A small victory for liberty

Lawmakers quickly point fingers after bailout fails

Energy Efficient Homes

A link was passed my way and I thought I'd pass it on. Although I think it applies more to new construction, it should still offer many tips to current homeowners.

http://www.dougrye.com/

Managed "Free" Market

Conservatives: 'Take a breath' before passing bailout

"Nobody wants to do this. Nobody wants to be involved in this. Nobody wants to take the chance, but I would argue... if we do nothing, we are jeopardizing our economy, jobs and people's retirement security," [Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the top Republican in the House] said.

"[I]f we do nothing" is exactly what this country needs from you Sir. Please do nothing and allow the economy to right itself.

Shameful behavior

Commentary: Christian bookstore's shameful actions

Story Highlights
Lifeway stores put Christian magazine behind counter

Magazine featured female pastors on its cover

Lifeway has no respect for freedom of the press, Martin says

Lifeway, Southern Baptist Convention should apologize, he says

What gives religion a bad name? Behavior so described and responses of the like. Yes, it is true the bookstores should have been more professional. But deal with it on that level. The moment you start making it a religious issue then professionalism isn't what the true story is about, but the real story is one of retaliation for hurting his wife's feelings.

We can deal with the polemics in another forum but to give your interpretation of doctrine is to add insult to injury. Furthermore you undermine the authority of scripture by claiming that not all of scripture is God breathed and given by Him. Even when Paul said "this is my own thoughts," was he not carried along by the Spirit?

The very breath of God

John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

Interesting, C.S. Lewis makes use of this picture of Christ with his character of Aslan. God breathing is an amazing thing. Oh, what wonders wrought by the very breath of God!

Whether He meant for them then to receive or later to receive, it would seem very awkward if it was Jesus returning only in a different form. Other passages would also be awkward to read if there are not three distinct persons in the Godhead.

May God heal our land

2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 26 However, Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come on them in the days of Hezekiah.

And that folks is the only mention of sin in Hezekiah. Not that he was nearly perfect or any other such nonsense, but it goes to show you that no one is perfect. Even those we would highly esteem are not perfect. I do not remember where I read this but someone pointed out that the only person mentioned in the Bible (besides Jesus) who is mentioned without a speaking of his sin is Joseph (assuming that Jesus did not sin and for Joseph it is not spoken of).

Even after these verses it goes on to laud Hezekiah with more praise. Just remember, he was but a man. Getting beyond that however he is worthy of looking up to and we should all strive to be like him (amongst others we should be like of course). He came out of a time of wickedness and restored a godly social order. No he was not perfect but what he did was acceptable to God so that God would heal the land. I pray that we too could restore a godly social order and that we might do the right thing if not in exactly the right way but that God may still heal our land.

God and War

2 Chronicles 32:8 "With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Does this apply today? Could we say that "God is with us" when we go to battle (i.e. given a just war)? Does this mean we wouldn't have to fight or be the best war fighters we could be?

I think that would be an extremist view of the verse. Notice in the second part of the verse that God would "help" them and "fight" their battles. But God cannot help those who do nothing. God could fight the battle for those who do nothing but it appears that He wouldn't always do that. So given the case that He 'merely' helps, what is the scenario? Men fight with all their ability and they win because God has deemed it so. That is true in any case. If we win or lose it is because God has deemed it so.

So when was the last time that America won? Makes you wonder...

2 Chronicles 32:17 He also wrote letters to insult the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against Him, saying, "As the gods of the nations of the lands have not delivered their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand." 18 They called this out with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, so that they might take the city. 19 They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, the work of men's hands. 20 But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned in shame to his own land. And when he had entered the temple of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword. 22 So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.

The God of the Old Testament

Selections from the narrative:

2 Chronicles 30:3 since they could not celebrate [the Passover] at that time, because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, nor had the people been gathered to Jerusalem.

9 "...For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him."

but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. (vs. 10)

11 Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD.

15 Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth of the second month. And the priests and Levites were ashamed of themselves, and consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the LORD. 16 They stood at their stations after their custom, according to the law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood which they received from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves; therefore, the Levites were over the slaughter of the Passover lambs for everyone who was unclean, in order to consecrate them to the LORD. 18 For a multitude of the people, even many from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than prescribed. For Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD pardon 19 everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary." 20 So the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. (Emphasis mine.)

25 All the assembly of Judah rejoiced, with the priests and the Levites and all the assembly that came from Israel, both the sojourners who came from the land of Israel and those living in Judah. 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, because there was nothing like this in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. 27 Then the Levitical priests arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard and their prayer came to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.

2 Chronicles 31:20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah; and he did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God. 21 Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered.

God requires holiness.

God accepts less.

God requires absolute obedience to a rigid standard.

God helps us to keep His law by direct aid through the Holy Spirit and by declaring us righteous because of the work of Christ on the cross.

Perfectionism is an unachievable earthly ideal. In heaven we will be perfect. Moderation and a heart that desires/loves God is an achievable earthly concept.

God wants true worshipers, He wants people who will come to His marriage supper when He invites them, He wants people who are poor in spirit, He wants obedience rather than sacrifice, He wants us to be fully devoted to Him.

In our current state we will not give God what He requires without Him first giving it to us to give to Him. All in all we will become more like Him each day and will continue this process of growth through all of eternity. If this is true then why fret the small stuff? Worry first about the big picture: am I saved? do I love God and follow Him? am I giving Him His due in my life? in every area of my life? and so on...working towards the details understanding that God still does require holiness.

Truly this man was the Son of God

John 18:38-40 38 Pilate said..."I find no guilt in Him.

John 19:1-42 1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him.

John 19:7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God." 8 Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 11 Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

A response only the Son of God would give. Any mere mortal would have cowered at the thought of the loss of his life but Jesus had no reason to fear. Previously Pilate said "Behold, the Man!" but after this exchange with Jesus, Pilate was a bit more subdued and said "Behold, your King!" Even Pilate was afraid of what might God do to him if he had Jesus crucified.

But his superstitious fear was not greater than his fear that the people would spread the word that Pilate was an enemy of Caesar. His immediate situation was at stake and this proved to be a stronger incentive for Pilate, but to try and become an outsider to this Jewish affair he "washes his hands" of the situation and "Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified."

God's or man's works?

2 Chronicles 29:36 Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, because the thing came about suddenly.

Did Hezekiah restore a godly order on his own initiative? Was it by God's direction? Is free will and sovereignty antithetical?

Psalm 85:1 O LORD, You showed favor to Your land; You restored the captivity of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah. 3 You withdrew all Your fury; You turned away from Your burning anger. 4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your indignation toward us to cease. 5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? 6 Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Your salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; But let them not turn back to folly. 9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. 10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth springs from the earth, And righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce. 13 Righteousness will go before Him And will make His footsteps into a way.

I guess it is God. But don't think that human responsibility is denied by affirming God as sovereign. Just because it may not make sense right now to affirm both doesn't mean you should throw one of these biblical truths away. Hezekiah did some amazing things, inspiring really. But God also worked out some wonderful things through Hezekiah and Judah/Israel. So we ought to pray that what we do is God's will because He is going to get His way no matter what. And we should be thankful when what we do is acceptable to God.

The Kingdom of God

John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

Note that Jesus is not saying that His kingdom is not in this world but that it is not of or from this world. It is not like the kingdoms of this world but it is in this world as it is "within [us] (Luke 17:21)" Again note that He has asked the Father "thy kingdom come" to this world and that "But if I cast out devils...the kingdom of God is come unto you (Mat 12:28)." and on and on and on. Over and over you hear that the kingdom is near; know that the kingdom is here. Based on what Jesus said, the kingdom came with the coming of the King of kings. His ascension marked His inauguration. The kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world, thus it is not of this world; but don't make the mistake in thinking that it is not currently here among/within us. We are in the kingdom of His dear Son even now. There is more yet to come, but that is another story...

Doing homework...

Post

Be like Jesus

John 18:4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" 5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go." 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one."

May we only be meek, like Jesus...?

Meek:
1 : enduring injury with patience and without resentment : mild
2 : deficient in spirit and courage : submissive
3 : not violent or strong : moderate

A. Not true. Jesus was bold as well. Notice that He was bargaining with the Roman soldiers for the lives of His disciples. He was also scathing at times using ideas such as "snakes" and "rotting corpses" when referring to some people.

Jesus was perfect. We ought to be like Him. Not only are we to be meek like Him we are also to be bold like Him. No, we are not perfect, but there is a whole body of literature encompassing confrontational Christianity: imprecatory Psalms, apocalyptic literature, and wise warnings all with vivid descriptions of the despicability of the spiritual state of the people you talk to and enloy the company of every day.

We don't need to unload all of this at once on the people around us but we need to remember that no matter how nice they are, they are not going to heaven without salvation. And how shall they be saved if they do not hear? Have blessed feet...Be bold about your faith.

B. Notice the authority with which Jesus spoke. The soldiers "drew back and fell to the ground" when Jesus spoke "I am he." That is the power of God. Don't expect for others to do this when you speak in boldness, but speak with boldness anyways and don't fear what persecution may come...You can be wise, circumspect, and shrewd in some senses though, note that.

C. Election: "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one." His disciples were elect for sure but what about everyone else not recorded by scripture as such? Are we elect? "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word (John 17:20)."

It appears that the immediate application of what Jesus spoke directly referred to His disciples. But I think he places a caveat to be reckoned with. Much/if not all (there's my caveat) of what He says may also refer to "those also who believe," which would include all covenant keepers of today as well.

Ergo, you may take rest in the fact that Jesus will not lose you if so be that you really are in Him. Seek to be sure that you are in Him and take rest.

Thoughts on Sovereignty

LORD, let all of these things mentioned happen/cause them to happen so "That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:18)."

As Christians we take the Law-Word of God to be our ultimate presupposition, for it is God's revelation to us. The Scriptures teach that God is the Most High. In theological/philosophical language we say that God is and that God is Sovereign.

If these thoughts are not the starting point of our thinking then we have already gone astray from our very intellectual "birth." Yes, original sin has even influenced our intellect besides will and emotions; thus it is imperative that we rely on the Word alone to give us the foundations of thought and life.

Following this then, get rid of any ideas of autonomy. Just say no to: natural law theory and instead embrace some degree of theonomy (be pro-God's law), rationalism and instead let God remain true and every man a liar (even if it doesn't make sense to our human reason) and autonomy and instead embrace sovereignty (because the LORD He is the Most High).

God gave some...

John 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 "Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for
they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.

20 "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

Did Jesus Christ give His life a sacrifice for all men's sins or the sins of those God gave Him? And not only the elect that were there with Him, but all of the elect in Jesus' "past," present and "future"...

Intergenerational Sin

2 Chronicles 25:4 However, he did not put their children to death, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the LORD commanded, saying, "Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin."

Yet God will "[visit] the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation (Deuteronomy 5:9)." Although God does this He does not allow us to judge others in this manner. We are not God. We must judge based solely on the actions of the individual...Similarly Jesus Christ "of thine own mouth will I judge thee (Luke 19:22)"...Remember sin is ethical, not metaphysical.

Note: God imputes sin but I'm not sure if He condemns solely based on imputation alone. That is a tough issue to answer, which I cannot at this moment.

A nation of priests.

Every Christian is a priest. He needs no mediator to go to God. What about she...? Neither does she.

What I'm getting at is the priesthood of women. Is a female Christian a priest? Emphatically, yes! We all know Him. So what happens when I'm gone? Do I leave my boy in charge of the house in some patriarchal fashion with my wife simply as the young child's caretaker or is my wife in charge when I'm gone.

Patriarchal tendencies in conservative Christian circles would lead you to behave in such a way as to affirm the priesthood of only male Christians; at least this is my perception. But this subverts the Biblical idea that we are a nation of priests.

When I'm gone: school/work or deployed for six months; my wife will act as the priest of the home to facilitate the spiritual/religious life of our family. When I'm home it should be no different except that I will too act as a priest. And for those who think I'm attempting to subvert lines of authority, I'm not. Just think of me as the high priest of my home and my wife as a priest who functions in my stead when I'm gone.

Let us lay wait & other conspiracies...

Psalm 35:20 "For [they that hate me without a cause] speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."

I am not a conspiracy theorist. In my mind their is no point theorizing about what the Bible forbids us to think about (Eph. 5:12). Especially when I already know that there are those that "devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."

Title: Let us lay wait...


2 Chronicles 24:21 "So they conspired against him and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the LORD."

2 Chronicles 24:25 "And when they were departed from [Joash], (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings. 26 Now these are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess."

2 Chronicles 25:27 "From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD they conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish; but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there."

Psalm 83:3 "They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones. 4 They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more." 5 For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant:"

Are works necessary?

John 15:8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."

The presence of fruit doesn't make a tree. This is a fallacy involving confusion between the antecedent and the consequent. You can say however that the presence of fruit proves a tree (id est: under two conditions:

1. Tree "X" bears "X" fruit [universal affirmative].
2. Only tree "X" bears "X" fruit [universal negative; to see the negative more clearly it can be re-phrased as 'No other tree but tree "X" bears "X" fruit.'].)

A logical case could be made to prove a tree by its fruit, but the fruit does not precede the tree. It cannot make the tree from which it came. Likewise morals/ethics do not save. One cannot make himself right with God by repenting, he must first be restored by God (Psalm 80:19) before he can repent.

Are works necessary? Absolutely. How else are you going to prove to be Christ's disciples?

Government and the hearts of a people

2 Chronicles 21:11 Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot and led Judah astray.

A government cannot make a nation righteous, but it can lead the people astray. This should be a warning to anyone Christian who may want to get invovled in politics. The state brings only negative sanctions to the nation. The church is to bring the positive sanctions.

Get all the humanitarians out of the government and into the church where they would be more effective (t.i.c.). The Christian in government should have as his priority to prevent/minimize abuses of the tool negative sanctions (a.k.a. "the sword"), but should not be mistaken if he thinks that the state should be used for positive sanctions. Peace will not come by the sword.

Righteous leadership

2 Chronicles 20:32 [Jehoshaphat] walked in the way of his father Asa and did not depart from it, doing right in the sight of the LORD. 33 The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

This was an indictment against Jehoshaphat; he did good but he failed in other areas. He did not tear down the "pagan shrines" (NLT) and the people did not change their hearts towards God. It is interesting to note that the latter was part of the indictment of Jehoshaphat's reign. No; government cannot save you, but how much influence can the government have on the hearts of a people?

2 Chronicles 27:2 [Jotham] did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; however he did not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people continued acting corruptly.

There again another mention of the king's shortcoming(s) followed closely by the ethics of the nation.

2 Chronicles 28:19 For the LORD humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had brought about a lack of restraint in Judah and was very unfaithful to the LORD.

How is it that sin is so easily propagated? Why do we say that you cannot force a nation to be Christian but we see all throughout history the forcing of nations to anti-God religion...Ahaz forced Judah/Israel to worship the gods of the Assyrians...But God is faithful in that He retains His remnant.

God is not like man.

Psalm 78:65 Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, Like a warrior overcome by wine.

God is not like man...Oftentimes anthropomorphisms are used to characterize God's actions. But don't make the mistake in thinking God is like man.

Rather man ought to aspire to be like God. And what is God like? You'll have to read His Law-Word to find out.

CP Email Newsletter; 9/8/08

Rep. Ron Paul Asks Only “Secure Borders” Presidential Candidate to Join His Press Conference:

Chuck Baldwin of Constitution Party to be Joined by Border Agent’s Wife

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Constitution Party presidential candidate Chuck Baldwin (www.Baldwin08.com) will join former GOP presidential candidate Rep Ron Paul (R-Tex.) at a News Conference at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Baldwin, who joined other constitutionalists at Ron Paul’s “Shadow Convention” on September 2 in Minneapolis, will be joined by Monica Ramos, wife of imprisoned Border Patrol agent Ignacio Ramos. Baldwin has called for the immediate pardon and release of Ramos and Jose Compean, who are serving 11 and 12 year sentences for attempting to uphold immigration law.

Congressman Paul, who is expected to present non-negotiable points voters must demand from a presidential candidate, invited Chuck Baldwin, the only anti-illegal immigrant amnesty presidential candidate, to the September 10 News Conference. Baldwin, a long-time critic of the open-borders policy,will join concerned Americans attending the annual Hold Their Feet To The Fire Radio Row protest and Lobby Days sponsored by the Federation for American Immigration Reform(FAIR) Congressional Task Force.(www.feettothefire08.com)

Baldwin, a popular political commentator on national TV shows, is a radio talk show host, author of two books, and pastor of the Crossroads Baptist Church in Pensacola. Florida. He is the only candidate who received an “EXCELLENT” rating by pro-secure borders group Numbers USA .

The group rated Obama and McCain “abysmal” and rated Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr “bad” on the immigration issue. (http://www.baldwin08.com/files/ImmigrationIssues.pdf)

“The United States government aids and abets illegal criminals, and jails its own law enforcement agents for doing their job. Despite these injustices, both parties controlling our government offer us more of the same with identical pro-amnesty presidential candidates,” Baldwin said.

“Neither Obama nor McCain will end the invasion from the south, nor have they called for the release of our brave border agents. I am the only candidate representing the 75% of Americans who want illegal immigration and amnesty to end.”

In April 2008, Chuck Baldwin was elected by delegates of the nationwide Constitution Party to be their presidential candidate. The CP, founded in 1992, was initially called the U.S. Taxpayers Party. It is the fifth political party to be recognized by the Federal Election Commission. It's expected to be on the ballot in almost every state.

____________________________________________________

You can read it online here.

Just further proof that voting "Republican" is a completely wasted vote. Sarah Palin seems to be conservative...Great. What is she going to do when someone else (McCain) gets elected...That's what I thought.

If you want a better political climate in America vote CP, especially if you're a Christian; you won't have to compromise your values for a bowl of porridge.

Thoughts on Sovereignty

2 Chronicles 16:12 In
the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his
feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not
seek the LORD, but the physicians.

I don't think that the Bible is here being antogonistic to medicine but the abuse of it. God must be first. All else comes second to Him.

Once the proper order is established, then all things are lawful, though maybe not expedient.

Logical Order of the Decrees of God

Borrowed from http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/sup_infr.htm

I liked this table comparing the alternate views of the logical order of the decrees of God (not chronological order).

Note: Click on the picture for a better view.

Cursed is He who is hanged on a tree...

Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

Trees represent life. Especially the tree of life. But in general trees represent life. In the garden which was in Eden God gave man the fruit of every tree to eat as food save one. Trees = life.

What happens when you turn an instrument of life into an instrument of death? You are cursed. This is not some voodoo hex I'm talking about, it is simply the sanctions God imposes upon sin. Blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. If you turn tools of life into tools of death you are cursed and the curse of God is upon you/your nation.

Abortion is an obvious reference. But what about hanging on a tree? If you kill/are killed by hanging on a tree this is the curse of God. The Roman nation was cursed and is no longer around today. Jesus Christ was cursed. (Sounds kind of sacrilegious to say.)

Maj. premise: Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.
Min. premise: Christ was hanged on a tree.
Concl: Christ was cursed.

But that is not to say that Christ was paying a penalty for a sin He committed...He was paying the penalty for sin. Again He was cursed.

Isaiah 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Copied from Blue Letter Bible.

Thanks be to God for His sovereignty and providence without which none could be saved.

Impale...Pale-Im...Palin

Just Politics as usual...And people don't see it.

If you do, read Sarah Palin as Stalking Horse and Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice?.

The answer for America is not a dream of a better America but a reality of a better America. You want reality...People are stupid, lazy, power-hungry, greedy, gluttonous, and such the like...I apologize if you take offense to my calling you out, but it is necessary.

Truth is the only answer. Not edited truth, mind you. Austrian economics and Libertarian politics have a measure of truth but they are not enough to solve the real problems. "Larceny in our hearts" can only be solved by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hey Hanna!

Weathering the storm...(7:23pm)

Borrowed from http://www.weather.com/maps/news/atlstorm8/floater5_large.html?from=hp_main_maps.

Coming to you live from Goose Creek...Well, almost live. The picture is from about 24 minutes ago.

(7:47pm)

(8:49pm)

Hurricanes

If you didn't know, now you do:

23-39 mph wind speeds = Tropical Depression

40-74 mph wind speeds = Tropical Storm

74-95 mph wind speeds = Category I Hurricane

96-110 mph wind speeds = Category II Hurricane

111-130 mph wind speeds = Category III Hurricane

131-155 mph wind speeds = Category IV Hurricane

>155 mph wind speeds = Category V Hurricane

Data collected from http://www.weather.com/newscenter/hurricanecentral/2008/hanna.html