A City Commits to Prayer and Repentance to Fight Crime

I was very impressed with Birmingham, Alabama’s Mayor Larry Langford address to the City Council - a call to prayer and repentance. This is an example of good leadership. I thought it was a very Christian approach.

I pray the Lord bless him and his city, and rids it from the disease of crime. The devil comes only to steal and kill and destroy, Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it to the fullest. (See John 10)

Mayor Langford said to the enemy and those who like to criticize, “If you don’t want to pray, fine. Just keep your evil self away from me. If you’ve got a problem with God take it up with Him. The destruction of all of us will come when we think we know so much that we’ve got all the answers.”

God bless the people of Alabama and its leadership. Make it a great day!

Credit: Image courtesy of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Update: City Turns to God in Face of Crime, from CBN News

Food and Energy Prices Very High

I have no doubt that we are living in the Biblical last days. Basic necessities are demanding a major portion of our earnings, and that’s already in addition to the government taking as much as it can in taxes and companies trying to squeeze the innocent through fees, hidden charges and fine print. As you can imagine, the rising energy prices are a favorite topic of newscasters seeking to sprinkle fear on its loyal viewers.

But believers in Jesus Christ are not bound to this world’s economy. We know that gold and silver are the Lord’s, for He created all things. We need not live in worry, fear, or anxiety. Check this exhortation out, found in Matthew 6:25-34:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

That exhortation was from Jesus. Yes, God takes care of his children! Have faith, believe, and don’t be ashamed to ask God for wisdom. Seek the Lord, and surely he will provide for your household. For centuries He has taken care of his own little ones.

After checking out the news stories on rising food and oil prices, I knew I had to be more diligent with my finances. I ask God for wisdom because I don’t know very much about managing my finances. What kind of changes have you had to make as the prices of food and gasoline increase?

Tonight: A Historical Closed Session for the House of Representatives

I am very much opposed to the warrantless spying the government, corporations, and agencies have been allowed to do in the name of security and to fight terrorism. I don’t understand why the government these days wants to exert much control over everything. Government was not assembled to rule our lives. Government is a servant of God and represented by the voices of the people - all people, not corporations, not only the wealthy, nor to serve the greed and visions exclusive of lawyers and lobbyists.

This evening I was very excited to read that the United States House of Representatives of the 110th Congress would have a historical closed session on the matter of the Eavesdropping Bill (alternate source), also known as FISA, immunity, wiretap, and surveillance bill/legislation. It can go either way, but at least I feel like they are going to have an honest and open discussion/debate on the proposed legislation. Weeks ago, I sent my Florida delegates an email stating my point of view. They both responded, one favorably. I hope the interests of the majority of The People, like you and me, is preserved.  In God we trust.

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I’m not very happy about the actions, the leadership, and the role the United States government has taken during my lifetime. I’m only twenty five. I hope in the future I can positively influence this system. How? Not sure yet, but I desire to serve my people and help our people by being their strong voice. Even more, I want to glorify God in whatever capacity he desires me to be in.

I am a Christian, and yes, that is my foundation and Jesus is the Christ is my bias. I can’t bare the thought of watching my nation’s current leadership bring us down the path of monarchy, communism, destruction from within, deception, greed, lust, and ultimately, revolution. To the Democrats and Republicans: did you forget the famous speech by Mr. Abraham Lincoln?

We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation.

Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented.

In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.

I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided.

It will become all one thing or all the other. (quote with my emphasis)

Dear sirs and madams serving in places of our government. If the word slavery seems too strong or out of our present context, duly replace it with whatever the issues dividing our people, our society, and our livelihood as a nation.

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A warm and sincere thank you to all of you who serve with a clear conscious, conviction, and humble spirit. Check out the U.S. House of Representatives website for the latest information on this and any pending matter. Please continue to pray for our nation’s leaders. Hope you have an awesome evening. God bless.

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Pray for our Nation

I ask you to join with me in praying for our nation. Pray that our federal and state government maintains our religious freedom. The enemy is trying to stop the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and officials in government are trying to silence Christians. Check out how religious freedom is under attack by the federal government, particularly in broadcasting.

Christians Under Persecution by Hindu Radicals

Recently George Thomas from Christian World News reported on a story about Christians being persecuted in the Indian state of Orissa by none other than Hindu radicals. I was saddened by the report. I ask you to join me in praying for our brothers and sisters facing persecution in that region of the world. Click on the map to the left to locate Orissa.

With all the news about Muslim radicals persecuting Christians and people of other faiths, it never crossed my mind that Hindus would persecute people of other faiths. I considered their faith and even the nation of India to be a peaceful nation. As a result, I found this story to be an eye-opener.

Out of respect, I do realize not every Hindu is like these radicals. I love India and its people and one day hope to visit the country. I feel that at some point in our history we have had Christian radicals; individuals who would go around trying to convert people by force. I definitely would have to do more research to learn more truth about that. I love history!

Back to the news story, I like what one of the residents said, “I am praying that through this devastation, people will experience the love of Jesus.” Amen to that! Fellow Christians, please pray for the people of India and its government. Pray that God will be merciful to these Hindu radicals and that they get the opportunity to see the extent of God’s love for them,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16, NIV

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God’s Love

God’s love is his unselfish giving of himself to us to bring about good and blessing in our lives in spite of the fact that we are unlovely and that we do not deserve it.

God loves us unconditionally - without conditions the way you are.

I want to receive God’s love in my life.

A Very Christmas Resource

Christmas and New Year’s is my favorite time of the year. I try to enjoy this very special, festive season and to keep focused that if it wasn’t for Jesus Christ, there would be no reason for celebration. Boys and girls that means that because Jesus Christ is alive today we have Christmas and a good reason to celebrate Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. Everyone is born, but Jesus’ birth was very special, because it was the fulfillment of prophecy and of the promise God made to his people.

In addition to keeping that joyous perspective in mind, I also try very hard to ignore the commercialized message that erroneously tells us that Christmas is about sales, stores, shopping, lust, and buying and getting gifts. Every time I hear that message I sense gilded deceit, anxiety, error, shallowness, pity, and disgust.

Nevertheless, I found CBN’s Christmas Resources site very inspiring with plenty of good information, ideas, stories, recipes, and more. It is exactly what I need to help me keep this joyous season in good perspective. Check it out!

During this season if you come across other good Christian Christmas and New Year’s resources, please share them with me by writing a brief comment. It’s that easy. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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American Idols

1. Idol of self-esteem
   Solution: Put God first and serve others.
   Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
2. Idol of success
   Solution: Obeying and loving God.
   I particularly like Charles Stanley’s statement on how obedience to God is essential to living a successful Christian life. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
3. Idol of ease (our terms, our time, our convenience, being lazy)
   Solution: You will never be happy until you are holy.
   [Read the book of Amos, written at a time when Israel was most prosperous economically.]
4. Idol of peace
   Solution: True peace comes from knowing and doing the will of God.
   We are deceived when we make ungodly decisions and agree with our own flesh.

On the Subject of Faith

I don’t want to excuse mediocrity. I share my view on the Christian faith and lifestyle on this blog because I hope it will help someone out there. I share it because writing about it heals my heart. Writing is an expression and a passion for me. Due to my shortcomings (too many to count), I can’t guarantee the correctness of the subject or of the grammar itself. Even scholars (who dedicate years and years to the study of a subject) disagree with many items in Scripture.

With that said I wanted to express with all my heart, that some of the writings are direct and sometimes I feel they sound holier-than-thou. Not being mediocre forces us to feel challenged in our areas of weakness - the areas we need to improve. Please know that while I write and learn new things every day, I have not achieved all of these things and that I myself continue to work on these things. These posts challenge me to live for Christ, to be real, and to ask the Spirit of God to help me.

Faith is something very difficult to grasp, to understand. What do you say faith is? Do you have faith in anyone or anything? It gets your mind working, doesn’t it!

In government, business, family, and community God’s redemptive plan for humanity is actively at work. Until my time’s up I choose be part of His master plan. 

As You Build Your Character Consider the Consequences of Sexual Sin

Enough is enough. We need men and women of good character. Sexual immorality is hitting home. Families, businesses, even churches and entire communities are hurting as a result. Many are beginning to see the outcome of people unwilling to control their selfish desires - particularly in the area of sex.

Teacher Marty O’Rourke wrote an article published on CBN’s Spiritual Life entitled Escaping Sexual Sin: Consider the Consequences. This well-written article confronts the issue and provides a clear answer to what occurs when, as individuals, we choose to follow our selfish desires without considering the consequences of our actions.

I think one reason sexual immorality is running unchecked even in churches is because people have chosen not to talk about this issue and confront it head on. Educating our youths is definitely a starter, but this problem is also something even priests and ministers serving in churches need help with. There is a heavy price to pay when we choose to sin. Yet, there is hope. Jesus Christ redeems us from sin. Read the article and let me know what you think.