Progress & Political-correctness?

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV I realize I'm not a young man anymore but I recall a time within my life when things were far different in this world. People looked out for one another. They weren't self-centered like they are today. The world was a far more innocent place. Children were allowed to live their childhood, playing outdoors and feeling perfectly safe doing so. We were taught to respect adults & authority figures, like teachers, police officers, etc. In our schools, the Bible was not only allowed but celebrated. GOD's Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule were the basis of our laws & general teachings. The Gideons passed out Bibles in our schools, we had Christian assemblies & prayer was offered at our sporting events. Couples got married before having children, homosexuality was seen as wrong, parents raised their children to be productive and working responsible members of society. People worked to recieve pay & benefits. Welfare was seen as a short-term assistance for those who fell on hard times or solely to benefit those who were ill, elderly or handicapped. Somewhere along the way, a shift occurred. Suddenly, Christianity was seen as antiquated & obsolete. In our efforts to be "politically correct", we sacrificed our values completely. The things that once were seen purely as SIN, became accepted as normal. Our values completely changed--a total 180 degree shift. Welfare became a lifestyle. Illegitimate children suddenly outnumbered legitimate (products of committed, married adults) children. Homosexuality & other sexual deviations were embraced as "alternative" lifestyles & suddenly became popular. Crime began to run rampant in our land. Children could no longer play outdoors without fear of the adults who should love & protect them from danger. Many Christians simply accepted these changes. Those who spoke out opposing them were labeled at "haters". Christian organizations (including many churches) were deemed to be "hate groups" because they were intolerant of the newly accepted SIN that had received an illegitimate level of acceptance in the name of political correctness. GOD Himself became an outlaw & Christians along with Him. Everything--except GOD & Christians principles--was suddenly acceptable. The world became tolerant to everything that was once taboo and intolerant of anything that hd to do with GOD. Maybe I am the one who is confused, but it all seems wrong. Don't misundertand me--I'm far from a "hater" of any kind. I love people. I want to see people succeed in life. I'm aware we are all sinners & everyone is in need of a Savior. It is not my place to judge anyone, but I am supposed to exercise discernment & godly wisdom in my life & dealings with others. Yet, when I oppose something that GOD calls SIN--I am seen as "politically incorrect" and unwilling to accept progress. Well, if that is the case--then I must be those things. I refuse to accept SIN as normal. I will not bend to the immorality of the world and say it is ok. What I will say its that people need the Lord. Our leadership in this country needs to reinstate godly principles--the things our nation was founded on--as the moral compass for the United States. The US was once a leader in world affairs, a friend of Israel, a nation that saw GOD's blessings as a result. We need to get back to the basics, turn back to GOD, repent of our SIN and allow Him the position of leadership He deserves in our daily lives. Policial correctness and so-called progress are nothing more than a cancer in our midst, a blight on our nation. They will continue to kill our country and its inhabitants unless we return to The One who has the answers. We need to put GOD back in our schools & return to the Biblical morals that once guided us. When we do, GOD will honor His promises. Until we do, the downward spiral into the pits of Hell will continue. The choice is ours, what vote will you cast? As for me, I'm on GOD's side... Blessings! Tony

Where have all the good men gone?

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 NKJV I must have missed something somewhere along the way. When did it become socially acceptable for men to simply act as sperm donors & have no responsibility for the children they sire? I meet men of all ages & races who seem to think there's nothing wrong with haphazardly fathering children with a woman, or sometimes several women, and simply walking away. Don't they know that children from single-parent homes are far more likely to repeat that cycle? Don't they know that children from single-parent homes are far more likely to end up in prison, or that many of them won't live to adulthood because of the influence of drugs, alcohol, gangs & the like? Don't they know that GOD designed the family as a two-parent arrangement for a reason? Men are supposed to be the leaders in the home, to set the example for the children entrusted to them, to guide them in spiritual matters as well as providing basic instruction for living life. When did we shut GOD out of the institution of marriage He created? When did our preachers cease to call sin exactly that--SIN? Is the church impacting society, or is society impacting the church? Have we allowed the media & societal changes to dilute our minds to the point that we now accept anything as normal? Friends, GOD is still GOD! He is still on the Throne. We are allowing ourselves to take the route that so many civilizations before us have taken--a road to extinction that begins with the erosion of morality. We, the created, have turned our backs on the Creator. We have broken His Commandments. We have made idols of money, possessions, people, and the list goes on & on. It is not too late. We can repent & return to Him. We can begin anew, living our lives in accordance with His Word. We can implement changes in our world that will restore morality and turn the tide of evil that is washing over these United States. GOD, please forgive us! Those of us who call ourselves "Christians" have a moral obligation to live in accordance to GOD's Word, to spread His Word in the form of being both a living and a verbal witness of His goodness. If we don't, who will? It is certainly food for thought... Blessings! Tony

New Year's Resolutions...?

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV It's New Year's Eve--another year has passed & a new one is about to begin. It's time to reflect on accomplishments and failures of the past year & ponder the possibilities of what the new one holds in store. As for me, I am not usually one to make New Year's Resolutions. I always feel in doing so, I am setting myself up for yet another failure or disappointment. The past year has been hard for me. I find myself still struggling to adjust to the changes forced on me through Dee's death. At the same time, there have been good things that occurred. Through it all, GOD has been faithful to me even during a time I have had difficulty in remaining faithful to Him. As usual and in my humaninty, I've failed Him and others in multiple ways. I've sought to be forgiven & I've done my best to offer forgiveness to those who have hurt or offended me. Self-forgiveness seems to be the hardest to give. I think that is partly what the above Scripture is talking about. I've heard it said that you can't move forward if you are always looking backwards & nothing could be more true. Imagine if you will a runner, running backwards. He/she can't see what is ahead because their focus is in the wrong place. Yet, when they turn their back on what is behind them (the past, possibly?) & look forward--they are once again able to see clearly & avoid obstacles in their path. Satan is far smarter than we give him credit for. He knows if he can throw our past up at us and keep us from focusing on the good GOD has in store for us, that he will forever keep us distracted and disable the plans GOD has for our lives. We must look to GOD & praise Him even in the most difficult of times. We must learn from our pasts, but leave it there where it belongs. It is the past for a reason & as Christians, we are no longer the people we once were (2 Corinthians 5:17). We must train ourselves to stretch spiritually, in much the same way an athlete trains his/her body physically. It is not an overnight thing--but a process, a lifestlye, a series of right choices. Just as an athlete can't neglect the physical body & expect to be a warrior in sports, we can't neglect our spiritual life & expect to be warriors for GOD. We must stay in the Word, we must seek GOD's Will, and most importantly--we must obey Him rather than following self. Our goal is not the end zone or home plate--it is an eternal home in Heaven, in the presence of our Lord. Until we reach the finish line, and cross over from this world to the next through physical death (assuming the Lord tarries), we must continue in battle against satan & for the souls of men. I feel that time is short & Jesus' appearance in the clouds for His Saints is soon coming. So, while it is not a New Year's resolution--I pray that I will forget the past, continue living for GOD & doing His Will, and straining forward towards the goal of Heaven and taking as many there with me as I can. Lord, help me to live a life that is pleasing to You... As always, I am grateful for the prayers of my Christian brothers & sisters. Blessings! Tony

It's CHRISTmas Time, again...

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:8-14 NKJV I've come to the conclusion that I love everything CHRISTmas represents, yet hate everything it has become. There was a time not long ago, a far more innocent time in the life of our country, when Christ was part of CHRISTmas. Churches, Town Halls, city parks & private residences put up manger scenes to pay tribute to the birth of Jesus. People joyfully wished one another "Merry CHRISTmas!" without any thought to political correctness. No one thought it offensive in any way that the message of Jesus' birth was part of the CHRISTmas story. After all, the United States had been founded as a Christian nation, built on Biblical principles and the Ten Commandments were the basis of our laws. Then one day someone stood & said we shouldn't pray in school and Christians sat back while that became the law of the land. Suddenly, someone said they were offended by the mention of Christ in CHRISTmas & the greeting should be changed to "Happy Holidays" to be more inclusive of other religions & non-believers as well. Again, Christians sat back & let it take place. Then someone said, nativity scenes shouldn't be part of CHRISTmas because they represented a "Christian" holiday & America is now home to many people groups & ethnic groups & many from varying religious backgrounds--besides, America is no longer a Christian nation. Once again, Christians sat back & said nothing. That brings us to where we are today. CHRISTmas is now a holiday (no longer a holy day) full of commercialism & greed. Department stores begin stocking shelves and advertising for CHRISTmas right along with their back-to-school sales. Massive multitudes of people line up to get the best bargains & generally act anything but Christ-like in their endeavors to obtain the toys & trinkets their children want. We no longer read the story of the birth of Christ in our homes as part of CHRISTmas. We've simply put GOD in a box, so we can pull Him out when needed rather than living a life of faith and dependent on Him for every breath as we should be. GOD, help us to see our need for You--to turn back to you--to teach our families of you. Forgive us for taking You out of our lives & draw us once again close to You. Show us the need to remember that CHRISTmas begins with Christ and He should be the center of our lives, not only at CHRISTmas but every moment of every day of every year--as long as there is breath in our bodies. Let there once again be peace on earth and goodwill among men... Blessings! Tony

Not Ashamed...?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 NKJV You know, this has always been one of my favorite Bible verses. We started a study on the book of Romans at church recently & as this scripture passage was discussed, I was prompted to ask myself, "Do I live for GOD unashamedly?" I've been pondering this for some time & I've decided I do OK in some area & fail miserably in others. I suppose that is normal for us as human beings, but I'm not satisfied with being "OK" or "normal" in my Christian life. I want to do more, be more, love more, serve more--just be Jesus to those I come in contact with. I've lived a good life for the most part. I made some bad choices in my young years that I wish I could have a do over on, but GOD still saw fit to use them in some way. I was blessed to raise 3 children, 2 biological & 1 step, but I've always simply said I had 3 kids. I wasn't always the best role model or a perfect parent for them & I made a lot of mistakes over the years (more things I wish I could do over). They've seen much of my bad side, but I pray what they remember is the good part in years to come. In spite of all my failures, they've grown & matured into fine young people of whom I am proud. I recall my grandmother (Granny to us & all our friends who came to visit) claiming me for ministry when I was 8 years old. In my mind, I see us standing in the kitchen of her old house & tears of praise and happiness streaming down her cheeks as she proclaimed that I would someday be a great man of GOD & that He would use me in some way to minister to others. I received that proclamation with great fear--ministry was never a vocation I considered for myself. Almost immediately, I began running from that calling. In just a few years time, my running took me down a path that involved drugs, alcohol & women. Those things have been the downfall of many & but for the grace of GOD & His plan for my life, I could easily have become a statistic & cut my life short through my own stupidity. Through all of it, GOD had His hand of protection on me. He still planned to use not only me, but the very sins I had committed against Him, in ministry. There is little of this world that hasn't touched my life in some way. But, GOD still calls me His child & in a time of great distress, when I thought all was lost & I had no hope--I called out to Him. He should have turned His back on me as I had Him--but He reached out to me, saved me, cleansed me, and put me back on the path He had planned for me. True, I had taken a detour from the planned route but He still planned to use me. There have been a lot of twists & turns along the path but I try to walk this life one day at a time, trusting Him for my needs. I never imagined I'd find myself single & alone at this point in my life but I'm also accepting that as part of GOD's plan. People tell me I should marry again but I'm not sure about that. I had a horrific first marriage, but a wonderful second marriage. I don't think I'll ever duplicate the good one & I certainly would rather be alone that take a chance of duplicating the bad one. For now, I'll just be me & leave it at that. Slowly, I feel I am finding purpose once again in life. I have some concerns about my ability to continue doing the type of work I do with my back issues--but, once again I'll just have to trust GOD with that and continue moving forward. Regardless as to what the future holds, I pray I'll live unashamedly for GOD & proclaim Him wherever I go. I'd like to please GOD & do Granny proud. I appreciate your prayers! Blessings! Tony

"Thanksgrieving" part 2...

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21b NKJV Here it is another Thanksgiving & CHRISTmas will be here soon. I'd like to say things are better this year than last, but it doesn't appear that way at all. Honestly, year 2 of widowhood has been harder than year 1--yet through it all, GOD has been good. My mind drifts back to seasons past when all seemed right with the world--at least from my limited perspective anyway. We take much for granted in this life. I assumed that Dee & I would have many happy years together. I never imagined that her life, and along with it the life we shared together, would end so soon. But, it did... Grief & sorrow are naturally part of our earthly life. As long as we live, we are subject to the ups & downs of life itself. Solomon spoke of such things in Ecclestiastes when he wrote, "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace." (Ecclestiastes 3:1-8 NKJV) So, while I suspect it'll be some time (& maybe never) before I'm ready to dance--at least maybe I'm at the point I am ready to begin the healng process. GOD has begun to open doors of opportunity for me & finally, I feel I'm at a place where my experience & training may be put to Kingdom use. It is a good feeling to think all I have endured in life can help others in some way, or at least give me the insight I need to offer wise counsel on life issues. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. I think maybe it's time to work towards moving forward and working on living, laughing & healing. I'd appreciate your prayers for my journey. Blessings! Tony

Evolution does exist!

"in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 NKJV Yes, you read that title correctly--I said evolution does exist. Granted it doesn't exist in the form Darwin theorized & taught, but it does exist still the same. Think about this--Abram became Abraham and Jacob became Israel. These men were changed (a form of evolving) from who they originally were to who GOD intended them to become. In the same way, a lost person becomes saved. A change takes place in his or her life that changes that individual's very existence. The old is gone and a new man (or woman) takes their place. That person's character changes, their goals and aspirations in life change, their very way of living changes. That's evolution... It's true that some changes are immediate and some take time to incorporate themselves into our lives once we become Christ-followers. Certain old habits may take their leave of us right away while others will take time to train our flesh to do without. I've heard of people who were miraculously delivered from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, profanity, etc., at the time of their conversion. But, I've also encountered those who had to work at breaking those old worldly & sinful habits. That's evolution too... Also, as we grow and mature in our life & faith--we change as well. Life events take place with marriages, births, deaths, etc., that cause changes in our physical & emotional lives. Likewise, we become more trained in the things of the Spirit as well the longer we live as Christians and seek GOD's will & direction in our earthly lives. That's evolution as well... Then, there is the final change when we shed this earthly body and trade it for the heavenly body promised to the Saints of GOD when our earthly life is over. We cross over to new dimension where pain & sorrow no longer exist and all is glorious & joyful for eternity. There is no need for any further evolvement--we have arrived in GOD's Kingdom forever to reign with Him. That is the greatest & final evolution... Question is...are we doing our part to complete the evolution process? Are we following the commandments of GOD? Are we spending time with Him daily in prayer & Bible reading? Do we seek to grow His Kingdom by adding to its numbers in bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus? What about it? Are you evolving? Blessings! Tony