual to “Papal Authority”, and I challenge the Pope’s bid to retain the status quo of that morally corrupt and ethically deficient Hierarchy that calls itself a church, while continuing to misread Scripture and misguide well-intentioned seekers.
Wayne,
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Married To a Bigamist
Ever watch those Bud Lite commercials? I'm not what you call much of a drinker but I have become quite aware of those stupid commercials! One shows this couple enjoying each other's company. She is obviously waiting for him to find himself and commit to her and declare his love for her.
He, on the other hand, is finding it equally impossible to make his muscles and lips conform to the proper shape to express those golden words I love you." No matter how hard he struggles, that coveted message will not take form and she never hears the words she dreams to hear.
Finally the waitress comes around (with a bottle of Bud Lite). This suddenly unleashes his stiff and inflexible muscles and launches his obvious verbal skills, enabling him to express his great delight, devotion, and true love--for his Bud Lite. Of course; she quietly and quickly leaves him with the real love of his life.
Another such commercial shows Mr. Jocko offending his female companion. He extolls the warmth of his affection for his beloved, and you see her swell with pride as she anticipates becoming the fulfillment of his affection. The knife twists sudddenly when he holds up the real object of his supreme affection - bottle of Bud Lite.
These commercials convinced me of the truth of the beer commercial: Bud drinkers prefer their "Bud Lite" to all other companions. Take Billy for example.
Billy may or may not eat, but he drinks lots of beer--cases by the week--Bud Lite only! Fifteen years ago Billy married a wife but has yet to give her the affection and loyalty he gives Bud Lite. He has yet to produce a single 1040--not one--with a full year of support, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Of course, he has not held a regular job in a decade. Yet, he complains if his spouse does not provide his multiple cases of weekly Bud Lite and Skoal--the top of his want list.
He can no longer fulfill the normal conjugal relationships of marriage, let alone fulfill the obligations of making a living, or maintaining those normal relationships of an otherwise normal marriage.
Billy's wife has long since lost hope in the face of the overwhelming hopelessness of her broken marriage, which is NO marriage. She now knows the truth of that haunting spector of living with a bigamist--Billy is in fact married to "Bud Lite." He is never unfaithful or disloyal to Bud Lite--no matter the cost.
And I freely admit, I no longer trust "truth in advertising." There is no truth, only slanted half-truths. But, I have learned from observation that those beer commercials do tell a certain truth - Bud Lite, Miller Highlight, et al, ad infinitum ...
They may be costly, but they are plentiful, and they illustrate the stupidity of believing the fanciful life they idealize. In their wake, they leave a tsunami of broken marriages, and twisted lives, and warped truths. Something I learned a while back: 75 million family member number an alcoholic in their family.
Most people think drinking beer is a harmless social function. Perhaps. Statistics reveal, however, that this is wrong thinking. The fact of the matter is, beer is the most addictive drug we have in our extended list of addictive drugs. This is proved by the statistics that are available to anyone interested in learning the truth.
As I said earlier, I was never much of a drinker, but neither did I know the real truth (1) until I had to live with an alcoholic in my family, and (2) until I joined the speakers bureau and travelled for six years with the Michigan Interfaith Council on Alcohol Problems.
Wayne,
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
He, on the other hand, is finding it equally impossible to make his muscles and lips conform to the proper shape to express those golden words I love you." No matter how hard he struggles, that coveted message will not take form and she never hears the words she dreams to hear.
Finally the waitress comes around (with a bottle of Bud Lite). This suddenly unleashes his stiff and inflexible muscles and launches his obvious verbal skills, enabling him to express his great delight, devotion, and true love--for his Bud Lite. Of course; she quietly and quickly leaves him with the real love of his life.
Another such commercial shows Mr. Jocko offending his female companion. He extolls the warmth of his affection for his beloved, and you see her swell with pride as she anticipates becoming the fulfillment of his affection. The knife twists sudddenly when he holds up the real object of his supreme affection - bottle of Bud Lite.
These commercials convinced me of the truth of the beer commercial: Bud drinkers prefer their "Bud Lite" to all other companions. Take Billy for example.
Billy may or may not eat, but he drinks lots of beer--cases by the week--Bud Lite only! Fifteen years ago Billy married a wife but has yet to give her the affection and loyalty he gives Bud Lite. He has yet to produce a single 1040--not one--with a full year of support, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Of course, he has not held a regular job in a decade. Yet, he complains if his spouse does not provide his multiple cases of weekly Bud Lite and Skoal--the top of his want list.
He can no longer fulfill the normal conjugal relationships of marriage, let alone fulfill the obligations of making a living, or maintaining those normal relationships of an otherwise normal marriage.
Billy's wife has long since lost hope in the face of the overwhelming hopelessness of her broken marriage, which is NO marriage. She now knows the truth of that haunting spector of living with a bigamist--Billy is in fact married to "Bud Lite." He is never unfaithful or disloyal to Bud Lite--no matter the cost.
And I freely admit, I no longer trust "truth in advertising." There is no truth, only slanted half-truths. But, I have learned from observation that those beer commercials do tell a certain truth - Bud Lite, Miller Highlight, et al, ad infinitum ...
They may be costly, but they are plentiful, and they illustrate the stupidity of believing the fanciful life they idealize. In their wake, they leave a tsunami of broken marriages, and twisted lives, and warped truths. Something I learned a while back: 75 million family member number an alcoholic in their family.
Most people think drinking beer is a harmless social function. Perhaps. Statistics reveal, however, that this is wrong thinking. The fact of the matter is, beer is the most addictive drug we have in our extended list of addictive drugs. This is proved by the statistics that are available to anyone interested in learning the truth.
As I said earlier, I was never much of a drinker, but neither did I know the real truth (1) until I had to live with an alcoholic in my family, and (2) until I joined the speakers bureau and travelled for six years with the Michigan Interfaith Council on Alcohol Problems.
Wayne,
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tribalism, Terrorism, and Twisted Truth
I am looking out of the window at a lovely SE Kentucky Friday afternoon filled with sunshine and rising temps. A piece of mail this week reported the expose of a confidential Republican National Committee fundraising proposal. This bizzare proposal revealed the hidden planning of the National Republican Party to run "an aggressive campaign capitalizing on 'fear' of President Barack Obama and a promise to 'save the country from trending toward socialism.'"
I have received many such emails that portray the President as a non-American, an undercover Muslim, a totally untrustworthy man filled with subversive ideas for destroying America.I find these filled with half-truths, and slanted so as to leave me and any other reader convinced of the untrustworthiness of both the president and his fellow Democrats. This is not confined to the Republican Party; both parties use it whenever they find it expedient to do so ... all with an air of innocence and great integrity.
Such juicy tactics tell tidbits of truth, accompanied by an abundance of half-truths. They carry ship loads of mental, emotional, and political warping as baggage. The completed products are generally a far cry from the original nugget of true ore. They defend America against this President Obama as ficercely loyal citizens.
This political terrorism is as subversive to American values as are other acts of terror calculated to destroy prominent American sites. It is destructive of American values and it reveals an America filled with moral flaws. It is part of a larger picture of typical Western values today as portrayed in our advertising industry, where everything is appearance and nothing is substance; it must all be interpreted in context if one discovers any real truth.
I for one am disenchanted with media advertising; I find it difficult to believe in any product or individual, unless I know them at their core. They leave me with a total sense of distrust in everything and everybody. I find this distructive and unAmerican, for the America I once knew had a core goodness that said people are innocent until proven guilty. Today, too many people and products are "half-true" unless proven otherwise.
Then I read this quote that comes from Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite in Deadly Viper Character Assassins (Zondervan, 2009). It tells a different story about what sank the Titanic…
Most people think an iceberg sank the ship, but Wess Stafford (president of Compassion International) said that's only half the story… No, the Titanic sank because of 3 million faulty rivets that held the steel to the ship's hull. Apparently, during the manufacturing of these riv-ets, the plant cut a few corners and used substandard iron to save a few bucks. The force of the collision with the iceberg created immense pressure on the rivets, which caused them to catastrophically fail. Thus, the steel plating of the shop's hull catapulted off the frame allowing the freezing waters of the Atlantic to rush inside the doomed ship…
As Stafford concludes, "We must realize life is about the rivets, the little details… When the pressure comes, will we be able to stand the force or will our hull be compromised?"
There is no doubt, American life is fragmenting and dividing, tribalizing. Party spirits and partisanship pulls us apart one rivet at a time, one party from another, company by company, person by person. How long will the hull of America's Ship of State stand the pressures against it? How soon will life as we know it totally destruct with the compromises brought by the terrorists that tell half truths? How long before the iceberg sinks us?
There once lived a man that lived among us without guile; he lived as "the way, and the truth, and the life John 14:6). As one of his followers today, I find that real living comes in pursuing 'the truth' and that if we pursue the truth far enough it will lead us to God.
The honest pursuit of truth will free us from the lostness of lies, the perversity and disorientation of half-truths (political or commercial), from the fragmentation of partial-truth, and from the destruction of our society. Let your "yes" be "yes" Jesus taught, and let your "no" be "no." Only a restoration of truth can save us.
This is Wayne,walking with Warner.blogspot.com
I have received many such emails that portray the President as a non-American, an undercover Muslim, a totally untrustworthy man filled with subversive ideas for destroying America.I find these filled with half-truths, and slanted so as to leave me and any other reader convinced of the untrustworthiness of both the president and his fellow Democrats. This is not confined to the Republican Party; both parties use it whenever they find it expedient to do so ... all with an air of innocence and great integrity.
Such juicy tactics tell tidbits of truth, accompanied by an abundance of half-truths. They carry ship loads of mental, emotional, and political warping as baggage. The completed products are generally a far cry from the original nugget of true ore. They defend America against this President Obama as ficercely loyal citizens.
This political terrorism is as subversive to American values as are other acts of terror calculated to destroy prominent American sites. It is destructive of American values and it reveals an America filled with moral flaws. It is part of a larger picture of typical Western values today as portrayed in our advertising industry, where everything is appearance and nothing is substance; it must all be interpreted in context if one discovers any real truth.
I for one am disenchanted with media advertising; I find it difficult to believe in any product or individual, unless I know them at their core. They leave me with a total sense of distrust in everything and everybody. I find this distructive and unAmerican, for the America I once knew had a core goodness that said people are innocent until proven guilty. Today, too many people and products are "half-true" unless proven otherwise.
Then I read this quote that comes from Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite in Deadly Viper Character Assassins (Zondervan, 2009). It tells a different story about what sank the Titanic…
Most people think an iceberg sank the ship, but Wess Stafford (president of Compassion International) said that's only half the story… No, the Titanic sank because of 3 million faulty rivets that held the steel to the ship's hull. Apparently, during the manufacturing of these riv-ets, the plant cut a few corners and used substandard iron to save a few bucks. The force of the collision with the iceberg created immense pressure on the rivets, which caused them to catastrophically fail. Thus, the steel plating of the shop's hull catapulted off the frame allowing the freezing waters of the Atlantic to rush inside the doomed ship…
As Stafford concludes, "We must realize life is about the rivets, the little details… When the pressure comes, will we be able to stand the force or will our hull be compromised?"
There is no doubt, American life is fragmenting and dividing, tribalizing. Party spirits and partisanship pulls us apart one rivet at a time, one party from another, company by company, person by person. How long will the hull of America's Ship of State stand the pressures against it? How soon will life as we know it totally destruct with the compromises brought by the terrorists that tell half truths? How long before the iceberg sinks us?
There once lived a man that lived among us without guile; he lived as "the way, and the truth, and the life John 14:6). As one of his followers today, I find that real living comes in pursuing 'the truth' and that if we pursue the truth far enough it will lead us to God.
The honest pursuit of truth will free us from the lostness of lies, the perversity and disorientation of half-truths (political or commercial), from the fragmentation of partial-truth, and from the destruction of our society. Let your "yes" be "yes" Jesus taught, and let your "no" be "no." Only a restoration of truth can save us.
This is Wayne,walking with Warner.blogspot.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
H. C. Heffren, Canadian Pioneer
Some think the Reverend Henry C. Heffren was a great doctrinal preacher-author; He did write more than 40 books and pamphlets, lead a correspondence school, and serve as a mission pastor and executive, as well as radio preacher in Manitoba. Others think he was not too great a bible scholar. I happen to be one who held him in high esteem and I know he was highly esteemed by the Church of God in both Western Canada and Stateside.
Dr. Heffren, as he was honored by Gulfcoast Bible College, was a pioneer pastor of the Church of God in Western Canada. He got involved in radio and operated a faith radio ministry that also became a publishing-teaching ministry that was global in time. I was introduced to his ministry when I was a rookie pastor in West Texas; he lectured in Houston on the Kingdom of God and the church, and I was hooked from then on.
The numerous writings of H.C. Heffren will soon available in a 4-volume compiling o his more than 40 publications. That project is nearing completion at Reformation Publishers. I believe many pastors and lay people will find it not only helpful but quite useful.
I post this from Reformation Publishers so that any readers will know I have not left the scene; I have just been toooooo busy. Thus, I take this occasion to let some of you know I will resume my regular ramblings again, but for now I will use this to alert some of you to the coming Heffren series from RP. They "should" be available for the first time at the coming May Pastor's Fellowship in Winchester, KY.
This is an off the cuff announcement while I am doing a late-night printing job at RP. Watch for Dr. Heffren's compiled volumes and I'll give more details when they become available. In the meantime,
I'm still walkingwithwarner@blogspot.com,
Wayne
Dr. Heffren, as he was honored by Gulfcoast Bible College, was a pioneer pastor of the Church of God in Western Canada. He got involved in radio and operated a faith radio ministry that also became a publishing-teaching ministry that was global in time. I was introduced to his ministry when I was a rookie pastor in West Texas; he lectured in Houston on the Kingdom of God and the church, and I was hooked from then on.
The numerous writings of H.C. Heffren will soon available in a 4-volume compiling o his more than 40 publications. That project is nearing completion at Reformation Publishers. I believe many pastors and lay people will find it not only helpful but quite useful.
I post this from Reformation Publishers so that any readers will know I have not left the scene; I have just been toooooo busy. Thus, I take this occasion to let some of you know I will resume my regular ramblings again, but for now I will use this to alert some of you to the coming Heffren series from RP. They "should" be available for the first time at the coming May Pastor's Fellowship in Winchester, KY.
This is an off the cuff announcement while I am doing a late-night printing job at RP. Watch for Dr. Heffren's compiled volumes and I'll give more details when they become available. In the meantime,
I'm still walkingwithwarner@blogspot.com,
Wayne
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