Links
Christians need “rehabilitation”…
If you see your brother in need…
How God Goes About Fixing All Your Problems…
Hollywood’s next big thing: religion…
Suffering, Chastisement and the Fatherly Love of God…
Top 200 online resources on Christ in the OT
Coming soon to a town near you…
The illustrated Book of Bad Arguments…
Believing in a scientific age…
War in Syria: When There Is No Good Answer, Answer Without Bombs
From the pretty good Syria article:
“I personally believe the President has the constitutional authority to order military action unless Congress acts in very specific ways to stop him (namely, by prohibiting the appropriations of funds for operations).”
Why is no one specific when they make this statement? Someone please show me where the executive has authority without the approval of congress to lob bombs at a nation on the other side of the planet that has not attacked the US.
I just want to know who we aim to kill and why…
This won’t stop until we return to our constitutional roots. All of these guys swear to uphold and defend, and they haven’t a clue what it says.
Oh my. I am deeply disturbed by the article on suffering and the ‘loving’ chastisement of God. Reading that may just set me back in my very slow progress in believing God actually does ‘love’ me…..and frankly, wanting to love a God like that. No thanks….. Either Jesus’ death and resurrection is enough for my sins, or I have no hope at all.
Paigemom,
Reformed folk like to beat themselves silly.
Don’t join with them.
God loves you…and you’re covered.
Amen to Michael’s #5.
You know, we recently left a church after 5 years because I couldn’t take the constant berating and focus on my sin and failures. I was crushed by condemnation. I’m still struggling to get over it . We are being amazed at the (reformed) church we’re going now, at the emphasis on the greatness of God and the Work of Redemption. That gives me hope. That’s where I want my eyes….on the Finished Work of a Great God…. not on being “lovingly” slapped to death by a ‘loving’ God. What kind of ‘love’ is that?
An earthly parent like that would go to jail. I wouldn’t treat my cats and chickens like that, much less people, and then call it ‘godly’. I have a hard enough time not feeling like total cr@p in the eyes of God. Every time I hear a preacher ask “do you know God loves you?” “Do you know you are a source of joy to God?” (J.Vernon McGee last week), I shake my head and say out loud, “No., I don’t”.
The portrayal of God as a ‘loving torturer” is one of the few things that piss me off….. that and how I can “improve’ my status with God by works….. but that’s another subject.
“The Kingdom of God is not meat nor drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let us therefore, follow after the things that make for peace and joy. Romans 14:17
Ok, I’m having a hot flash now. hahahahah
Jim,
I believe the President’s executive authority dates back to Vietnam. The War Powers Resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30 day withdrawal period, without an authorization of the use of military force or a declaration of war.
I can’t do it, cause I am on a mobile, but I will post the link to the War Powers Resolution later.
I believe, that what Bob is referring to can only happen from attack, or imminent attack on American assets.
The War Powers resolution only gives the Executive power to act in extremely limited conditions. None are met in Syria.
On the “christians need rehabilitation” link about the Gresham bakery owners who are being seriously persecuted and prosecuted for not making a wedding cake for a same sex couple, that couple is truly on the receiving end of a serious outpouring of unspeakable hatred. The outpouring of filth and hatred on their bakery Facebook page is appalling. This town is sick.
They have closed their retail shop and have moved their business to a home kitchen.
I am praying for God’s protection for them and their kids. ….. and for the opening of the eyes of the blind…..
Derek,
I agree with your assessment of the War Powers Act, but I believe that is the justification used by some Presidents. I could be wrong. Personally, I believe what is happening in Syria, although horrendous, is none of our business.
The War Powers Resolution is not the constitution, and has not been vetted by the Supreme Court. All presidents since Nixon have considered it unconstitutional (for the wrong reasons), as do strict constitutionalists. Regardless, I think that Derek is correct.
Again, I’m not defending any President’s right to invoke it! I agree, it is not he Constitution! Read my #11.
Paigemom, your number 7…..whew!! Preach it, sister! The devil condemns us enough. God’s spirit convicts, comforts, and draws us nearer to Christ.
Something I appreciate so much when we visit liturgical churches is that built into every service itself is the confession of sins (as a community…it is a given that ALL are sinners and ALL need grace and forgiveness), then the offering of peace, the acknowledgement t each person speaks, and yet we speak together in community, “Lord I am not worthy, but speak the word, and I shall be healed, ” and then partaking of the sacrament of the bread and wine, reminding us that YES, YES!!! Jesus is enough! In Him I am healed and there is no condemnation in Christ! Then the call and the prayer, as community, we ask the Lord to send us out into this abused world to share this good, good news. It is as if the service itself is part of the redemptive drama of God’s work in mankind.
I love the Bible teaching from my tribe, but I also see the beauty of the liturgical services, as those present, are literally “acting” out and speaking forth the gospel message each time.
Someone please explain by what means have past presidents used to take military action again another nation without approval of Congress. Obama declares he has that right.
My great friend Glenn just sent me this link which I’ve added…
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/09/03/mystery-diner-pays-for-familys-meal-and-leaves-behind-an-incredibly-touching-note/
BTW, I would be concerned when the Supreme Court vets things out. Their pasts vetting has legalized abortion, thrown the Bible/prayer out of schools, permitted same sex marriage, I could go on.
MIchael’s 16….OK, you just made me cry! Beautiful.
Here’s the NM precedent in response to the first link:http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2013/august/nm-supreme-court-photographers-cant-refuse-gay-weddings.html
Also, cowboy church…love it and agree that it is genuine and fills that need for folks tired of the show. Best church I ever went to was in a barn…
The Beard Wars is good. I would like to add that while attending a Sunday School type convention in the midwest in the very, very late 70s(?), my Dad was called out by none other than Jack Hyles – from the pulpit, during a message presentation – for having a beard.
The Jack Hyles: “Some of you younger men, you need to get a haircut, get right with your Savior Jesus Christ and Shave Your Faces clean like the blood bought soul is also clean.”
My Dad laughs.
The Jack Hyles: “I’m serious, young man – get right with Gawd.”
However, he still did receive a gift Bible from Hyle’s church and this is one of my favorite-est things ever: In the back of the Bible, there were portraits of all the Presidents, ending with Jimmy Carter (no Ronald R yet) . . . and the last picture / portrait after Carter?
The Jack Hyles hisself.
That’s a fun story right there.
Russian clergy are required to have beards:
http://livingtravel.com/europe/russia/images_stsergius/Monks1.jpg
Linnea,
One of my dearest friends (we haven’t seen each other in over 12 years, but we went through so much together in the Philippines that our friendship is deep.) attends a Cowboy Church in Texas. I enjoyed reading the article about them.
If a pair of homosexuals came and demanded I photograph their “wedding” and I was forced to do so by law, I would tell them: Ok, I am required to do this but my heart isn’t in it and wouldn’t you prefer to have your “wedding” photographed by someone who would do a good job and not by someone who is angry and disapproving? After all, it’s your “wedding,” don’t you want nice pictures? And if they insisted, I would have to refuse and that would be the end of my photography biz, I guess.
@23 – the interesting thing about this fascism is that it will leave no room for even honest human error for the photographers. The client is now able to exact impossible standards on the photography studio. They’ve become the arbiters of quality, of acceptable artistry (“That picture is not artistic, it’s ‘hatefully’ off – center”) and the rubric is based on mutual animosity (using the most extreme language possible) but one side is given preference to their animosity! The government favors one bias over another.
What a preposterous finding by a preposterous court!
Using government force to compel subservience. Wow.
There are plenty of places that refuse service for various reasons– you have the wrong attire on, you don’t have a shirt and shoes on, you can’t bring your dog into the place, kids aren’t allowed, you’ve already had too much to drink, shoot, this morning I read about a girl at a mall who was asked to leave the clothing store because she was too big for their sizes!
Why this is a supreme court case is beyond me, and I hope the bakery one doesn’t end up the same way. Xenia– your logic is sound, but something tells me this isn’t about logic, but about setting legal precedent.
Hi Nonnie!
Don’t advertise that you do weddings. Advertise that you do Bride & Groom events. 🙂
I am off work now so here you go.
The link to the War Power Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541-1548) is here:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/50/1541
Just keep clicking next till you get to 1548.
The actual part that matters is this section:
(c) Presidential executive power as Commander-in-Chief; limitation
The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to
(1) a declaration of war,
(2) specific statutory authorization, or
(3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.
The part Bob was referring to is all contingent on one of those three conditions being met.
The Pres. needs Congress to authorize 1 or 2, because clearly 3 does not apply, which is the only way he could strike without Congressional authorization first.
I know this is just a law and not the Constitution, but I must say, from the wording it certainly follows the spirit of the Constitution.
It recognizes Congressional power to declare war, but still admits that sometimes #3 happens and action needs to be taken right then and there. I actually believe that if followed how it is worded then it is a good law.
The only problem is the abuses and the actual ignoring of this law and the Constitution that have gone before.
Lol…I like MLD’s idea in 27.
It was sad but not unexpected to see the comments mocking the Cowboy Church after the artical on that site. They are not new nor do they have any gimmicks.
I go to the Win Light or Racers for Christ Sunday services at the track and feel like I have just truly fellowshipped sitting amongst other hot rod hoodlums with greasy t-shirts, greasy handshakes, and even some with the hang over shakes. Sinners one and all and I fit right in with those who look down but not down their nose. I guess it’s like a AA meeting were only a alcoholic can understand where another alcoholic is coming from. If there was a weekly service for hoodlums anywhere near, I’d never miss a service.
The homosexual insistence that Christian businesses do their bidding is where we Christians will begin to see the first glimmer of genuine persecution. Being told “Happy Holidays” is not persecution. Being forced to close down your business or pay a fine (and if you don’t pay the fine, jail time?) – this is persecution. Having your church picketed by homosexuals who don’t like what your pastor says in his sermon (as has happened to an EO church in San Francisco a few weeks ago) is the beginning of persecution. They haven’t bombed our churches yet, but it’s coming. It will come, that is, if we are true to the Lord. If we waffle I suppose we will be safe enough, from the world, at least.
Some Christians will cave, just like the Christians in the Roman Empire who offered the pinch of incense to Ceasar, saying to themselves “It’s a meaningless gesture because I don’t mean it.” Some chose to go to the lions instead. We are going to have to make some hard decisions too. If we are used to doing whatever we want, saying we have freedom in Christ to pursue whatever worldly pleasures strike our fancy, will we have the backbone, the gumption, the moral courage to resist extreme evil? If we have been compromising with the culture our entire lives, will we suddenly have the strength to stand in the evil day?
Praying with Michael Milton for the church in Syria… thanks for posting that moving prayer, Michael.
Linnea,
Thank you for reading!
I have a lot of friends who have spent time in Cowboy Church…
Xenia…a call to faith and courage. Thank you…
Looks like my Representative, Alan Nunnelee will probably vote “No.”
Christians need “rehabilitation”…coming soon to a town and church near you.
Beard wars…I liked that!
Hollywoods next big thing: religion…somehow I doubt it.
Climate change is one of the biggest lies that science has tried to foist on us in a while. Oh, wait I remember when it was global warming. But with the words “climate change” they can actually make any bad weather suspect. Hooey!
I tend not to read articles from The Blaze or WND. Both have a lot of strange religious stuff behind them.
I’m growing out my beard in preparation for playing the part of Tevye in one of my school’s productions of Fiddler on the Roof. So far, the church hasn’t said anything about it.
We have a couple of cowboy churches in the Phoenix area. Haven’t visited either one, so I don’t know how “cowboy” they really are.
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens…”
I’m becoming less of a fan of James MacDonald these days, but I like his take on this passage, when he says, “All God’s kids are gettin’ it.”
There was one up around Lead, SD. It was called Saddle Mt. Church and they had a “Forgiven Cowboy” program on one of the Christian radio stations out of Rapid City.
Seems like niche marketing to me.
Works best in places with a lot of farms and ranches though.
Blogging Facts and Stats neglected to mention THE #1 blog in the blogosphere!
Ha, the only reason I knew the show existed is because it came on before “The Lutheran Hour” which I listened to while going to church. Now, I liked the Lutheran hour…”Forgiven Cowboy” not so much
http://creation.com/geneticist-evolution-impossible
been reading this site for a while. Just thought I would share it, dont agree with some of it but it gives more substantive responses then AiG. Hope all is well
Regarding that Christian rehab….
http://www.worldmag.com/2013/09/mafia_tactics_force_oregon_bakery_to_close
The future.
Just saw an article on FB about the Syrian chemical attack, that even made me wary of sharing it.
Have yo euver seen an article so incredible, that you are like “No, that sounds like crazy talk.” but, at the back of your mind all the events like the IRS, the NSA, Benghazi and others make your mind also say “Doesn’t sound as incredible as it once did!”
More of the same from Al-Qaeda.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/09/04/Syria-rebels-attack-regime-held-Christian-village
Saw a phrase from Ted Cruz that summed it up:
“We are not Al-Qaeda’s Air Force.”
Good stuff Xenia on the persecution coming our way. I tell my friends all the time that it is important that we not love the world or the things of the world so that when it comes time to really resist evil or compromise we have prepared ourselves beforehand. If we seek the passing pleasures of sin now how can we expect to stand when it really gets tough. If we can’t stand for our faith in the seemingly smaller issues how will we stand when the more serious persecution comes. I have thought about the homosexual marriage thing when it comes to my work. I also am a public notary and I cannot refuse to notarize documents If requested. So I wonder what I would do if asked to notarize a same sex marriage certificate.