CORRUPTION IS BEING CORRUPTED

From My Perspective – - -

The genius of the Founding Fathers was to establish a nation and government that would be as free as possible from Corruption and Corrupting Influences. On May 24th, 2009, syndicated columnist George Will wrote concerning, “END RUN ON FREE SPEECH.” His opening paragraphs state: “For several decades, most of the ingenuity that liberal academics have invested in First Amendment analysis has aimed to justify limiting the core activity that the amendment was written to protect — political speech. These analyses treat free speech as not an inherent good but as a merely instrumental good, something justified by serving other ends — therefore something to be balanced against, and abridged to advance, other goods. The good for which Zephyr Teachout would regulate speech is combating corruption, which, as she understands it, encompasses most of contemporary politics. A visiting law professor at Duke, writing in the Cornell Law Review (“The Anti-Corruption Principle”), she makes an astonishingly far-reaching argument for emancipating government from First Amendment restrictions on its powers to regulate political speech — speech about the government’s composition and conduct.”

Will goes on to note, “Teachout’s capacious definition of corruption includes even an unseemly “attitude” of citizens as well as officeholders “toward public service.” She says that the Framers thought limiting corruption was their “primary task.” Therefore the “anti-corruption principle” should have “as much weight” as the First Amendment, giving Congress considerable “leeway” to regulate the political “process,” which is mostly speech….The word “corruption” or some permutation of it occurs 58 times in the 85 essays that are the FEDERALIST PAPERS. James Madison wrote not only many of the papers but also this: “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech.” He saw no conflict between that proscription and efforts to minimize corruption. He and other Framers considered corruption a vice requiring constant vigilance precisely because it is inextricably entwined with a virtue, America’s vast scope — constitutionally protected scope — for self-interested behavior, including political speech.” Meanwhile, the following news item appeared in the San Diego News on May 25th, 2009: “COUPLE: COUNTY TRYING TO STOP HOME BIBLE STUDIES.” The article states: ”…A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home…The county employee notified the couple that the small Bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of County regulations…a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed “unlawful use of land” and told them to “stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit” — a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars…”

Is the US Constitution being abridged and altered today? Is the Freedom of Speech and Right to Assemble being violated? If so, wherein is the feared “corruption” taking place – in the citizenry or the government? Corruption is defined as: “The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue, or moral principle…the loss of purity or integrity; The act of changing, or of being changed, for the worse; departure from what is pure, simple, or correct…” In II PETER 2:12-19, “…these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant…They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions…They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed…Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray…For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice…those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption…” Are we observing “corruption” unfolding to a greater degree than ever before as Government over-reaches into businesses and lives? Are we witnessing the transition from free enterprise into socialism? Is REVELATION 13:16-17 emerging as a reality: “it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark…the name of the beast or the number of its name.”? Freedom from secular tyranny and/or spiritual enslavement is a right that should not be easily revoked or removed from any individual. Think about these things with me.

LEST WE FORGET

From My Perspective – - –

An old Ballad from an Off-Broadway Show in the 1960s – The Fantasticks – repeats a phrase: “Try To Remember When Life Was So Tender…Our hearts should Remember…Try To Remember, And If You Remember…” An oft-repeated Statement: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” is an appropriate one for our day and time. Today (May 25th) is designated Memorial Day – a time to Remember those who died in the military when they had been called into war to preserve freedom. Sadly, the clutter of ones activities can blur and cloud the meaning and purpose of pausing to Remember.

From Wikipedia: “Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings…While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day…Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic…and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery…It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May… There have been rallying cries over the years from “Remember The Alamo” to “Remember Pearl Harbor” to “Remember 9/11”…

General Douglas MacArthur eloquently shared some meaningful words on May 12, 1962 at West Point: “…Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn…Unhappily, I possess neither that eloquence of diction, that poetry of imagination, nor that brilliance of metaphor to tell you all that they mean. The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker, and I am sorry to say, some others of an entirely different character, will try to downgrade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule. As I listened to those songs of the glee club, in memory’s eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs, on many a weary march from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle-deep through the mire of shell-shocked roads, to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and for many, to the judgment seat of God. I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always, for them: Duty, Honor, Country; always their blood and sweat and tears, as we sought the way and the light and the truth…”

War is a blight and tragedy upon our planet! Things get broken and destroyed; people get wounded, or captured, or tortured, or killed; families get separated; etc. A core value shared by Abraham Lincoln and later emblazoned on a US Army Poster during World War II was: “Right Is Might.” It is the commitment to that which is “Right” that needs to be Remembered and serve as our motivation. Righteousness exalts a nation… The prayers of a Righteous man avail much… As Joshua prepared the nation for his departure, he shares a basic premise for them to remember (Joshua 24:13-17): “…fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…” The Nation of Israel had fought many battles and the Lord granted them victory and gave them The Promised Land as their possession. They needed to Remember that it was the Lord Who delivered them and granted them victory. As we pause to Remember those who were killed while protecting and defending our nation against all enemies – foreign and domestic – we need to also Remember that The Lord is our Fortress, Strength and Shield! Try To Remember…!!

CANDOR, RANCOR or STUPIDITY

From My Perspective – - -

Unguarded moments and being dismissive of forethought can reveal many inner feelings and sentiments. In some instances, it would be an experience similar to riding with a square wheel, namely, anything but smooth and comfortable. An old and pithy reminder was: “Always remember to engage your brain before you operate your mouth.” The picture is drawn from older model cars that had a manual transmission and a clutch to engage the gears. If one did not depress the clutch, he would either strip the gears or remain motionless. If the clutch was released too quickly, the vehicle would hop (like a rabbit) rather than roll smoothly. This is the same truism with rhetoric. Another adage states: “Think before you speak!” There are illustrations where these principles seem to have been ignored and/or avoided – - -

An interesting entertainment news headline yesterday stated: “JIMMY KIMMEL DEMOLISHES ABC’S UPFRONTS…” The report goes on to say: At Tuesday afternoon’s upfront presentation in New York, Mr. Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” delivered a withering, blistering monologue that took direct aim at ABC, its potential advertisers and his NBC late-night rival, Jay Leno… “Everything you’re going to hear this week is” nonsense. “Let’s get real here…These new fall shows? We’re going to cancel about 90 percent of them. Maybe more.” If ABC is so confident in its new fall shows, he asked, why is it announcing them at the same time it announces the midseason shows that will replace those fall shows? To the ABC advertisers…“Every year we lie to you and every year you come back for more. You don’t need an Upfront…“I think all our shows are going to work this year. I really do.” He paused. “I don’t, really. ”Before departing the stage, he said: The important thing to remember is: who cares, it’s not your money.”

In another article headlined, “REID JOINS BIDEN, PELOSI IN MISSTATEMENTS”, we read: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid became the latest Democrat to stray into rhetorical trouble Tuesday, botching statements on three subjects in one news conference…about… Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass; Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W. VA; and “Reid also mangled his party’s position on the congressional news of the day, that Senate Democrats would join their House counterparts in withholding the money President Barack Obama needs to close the Guantanamo Bay prison until Obama comes up with a plan for relocating its prisoners…Reid went further…”We will never allow terrorists to be released into the United States…Part of what we don’t want is them be put in prisons in the United States…We don’t want them around the United States.” Is this candor, rancor, or stupidity?

Consider these things with me – - – A very succinct statement of an opportunity and obligation for a wise person is stated in COLOSSIANS 4:5-6, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Gracious and Tasteful Speech is so important and vital. There is too much that comes across as crude, profane, belligerent, obnoxious and humorless. What is need is serious and constructive speech – not political rhetoric or other meaningless platitudes. There is a good rule given in JAMES 1:19-22, “Know this…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” There is one last observation on this subject in MATTHEW 12:34-37 where Jesus observes: “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Words have meanings, and meanings convey thoughts and inner feelings. Let us set a personal goal that our words will always be Gracious, Tasteful, and Effective as we live out and proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

OPEN HEARTS – OPEN HANDS

From My Perspective – - – It is obvious we are living in difficult economic times for far too many people. All too many have been looking to government for a resolve to their economic plight without realizing government is part of the problem. It reminds one of the POGO summary – “We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us.” This past weekend John King on his CNN telecast – The State Of The Union – traveled to Alabama and shared the following vignette from Selma with his viewers: “…Storefront after storefront is closed, and many of the buildings in the famous photos from the days of the historic March 1965 events have fallen into disrepair…People are not buying. People are not spending. Businesses are going out of business…This is the heart of Alabama’s ‘Black Belt,’ and Selma is a reminder that a recession that has punished so many across America has hit hardest in places that were already struggling…Statewide, unemployment in Alabama has doubled in the past year from 4.5 percent to 9 percent. But here in Dallas County, it is 18.2 percent. In neighboring Wilcox County, is it more than 22 percent. That is staggering: One in five people you pass are unemployed…”

In a letter from Mark Earley (Prison Fellowship President), he shares: “Because of our year-round Angel Tree program, thousands of prisoners’ children attended a Christian summer camp last year. Most of these kids had never been to camp before. And although they may have arrived feeling alone and uncertain, they left with the gift of Christ’s love and the support of Christians like you! Here’s what Christian summer camps offer Angel Tree kids: A much-needed escape from an existence often marked by confusion, anger and loneliness to experience the scenic beauty of God’s creation; Fun activities like swimming, hiking, biking, athletic competitions, campfires, arts and crafts, nature walks and building friendships; Meaningful one-on-one attention from caring, Christian adults that can blossom into year-round mentor-ships; A transformational emphasis on the Gospel to gain a life-changing understanding of their Heavenly Father’s love through Jesus Christ.” Decreasing revenue may limit and hinder this valuable and caring ministry to some very need children and young people!

In a letter from Max Lucado, he shares: “Dadi’s mud-bricked shack seems even farther away than the 6,000 miles it is. I’m writing in the air conditioned and carpeted comfort of Detroit’s airport. Was it just three days ago Denalyn and I sat with Dadi and his family beneath the thatched roof of his Ethiopian hut? You’d need a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach them and a skilled team to find them…The needs are great: 45% of the country subsists on less than $1 a day. A quarter million children die every year from water-related diseases. Thousands rely upon dirty rivers or muddy holes for their water supply. Yet for all their problems, I’ve never seen such smiles. The Ethiopians are a soft, gentle, hospitable people. They brim with gratitude for the slightest act of kindness…With the aid of an interpreter, Dadi and I discussed the one thing we have in common: children. His five children range in age from 18 months to 18 years. He’s a farmer, but ever since a plague killed his ox, his soil has gone untilled. He’s making about 80 cents a day as a day laborer. I asked him what a new ox would cost. About $280. I’ve got seldom-worn blazers that cost more. All he needs is a helping hand…”

Consider these things with me – - – In Proverbs 24:10-12 we read: “If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, But we knew nothing about this, does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?” And, in James 2:14-16 we read: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” We cannot meet all of the needs – but – we can try to assist with some! Commit yourself to doing all the good you can, for as many as you can, for as long as you can. Be discerning and be compassionate! Be wise and be merciful! Be careful and be generous! Invest prudently in the lives of those who represent bonafide need!

PRINCIPLES and VALUES

From My Perspective – - -

A book by Newt Gingrich and his daughter, Jackie Cushman, became available this week. The title is: 5 PRINCIPLES FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE. In a review by Peter Roff in US News.com: “The 5 Principles are based upon Newt Gingrich attaining and being Speaker of the House of Representatives, namely, “…dream big, work hard, learn every day, enjoy life, and be true to yourself—through examples from his own life as well as through contributions from a group of notables including former NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw, political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, and Gen. David Petraeus, former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.” The authors also summarize: “We hope people understand that there are principles that lead to success, that life has its ups and downs, but if you live by these five principles, you can live life successfully.”

In a broader sense, one should consider whether or not there is a tension between “principles” on the one hand, and “values on the other. The American Heritage Dictionary Defines PRINCIPLES as: “a basic truth, law, or assumption; a rule or standard, especially of good behavior: a man of principle; the collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments: a decision based on principle rather than expediency; a fixed or predetermined policy or mode of action…” VALUES are defined as: “…A principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable… relative worth, merit, or importance…” Interestingly, the Dictionary gives definition for the areas of “Value” in Fine Arts; Mathematics; Music; Ethics; Sociology; and Mining. The Business Dictionary attempts to define Core Values as: “…Core values often influence the culture of an organization and are normally long-standing beliefs…; a small set of key concepts and ideals that guide a person’s life and help him or her to make important decisions…” Almost absent in Dictionary Definition is any reference to one’s Foundational Principles or Core Values. This can also be viewed as one’s Moral Compass. A hint of this comes from a basically secular source: “The Core Values of The Boy Scouts of America are: “A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent.” Attached to this list of Values is a Mission Statement: “The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.”

This week also had the latest Barna Report on The State of the Church under the heading: “Many Churchgoers and Faith Leaders Struggle to Define Spiritual Maturity.” Barna states: “The study showed five significant challenges when it comes to facilitating people’s spiritual growth: 1) Most Christians equate spiritual maturity with following the rules; 2) Most churchgoers are not clear what their church expects in terms of spiritual maturity; 3) Most Christians offer one-dimensional views of personal spiritual maturity; 4) Most pastors struggle with feeling the relevance as well as articulating a specific set of objectives for spirituality, often favoring activities over attitudes; and 5) Pastors are surprisingly vague about the biblical references they use to chart spiritual maturity for people.”

Consider these things with me – - – Barna also states: “…Church leaders believe the three primary obstacles to people’s engagement are lack of personal motivation (32%), other competing obligations and distractions (26%), and lack of involvement in activities that nurture growth (19%). In this respect, they do not seem too far off in their perceptions. Born again Christians identify distractions (24%), lack of motivation (20%), and lack of involvement (13%) as challenges they face, even if two of the three are mentioned less frequently by adults than pastors. Born again Christians, however, are more likely than pastors to identify sinful behaviors and habits as tripping them up (14% of believers versus 8% of pastors)…” It seems like the basics need more emphasis. Romans 12:1-3 indicates the need for Commitment of self as “a living sacrifice”; Transformation – “renewing of one’s mind”; and Conforming to the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It isn’t that we are ignorant of the cure! It is more a failure to endure any discomfort or pain in order to achieve the remedy. What a difference Faith, Commitment and Obedience would make!

NOT ALL WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL

From My Perspective – - -

Special Days and times of the year conjure up all kinds of memories and nostalgic thoughts. This weekend we celebrate one of those very special days – Mother’s Day. One of the more interesting thoughts about this day were shared by a Humorist, Lewis Grizzard. He reminisced about his Mother and the following gives some indication for his reasoning: “His mother, Christine Word Atkinson, died in 1989 after a long illness. In many poignant columns and books, Grizzard wrote with near reverence of the former first-grade schoolteacher…Mama taught me that an education was necessary for a fuller life…She taught me an appreciation of the language. She taught a love of words, of how they should be used and how they can fill a creative soul with a passion and lead it to a life’s work.” After her death he wrote near the next Mother’s Day: “Don’t Forget To Call Your Mama – I Wish I Could Call Mine!”

The Title of this Column, “NOT ALL WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL”, was motivated by the following taken from The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing: “MOTHER’S DAY: A MUCH DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE”…As we look forward to Mother’s Day, I was reminded by Sydna Massé, the President of Ramah International, about the many women this weekend who might not be as joyful as others in your congregation when the topic of motherhood arises.

• For many who have lost children, endured infertility or whose mothers have passed away, the annual ‘Mother’s Day’ celebration can prove to be one of the most difficult days to endure. This holiday brings fresh memories of loss that can lead to depression, grief, guilt, anxiety and many other emotions that specifically relate to post-traumatic stress disorder. While most humans work to stifle these feelings in order to participate in the festival of honoring mothers, the overall sadness can often bring tears to the surface. The wounded hearts on Mother’s Day fit all levels of our society — particularly those who have lost children. My pregnancy loss through abortion made this holiday incredibly difficult. My husband and young sons would work to make me feel like a queen and all I could do was miss the child I would never hold this side of heaven. After God’s great healing, this day was easier, but still a trigger to my grief. This Mother’s Day poses a new dilemma as my mother passed away in September. Please consider reaching out to us directly during this season. We fall into many categories: those who have miscarried children; still-born children; women with barren wombs; mothers who have lost children after they are born; individuals grieving mothers who have passed away; post-abortive women. We need the hope of God’s healing and the comfort that a pastor’s word can provide. Simply addressing our pain on this day with hope allows us to grieve. Those tears can only enhance God’s potential healing.”

Consider these things with me – In Genesis 2:18, 21-24, there is the account of Woman being created! “The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him…So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” The idea was that Man Needed Woman to be his helper, encourager, and to make him complete. In this day of considerable spousal abuse, it is important to note that God did not make Woman from a bone in his hand so he would slap or punch her; nor did he take a bone from his foot so he would kick or trample upon her – but God took a Rib – a bone near to the heart of man so he would love and cherish her; treat her with compassion, tenderness and kindness; and have a keen awareness of how vital she is to him, and how much he needs her close to his side. I can’t begin to imagine what life would be like to be without my favorite wife, friend and companion – the one God chose to be flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone – she is known as and called – My Peggy!

PRAYER AND THE PRESIDENT

From My Perspective – - -

The Associated Press reported yesterday: “OBAMA PLANS A SCALED BACK NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. The White House is planning a muted observance of Thursday’s National Day of Prayer, a response that has disappointed both Christian conservatives and an atheist group that wants to end the tradition. Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama would issue such a proclamation Thursday but not hold any public events with religious leaders as President George W. Bush did. Obama’s decision drew a rebuke from the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a private group that promotes prayer events around the country. The task force estimates 2 million Americans attended more than 40,000 events marking the day last year. We are disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama administration, said task force chairwoman Shirley Dobson…At this time in our country’s history, we would hope our President would recognize more fully the importance of prayer.” In USA Today, their report included the White House Official’s statement: “President Obama is a committed Christian and believes that we should be engaging Americans of faith in efforts to renew our country, He is following the tradition of Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush and others by signing a proclamation honoring the National Day of Prayer, while continuing to work with communities of faith to improve our country.”

There was considerable notice given to a statement by President Obama that the USA is no longer “A Christian nation…” Note: In June 2008 (before his election), Candidate Obama stated: “Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation and a nation of nonbelievers.” While many would take issue and umbrage (offense; resentment) with that assessment and opinion, nevertheless 69,498,215 Americans voted to elect Barack Obama to be the President of this nation. In NEALZ NEWZ for June 3rd, 2003, the following appears: “For those of you…who are so fond of insisting that the United States is, in some official capacity, a Christian nation, here’s an excerpt from Thomas Jefferson’s autobiography:

• The bill for establishing religious freedom, the principles of which had, to a certain degree, been enacted before, I had drawn in all the latitude of reason and right. It still met with opposition; but, with some mutilations in the preamble, it was finally passed; and a singular proposition proved that it’s protection of opinion was meant to be universal. Where the preamble declares that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the word Jesus Christ, so that it should read a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion. The insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of it’s protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and…infidel of every denomination.

Most of the people who would benefit from this Jeffersonian thought will be unable to understand it.”

Consider these things with me – - – Even though this President may not choose to be involved in a public National Day of Prayer event, we are still responsible and obligated to pray for him and his cabinet; to pray for all government leaders regardless of their political affiliation; to pray for all who have authority. To a persecuted people, the Apostle Peter wrote (I PETER 2:16-17): “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, HONOR THE KING.” In a similar and extended way, the Apostle Paul wrote (I TIMOTHY 2:1-4): “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, PRAYERS, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — FOR KINGS (PRESIDENTS) AND ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Be thankful we continue to have the privilege of prayer for such a time as this – use it effectively!

ZPG and THE CULTURAL MANDATE

From My Perspective – - -

We all have some knowledge of History (for all too many, it is a scant knowledge). We are also familiar with the phrase: “Those who forget (or ignore) History are doomed to repeat it.” It is both important and significant when a current Historian – David Kaiser – shares some of his concerns and observations. David Kaiser is a professor in the Strategy and Policy Department of the United States Naval War College and has previously taught…Harvard University. He Observes: “I am a student of history…I have come to think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is simply a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Something of historic proportions is happening…We learned…that the Federal Reserve…has loaned two trillion dollars over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy. Why?…We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (violently in California over a proposition that is so controversial that it simply wants marriage to remain defined as between one man and one woman)…Our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt…”

Then there is a Muslim-Demographic Video released that gives rise to the possibility that the fertility rates in the world are askew and they will soon supplant national populations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU). It suggests that “Germany has the lowest birthrate in Europe, with an average of 1.36 children per woman. Despite government incentives to encourage larger families, the population is dropping rapidly and that trend will continue, with an expected loss of as much as 12 million by 2050. That would mean about a 15 percent drop from the country’s current population of 82.4 million, the German news source Deutsche Welle reported today. Germany has one of the largest populations of Muslim immigrants in Western Europe, with a Muslim community of over 3 million. The trend is expected to continue, leading some demographic trend-watchers to warn that the country is well on the way to becoming a Muslim state by 2050…A Culture requires a fertility rate of no less than 2.11…Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate…A rate of 1.3 is impossible to reverse…Nationmaster (which took it’s numbers from the CIA World Factbook) indicates: the actual fertility rates are: France -1.98; England – 1.66; Greece – 1.36; Germany – 1.41; Italy – 1.3; Spain – 1.3.” The concern raised is the prospect for demographic shifting throughout the world. An illustration given is that France currently has a fertility rate of 1.8 Children per family, whereas the Muslim fertility rate is 8.1…” At that rate, France would become a Muslim nation near the year 2025.

Consider these things with me – - – The latest data from the Population Reference Bureau shows there are 20 countries in the world with negative or zero natural population growth. This is unprecedented in history! The country with the highest decrease in the natural birth rate is Ukraine, with 0.8% each year. Ukraine is expected to lose 28% of their population between now and 2050 (from 46.8 million now to 33.4 million in 2050). Russia and Belarus follow close behind at a 0.6% natural decrease and Russia will lose 22% of their population by 2050 – that is a loss of more than 30 million people (from 142.3 million today to 110.3 million in 2050). Japan is the only non-European country in the list and it has a 0% natural birth increase and is expected to lose 21% of its population by 2050 (shrinking from 127.8 million to a mere 100.6 million in 2050). How does this square with the Cultural Mandate of Scripture? It doesn’t! In GENESIS 1:28-29, “So God created man in his own image…male and female…And God blessed them and said…Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Cultural Mandate means our original purpose was to create cultures, build civilizations and exercise adequate care for the created world. It never allowed or meant that ZPG would be an acceptable alternative or become a guideline to replace the Biblical Mandate!

ENCHANTED

From My Perspective – - -

Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; Rumbles of War in Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Nuclear Posturing in North Korea and Iran; Attestations and Assertions of Israel in terms of Hamas and Iran – and – Howard Kurtz reported in the Washington Post on April 30, 2009 – ONE SMOOTH TALKER – “Barack Obama hit his cruising speed last night. He glided from swine flu to torture, from Chrysler to Pakistan, from the Specter defection to abortion to immigration, seemingly without breaking a sweat. He broke up the East Room crowd when Jeff Zeleny of the New York Times asked what had surprised, enchanted, humbled and troubled him about the office, insisting on writing down each verb. And he gave an answer that actually involved thinking out loud.” I suppose some would view this as “serious journalism” but perhaps it is the enchantment of the press corps with their chosen one.

ENCHANTED is an interesting verb. It means – “to cast a spell over; bewitch; to attract and delight; entrance…” A synonym for enchanted is to be “charmed”! It sounds like it is magical and mystical; bordering on the psychic, mediums, astrologers, etc. It might cause one to hark back to the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicale, South Pacific where a romantic lyric – Some Enchanted Evening – was popularized…

Some enchanted evening, You may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger Across a crowded room,
And somehow you know, You know even then
That somewhere you’ll see her Again and again.

Who can explain it? Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons, Wise men never try.

Some enchanted evening When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you Across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side, And make her your own
Or all through your life you May dream all alone.

Once you have found her, Never let her go.
Once you have found her, Never let her go!

Consider these things with me – - – Have we become so far removed from reality in our country that all a reporter can think to ask the President of the most powerful nation in the world: “what has…enchanted you…”? In a time of increased bankruptcies; financial failures and apprehension; growing numbers of foreclosures and unemployment; a mood of panic regarding a potential fatal flu epidemic; wars and threats of wars – and the question is: “what has…enchanted you…”? Have we really become that dumb and irresponsible in times that try men’s bodies, souls and spirits? There could have been and should have been questions raised regarding a one world currency and government – but – No! – the concern is about being “enchanted”! One would do much better to consider the credence of REVELATION 13:11-18 about times that could suddenly occur, “I saw another beast rising out of the earth…It exercises all authority…It performs great signs…and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth…Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark – the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” Will stored resources be of any value or benefit in such a day? Very unlikely unless one compromises personal commitments, values, and belief system in order to survive. Yes – it will be a time that will test men’s souls – and cause those with weak faith or skepticism to cry out, “Even so, Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)… Don’t be like those who ignored the Ark in Noah’s Day until it was too late… NOW is The Day – NOW is Your Time – to believe!