Have we lost all Decency and Common Sense?

I am shocked at the recent videos of Planned Parenthood and its unlawful . . . and mind-boggling practice of harvesting, gathering, storing, and selling organs and body parts of aborted babies!!!

Is it even possible that barbaric practices such as this could happen in this great nation . . . that has long stood tall as the great champion of human rights . . . the very nation that always demonstrated its commitment to stand up for those too weak to stand for themselves? As tragic as that is, it is being funded and financed with American tax dollars (to the tune of $550 Million a year!) How can that be? Who are the monsters who buy these body parts from these other monsters who harvest and sell them?

I recall the utter shock and horror as news of a mad-man, serial-killer, and sex-offender named Jeffrey Dahmer broke and the media dubbed him as “The Milwaukee Cannibal.” Over time it was determined that he had raped, murdered, and dismembered some 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. He was convicted of the crimes and was committed to 15 life-sentences. However, what this monster had done was so off the charts and offensive that a fellow inmate beat him to death in prison on 11/28/94. There was no question that this was behavior from hell itself and it troubled our nation’s soul. It even troubled the souls of hardened criminals.

I recall that on August 20, 2014, I wrote a blog herein about a peculiar fellow named Marvin. A most peculiar fellow who during a forcible eviction process, my staff discovered had an assortment of dead cats in freezer bags in his freezer inside our dwelling, which he rented. I will never forget the chills that went up my spine as I was told of that gross finding.

I find the reports about Planned Parenthood equally chilling and confusing. What I find equally chilling and confusing are those who so casually stand and defend the Planned Parenthood organization and boast of all of the “good work it does on behalf of women.” Moreover, I find it appalling and maddening that our representative government continues to fund this most unAmerican and criminal organization and . . .has proven itself incapable of putting an end to this craziness.

How would you ever explain such a use of tax dollars to an honorable person and champion of the weak from the pages of history . . . such as Abe Lincoln? How can it be explained to the great Judge?

What has become of our sense of decency?

Dispensationalism . . .

I am currently studying and teaching the Bible book of Genesis, the primary book of the Bible that explains, from God’s perspective, the origin of humanity and the universe. Most world systems attempt to explain man’s existence and the world in which he dwells, and generally in conflict with the Genesis account. However, it is only Genesis that offers a reason for man’s existence – to live in a relationship with God. Again, it is only Genesis that documents original sin, yet human history certainly verifies that sin. I have studied and taught Genesis several times, but something which I have discovered (or that has occurred to me this time) is that even the Bible does not explain the origin of evil in the world – it just documents its presence in the record and identifies its consequences.

Another thing I am trying to grasp is the truth about dispensationalism. I know that I, along with most Bible students, accept portions of this teaching, but struggle with where they are and how many there may be. The range varies from as few as three (3) to as many as twenty-seven (27).

First, what is a dispensation? It is believed to be an administration, a system, or a management. In theology, a dispensation is the divine administration of a period of time – or a divinely appointed age. Dispensationalism is a theological system that recognizes these ages ordained by God to order the affairs of the world. Dispensationalism has two primary distinctions: 1) a consistently literal interpretation of Scripture, especially Bible prophecy and 2) a distinction between Israel and the church in God’s program. It is clear to me that most mainline denominations accept that there are at least two – the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Most serious Dispensationalists claim that this principle of hermeneutics is that of literal interpretation, which means giving each word the meaning it would commonly have in everyday usage. Symbols, figures of speech and types are all interpreted plainly in this method, and this is in no way contrary to literal interpretation. Even symbols and figurative sayings have literal meanings behind them.

They teach that there are at least three reasons why this is the best way to view Scripture. First, philosophically, the purpose of language itself seems to require that we interpret it literally. Language was given by God for the purpose of being able to communicate with man. The second reason is biblical. Every prophecy about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament was fulfilled literally. Jesus’ birth, Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ death, and Jesus’ resurrection all occurred exactly and literally as the Old Testament predicted. There is no non-literal fulfillment of these prophecies in the New Testament. This argues strongly for the literal method. If literal interpretation is not used in studying the Scriptures, there is no objective standard by which to understand the Bible. Each and every person would be able to interpret the Bible as he saw fit. Biblical interpretation would devolve into “what this passage says to me is . . .” instead of “the Bible says . . .” Sadly, this is pretty much the case in where we are today.

Dispensational theology teaches that there are two distinct peoples of God: Israel and the church. Dispensationalists believe that salvation has always been by faith—in God in the Old Testament and specifically in God the Son in the New Testament. Dispensationalists hold that the church has not replaced Israel in God’s program and the Old Testament promises to Israel have not been transferred to the church. They believe that the promises God made to Israel (for land, many descendants, and blessings) in the Old Testament will be ultimately fulfilled in the 1000-year period spoken of in Revelation, Chapter 20. Dispensationalists believe that just as God is in this age focusing His attention on the church, He will again in the future focus His attention on Israel (Romans 9-11).

Using this system as a basis, dispensationalists understand the Bible to be organized into several dispensations. Most students accept seven, as follows: innocence (Genesis 1:1 – 3:7), conscience (Genesis 3:8 – 8:22), human government (Genesis 9:1 – 11:32), promise (Genesis 12:1 – Exodus 19:25), law (Exodus 20:1 – Acts 2:4), grace (Acts 2:4 – Revelation 20:3), and the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6). Again, these dispensations are not paths to salvation, but manners in which God relates to man. Dispensationalism, as a system, results in a premillennial interpretation of Christ’s second coming and usually a pretribulational interpretation of the rapture. To summarize, dispensationalism is a theological system that emphasizes the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy, recognizes a clear distinction between Israel and the church, and organizes the Bible into the different dispensations it presents.

I am not fully satisfied with any particular number of such periods and some of the tenants of the belief system, but I am extremely pleased and thankful that God sees me differently “in Christ” than He saw me prior to that defining point in my life. I would certainly argue that there is clearly truth in this teaching, but I struggle with many of the lines therein.

It Seems to me . . . the greatest value of this teaching is to enable students to better grasp the reality that Jesus has forever changed our identity before the judgement seat of God and that His sacrifice absolutely changes how Holy God deals with sin-inclined man! I know that by the demands of Scripture that God was honor-bound to deal with me in a different fashion before than He is to deal with me today. Jesus is the difference. He changes everything.

This Sunday I will cover the era of Noah and his family exiting the ark. Certainly a new era, a fresh new start, but clearly with a new tension between man and the rest of God’s creation (I don’t believe animals feared one another or feared man – or man feared animals up to that moment in history. If that tension had existed, it would have made things quite difficult on the ark).

 

 

Walking Across Texas . . .

A few years back I committed to something . . . and committed to do it to the best of my ability. I agreed to participate in a group as part of the Walk-Across-Texas exercise program. I made a serious commitment to my team . . . and I did do my very best. For many years, like most folks in my age group, I have been up and down the escalator in fitness and exercise. Most years, on January 1st, I made a New Year’s Resolution to get back in shape and to do a better job of taking care of my health. Some years it even lasted into April and May; other years not so long. I joined various health clubs and gyms, began a walking program, went thru a phase of jogging, and over the years lifted weights. Unfortunately, each one would phase out and I would fall back into my old pattern as a weekend athlete playing basketball, baseball, flag football, biking, etc.

The truth is that I always wanted to have a dedicated, effective work-out program to which I was faithful year around; something that I simply did without even having to ask and answer any questions. Something that I just did without needing to talk myself into it. Joining this team for Walk-Across-Texas became that very thing. Our team adopted the name of Rip-Tide Walkers, and we met and worked out six days a week in the Rockport Municipal pool. The team consisted of eight of us, and my firm, Mid-Coast Properties, Inc. sponsored us. We had cool long-sleeved Tees and a hoodie. The ladies on the team and a local shop designed the Tees and hoodies and did a terrific job. Each bore the team name and each member’s name.

We usually all showed up around the same time and worked out together. Our exercise program was to walk in long circles around the pool in chest-deep water (known as water walking). Each of us added to the routine as we wished. Some added swimming, laps, others did aerobic exercises and I personally incorporated an upper-body work-out regiment with dumbbells for the pool. Texas A&M developed a mileage equivalent calculator that converted one’s work-out program into MOG (Miles Over Ground). That calculator can be found at www.walkacrosstexas.com. It is based on weight, time, exercise, duration, and intensity and converts the work-out to miles walked and calories burned. Most basic fit-bits do something similar, except allow for the value of the resistance of the water. For me, a typical work-out was three hours and calculated at 20.4 miles per day and burned 2,300 calories. The duration of the program is eight weeks, and the goal is to walk across Texas (830 miles). My personal total in Year-1 was 980 miles. Unfortunately, in Year-2 I had a spinal-cord injury develop which required radical surgery and an intense rehab program, so I was unable to complete the team participation and had to be replaced. I would need to stay out of the water for three months to allow the incision to heal. The good news is that I have continued to do the program year round—regardless of where I am. Sometimes I use a hotel pool or the pool at my apartment complex, but most of the time (from April through October) I use our home pool. When we are at our Hill Country house, I go to the Y and use that pool. The truth of the matter is in a couple of months I turn 65 years of age and am now more slim and trim and in the best physical condition I have been in since I was 21 years old. I feel terrific and very strong.

September 29th was our kick off day for the Rip Tide Walkers. These folks have become my friends. I look forward to being with them again.

Here is to healthy Texans. I recommend finding a good health program and sticking with it. It can drastically improve your life and the quality of life. It certainly beats visiting the doctor regularly.

Our team will log something upwards of 6,000 miles over the next eight weeks, and we will get it done in all sorts of weather; but, we will go, rain, shine, or snow. We are a committed group!

 

A Texan’s View of Terrorist . . .

Here in West Texas, I have rattlesnakes on my place, living among us. I have killed a rattlesnake on the front porch. I have killed a rattlesnake on the back porch. I have killed rattlesnakes in the barn, in the shop, and on the driveway.

In fact, I kill every rattlesnake I encounter. I kill rattlesnakes because I know a rattlesnake will bite me and inject me with poison. I don’t stop to wonder WHY a rattlesnake will bite me; I know it WILL bite me because it’s a rattlesnake and that’s what rattlesnakes do. I don’t try to reason with a rattlesnake or have a “meaningful dialogue” with it; I just kill it.

I don’t try to get to know the rattlesnake better so I can find a way to live with the rattlesnakes and convince them not to bite me. I just kill them. I don’t quiz a rattlesnake to see if I can find out where the other snakes are, because (a) it won’t tell me and (b) I already know they live on my place. So, I just kill the rattlesnake and move on to the next one. I don’t look for ways I might be able to change the rattlesnake to a non-poisonous rat snake. I just kill it.

Oh, and on occasion, I accidentally kill a rat snake because I thought it was a rattlesnake at the time. Also, I know for every rattlesnake I kill, two more are lurking out there in the brush. In my lifetime, I will never be able to rid my place of rattlesnakes.

Do I fear them? Not really. Do I respect what they can do to me and my family? Yes! And because of that respect, I give them the fair justice they deserve. I kill them. As a country, we should start giving more thought to the fact that these jihadists’ are telling the world their goal is to kill Americans and destroy our way of life.

They have posted graphic videos on the internet showing them beheading Americans. They are serious. They are exactly like rattlesnakes. It is high time for us to start acting accordingly!

I love this country. It’s the damn government I’m afraid of! Why? Look who’s new in the White House!

Arif Alikhan, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development, for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Mohammed Elibiary, Homeland Security Adviser; Rashad Hussain, Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC); Salam al-Marayati, Obama adviser and founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council and is its current executive director; Imam Mohamed Magid, Obama’s Sharia Czar from the Islamic Society of North America; Eboo Patel, Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships.

This is flat-out scary! The foxes are now officially living in the hen-house . . . Now ask me why I am very concerned! Do you feel OK with this? How can this happen? And when will we wake up?

We are quiet while our country is being drastically changed from within! Our silence just may destroy us!
Unknown author