When Your Church Becomes Your Religion

There are thousands of Christian churches out there and they all (or almost all of them) claim fealty to the Bible and the teachings of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrines and beliefs of those churches vary widely from each other and often don't even resemble what Jesus and His disciples lived and taught.

This is a subject about which volumes could be written but we live in the age of brevity and attention spans aren't what they used to be.

Let's just get to the point. Is your church or has your church become a religion unto itself? What if it has? Would that be a big deal or do you matter-of-factly consider your church's brand of Christianity to actually be your religion? If it, in fact, has become your de facto religion, and it doesn't comply to Biblical doctrines, would that not be problematic and contrary to God's Written Word?

One would think Christian churches would use the Bible, or at least the New Testament, as the "user's guide" for their belief system. That would be the assumption, wouldn't it? If that were the case, then why and how could there be so many Christian denominations?

For the casual church goer, this probably isn't problematic. Church attendance for many may be for social networking and to a lessor extent to brush up on the do's and don'ts of modern Christianity. The doctrines of the church may not be a major concern for some.

The serious Christian may want to examine their church's doctrines just to see if they mesh with the doctrines of the Bible. Upon examination of the church's beliefs, one might even find them to be extra-biblical or even antithetical to the written Word of God. What then? Would that matter to you? Would you even know how they compared to the teachings of Jesus? Do you trust your minister and the church's board of directors to always steer you in the right direction when it comes to biblical matters?

Therein lies the crux of this brief article. Every Christian must ask themselves: am I going to base my values and my belief system on what a church teaches or am I going to base my life on the values and teachings of Jesus Christ? 


Rich Glasgow

Texas Hospitals Honor Veterans in Final Salute Program

Our next door neighbor was at the Dallas Presbyterian Hospital this past week visiting his wife and while he was there the staff starting lining up on either side of one particular hallway. He wasn't sure what was going on, but then a gurney emerged from one of the nearby rooms. The person on the gurney had died and was covered with a sheet . . . and the American Flag. A patient who happened to be a Veteran had died and the hospital staff, as well as visitors who were there, were paying their respects and saluting this deceased Vet as he was being wheeled down the corridor.

The Final Salute Program was created by Chaplain James Dorsey and Texas hospitals who are associated with the Texas Health Organization  participate in this program. Be sure to visit the linked article to find out more about this awe-inspiring program.

This is just one of those things that make Texans proud.



Rich Glasgow

Critical Thinking for Dummies

Are we at a time and place when critical thinking has become an anomaly? Sure seems like it. It's not being taught or encouraged in public schools or liberal arts colleges. What IS being taught is the Leftist agenda of "social justice," global warming/climate change, "renewable/sustainable energy" (which is not sustainable because it cannot exist without government subsidies,) national health care, open borders, sanctuary cities and states, globalism, increased taxation, and a never ending burgeoning central government, ad infinitum, ad nauseam.

Combine that with the apparent death of common sense over the years and you have a seriously "dumbed-down" population.

Additionally, way too many people don't have the intellectual curiosity to learn the truth about current events, politics, news and information, and even religion. Is this societal scenario the zeitgeist liberal academicians and politicos have hoped for and planned for generations to gain control over an easily swayed and indoctrinated working class who eagerly vote for more "stuff" from an all powerful big federal government?

Leftists are still in the minority, but with the help of the vociferous "mainstream" media, they seem to be the vocal majority. The rest of the country goes to work, minds their business, and wants America to be a decent and prosperous place while paying little attention to the radical Left. Still, we're nearing a potential tipping point with numerous scenarios developing at the drop of a (MAGA) hat when mindless rent-a-mobs bent on hate and violence are called to action by community organizers for the sole purpose of creating chaos and disorder.

Maybe if there were more critical thinkers in our midst who happened to be activists, we wouldn't have so much disarray.

Critical thinking needn't be all that complicated but it does involve utilizing some common sense, which may need to be resurrected.

Remember back in the 60's when the antiestablishmentarians questioned authority and distrusted anyone over 30? Yeah . . . well those guys are the ones in academe, media, and big government and the last thing they want now is for anyone to question anything they do.

So what is critical thinking all about?

There's a good piece at the The Foundation for Critical Thinking which defines Critical Thinking and I recommend exploring that site. Here's their succinct synopsis on the topic:

Why Critical Thinking?

The Problem Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.

A Definition Critical thinking is that mode of thinking - about any subject, content, or problem - in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and 
imposing intellectual standards upon them.

The Result A well cultivated critical thinker:

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
• thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.  

(Taken from Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools, Foundation for Critical Thinking Press, 2008)

Rich Glasgow

"Build a Wall and Crime Will Fall"

President Trump's new rallying cry, Build a Wall and Crime Will Fall! Ya just gotta love it! The haters' heads will explode as they hear what POTUS tweeted, "Use it and pray!"

Less Social Media . . . More Blogging

My self-imposed abstinence from social media is into its second week and it's going pretty well. Oh, sure, I miss being in touch with new and old FB buddies, but I wouldn't have imagined how much extra time it has freed up from my day. I've been able to spend way more time giving attention to my growing stack of must read books

What I missed most during this Facebook/Twitter deprivation was finding, and commenting on interesting ditties and sharing them, which is what I used to do regularly on this blog. I gave in to the misconception that blogging gave way to Twitter and Facebook and there was little need to keep an active blog. So, Isn't It Rich became rather dormant these last few years.

Well, my little vacation from social media has juiced up my will to keep this blog alive after realizing I missed writing about whatever happened to grab my interest on any given day. I've always loved to write even though it takes effort and that pesky writer's block is never far away.

It's hard to believe but I've been blogging here since August of 2004 and this is my 2474th blog entry! Over the years there have been nearly half a millions page views from all over the world. That's an amazing amount of exposure for a microscopic citizen journalist. I could never get that kind of international exposure on Facebook or Twitter. So there you go!

It's good to abstain from habitual ruts from time to time; if for no other reason than the self-satisfaction of knowing you can do it. For me, social media was taking far too much time and this has been a welcome break.

Will I be returning to Facebook and Twitter? Of course, but hopefully on a more limited basis so I can concentrate on what I love to do right here.



Rich Glasgow

The Red Sea Rules

Every now and then when I'm ensconced in my wonderful recliner, reveling in peace, quiet, and solitude while being immersed in an awesome book, my wife will come in and ask, excitedly, if she can read something 'really good' to me. "Hmmm . . ." I'm thinking . . . "well, I'm ALREADY reading something really good . . ." So I usually ask in what must sound like a bothered tone, "How long is it?" To which she generally replies, "It's not too long but it's really good!" I can't think of a time when I haven't acceded to her enthusiastic requests, so I demurely say, "Okay."

I must admit, she, almost always, has something share worthy and most of the time I'm glad she so boldly interrupts my preoccupied state.

This morning was no exception. "Hon, can I read you something? . . . it's really good!" It's not too long, but it's the last chapter of this really good book entitled, "The Red Sea Rules" by Robert J. Morgan. (Wow! I methodically pondered . . . a whole chapter?")

Again, I surrendered to her request. And while it was a major interruption that took me down a completely different path, it was, in fact, "really good."

The gist of the book is how God can and will lead you out of whatever seemingly impossible situation or circumstance in which you may find yourself, and the author aptly uses the example of the Ancient Israelites in their conundrum of being between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea with no way out.

On the last page of this little book, the author lists the 10 concise "Red Sea Rules." Here they are and I'm pretty sure listing them won't spoil the thrust of the book:

     Rule 1     "Realize that God means for you to be where you are."

     Rule 2     "Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief."

     Rule 3     "Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the LORD."

     Rule 4     "Pray"

     Rule 5     "Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work."

     Rule 6     "When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith."

     Rule 7     "Envision God's enveloping presence."

     Rule 8     "Trust God to deliver in His own unique way."

     Rule 9     "View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future."

     Rule 10   "Don't forget to praise Him."

Makes sense to me. I look forward to reading "The Red Sea Rules."




Rich Glasgow

"I Will Bless those who Bless You"

Avid Bible readers will be familiar with the twelfth chapter of Genesis, verses 1 through 3 where it says this:

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will shew you: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed. 

Whether or not one chooses to believe this, has no bearing on what the Almighty directed in this promise made to Abram (who was renamed Abraham shortly hereafter.) The fact remains, God told Abram this and there were, or are, no time restraints on this unconditional promise.

Are there modern day examples of the blessings and/or curses referred to in this passage? I would say so.

All one need to do is look at the state of our country now, under the Trump administration, and compare it with the state of the country during the eight years of the Obama administration and consider how each administration treated the State of Israel.

If you recall, the Obama administration was not exactly friendly to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu; in fact Obama operatives spent at least $350,000.00 of our taxpayer money in an attemp to unseat Netanyahu.

According to the Washington Times: "Some $350,000.00 was sent to OneVoice, ostensibly to support the group's efforts to back Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement negotiations. But OneVoice used the money to build a voter database, train activists and hire a political consulting firm with ties to President Obama's campaign--all of which set the stage for an anti-Netanyahu campaign, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations said in a bipartisan staff report."

Obama's "Iran Deal" was the quintessential anti-Israel jab. In it was an agreement stating that the United States would defend Iran against any attacks, including attacks from Israel.

The Obama administration continually sided with Israel's enemies during those eight years and did little to support our closest ally in the Middle East. That was tantamount to being a curse to Israel.

Contrast that with the near love-fest Trump and Netanyahu share whenever they are together. We now are the staunchest of allies and together our countries steadfastly stand against all those who wish to annihilate Israel.

Three previous Presidents of the United States (Clinton, Bush, and Obama) campaigned on moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but none of them did it. It was President Trump who did it in his first two years in office.

 

Israel was so pleased with the move of our embassy that they renamed Embassy Square, Trump Square, which didn't get much publicity from the left-of-center media. Nor were there many photos because Jerusalem was ablaze with endearing posters boasting how Trump is a friend of Zion. It was a beautiful thing and it didn't take long before other countries decided to move their own embassies to Trump Square.

The Trump administration has been a blessing to Israel. When you compare our country's economy, our status on the world scene, the renewed respect we now have with allies and enemies alike, I think it's safe to say we are being blessed by God because of how well we are treating Israel, the "Apple of God's Eye."

Zechariah 2:8-9 "For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you--for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye--I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me."


Rich Glasgow

Been a Long Time

It's been almost 3 years since I've posted anything up here. Unreal! Not that I never write. Seems like I write all the time. Last week I finished writing (and recording) my 7 part Weekend Bible Study series on the book of Esther, which can be heard at borntowin.net.

Facebook and Twitter have replaced blogger, as such, but I want to revive Isn't It Rich as my own personal sounding board. It won't get much public viewing, but that's okay. I just want to write to keep life interesting and to have a place to opine when FB and Twitter might be inappropriate.

Nothing notable on my mind today but just wanted to check in here at blogger. I'm going to have to relearn the ins and outs up here.



Posted by Rich Glasgow

The National Day of Prayer

The first Thursday in May has been designated as the National Day of Prayer. If

there was ever a need for such a day it's now. It won't matter where you pray, when you pray or with whom you pray, but please join in prayer often throughout this day.

The 85th chapter of Psalms would be a good chapter to read. It offers the hope of forgiveness, deliverance and restitution, all of which we desperately need in this country.

Psalm 85:1-13 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger. Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants-- but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

May we come before God sincerely in the spirit of repentance that we'll be forgiven personally and nationally for our sins and be spared from His awesome judgments.

An appropriate prayer for today was written by Alexandra Swann and it's from her book, The Planner:

“Lord we come to You tonight to ask for Your forgiveness. The Bible promises that when we seek You, we will find You, if we search with all our hearts. "Lord we confess that we have not followed Your commands. We have not loved You with our whole hearts--we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not stood for the truth of Your Gospel. We have sat by and said nothing when Your name was blasphemed and mocked. We did not take a stand when we saw Your laws despised. “We know that many times we ourselves have been among the worst offenders. We have lived sinful lives that are contrary to the word of God. Like Esau, we have traded away our birthright for a little convenience; we have despised this incredible gift of freedom that You provided for us and allowed all of the liberty that our country offered to be trampled down. We have forgotten the words of King David who said that it is better to fall into the hands of God than to be at the mercy of men, and so we now find ourselves living under the rule of a cruel and despotic government who has stolen everything from us and shows us no mercy. “We know that everything that is happening to us is a result of our bad choices, both individually and as a nation. You gave us the gift of being born into a free nation—the greatest nation the world has ever seen. You gave us a form of government unlike any other that had ever been known by any other people, and we did not value it enough to defend it. “For all of these things, Lord, we ask Your forgiveness. We pray tonight that You will change our hearts so that each of us will begin to love what You love, to hate what You hate and to want what You want. We ask You to save our nation, for we know that the Bible teaches that salvation belongs to our God—no political party, no ideology, no government can save us. If we don’t find salvation in You, we won’t find it at all. “Please turn Your face to us again, and give us back our freedom, and restore our country so that we can truly be one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We ask all these things in the name of Your son, Jesus. Amen.”.

Posted by Rich Glasgow

Christian Responsibility in Elections

Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875) was a Presbyterian minister and influential leader in America's Second Great Awakening. He was known as the Father of Modern Revivalism. That being the case, he thought it was incumbent upon Christians to responsibly vote for the best possible people:

"The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics...God cannot sustain this free and blessed country which we love and pray for unless the Church will take right ground...It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation are becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they think God does not see what they do in politics."

Or don't do, as the case may be.



Posted by Rich Glasgow

Prescient Quote For Our Time

Jedidiah Morse lived from 1761 to 1826. He authored many textbooks and was known as the "father of American geography." He was also the father of telegraphy pioneer and artist, Samuel Morse, who painted this portrait of his father.

I found this prescient quote on page 1131 of The Founders' Bible. His insight was quite accurate and aptly describes our crumbling culture in 2014:

"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoy. In proportion as the genuine effects of Christianity are diminished in any nation...in the same proportion will the people of that nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom, and approximate the miseries of complete despotism. I hold this to be a truth confirmed by experience. If so, it follows that all efforts made to destroy the foundations of our holy religion ultimately tend to the subversion also of our political freedom and happiness. Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government--and all the blessings which flow from them--must fall with them."

Posted by Rich Glasgow

"When The Righteous Thrive, The People Rejoice, But When A Wicked Man Rules, The People Groan"

That verse is found in the Book of Proverbs, chapter 29 and verse 2 and its profundity is eternal regardless of whether or not a person or a nation believes the Bible.

Here in the United States we haven't had "rulers," as such, as other nations have had throughout the ages, Our elected officials have generally been aware of their temporal term in office and have, for the most part, submitted to the law of the land which is our United States Constitution. After all, they do take an oath to uphold that Constitution.

O' sure, we've had dishonest presidents, immoral presidents, misguided, naive and maybe even stupid presidents in my lifetime, but I don't really think any of them have been "wicked." That would be a pretty serious charge.

I won't call our current president and his ilk "wicked" but people all across the country are, in fact, groaning about the downward spiral besetting virtually every aspect of our society. Mainstream culture has become course and ribald. Language is becoming uncensored and morals are maligned as outdated and prudish. Christianity is openly mocked and God has been thrown out of any institution with government ties. Everything seems to be "upside down."

On the other hand, there are growing numbers of people who oppose abortion. Pro-life organizations have been very successful in closing down abortion clinics in recent years, but the current "ruling" party embraces abortion as if it were the most sacrosanct sacrament of their secular humanist religion. Even tax dollars are used to fund Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of abortions.

But (and this is a very big but) the problems being caused by our expanding government cannot be solely blamed on the president and his willing minions. Congress is as much to blame as the Executive Branch and sadly, even more importantly, it's we the people who allowed these politicians to be elected and empowered.

Our Founding Fathers knew well of the responsibility of citizens to be well informed and engaged when it came to electing officials to positions of power. Read what Noah Webster had to say:

When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God (Exodus 18:21). The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty. If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.

We can't sit back and bemoan the evil excesses and corruption of big government without trying to do something about it, even though it looks like we may be way beyond the point of no return. We need to be "doing the work," up until the time of Jesus' return and that "work" includes being the salt and light to the world and doing all we can to have a positive influence on society.



Posted by Rich Glasgow

"Righteousness Exalts a Nation"

Our founding fathers were well aware of the fact that godly righteousness exalts a nation. This belief was based on the Word of God in which so many of our founders were well versed. Passages throughout the Bible affirm that the righteousness of a nation is determined by how well public policies conform to God's sacred standards. Deuteronomy 28; 1 Kings 18 and 1 Chronicles 21 are but a few biblical examples.

Samuel Adams was one who believed that only God-honoring policies can exalt a nation:

(Divine) revelation assures us that 'Righteousness exalteth a nation.' Communities are dealt with in this world by the wise and just Ruler of the Universe. He rewards or punishes them according to their general character.

Frederick Douglass, a minister of the Gospel, was also a political leader long before and after the Civil War and he told his fellow citizens:

I have one great political idea...That idea is an old one. It is widely and generally assented to; nevertheless, it is very generally trampled upon and disregarded. The best expression of it, I have found in the Bible. It is in substance, 'Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people.' Sir, this constitutes my politics--the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics...I feel it my duty to do all in my power to infuse this idea into the public mind, that it may speedily be recognized and practiced upon by our people.

Pastor Francis Grimke, was born in 1850 to a slave mother in South Carolina. He served as a valet in the Confederate army until Emancipation. After the war he attended Lincoln University, Howard University and then Princeton Theological Seminary. Even though he lived through the Civil War as a boy and experienced the ravages of a terribly divided country, he was still convinced America would survive and remain united.

In a sermon given in 1909 he warned what America would become if we should depart from godly righteousness:

The Stars and Stripes--the old flag--will float...over all these states...If the time ever comes when we shall go to pieces, it will...(be) from inward corruption--from the disregard of right principles...from losing sight of the fact that 'Righteousness exalteth a nation, but that sin is a reproach to any people'...The secession of the Southern States in 1860 was a small matter with the secession of the Union itself from the great principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence, in the Golden Rule, in the Ten Commandments, in the Sermon on the Mount. Unless we hold, and hold firmly to these great fundamental principles of righteousness...our Union...will be 'only a covenant with death and an agreement with hell' (Isaiah 28:18). If it continues to exist, it will be a curse and not a blessing.

These are a mere few of the quotes from some our forefathers who loved and feared God and His righteousness and recognized the need to look to Him and uphold His righteous ways. Our history is filled with similar examples showing how this country was built on the fundamental framework and truths set forth by God which we should follow if we wish to prosper individually and nationally.

We would be wise to revisit these eternal exhortations found throughout the Bible and put them to use in our own lives and national policies if we want to recapture the greatness of this once godly nation.


(source: The Founder's Bible, pg 958-959)


Posted by Rich Glasgow

  

Thanksgiving 2022

(This little essay has been making the rounds and I don't know who actually wrote it. My apologies for not being able to attribute it to anyone. Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving in the tradition of this once great country before we're relegated to this possible fate in 2022.)

"Winston, come into the dining room, it's time to eat," Julia yelled to her husband.

"In a minute, honey, it's a tie score," he answered.

Actually Winston wasn't very interested in the traditional holiday football game between Detroit and Washington. Ever since the government passed the Civility in Sports Statute of 2017, outlawing tackle football for its "unseemly violence" and the "bad" example it sets for the rest of the world", Winston was far less of a football fan than he used to be. Two-hand touch wasn't nearly as exciting. Yet it wasn't the game that Winston was uninterested in. It was more the thought of eating another Tofu Turkey. Even though it was the best type of VeggieMeat available after the government revised the American Anti-Obesity Act of 2018, adding fowl to the list of federally-forbidden foods, (which already included potatoes, cranberry sauce, and mincemeat pie), it wasn't anything like real turkey.

And ever since the government officially changed the name of "Thanksgiving Day" to "A National Day of Atonement" in 2020, to officially acknowledge the Pilgrims' historically brutal treatment of Native Americans, the holiday had lost a lot of its luster.

Eating in the dining room was also a bit daunting. The unearthly gleam of government-mandated fluorescent light bulbs made the Tofu Turkey look even weirder than it actually was, and the room was always cold. Ever since Congress passed the Power Conservation Act of 2016, mandating all thermostats - which were monitored and controlled by the electric company - be kept at 68 degrees, every room on the north side of the house was barely tolerable throughout the entire winter.

Still, it was good getting together with family. Or at least most of the family.

Winston missed his mother, who passed on in October, when she had used up her legal allotment of life-saving medical treatment. He had had many heated conversations with the Regional Health Consortium, spawned when the private insurance market finally went bankrupt, and everyone was forced into the government health care program. And though he demanded she be kept on her treatment, it was a futile effort. "The RHC's resources are limited," explained the government bureaucrat Winston spoke with on the phone. "Your mother received all the benefits to which she was entitled. I'm sorry for your loss."

Ed couldn't make it either. He had forgotten to plug in his electric car last night, the only kind available after the Anti-Fossil Fuel Bill of 2021 outlawed the use of the combustion engines - for everyone but government officials. The fifty mile round trip was about ten miles too far, and Ed didn't want to spend a frosty night on the road somewhere between here and there.

Thankfully, Winston's brother, John, and his wife were flying in.

Winston made sure that the dining room chairs had extra cushions for the occasion. No one complained more than John about the pain of sitting down so soon after the government-mandated cavity searches at airports, which severely aggravated his hemorrhoids. Ever since a terrorist successfully smuggled a cavity bomb onto a jetliner, the TSA told Americans the added "inconvenience" was an "absolute necessity" in order to stay "one step ahead of the terrorists."

Winston's own body had grown accustomed to such probing ever since the government expanded their scope to just about anywhere a crowd gathered, via Anti-Profiling Act of 2022. That law made it a crime to single out any group or individual for "unequal scrutiny," even when probable cause was involved. Thus, cavity searches at malls, train stations, bus depots, etc., etc., had become almost routine. Almost.

The Supreme Court is reviewing the statute, but most Americans expect a Court composed of six progressives and three conservatives to leave the law intact. "A living Constitution is extremely flexible", said the Court's eldest member, Elena Kagan. "Europe has had laws like this one for years. We should learn from their example," she added. “No wonder in the past so many Europeans would have rather lived here.”

Winston's thoughts turned to his own children. He got along fairly well with his 12-year-old daughter, Brittany, mostly because she ignored him. Winston had long ago surrendered to the idea that she could text anyone at any time, even during Atonement Dinner. Their only real confrontation had occurred when he limited her to 50,000 texts a month, explaining that was all he could afford. She whined for a week, but got over it.

His 16-year-old son, Jason, was another matter altogether. Perhaps it was the constant bombarding he got in public school that global warming, the bird flu, terrorism, or any of a number of other calamities were "just around the corner", but Jason had developed a kind of nihilistic attitude that ranged between simmering surliness and outright hostility. It didn't help that Jason had reported his father to the police for smoking a cigarette in the house, an act made criminal by the Smoking Control Statute of 2018, which outlawed smoking anywhere within 500 feet of another human being. Winston paid the $5,000 fine, which might have been considered excessive before the American dollar became virtually worthless as a result of QE13.

The latest round of quantitative easing the federal government initiated was, once again, to "spur economic growth." This time, they promised to push unemployment below its years-long rate of 18%, but Winston was not particularly hopeful.

Yet the family had a lot for which to be thankful, Winston thought, before remembering it was a Day of Atonement.

At least, he had his memories. He felt a twinge of sadness when he realized his children would never know what life was like in the Good Old Days, long before government promises to make life "fair for everyone" realized their full potential. Winston, like so many of his fellow Americans, never realized how much things could change when they didn't happen all at once, but little by little, so people could get used to them. He wondered what might have happened if the public had stood up while there was still time, maybe back around 2012, when all the real nonsense began.

"Maybe we wouldn't be where we are today if we'd just said 'enough is enough' when we had the chance," he thought.

Maybe so, Winston. Maybe so.



Posted by  Rich Glasgow

C. S. Lewis and his Relevance for Today

If you're a CS Lewis fan you'll really like this 24 minute video on why he's relevant today. If you've not read any of his books, you owe it to yourself as a professing Christian to at least read Mere Christianity. He was probably the greatest 20th century Christian apologist even though he began his teaching and writing career as an athiest. This video explores his love of fantasy to explain spiritual reality. It's an excellent way to spend 24 minutes of your time.

C.S. Lewis and why he's relevant today




Posted by Rich Glasgow

A Quote to Live By

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

  ~Marianne Williamson




Posted by Rich Glasgow

Q and A Session with Eric Metaxas and John Piper on Bonhoeffer

Having recently read Bonhoeffer and Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas, I couldn't wait to watch this Q and A session on Vimeo with John Piper and Eric Metaxas.

It's about 49 minutes long which is an eternity if you're just cruising the web, but if you're a reader of Metaxas' books, you'll want to watch this. This the first time I've heard or watched John Piper and he's almost as compelling as Metaxas.

I watched this twice; I thought it was that good.

Their dialog on Romans 13, early on in the program, was excellent. Piper's wisdom and insight on this often misused text is exemplary.

If you like this vimeo you might also like the 11 minute production from the folks at I Am Second featuring Metaxas. In it, he shares the testimony of his faith.  





Posted by Rich Glasgow

"ENGAGE"

Yesterday, my wife and I, with two very good friends, had the opportunity to attend the Engage Worldview Conference in Denton, TX at the Denton Bible Church. The event was a joint effort of Summit Ministries and WORLD News Group (publisher of WORLD magazine).

The ENGAGE conference was an all day event here in the Dallas area aimed at Christians who hope to make a difference in their communities by becoming "engaged."

All too often, Christians sit back and see all that's wrong with the culture and feel helpless to do anything about it. Not only can Christians make a difference but the Bible clearly instructs us to be good examples and role models to everyone with whom we interact.

Jesus spells it out in Matthew 5:13-14 during his famous Sermon on the Mount that He wants us to be "the salt and the light" in our communities. This isn't for our benefit or so people will take notice of us, but rather that people will see that our Christian life is kind, admirable and produces positive results. Hopefully, our good stewardship to God will have a positve effect on the community and those around us.

But that's a two way street. The other side of that coin is for Christians to be poor examples to those with whom we come in contact and that's not a good way to "make points" with God or with our community.

If we're to be the "salt and the light" we have to do something.  We don't have the luxury to sit back and watch society crumble before our very eyes.  In fact, maybe it's crumbling because Christians have done too little for too long.

The next Engage Worldview Conference is going to be held in San Diego on November 16. More information is available at their link.

For those Christians who want to make a positive contribution to their communities, this valuable conference will show you the way.



Posted by Rich Glasgow

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. -Ronald Reagan


I think there's a spiritual corollary to Reagan's theorem. Kids of devout Christian parents may turn out to be Christians more often than not, but their level of devotion isn't hereditary. The Holy Spirit isn't passed down generationally. If you wish to be devout and have the Holy Spirit working in and with you, it's a matter of diligently seeking God's righteousness daily via prayer & Bible study along with regular fasting.

It's a constant and vigilant pursuit, just like the pursuit of freedom.



Posted by Rich Glasgow

Where's Your Blind Spot?

Any time you get in a car, you'll probably notice the blind spots peculiar to that particular vehicle. An inattentive passenger may not be aware of the blind spots, but the driver has to be aware of them and must know how to compensate for them if he wants to avoid a collision.

People have blind spots too: metaphorically and quite literally. Ophthalmologists call them scotomas, which are obscurations within the field of view. They also occur on the eyeball itself as anatomical blind spots, known as optic discs. These are actual spots on "the specific region of the retina where the optic nerve and blood vessels pass through to connect to the back of the eye."

These 'blind spots' are "also known as the physiological blind spot, or, the specific scotoma in the visual field that corresponds to the lack of light-detecting photoreceptor cells on the optic disc." (Wikipedia.com "Blind spots")

We don't notice these scotomas, because the brain "fills in the blanks" with what it perceives should be in those blind spots. Kind of like neurological "photoshopping."

This subject picqued my interest after watching an episode of Perception on the TNT television network. The principle character in the show, Dr. Daniel Pierce, is an eccentric professor of neuroscience who suffers from schizophrenia and regularly assists the FBI in solving complex crimes.

This particular episode involved the theorem of "Inattentional Blindness." The case he was investigating involved several murders that were committed in the midst of large crowds--yet there were no witnesses. Even though the murders happened in front of scores of people, no one noticed.

According to Scholarpedia, Inattentional Blindness is "the failure to notice a fully-visible, but unexpected object because attention was engaged on other task, event, or object."
We can easily take this to a spiritual level. The blind spots in our lives are characteristics we don't see in ourselves, but may be clear to others.

In fact, Jesus made that analogy in Matthew 7: 3-5:


"And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Or how will you say to your brother, Let me pull the splinter out of your eye; and, behold, a beam is in your own eye?
 Hypocrite! First cast the beam out of your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to cast the splinter out of your brother's eye."

Jesus doesn't mince words when it comes to our blind spots. He makes it apparent we need to recognize the fact that we do have blind spots and must overcome them. Overcoming is what's important in life; and it's often our most difficult task.

If you look at the messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, God will reward the one who overcomes. We can't earn salvation, because it is the gift of God by grace, (Acts 15:11) but we are rewarded according to our works (Rom 2:6).

Are you blind to your blind spot (or spots)? The solution is easy, though it may be uncomfortable. Ask someone close to you if there's something you could do to become a better person. Better yet, ask God to gently point out your blind spots, and at the same time, ask Him to help you overcome them.




Posted by Rich Glasgow





 

Can't We All Just Get Along?

There are two kinds of people; those who follow politics and those who don't. It might be fair to suggest that those who don't follow politics are averse to the partisanship and constant bickering and name-calling. Those who disdain the political in-fighting may sub-conscientiously subscribe to the Rodney King politics of "can't we all just get along?"

Well, quite frankly, we can't all get along and though that might sound a bit harsh, it really couldn't be any other way.

In political parlance, partisanship is usually used as a pejorative and those who use it that way are said to be non-partisan--as if to suggest they are above, or morally superior to anyone who is partisan.

By definition, a partisan is one who abides by or is emotionally attached to a set of beliefs by which he lives and is not likely to change.

The non-partisan, on the other hand, prides himself on his willingness to compromise.

The "can't we all get along" idea is much like the "co-exist" bumper sticker spelled out with the symbols of the world's religions. Co-existing isn't a problem; that is until someone or some other religion or government says our beliefs aren't acceptable unless we change and adapt to the beliefs of others. That's when things get problematic and that's why we all can't get along.

We're dawning on an era where Christianity is becoming unacceptable to many as our culture spirals downward and becomes more antithetical to God. What was once considered good is now considered bad. Morality has been replaced with depravity. Isaiah warned of a time such as ours in Isa 5:20:

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

There's good and evil in this world and our problems arise (personally and nationally) when we compromise with evil. When it comes to evil, we can't afford to compromise.

The more decadent our society becomes, the more difficult it may become for dedicated Christians which is very odd when you think about it. Most Christians are quite tolerant and unobtrusive in how they treat others. Wouldn't most people want to be around those who kept the Golden Rule? Maybe not. The mere presence of a moral person can inflict guilt on someone who's not moral and when that happens, it's the moral person who causes offense, even when they're silent on the matter.

It hasn't been that long since the idea of Christian persecution, especially in English speaking countries, was unthought of. These days it's becoming clear that a persecution is on the way and may have even begun. We shouldn't be surprised really. Jesus plainly told us in Mark 13:12-13 that His followers would be hated and some would even be killed because of what we believe.

It goes back to calling good evil and vice-versa.

Regardless of what some may think about Christians, we always have the opportunity and responsibility to live the life God and Jesus intended so we'll be a shining light and sterling example to everyone with whom we come in contact...whether they like us or not.



Posted by Rich Glasgow

Attention: Low Information Christians

　
Are you a "low-information Christian?"

Since the 2012 election we've been hearing a lot about "low-information voters" or "lo-fo's." The term was coined by political scientist Samuel Popkin in 1991 and it referred to people who voted for politicians based on popularity as opposed to having substantial knowledge of the candidate's political philosophy or background. The uninformed voter is more likely to vote for someone they perceive as "cool" or "good looking" or on the basis of gender, race or sexual preference.

I'm guessing that most people wouldn't want to be characterized as being "low-information" anything, but the odds are the "lo-fo's" don't even realize they are uninformed, misinformed or ill informed.

What is a "low-information Christian?" Do you know one? Are you one?

Think of all the Christians who seldom, if ever question their own beliefs.

For those who have questioned their belief system, is that a one time proposition or a lifelong process of growth and overcoming?

In Matthew 5, Jesus likened Christians to salt. In verse 13, He said this: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

A "low-information Christian" might never have even heard that warning from Jesus if he wasn't familiar with God's Word.

The Bible is replete with guidance about the need to self-examine and re-evaluate, and it shows us how to do it. It's our "owners manual." It contains everything we need to know about the Christian way of life.

The "low-information Christian" is missing out on the profusely abundant blessings God pours out on those who enthusiastically seek to learn more about Him and His plan.

Sadly--and scarily--too many Christians neglect the rich opportunity to learn more about God and Jesus and the adventure They are offering us. We can be involved in that adventure if we make it a daily part of our lives spending time reading that Book of books.


Posted by Rich Glasgow

　

　

The Newtown, Connecticut Horror

The entire world is trying to sort out the whys and wherefores of the horrific massacre which occurred in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gun-wielding madman callously murdered 27 people, 20 of whom were small children.

No one can really know what these students, parents, and family members must be going through, except for what we can extract from the wall-to-wall news coverage taking place. Maybe there's too much coverage. Maybe the networks and news outlets should let these people mourn a bit more privately. If I was one of these deeply grieving parents, the last thing I would want is a camera crew following me around.

What these folks do need is the comfort and peace that God can and will pour out to those who ask and seek His divine comfort. Our family, church, and group of prayer warriors are hoping and praying God will envelope these people and the entire community with His comforting Holy Spirit.

Inevitably the question always arises how God could allow such an atrocity to take place. It's a question rooted in emotion, but the answer is quite matter of fact. Just think about it. We are all free moral (or immoral, as the case may be) agents and we all are free to choose. The bad guys have that same choice. Time and chance happens to all men. 

The choices we make have consequences and very often innocent people end up paying the ultimate price for the wrong choices of someone else.

Still, that explanation isn't very comforting to those who are hurting.

Bible readers know as we draw closer to the time when Jesus Christ will return, society is going to become more violent.

Here's what it says in II Timothy 3:1-5:  "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."  (NIV1984)

Sadly, this wasn't the first school massacre and it's not going to be the last. Within days of this horrific shooting, one would-be, copy-cat shooter at  Fashion Island mall in Los Angeles fired at least 50 shots before he was stopped. Fortunately, no was was hit.

While the entire nation prays and reaches out to Newtown, we are already seeing schemers in  Government rushing to make "good use" of this atrocity by demanding the president take 'Immediate Action' against guns. No surprise here.

The real cause of crime is never addressed.

Our second president and one of our founding fathers wisely proclaimed this:

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." -John Adams

As a nation, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves and reflect on where we are. Will we continue to spiral out of control into an immoral and violent abyss, or will we turn to God in real repentance and ask Him to mercifully save us?


Posted by Rich Glasgow

When Truth Clashes With Traditon

What happens when an immovable object clashes with an unstoppable force? One might imagine a speeding, out-of-control train coming into a station with no hope of stopping. Or imagine an immense asteroid hurtling toward earth and all efforts to change its course or destroy it have been unsuccessful. You know a calamity is going to occur and mass destruction is going to result.

There's an analogy in there somewhere when it comes to truth versus tradition. This isn't to suggest all traditions collide with truth. Traditions, when they align with truth, are a beautiful thing. But traditions become problematic when they clash with the truth.

To some, the truth is relative; a subjective thing determined by the individual or state. To others, truth is set in stone and authored by God, Himself; and those who believe that would most likely refer to the Fourth Gospel, the book of John, chapter 17:17, which says, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." For most believers, this is the final word when it comes to determining what, in fact, is the truth.

For the believer, the Word of God, that is, the Bible, is the gold standard for truth. It's not a "living document." The Bible isn't malleable to suit people's desires. It's immutable. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Tradition might be likened to an immovable object, and the truth could be likened to the proverbial unstoppable force. You can't stop the truth. You can ignore it for awhile, but you can never stop it or prevent it from being true.

Tradition? Well, traditions are the things of which entire ideologies, philosophies, religions, and even civilizations are made. You think they're not immovable objects? Think again. So what happens when those well established traditions are challenged by the truth?

When traditions are not rooted in truth and the truth somehow presents itself to one who embraces those traditions, there's going to be a clash. Often it's a startling and uncomfortable clash. A clash between the truth and traditions not founded in truth can seem to be catastrophic at first because of the potential upheaval it can cause in the way one lives his life from that point on.

If that person is a truth seeker and desires to do the right thing, he has to decide what he's going to do regarding the tradition. Does he continue keeping that tradition, which may seem wonderful in every way, or does he do the right thing based upon eternal truth?

One very important thing to keep in mind is the possibility that if the truth is revealed to you and you choose to disregard that truth, God may decide to withhold further truth from you in the future. That might be tantamount to closing a door on God. It's something to consider.

The concept of truth clashing with tradition is timely because December is steeped in traditional celebrations. But are they all based on truth?

The person who cares about the truth and desires to do right in the eyes of God will want to ask himself if these traditions are of God or of some other origin which may not have God's stamp of approval.

It's that time of year: what do Christmas and all the trimmings really have to do with the birth of Jesus? It's a question every Christian needs to ask. Is Christmas authorized by the Word of God, or is it a celebration of dubious origins?

Here are a few Bible verses that you might want to consider:

Deuteronomy 4:2(NIV) "Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you."

Matthew 15:8-9 "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."

Mark 7:8 "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.

The truth is out there and readily available. Google "origins of Christmas." If you've never done that, you might be surprised at what you find. Will it matter to you what you find out about Christmas, or is the truth unimportant to you? How you answer that question will have consequences either way.

The truth can be difficult. Doing the right thing can be difficult. Still, difficulty shouldn't be the determining factor whether or not we come down on the side of truth. If you're uncomfortably caught between the truth and a tradition that doesn't meet God's approval, ask God for help. He knows what you might be going through and He'll help you do the right thing.


Posted by Rich Glasgow



　

　

A Prayer For All Times...Especially Now

This inspiring and very timely prayer titled The Freedom Prayer was penned by Alexandra Swann and can be found at her blog, Paying for Protection. The entire prayer is posted here, but please visit and explore her blog for pertinent posts on the upcoming election and our current state of affairs.

“Lord we come to You tonight to ask for Your forgiveness. The Bible promises that when we seek You, we will find You, if we search with all our hearts. "Lord we confess that we have not followed Your commands. We have not loved You with our whole hearts--we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not stood for the truth of Your Gospel. We have sat by and said nothing when Your name was blasphemed and mocked. We did not take a stand when we saw Your laws despised. “We know that many times we ourselves have been among the worst offenders. We have lived sinful lives that are contrary to the word of God. Like Esau, we have traded away our birthright for a little convenience; we have despised this incredible gift of freedom that You provided for us and allowed all of the liberty that our country offered to be trampled down. We have forgotten the words of King David who said that it is better to fall into the hands of God than to be at the mercy of men, and so we now find ourselves living under the rule of a cruel and despotic government who has stolen everything from us and shows us no mercy. “We know that everything that is happening to us is a result of our bad choices, both individually and as a nation. You gave us the gift of being born into a free nation—the greatest nation the world has ever seen. You gave us a form of government unlike any other that had ever been known by any other people, and we did not value it enough to defend it. “For all of these things, Lord, we ask Your forgiveness. We pray tonight that You will change our hearts so that each of us will begin to love what You love, to hate what You hate and to want what You want. We ask You to save our nation, for we know that the Bible teaches that salvation belongs to our God—no political party, no ideology, no government can save us. If we don’t find salvation in You, we won’t find it at all. “Please turn Your face to us again, and give us back our freedom, and restore our country so that we can truly be one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We ask all these things in the name of Your son, Jesus. Amen.”.

Excerpted from The Planner

The 9/11 Cross

Do you ever wonder why some people who don't believe in God and Jesus Christ spend so much time and money fighting Them? Doesn't make a lot of sense does it. Still, there's a group of athiests who can't handle the presence of the 9/11 Cross in the National September 11 Memorial.

The 20-foot cross — two steel beams that had held together as the building collapsed — was discovered in the rubble of Ground Zero on September 13, 2001, by construction worker Frank Silecchia. The 9/11 cross became a venerated object, and many of those who were searching for survivors and clearing debris from the “pit” took solace from its existence. On October 4, 2001, it was moved to a pedestal on Church Street, where it was treated as a shrine by visitors to Ground Zero for the next five years. In October 2006 it was removed to storage, and in July 2011 it was returned to the site for installation in the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

The cross will not be displayed in the memorial; it will be included in a section of the museum featuring ways workers sought to “[find] meaning at Ground Zero.” Its inclusion is for historical purposes, and not as a religious memorial. Yet the American Atheists decided that this was offensive and filed a lawsuit alleging that the display of the cross violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, equal-protection laws, and civil-rights statutes.

The above photo is how the cross will be displayed. Learn more about the above lawsuit at the National Review Online.

Contrast this cross, which survived the 9/11 atrocity, with the wicked "face of evil" who personalized this despicable act of war with his grotesque representation in the following post.


Posted by Rich Glasgow

The Face of Evil on 9/11--Lest we forget

This famous Associated Press photograph, taken by Mark D. Phillips, personalizes the ugliness of the evil responsible for this atrocity eleven years ago. The image is very real and Snopes assures us of its authenticity.

It's not a photo that gets much publicity; maybe because the secular world doesn't really recognize evil as such, much less recognize a demonic being, such as Satan, who has the ability to manifest a visage of himself in the massive effluence of billowing smoke.

Believers of God, are more apt to realize the existence of a real devil, but a photo such as this must be more than a bit problematic to those who deny the existence of God and Satan.

This wasn't the only evil image captured on film that day. If you click on the above Snopes link you can see the CNN photo of a similar "face of evil." Check it out.

Interestingly, there was another spiritual component in what took place on September 11, 2001, and it's no doubt much more significant than some demonic image etched out in smoke.

Just in the last few weeks I was made aware of a book about the attack on the World Trade Centers. The book is titled The Harbinger, written by Jonathan Cahn.

It's a compelling and intensely fascinating book, one I couldn't put down once I started reading it. The spiritual aspect is this: the story revolves around a verse in the book of Isaiah: chapter 9 and verse 10 to be exact. Here's the short verse:

“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

It's a seemingly uncomplicated little scripture and one would think it's as straight forward as it appears. But it's saying much more than what it seems. This verse was the official response by the ancient Israelites regarding an attack by the Assyrians. It was an attack which caused a breach in their wall, among other damage in the city. It was harbinger-- a warning as it were of worse things to come. But rather than accept the warning and repent, their official response was one of defiance to God. They were going to rebuild the wall and make it even stronger, and do it on their own without regard to God. God would have protected them as He did in the past; but they weren't even considering God because they had put Him out of their lives. Sound familiar?

There's an amazing and provable parallel with the above verse and Ground Zero.

The story is entirely factual, though it's written as a compelling fictional narrative. The people, places, and facts of the story are virtually, if not literally, written in stone.

I can't recommend this book highly enough; it may even be life changing.


Posted by Rich Glasgow

God and Jerusalem are back on the Dem's Platform

There was trouble in paradise this afternoon...so to speak. Bowing under much derision and pressure for removing God and Jerusalem from the democrat platform, the dems succumbed after the third vote to reinstate the Lord of hosts as well as acknowledging Jerusalem as Israel's capitol city. 

This has become a disaster for the Democrats and a boon to the Romney campaign. The DNC has now added God back into their platform language after originally taking it out. They have also added language back in that says Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. When they tried to change the language on the convention floor, there were boos!

Despite the corrections by the Democrats, the Romney campaign can now argue that the Democrats don't know what they believe on two very important topics. They can also argue that the Democrats only did this because of the pushback. That’s true. The Brody File first pointed it out and the media followed, making this a story that the DNC wants to make go away. The problem is it’s not going away. Expect the Romney campaign to push this until Election Day. These last second changes really just make the issue worse and make the Democrat Party look bad.

If you happened to hear the vote it sounded like more delegates opposed the reinstatement of God than didn't. Regardless, God and the acknowledgement of Jerusalem as Israel's capitol is back on the Platform whether the majority like it or not.

Still a pretty sad deal if you ask me.


Posted by Rich Glasgow

Double Whammy: Democrats Drop God and Jerusalem from Platform

Note this day, September 4, 2012. It was the day the democrat party officially dropped God from their party platform. When asked about it they sloughed it off and downplayed the entire platform as being a non-binding, non-issue. Really? Ya think that's the way God sees it?

Take a look at this paragraph which was in the 2008 DNC Platform:

“We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values, and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential.”

That was a mere 4 years ago and this year there's no talk of anything that's "God-given." Now look at how the paragraph has been rewritten to the exclusion of God:

“We gather to reclaim the basic bargain that built the largest middle class and the most prosperous nation on Earth – the simple principle that in America, hard work should pay off, responsibility should be rewarded, and each one of us should be able to go as far as our talent and drive take us.”

What may not be understood by secularists who have no regard for God (but then again, they very well MAY understand what they've done) is that this is an act of defiance. It's an "up yours" to God. It's an "in your face" that they are plainly making it clear that they not only don't need God, they don't even want Him associated with their little party. They've done quite well on their own, thank you!

If some are thinking these are just words, they should think again. God takes these affronts very seriously. So they don't want God there...no problem....not for Him, anyway.

Those dems who take umbrage with this platform plank and still claim to have some type of relationship with God would be wise to officially leave the party and have nothing more to do with them. Just sayin'.

In another stroke of irreverent insolence, the dems took out any reference that Jerusalem was the capitol city of Israel unlike in previous platforms. Good thinking, dems...just when things were firecracker hot amid the likes of the Muslim Brotherhood rising up in Egypt, the specter of a nuclear Iran, the instability in Syria and those pesky Palestinians in Gaza constantly lobbing bothery scuds or some such unguided rocketry in the direction of the Israeli citizenry.

Yes, this not so subtle announcement that the dems don't recognize Jerusalem as the capitol plays right into the hands of every one of Israel's enemies. Just who are the dems rooting for, anyway?

There are 2 scarily weighty things we can take away from the 1st night of the 2012 Democrat Convention: they have no interest in God and they have no interest in Israel. God help us if Obama and his ilk are re-elected!


Posted by Rich Glasgow 

The Harbinger-A Tale of Two Countries

My wife picked up this book a few weeks ago after watching an interview with author Jonathan Cahn on a recent Glenn Beck show. She was relating the story to me, but she was only about half way through the book. It sounded like a great story so I picked it up this weekend because it was screaming out to be read. Read it, I did, in just a couple of nights...couldn't put it down! The story revolves around a verse in the book of Isaiah; chapter 9 and verse 10 to be exact. Here's the short verse:

“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

It's a seemingly uncomplicated little scripture and one would think it's as straight forward as it appears. But, here's the deal, and this isn't a story spoiler; the verse was the official response by the ancient Israelites regarding an attack by the Assyrians. It was an attack which caused a breach in their wall, among other damage in the city. It was harbinger; a warning, as it were of worse things to come. But their official response was one of defiance to God. They were going to rebuild the wall and make it even stronger, but they were going to do it on their own without regard to God. God would have protected them as He did in the past, but they weren't even considering God because they had put Him out of their lives. Sound familiar?

That's all I'll say about the story, other than the fact it is entirely factual. It's written as a compelling narrative; fictional, of course, but the people, places and facts of the story are virtually, if not literally, written in stone.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. I might even go so far as to plead with you to read it because I'm sure you won't be sorry you did and it may even be life changing.


Posted by Rich Glasgow 

What in the world is God doing?

My friend, Ron Dart, the voice and founder of the "Born to Win" radio program is doing a series of broadcasts about Making Life Work. You can access those broadcasts by scolling down on the right side of this blog by clicking on the Born To Win link any time of the day.

His programs are always interesting and often inspiring. Check it out!


Posted by Rich Glasgow

The Moral Case for the British Empire

  The most recent Prager University video is most informative; especially for those who live in this era of multi-culturalism and political correctness. The popular message du jour mocks and denigrates the ideals that made the British Empire great. Our own President Obama grew up detesting British Colonialism and displayed it in the first days of his presidency by returning to Britain the bust of Winston Churchill.

I hope you'll watch The Moral Case for the British Empire. Older generations knew full well Britain's history, but history books have devolved over the years. What was once good and upright has become indefensible in academic parlance.

This excellent 5 minute history lesson succinctly explains the positive role the British Empire played in the 20th century.


Posted by Rich Glasgow

If Everyone Kept Just One of the Commandments

Sick of the politics of envy, yet? Had enough of the class warfare rhetoric? Why are we constantly hearing about millionaires and billionaires paying their fair share? What's the point of it all, anyway? Is this a new tactic peculiar to this election cycle?

Well, not exactly. The problem has existed since the very beginning. Everyone's heard "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." But that way of thinking serves no good purpose. In fact, quite the opposite is true. 

There is a really good reason the tenth commandment warns us "not to covet," which is an old timey word we don't hear very often. But, to covet means "to want or lust after something" which belongs to someone else. That's been wrong forever and for good reason. It leads to crime, even when government is involved. 

The constant cry for tax increases on the rich is a cruel ploy which can induce coveting and envy on those who aren't as wealthy. That's just not right. Politicians shouldn't cause division like that. But they do. When politicians put people into groups and pit them against each other, it causes division and fuels jealousy and hate.

It wasn't meant to be that way. Our country's motto of "E Pluribus Unum" meant to unify. It means, "out of many, one."
  
Think of it...wouldn't it be a better world if everyone kept the tenth commandment, "Thou shalt not covet?" No more politics of envy--no more class warfare--no more insistance from pandering politicians that the rich needs to pay their "fair share" (which of course they already do). What would politicians do if we all kept the tenth commandment?

It would force them into the arena of ideas, but unfortunately far too many politicians are bereft of ideas which could have a positive affect on our culture and society.


Posted by Rich Glasgow