Friday, April 25, 2014

In Defense of Cliven Bundy

Former congressman Joe Walsh tells it like it is...

Click on the link below:

There are many different forms of slavery, but Bundy cannot even ask the question of which is worse between two without being called a racist by the liberal media and the masses of people. As Walsh demonstrates, Bundy may be wrong historically, but it does not make him a racist. Most folks would rather just call people names than critically think about issues and consider all sides.

Slavery in America was awful. But really any type if slavery is awful. Unfortunately most do not see their slavery to sin, and many do not see their slavery to dependence. Unseen chains are often more deadly. Long-term welfare only makes people slavishly reliant, leaves folks ample time for idleness (which usually leads to all kinds of debauchery), and robs individuals of the rewards of labor. The statistics don't lie. 

So which slavery is really worse? Maybe the better question is simply to ask what are the results of government slavery. For example, my aunt was recently fearful of getting a raise in her meager salary because it might interfere with her government benefits. Is this the type of thinking and work ethic that made our country the most powerful nation on earth? Don't these policies keep people chained to poverty, dependence, and mediocrity? Is idleness indeed the devil's workshop?

Personally speaking, I think I'd rather work daily for a master picking cotton than sit daily on a porch doing nothing. I believe more damage could be done to the soul by the latter, for there is no way to honor God in it.

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you... If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
- 2 Thessalonians 6-8,10

Friday, April 18, 2014

Death

The events of the last two months have been so...

Well, I can't even find the word or phrase to end that sentence.  But death has been a big part of our lives the last few weeks.  I really don't feel like talking in detail about it here.


Suicide.

Miscarriage.


And in the midst...

God.

Ecclesiastes 7:13,14
"Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."

Says Matthew Henry, "We must accommodate ourselves to the various dispensations of Providence that respect us, and do the work and duty of the day in its day."

I am thankful for my family and friends.  And I am most thankful for Christ, and the life I have in Him.  It has been an honor, a privilege, and a joy to help grieving families in their time of need... to do the good works that God had prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  I hope we did, in the strength of the Spirit.  But I trust, in it all, it is the Almighty's hand of Providence, using us, helping others, working all things according to His good pleasure in this fallen world. All glory to God!

I continue to pray for those dear families.

As one of my favorite preachers Alistair Begg is most fond of saying, "The best place to serve the LORD is where He sets you today."