Black Friday

A lot has changed in America since 1932. During the great depression many people were reduced to the humiliation of standing in bread lines for their daily sustenance.

Today I think it can truly be said, "We are rich and have need of nothing, except maybe a Playstation 3!"

What is the cause of our extreme prosperity?

Surely our Puritan work ethic and "Christian" ideals, and some would say our support for the modern state of Israel, have been the cause of much of our nations prosperity. But, a far more sinister promotion to our wealth lurks under the thin skin of our Christian facade -- GREED.

The scenes we witnessed on Friday were despicable in the worst way. Wealthy (in comparison to most of the world's population) people fought over toys and "good deals." We actually saw "animal" behavior over entertainment. We are not far from the Coliseum of Rome.

Many of our Fundamentalist brothers are fond of pointing out that America is becoming Sodom and Gamorrah. The popular teaching is that Sodom and Gamorrah were destroyed for their immorality (particularly homosexuality). I think they are correct in part, but not because of homosexuality (that is simply a symptom and a sign of God's judgment). The cities of Sodom and Gamorrah were known for their PRIDE and GREED as well as their immoral behavior.

"As I live, says the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done. Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, surfeit of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them, when I saw it." (Ezek. 16:48-50)

Many children (and adults for that matter) will be exposed to greater depths of spiritual poverty this Christmas as they play "Gangsta" video games on their new Playstations, log on to pornographic websites on their new computers and begin making their wish lists for next year.

What is the answer? Should we move to a cave? Should we hide our heads in the sand? Maybe we should have more activities at church to compete with the world? Maybe we should protest? NO!

Christ's Kingdom is not of this world, yet we are called to live in the world and not be of it. Our uniqueness is not that our women wear burkas, or that we all dress alike, or wear name plates with "Elder So and So" on it, or what we do not do. Our uniqueness is the Spirit that dwells within us by faith and is manifest outwardly in love, godliness and good character. It is what we DO (obedience to love) that displays God in us.

In a prosperous nation we are commanded to hear the Savior knocking and open the door. He will fellowship with us. We can overcome as our hearts desire Christ more than the things of this world. In the obscenity of our culture the light will shine as we simply obey and love Christ.

Photos-
Bread Line - Dorothea Lange Collection, Oakland Museum of California
Macy's Department Store on Black Friday, CNN.COM

Ortega set to win Nicaraguan election on Pro/Anti-American platform.

Have you noticed that there are a growing number of international leaders that are gaining power based solely on their opposition to America (and possibly their uncool mustaches)?



The latest upset on the global scene is the predicted victory of Daniel Ortega and his return as the president of Nicaragua. In the 70's Ortega was the iron fisted "dictator" who ruled Nicaragua with the support of Cuba and the Soviet Union. The USA sponsored an insurgency (where have you heard that word used lately?) against the Sandanista Party that led to the fall of that government and the death of over 30,000 Nicaraguans.

Today Ortega has the support of Cuba and our newest "enemy" Venezuela. He has played a delicate balancing act as he has courted American investors while being less than friendly to American political leaders. I suppose he will also lead Nicaragua to join the non-alined group that is made of Iran, North Korea and other sordid nations.

Why are we making so many enemies of nations that were once our allies? Iran, Venezuela and Nicaragua were all allies at one point in recent history. "We" brought "freedom" to these nations so that they could elect anti-American leaders? What happened?

In short, American hypocrisy, prosperity and arrogance. We are PROUD to be Americans, as though it was our wisdom that gave birth to us. We consume the majority of the world's energy as we entertain ourselves to death. We tip our hats to God as we push the "American Way of Life" around the world in a vain effort to fulfill our manifest destiny of taking freedom to the four corners of the globe. We have supported "friendly" dictators while we have promoted democracy in nations that have hostile leaders. It has been a very short-sighted list of policies (on the part of both Democrats and Republicans) that had little to learn from history.

In the sixteen years since the fall of the communist Sandanista government, and the introduction to American style democracy life has not improved for the average Nicaraguan. Not surprisingly the wealthy minority Nicaraguans fear the return of Ortega, while most of the poverty stricken majority are apathetic. "At least we ate under the communist."

It is high time that we realize that democracy is not the answer to man's eternal questions. Democracy is not God's plan for man's salvation. Democracy can produce a high level of prosperity (when corruption is held at bay and the lower classes are provided for), but we must not forget that man's heart is wicked and over time man's free will will always led back to sin. Jesus did indeed come to set us free, but it is freedom from slavery to sin so that we can be SLAVES and friends of Christ. If we truly want to change the world I suggest that we extend our nation on behalf of the poor and outcast, and purchase friends for the lonely days ahead.

I don't think we have too much to worry about with a hand full of third world countries in opposition to the US of A. But, if we do not radically change our foreign policies and humble ourselves in the sight of the world we will surely see the numbers of radical anti-American leaders and nations growing.

Quote of the Weak -- Faith

"We are justified by faith alone, but the faith that justifies is never alone."

--John Calvin











"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:21)

John Calvin print from Art.com

All roads lead to evangelism???

"The purpose of the church is evangelism," the evangelist said. "If you are not evangelizing I seriously doubt your salvation. At the very least you are not a good Christian."



I have an eight year old daughter that cannot speak. I am convinced that she has faith in Christ, although I have never heard her say so. Most likely she will never say so. Yet, I see the love of Christ in her eyes, and I have witnessed her minister the grace of God to my family and others. I think she is the best Christian I know.

Saying that Jesus commanded all of His followers to be evangelists is as ridiculous as saying that He commanded all Christians everywhere to preach and teach. On the contrary, there are many instances where Jesus forbids his followers from "sharing the Gospel" with others and the apostle Paul warns that many should not become teachers.

I believe that God has prepared good works for His children to be involved in. I believe that each of His children have been uniquely gifted in order to edify the Church and bring glory to God. God is so gracious that He has enabled every believer to do what He has commanded. Above all else we are commanded to love, and even a mute paraplegic can lie on his back and love God.

I submit that a good Christian is one that follows Christ, and the purpose of the Church is to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. This is our eternal purpose as we display the manifold wisdom of God in heavenly places.

Do you really want to know that you are saved? Do you want to be sure that you are sure? Then I propose that you reject the magic of men, the sorcery of hearts and the manipulation of spirits. Away with the altar calls and the secret formulas! Forget the date and time. Disregard your experience, or lack thereof. To Hell with the spiritual abuse of children and the soul damning guilt that is heaped upon weak men and women!

Take comfort from the words of God, "Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous...By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of truth, and shall assure our hearts before God." (I John 3:7, 16-19)

If you are a believer God has gifted you and given you His Holy Spirit. You have everything that is needed for godliness in Christ Jesus. Walk in those good works that He prepared for you before the creation of the Universe. Obedience to the commands of Christ is the evidence of faith. Cloth the naked, feed the hungry, bind up the broken hearted and care for widows and orphans. Be prepared to give an answer to those who question.

Do all roads lead to evangelism? I don't think so. But, all followers of Christ do lead to Christ as we exercise of individual gifts within the community of faith in deed and in truth.

John the Baptist -Print found at Art.com