Wise Words from Wise Men

With the election just days away, I think it would be helpful if we reflected on our founding fathers and what direction they intended this country to follow. Constantly, we are bombarded with what our founding fathers "really meant" by what they said long, long ago. Our polititians will make speeches concerning these intentions and never truly quote what they really did say.
Let us not presume what these wise men intended without first hearing what they actually said.

William Penn a founder of Pennsylvania said," Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants."

Horace Greeley founder of the New York Tribune in the pre civil war times said, " It is impossible to enslave, mentally or socially, a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.

Patrick Henry most know for his statement "Give me liberty or give me death" said, " Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of free men. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.

It is clear, from these men, they did not have any intention of God being kicked out of government...because they intended it be run by men ruled by God.

Men and women in this generation look to the government to be their god. Polititians make speeches that spew forth socialist ideas and people in this once greater republic cheer. We seem to want free health care, welfare, food stamps, tax breaks, and our houses guarenteed to us even if we don't have the money to pay the bank who lended us the money for our house in the first place.....YES!!! government should take care of that ....after all it is their fault we lost our job anyway. Right?
Some polititians declare we need to spread the wealth around.... which by the way was a slogan pitched by communist leaders seeking power to people ripe with higher class hatred.

Communist Karl Marx said, " The first thing necessary to control the people, is to separate them from their heritage."

We are constantly being told...didn't Barack Obama say it at the democratic convention?...that the Bible has no place in government ...attack #1.

Our founding fathers sought to end class wars. The democrats seek to start them. Attack #2 Statements they make are riddled with the attempted persuasion of making us hate the rich. When pinned down and asked, "Who are the rich" they pull some figure out of thin air of what a "rich man" currently makes....only problem is is that figure keeps changing...generally going down. Before you know it they will end up talking about you and you never even knew you were rich. By the way, most of them make more than they are talking about the rich making and they want you to vote for them and help them make more by tapping into the vast supply of your tax dollars which they love to increase regularly in order to pay for all the promises made to you in order to get elected.

Abraham Lincoln said,...

*you cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

*You cannont strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

*You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

*You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

*You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

*you cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independance

*You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could, and should, do for themselves.

Sounds like Abraham Lincoln could have been running against a man like Barack Hussein Obama.
What simple common sense .... what profound wisdom....too bad there aren't more Abraham Lincoln's living today to recognize the foolishness behind the democrate's tactics, plans, and stratigies.

A statement most attributed to Lord Woodhouselee is as follows:

Alexander Fraser Tytler Lord Woodhouselee
An Observation on Democracy
The most interesting observation is how closely the US has followed this scenario.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with a result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always to be followed by dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence:

* From Bondage to Spiritual Faith
* From Spiritual Faith to Great Courage
* From Courage to Liberty
* From Liberty to Abundance
* From Abundance to Selfishness
* From Selfishness to Complacency
* From Complacency to Apathy
* From Apathy to Dependency
* From Dependency back into Bondage"

--- most commonly attributed to
"The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic"
by Alexander Fraser Tytler Lord Woodhouselee (1748-1813)
(Scottish judge and historian at Edinburgh University)

On election day, I pray you will keep in mind what these wise men have said. The Democrats entire agenda goes recklessly headlong down paths these wise men warned us about. We as a nation cannot thumb our noses at God and go against the council of wise men who could foresee so clearly the danger which is to follow for a nation who forgets God.

If you are a Christian fast and pray for this election!!!

Repair man's surprise visit

Our shower has been leaking from the shower head for some time now. I called a man we bought the house from (home warranty) to come and fix it Tuesday. He told me he would be there that evening to take a look at it. I spent the day cleaning my house making sure everything was in its place in every room...even the ones he wouldn't be in. The place just sparkled and then I told the kids not to breath till after he left...lol. We waited and waited and he never came. At that moment I figured my luck would be that he would just show up when I least expected him and my house would be turned upside down at that moment. You know....my bed unmade (you have to go through my bedroom to get to the bathroom in question), underwear in the bathroom floor, or the kitchen a mess with the contents of my two year old son's breakfast bowl plastered to the wall, which sometimes occurs when he decides he is finished...NOW.
Two days passed and no phone call...was he coming? Then tonight the phone rang....it was the dinner hour....Mr. Fix-it said, "I'll be right over." He lives five minutes away!! I raced around to clean the evening meal debris away. The children were still eating...Then in a flash he was pullling into the driveway....ahhhhhh! I went to the door and he had the needed part to fix the shower in his hand. He said my husband could probably put the part in himself if I preferred he didn't intrude. I assured him he would not be intruding....as my mind raced to think...right before supper I had given my littlest son a shower in our bathroom....what kind of mess had I left it in....if he fixed the shower I would have to lead him casually into rooms I had not had the time to check on...what was their current condition? I decided to protect my pride and said..."You know I would hate to inconvience you...My husband can probably fix the shower and if he needs help he can call you back." While making small talk and feeling as though I had narrowly escaped this potentially pride hurting experience...I looked down at my youngest son who had come to the door some time before and had, like a good boy, been quietly standing behind me. To my profound horror I discovered he was completely naked from the waist down. Gone were his pants and pull-ups. "Jason!!!" I exclaimed loudly, "What are you doing!" Horrified I looked at the man at my door....I wondered how long Jason had been standing there in all his glory with me trying to make small talk. This was probably the reason why the guy didn't "Want to intrude"...lol. I quickly assured the man that Jason didn't normally run around this way.
When the man was gone I had to laugh through embarrassed and mortified tears. With all my efforts to look like I had it together ....my fragile pride was fractured anyway.
Tonight...I am thanking God for kids. For if nothing else they keep us humble and remind us life isn't perfect....and if it were it wouldn't be nearly as entertaining.

Family Portraits

Today I took my six children to have their pictures taken. My oldest daughter is in college in Kentucky and couldn't be present for the exciting occasion or there would have been seven kids in the photo. I can't believe how exhausting picture taking can be. Trying to get everyone to smile and hold their heads just right is quite a task....and that isn't even mentioning all the preparation before the photograph ..... making sure all the clothes being wore are clean and not of any color that would clash with the sibling sitting beside them in the picture.
While I was applying some last minute spit to strands of hair that didn't want to lay in their proper position...I was reminded how miraculous God's gift of family is. Those of us with children know just how intense the daily grind can sometimes become....family can begin to mean to us one more load of laundry to do....or an evening meal to prepare just when we think we can't take one more thing on our "plate"....but may we never forget that all those little messers, all those mouths to feed, the husband hogging our side of the bed at night is God's special gift to us, souls that will never die made in God's own image to remind us of Him. Be mindful of this when you fill that sippy cup up one more time....or when you slide to your edge of the bed with a husband snoring loudly in you ear. Thank God for the dirt and grime on little hands requiring your attention; providing you with the opportunity to look deep into your loved one's eyes a moment made to take a mental photograph.... one you'll treasure for years to come when children won't be around to ask for small favors.
Photos taken in studios will be filed away in albums confined to bookshelves or displayed in dusty picture frames...but the family portraits I think most treasured are the ones imprinted on our hearts.....the ones mentallly taken while spending time in the shelter of our homes....without the backlights, drop cloths, and adjustable stools.

Religion vs Christianity

Religion vs Christianity

What is the difference between Religion and Christianity? The line between the two seems to
become more and more blurred everyday.

Romans 2:13 - (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law
shall be justified.
James 1:22 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The Religious are schooled in the right things to say and do....lots of times they can quote
large passages of Scripture defining what they "believe"...however the Christian knows
true belief is in the doing not the saying. This is where the religious fall short...they say
they know what is right....but they perform very little to none of what they say.
The religious are swept along on the tide of their whims and flesh.
They are comfortable with their sin nature....they secretly are even happy to dwell with it.

Christianity is knowing what the Bible says to do....and doing it...through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
Sure, a Christian might fall every now and again...but when they do they get up and repent
and start over again....doing what the Scripture says....living it day in and day out.

Proverbs 24:16 - For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:
but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

The Christian will fight a battle with sin every day....They will not be content to dwell with it.

Are you a Christian?....or just Religious?.....Pray about it..

Is Your Name Written in the Book of Life?

Is Your Name Written In The Book of Life

The Book of Life...The most important book there is....the only list you'll ever be on that really
matters whether or not your name is found therein. Shouldn't we know how to be placed on
this list....and if there are any ways to be removed from this all important book?
This journal entry is a result of a study on the Book of Life...and what I learned may shock you.
So, reader, read on.

One of the first things I discovered in my study about the Book of Life is the fact that only the
names of those who have had a personal salvational experience can even get their names in
this Holy Book.

Phillipians 4:3 And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in
the book of life.

Here Paul is speaking to fellow laborers...as he calls them...true yokefellows....we all know
Paul's criteria of faithful service...not just anybody could or would get labeled a fellow laborer
with him.

We also find a passage in Luke which must refer to the book of life by reason of it is the only
book in heaven recorded in scripture as having names written in it.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather
rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

In light of the passages we have just read a question naturally comes to mind.....If only the
saved are written in the book of life...can the saved names be blotted (or taken out) of the
book of life through sin?

Exodus 32: 31-33 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned
a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now; if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not
blot me, I pray thee out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses,
Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

By this passage, we see that the righteous because of personal sin can have their names blotted
(or taken) out of the book in heaven.

Psalm 69:27-28 Add iniquity unto their iniquity, and let them not come into thy righteousness.
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

So, we see here, only the righteous have their names written in the book of life and through
iniquity it can be taked out.
It is interesting to note: the Hebrew word for blot in these passages is Machah....which means
to erase, abolish, blot out, destroy, put out, utterly wipe away or wipe out.

With all this in mind, and the fact Revelation was written to the seven churches....a book
we can surmise was written to Christians....this warning found in Revelation about having one's
part taken away out of the book of life and the holy city is particularly interesting...

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of prophecy of
this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that
are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this
prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city and from
the things which are written in this book.

Even a child would understand this passage to mean one must have first had a part in the
book of life and the holy city to have it taken away. Also, if this person being warned were
never saved God could not take away something that a lost man or woman never
had a right to in the first place.

You may be asking....What happens to those whose names are not in the book of life?
The Bible says they are thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire.

Seeing the names of formerly saved persons can be blotted out of the book of life it must
therefore be impossible for the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved to be true!!!!
It is interesting to note that the Greek for the words fearful and unbelieving in the next cited
passage can mean the faithless and disobedient. Also it is interesting to note that the list of
people who are in hell does not just end with unbelievers!

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable, and the murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Obviously, these people's names are not written in the book of life because they are thrown
into the lake of fire. We can gather from this the ones whose names ARE in the book of life
ARE NOT the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters,
or liars.
To not go to the holy city because your part is taken away (as stated in Rev 22:18-19) is to
be left outside that holy city.

Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to
the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For WITHOUT are dogs and
sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and
maketh a lie.

The Book of Life truly is the most important book there is. Why do you think what is required
to be included in this book isn't more taught and talked about? If it were, I am sure, all those
passages on faith and faithfulness going hand in hand would mean more. All those passages,
on enduring to the end and finishing the race set before us, would ring a little truer. We would
walk daily with Christ...just a little closer...and we would deny ourselves more and take up
our cross and follow Christ. I know we would repent a lot more and strive to be more obedient.

This truth concerning the book of life and the saved being blotted out has been there all along.
Isn't it sad when what has been right in front of our eyes....startles and surprises us?

I ask the question again...in light of what you have read....Is your name written in the book of
life? Pray about it!!!!!

What's Important?

What's Most Important

What's most important in life?

Things which cause heartache and strife?

Daily pains that cut like a knife?

Is this what's important in life?



Is it money, possesions, and fame?

Your heritage or good family name?

Is it recognition or worldly acclaim?

What's important's not one and the same.



For what's most important indeed

Is what too often we pay little heed

Like the touch of a friend when in need

Kindness in action, in word, or in deed



What's important begins with this seed

A growing flower 'midst a garden of weeds

Bringing cheer to your heart when it bleeds

Now this seed we call charity



But this seed that is too little known

In truth can only be sown

By those who kneel before the throne

Of the Lord Jehovah: Who is charity

Written by: L.L.H.

Copyrighted 2001

1 Corinthians 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

CHARITY....1 : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity 2a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy

Truth

Truth. Everyone is searching for it...but very few want to see it, hear it, or experience it. We live in a world trying to escape the truth...with creams that promise less wrinkles....clothes which promise to conceal pounds, and a multi-million dollar plastic surgery industry.

What is truth? Our culture today says truth is relative. Those newly “enlightened” claim "Truth is whatever you decide for yourself." This theory proves its own self to be false....for instance...if I weigh 999 pounds and I decide that my version of the truth will be that I am not fat... even though I may deceive myself into thinking I am thin… the real truth will smack me in the face whenever I sit down and break a chair not properly constructed for my massive size, or anytime I go clothes shopping only to realize I cannot even fit my little toe into a size six dress. My “thin” version of the truth will only survive as long as I choose to blind myself to reality.

Truth exists. There is a truth apart from what we decided for ourselves …it is called God’s Word. The Bible, in its uncut version, is extremely unpopular. It has the audacity to label everyone sinners! For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12

It says we are incapable of doing any good on our own. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

The Bible also lets us know; no sin will enter into heaven and then goes on to tell us where unrepentant sinners go….HELL. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 The Bible states the only way to avoid this condemnation is to hear God’s Word, which is true, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father, who sent Christ, as our Savior. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

Now many sinners will immediately proclaim “THIS CAN’T BE TRUTH…IT IS TOO HARSH….AND IT DOESN’T LEAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS…THEREFORE IT MUST BE WRONG.” These same people will go on pretending they’ll never die and ignoring the lash from their conscience. These are the same people who are devastated by their 99 year old Grandmother dying…because it doesn’t fit into their version of the truth….that they will live forever. Whenever they briefly face the fact of their own mortality and their conscience begins to bother them; they see a shrink or take a pill….anything to avoid reality…but sad to say…for some …DEATH…will be the only thing that wakes them up to the Truth. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:24



Truth separates friends and families. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:32-37 When a Christian lives and speaks the truth they should not be surprised to find themselves at odds with the world around them. The Christian is motivated by a completely different reasoning such as: …shortness of time…certainty of death…keeping a clear conscience before God…etc. The Bible refers to a Christian as a stranger and a pilgrim. When a Christian accepts the Bible as the final authority in his life; he is certain to appear as a stranger, living in a foreign land, whenever he finds himself amongst the world. The Bible does not say he MAY be reviled and persecuted…it says he SHALL be.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

Truth sets us free. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32 God cannot tell a lie …God, that cannot lie…Titus 1:2

…therefore He is truth. Whenever we embrace this truth…that the Bible is the truth… we will be set free from the world’s philosophy that says “Truth is whatever you decide for yourself…whatever makes you happy…whatever makes you feel good.” We will understand the fact that a Christian marches to the beat of a different drum. We are not on this earth to win a popularity contest. We are here to shine our lights in a dark world. 14 Ye are the light of the world. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14&16 Even though the truth, we embrace as Christians, may cause us to receive persecution on earth that same truth if we hold fast our faith will protect us in the world to come.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4