Saturday, December 21, 2024

The Second Advent

Christian Eschatology is the study of “last things,” or end-time events.  There is diversity of opinion among Christians regarding these events and the order in which they occur.  Disagreements about the interpretation of scripture regarding end-time events have led to division and separation between believers.  Lamp in a Corner exists to tell people about Jesus, and to help us grow as Christians – not to cause division.  We urge all believers not to break fellowship over disagreements about Eschatology.  What follows is our point of view, but we acknowledge that there are those who see things differently. 

The Holy Bible refers to end-time events, which include the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. These events consist of the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Second Coming, the Millenium, the Defeat of Satan, the Judgement, and Eternity.  In the Rapture Jesus will return in the sky and resurrect those who have died trusting in Him for their salvation. Then the resurrected Christians, and believers who are living at the time, will be caught up in the air to be with Jesus forever in new bodies like His. (1Corinthians 15:20-58, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1John 3:2) 

The Tribulation is a seven-year period when God’s wrath will be poured out on an unbelieving world.  It is described in Zephaniah 1:14-18 and 3:8, and in Revelation, Chapters 6-18.  It seems to be most consistent with salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) that the Tribulation follows the Rapture.  The all-sufficiency of Jesus atoning sacrifice for our sins (Colossians 2:10, 1Corinthians 1:30, 2Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 10:14) indicates that those who trust in Jesus alone for their salvation will go to be with Him and will not be subject to God’s wrath. (1Thessalonians1:10, 1Thessalonians 5:9-10, Revelation 3:10) 

A thorough discussion of the Tribulation is beyond the scope of this post.  The literature about it is voluminous and readily available.  A synopsis by pastor and author David Jeremiah can be found at: https://davidjeremiah.blog/what-is-the-tribulation/  

The Tribulation will end with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  He will return to Earth to reign as Messiah for 1,000 years (the Millennium).  His enemies the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be defeated, and Satan will be bound and held prisoner.  When the Millenium is over, Satan will be allowed to go free, and he will lead a rebellion against Christ.  He will be defeated, and he will join the False Prophet and the Antichrist in the lake of burning sulfur – there to suffer torment forever. (Revelation, Chapters 19 and 20) 

The last judgement will follow Satan’s defeat.  Those who did not accept God’s free gift of salvation will be condemned to eternal punishment along with the Devil and his henchmen. (Revelation, Chapter 20) Those who are saved will be judged in order to receive rewards for their service to the Lord (Romans 8:1, Revelation 22:12, Psalm 62:12, 1Cornthians 4:5), and they will spend eternity sharing God’s glory with Him. 

In the First Advent, God the Son came to live among us as a man, Jesus Christ.  In the Second Advent He will return and ultimately destroy evil forever.  We celebrate His birth at Christmas.  Are you able to celebrate and look forward to His return with confident expectation? 

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today.  Receive the gift salvation He offers you.  It’s the best Christmas present you will ever get.

 

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Food Police?

“Government exists to protect us from each other.
Where government has gone beyond its limits
is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”

“Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

Ronald Reagan
 

President Elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK Jr.) to become the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).  RFK Jr. is probably most noted for his opposition to vaccinations.  One of his other areas of interest is what he believes to be unhealthy foods. 

Vaccination has been criticized because some believe it is linked to the increased incidence of various illnesses.  A lot of effort has been put into debunking those concerns, but many people are still not convinced about the safety of some kinds of immunizations, especially as it applies to infants and young children.  Time will tell.  We need more longitudinal research to establish whether there is a need for limiting vaccinations. 

I was in the first grade when the Salk polio vaccine became generally available.  I vividly remember my mother taking me over to the school to get immunized.  The syringe looked huge.  Hypodermic needles then were dull by today’s standards, and it hurt.  I couldn’t understand why my mom was so happy about it. 

I’m 76 years old now.  My hair all fell out when I was about 40, but I don’t think it was due to getting polio shots.  Otherwise, I’m doing okay. 

A governmental effort to make our diet healthier is not the thing that bothers me.  The focus of it, however, is troubling. 

The bad things that food manufacturers include in their products are there because they either make the food more convenient to use, appear more appetizing, or they make it taste better.  If food is attractive, fast and easy to prepare, and more flavorful, then it sells better. 

Like any other business, the food manufacturers want a reasonable return on investment for the money they spend making food available to us.  That does not necessarily make them bad people.  They are, however, cognizant of the fact that if they don’t offer a product people like, their competitors will.  They will lose market share and earn less money; or possibly even go out of business. 

Now, Ronald Reagan was correct.  Government regulation of the lives of private citizens should be limited to preventing them from harming others.  In short, Donald Trump is riding a wave of good will into the White House, but he will find that that tide will ebb quickly if he lets RFK Jr. tell the public what they can, or cannot eat and drink. 

Perhaps Trump promised Kennedy a role in his administration if he would withdraw his candidacy for President and throw his support behind the former President.  Who knows.  Like other Democrats, however, RFK Jr. thinks the people are not competent to decide for themselves, and that he knows more than everyone else.  He was raised in the political elite, and he is what he is. 

Consequently, President Elect Trump must set some boundaries.  RFK Jr. must be told that his job is to protect us from each other by taking reasonable measures to police the food manufacturers and importers – and not jerk the public around. 


Droning On and On

In the movie “Men in Black” Agent “K” (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent “J” (Will Smith) deadpan the usual explanations given by the government for UFO sightings – swamp gas and weather ballons, etc.  The government’s explanation for drones flying over New Jersey, other states, and US military installations sounds suspiciously like its old explanation for UFO sightings. 

In a briefing before the House Intelligence Committee, representatives of the FBI, CIA, Defense Department, and Department of Homeland Security informed congress that there does not appear to be one single source for the drone flights, and there does not appear to be an ulterior motive involved.  They attributed the drone sightings to aircraft, hobbyists, and helicopters operating legally, and they denied any government involvement. [1] 

I am not a UFO nut.  I will believe in UFO’s when one lands, and the occupants introduce themselves to us.  I am not a conspiracy theorist, either.  It could be that the explanation given to congress is correct. 

However, there are apparent inconsistencies in the explanation.  The size and number of the drones are not consistent with what hobbyists can obtain or afford.  The drones dart sideways, backward, and they “go dark’ when approached.  I do not know of any fixed wing aircraft or helicopters operated by civilians or the military that are able to move that way.  That is why the government’s explanation about the drones is suspicious. 

The cavalier response by the Biden Administration and their fellow democrats at the state and local level is also concerning.  If as initially stated, governmental agencies did not know the source of the drone flights, why did they not respond immediately and in force?  It would seem that if they did not know the source, they couldn’t know whether they were a threat to public safety.  Is this a repeat of the Biden Administration’s lackadaisical response to the Chinese spy balloon?  Or, did they know the source, and is that why they didn’t think an immediate response was necessary? 

Most Americans are not conspiracy theorists, but they aren’t stupid either.  We know a smoke screen when we see one.

 

 

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Coming Again

Christians all over the world remember the nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Christmastime.  Gifts are exchanged, families gather together, and homes and businesses are decorated.  There are special programs at church. 

The holiday has become secularized, and there is a rush to buy gifts, food, and the like “before Christmas gets here.”  There are parties, drinking, and special athletic events.  Sometimes “the reason for the season” gets lost in all the hubbub.  This frenzy of activity leaves some of us “stressed out,” and Christmas is often called “the silly season” as a result. 

What often gets overlooked is that Jesus promised that He will come again to gather all believers unto Himself.  It is also a reason for rejoicing because it is a cause for hope in a world that seems to be going mad.  Jesus said:

 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going.”  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6 ESV) [1]

 

 

Friday, December 6, 2024

Ask God for His Wisdom

 

Proverbs 3
(NLT)


My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.

My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the LORD corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the LORD is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.

Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.

The LORD curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.

The LORD mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.

The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame! [1]

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Don't Seek Revenge

During his political campaign recently Donald Trump was asked if he would try to get revenge against those who prosecuted him.  His reply that success would be his revenge was well said. 

There is a lot of talk now amongst his supporters about prosecuting the prosecutors and making this or that person pay for what they did.  President Elect Trump should put a stop to it. 

Presently, many Americans are encouraged because Donald Trump was elected.  There is hope for relief from the divisiveness and oppression we endured under the Biden Administration.  We are looking forward to a time when our President will unify the country and not divide us further. 

There is enough acrimony and negative energy among the Progressives to go around.  We do not need more of it from the Republicans. 

It seems that the “lawfare” and persecution Donald Trump and his associates endured cost the persecutors dearly.  It contributed to the success of the Republicans in the recent national election.  There is a lesson to be learned from that.  The incoming administration and the Republican led congress should not make the same mistake. 

The United States of America is a country where victory is found at the ballot box.  Attempts by those in power to prosecute their political enemies is seen as an abuse of power.  Under the Biden Administration, abuse of power devalued our nation and society.

The new chief executive and legislature must take the high road in order to retain and build upon the wave of hope and goodwill most Americans are feeling now.  Those who persecuted Donald Trump, and good men like Rudy Giuliani, may have exceeded their constitutional authority or even broken the law.  The USA, however, does not need to spend time, energy, and money on years of legal actions to prove it and punish the guilty. Removing them from office and taking away their power is sufficient.  We face challenges at home and abroad that threaten our very existence as a nation, and we need our government to lead us in a united effort to resolve those problems in our favor.


Thursday, November 28, 2024

Thanksgiving 2024

 

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.  All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”    (Jude 24-25 NLT) [1]


 Have a Happy Thanksgiving.  God bless us all.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Giving Thanks Regardless of Our Circumstances

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV) 

“… for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV)

 

Acknowledgement:  All Bible verses shown were copied from https://biblehub.com/


Monday, November 25, 2024

Who Will Thank Him?

 

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;  and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”  And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-18 ESV) [1]

 

This Thanksgiving let’s take a little time away from the feasting, family, and football and remember to give thanks to God for the many blessings He has given us, the greatest of which is this: 

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17 ESV) [2]

 

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Give Thanks

 



Psalm 100
(ESV)

A Psalm for giving thanks

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.[1]

Friday, November 15, 2024

We are One in Christ Jesus and Living by the Spirit

“For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28 NLT) 

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:24-25 NLT) [1]

Saturday, November 9, 2024

The Lord - Our Help

 

Psalm 121

 

A Song of Ascents.


I will raise my eyes to the mountains;

From where will my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who watches over you will not slumber.

Behold, He who watches over Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

 

The LORD is your protector;

The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not beat down on you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The LORD will protect you from all evil;

He will keep your soul.

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in

From this time and forever. (NASB) [1]

 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Hoist by Their Own Petard

Our presidential election seems to be over.  Kamala Harris has conceded, and Donald Trump is now the President Elect.  Thankfully, Mr. Trump won by a large enough margin that contesting the election by demanding recounts or challenging results in court would be futile.  We will need to wait and see if that holds true over the next few weeks. 

There appears to be a few sour grapes on the Democrat side, and a bit too much ebullience on the Republican side.  Let’s hope that doesn’t last long.  In her concession speech Vice President Harris spent a lot of time urging her supporters to continue to “fight” for equality, social justice, opportunity for all, and so forth.  Fine, but the repeated use of the word “fight” was probably not appropriate.  It might be misinterpreted as a call to violence by some, and it certainly was not a call for national unity.  Wait a minute, isn’t that what President Trump was accused of before things got out of hand on 6 January 2021? 

We all need to take a deep breath and resolve to work together for the good of the country.  We are all Americans first and Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, and any other labels that divide us second.  Let’s be “One nation, under God, indivisible” as we move forward. 

Ironically, the Democrats must take part of the responsibility for Donald Trump’s victory on themselves.  In his play “Hamlet” William Shakespeare uses the phrase “Hoist with his own petard.”  Literally, it refers to a bombmaker who is blown up by his own bomb.  It may be loosely understood to mean someone who gets caught in a trap they set for others.  It’s sort of like the American cartoon in which Wile E. Coyote keeps setting traps to catch the Road Runner. (Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies) The bombs, rockets, and various machines always backfire on the coyote, and then the Road Runner comes speeding by going “beep-beep.” 

The Democrats’ “lawfare” used to persecute Donald Trump only made him more and more popular.  At the start of the Republican primaries President Trump didn’t appear to be a strong candidate.  Each time new charges were filed against him, or the impossibility of a fair trial became obvious, Donald Trump’s popular support increased.  Furthermore, the Democrats just didn’t get it.  The prosecuting attorneys, eager to make a name for themselves, just kept on pursuing their cases before obviously biased judges. 

Now this is a generality, but Americans value fair play and hate a stacked deck.  So, the Democrats ended up getting hoist with their own petard. 

Americans also value perseverance in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.  The Democrats threw everything but the kitchen sink at Donald Trump, and it seemed to many that their purpose was not to punish any serious wrongdoing, but rather it looked like they were doing it to make it impossible for President Trump to run for president again. 

Americans don’t like it when someone tries to tell them who they can vote for.  Of course, there were a lot of other variables at play, but it is easy to see how this may have contributed to Mr. Trump’s ultimate victory.

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

The Way Out of This Mess

During his Republican primary campaign in 2016, Sen. Ted Cruz frequently repeated this Bible verse: 

“… if my people who are called by my name 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.”                   (2Chronicles 7:14 ESV) [1] 

Repentance, revival, and direction from the Holy Spirit are needed to fix this country of ours.  Our salvation does not rest in the hands of a political leader.  Only God can fix the mess we have made of things. 

Pray that God will forgive us for turning our backs on Him.  Pray that God will heal our land.  Pray for the United States of America.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Please Get Out and Vote

On Tuesday, We the People, will finish the process of electing the next President and Vice President.  The election will determine which political party will have a majority in the US Senate and House of Representatives.  The composition of the Supreme Court, and the future appointment of its justices will also be at stake.  Therefore, all three branches of the federal government will be affected.  We must not forget that the election will also determine who will be governing at the state and local levels as well. 

Whenever we have a presidential election, the politicians, and the talking heads on the broadcast news, tell us that this is the most important election in our history, and that the survival of the country is at stake.  Given the widening differences in the intended direction of the nation offered by the candidates, it is true that this is an important election.  Whether the survival of the country is at stake remains to be seen.  The United States of America is a strong, vital, and resilient society, and we are bigger than any flight of political imagination. 

Nevertheless, it is incumbent upon all citizens who are eligible to vote to exercise that right now.  It is not only our right, but it is our privilege and our duty to vote.  Many have already voted in places that allow early voting.  For those who have not, please pray for guidance and then get out and vote. 

A lot of people have made up their minds about which candidate they intend to vote for.  Many remain undecided.  Some will not make up their minds until they step into the voting booth.  Many people will stay home, and not vote at all.  They may believe that none of the candidates deserve their vote. 

Please allow me to remind that there are no perfect people, so there are no perfect candidates.  To cynically expect the worst from any candidate ignores the historically demonstrated tendency for those who are elected to “grow into the job.”  It verges on intellectual snobbery and hypocrisy to pass judgement on the candidates in this manner.  Please – even if you must hold your nose – get out and vote for the candidates whose stated positions and goals for our people mesh the best with your own.  Remember, we never will find anyone that we agree with all of the time. 

According to the polls, this election will be close.  It may come down to a few thousand deciding votes in many states.  Every vote counts, even if it is not counted properly.  Which leads us to a major point:  please pray that all winning candidates will win by a large enough margin so that the election cannot be contested.  One thing America does not need is another contested election, which is all the more reason why every eligible citizen must vote. 

There is a God.  The president is not God.  The senators and representatives are not God.  The court justices are not God.  The government cannot usurp God’s place in the life of the believer.  God has a plan for the ages that He is carrying out in accordance with His will.  No person or government is so powerful that they can thwart God’s purposes.  Please pray with me that God’s will be done – on earth as it is in heaven.  Thank you, and God bless you.


Thursday, October 31, 2024

Truth is Truth - In Any Language

Johannes 1:1-14 (Deutsch) 

Im Anfang war das Wort und das Wort war bei Gott. Und das Wort war Gott,  solchergestalt war es im Anfang bei Gott.  Alles ward durch dasselbe, und ohne dasselbe ward nichts, was geworden ist.  In ihm war Leben, und das Leben war das Licht der Menschen:  und das Licht scheint in der Finsternis, und die Finsternis hat es nicht ergriffen.

Es trat ein Mensch auf, abgesandt von Gott, Johannes hieß er,  dieser kam zum Zeugnis: um zu zeugen vom Licht, auf daß alle durch ihn glauben möchten.  Nicht war er das Licht, sondern zeugen sollte er vom Licht.

Das wahrhaftige Licht, welches jeden Menschen erleuchtet, war: der da kommen sollte in die Welt.  Er war in der Welt, und die Welt ist durch ihn geworden, und die Welt hat ihn nicht erkannt.  In sein Eigentum kam er, und die Seinen nahmen ihn nicht auf.  So viele ihn aber annahmen, ihnen hat er die Macht verliehen, Gottes Kinder zu werden - als die an seinen Namen glauben - die nicht aus Blut und nicht aus Fleisches-, nicht aus Manneswillen, sondern aus Gott gezeugt sind.

Ja, das Wort ward Fleisch und schlug seine Hütte auf unter uns, und wir schauten seine Herrlichkeit, eine Herrlichkeit als des einzigen Sohnes vom Vater, voll Gnade und Wahrheit – (Textbibel 1899)

 

 Jean 1:1-14 (French) 

Au commencement était la Parole, et la Parole était avec Dieu; et cette parole était Dieu : Elle était au commencement avec Dieu.  Toutes choses ont été faites par elle, et sans elle rien de ce qui a été fait, n'a été fait.  En elle était la vie, et la vie était la Lumière des hommes.  Et la Lumière luit dans les ténèbres, mais les ténèbres ne l'ont point reçue.

Il y eut un homme appelé Jean, qui fut envoyé de Dieu.  Il vint pour rendre témoignage, pour rendre, dis-je, témoignage à la Lumière, afin que tous crûssent par lui.  Il n'était pas la Lumière, mais il [était envoyé] pour rendre témoignage à la Lumière.

[Cette] Lumière était la véritable, qui éclaire tout homme venant au monde.  Elle était au monde, et le monde a été fait par elle; mais le monde ne l'a point connue.  Il est venu chez soi; et les siens ne l'ont point reçu;  Mais à tous ceux qui l'ont reçu, il leur a donné le droit d'être faits enfants de Dieu, [savoir] à ceux qui croient en son Nom; 13Lesquels ne sont point nés de sang, ni de la volonté de la chair, ni de la volonté de l'homme; mais ils sont nés de Dieu.

Et la Parole a été faite chair, elle a habité parmi nous, et nous avons contemplé sa gloire, [qui a été] une gloire, comme la gloire du Fils unique du Père, pleine de grâce et de vérité. (Martin Bible)

 

 JUAN 1:1-14 (Spanish) 

En el principio existía el Verbo, y el Verbo estaba con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios.  El estaba en el principio con Dios.  Todas las cosas fueron hechas por medio de El, y sin El nada de lo que ha sido hecho, fue hecho.  En El estaba la vida, y la vida era la luz de los hombres.  Y la luz brilla en las tinieblas, y las tinieblas no la comprendieron.

      Vino al mundo un hombre enviado por Dios, cuyo nombre era Juan.  Este vino como testigo, para testificar de la luz, a fin de que todos creyeran por medio de él.  No era él la luz, sino que vino para dar testimonio de la luz.

      Existía la luz verdadera que, al venir al mundo, alumbra a todo hombre.  En el mundo estaba, y el mundo fue hecho por medio de El, y el mundo no le conoció.  A lo suyo vino, y los suyos no le recibieron.  Pero a todos los que le recibieron, les dio el derecho de llegar a ser hijos de Dios, es decir, a los que creen en su nombre,  que no nacieron de sangre, ni de la voluntad de la carne, ni de la voluntad del hombre, sino de Dios.

      Y el Verbo se hizo carne, y habitó entre nosotros, y vimos su gloria, gloria como del unigénito del Padre, lleno de gracia y de verdad. (La Biblia de las Américas) 

 

 Johannes 1:1-14 (Swedish) 

I begynnelsen var Ordet, och Ordet var hos Gud, och Ordet var Gud.  Detta var i begynnelsen hos Gud.  Genom det har allt blivit till, och utan det har intet blivit till, som är till.  I det var liv, och livet var människornas ljus.  Och ljuset lyser i mörkret, och mörkret har icke fått makt därmed.

En man uppträdde, sänd av Gud; hans namn var Johannes.  Han kom såsom ett vittne, för att vittna om ljuset, på det att alla skulle komma till tro genom honom.  Icke var han ljuset, men han skulle vittna om ljuset.

Det sanna ljuset, det som lyser över alla människor, skulle nu komma i världen.  I världen var han, och genom honom hade världen blivit till, men världen ville icke veta av honom.  Han kom till sitt eget, och hans egna togo icke emot honom.  Men åt alla dem som togo emot honom gav han makt att bliva Guds barn, åt dem som tro på hans namn;  och de hava blivit födda, icke av blod, ej heller av köttslig vilja, ej heller av någon mans vilja, utan av Gud.

Och Ordet vart kött och tog sin boning ibland oss, och vi sågo hans härlighet, vi sågo likasom en enfödd Sons härlighet från sin Fader, och han var full av nåd och sanning. (Svenska 1917)

 

От Иоанна 1:1-14 (Russian) 

В начале было Слово, и Слово было у Бога, и Слово было Бог.  Оно было в начале у Бога.  Все чрез Него начало быть, и без Него ничто не начало быть, что начало быть. 4В Нем была жизнь, и жизнь была свет человеков.  И свет во тьме светит, и тьма не объяла его. 

Был человек, посланный от Бога; имя ему Иоанн.  Он пришел для свидетельства, чтобы свидетельствовать о Свете, дабы все уверовали чрез него.  Он не был свет, но был послан , чтобы свидетельствовать о Свете. 

Был Свет истинный, Который просвещает всякого человека, приходящего в мир.  В мире был, и мир чрез Него начал быть, и мир Его не познал.  Пришел к своим, и свои Его не приняли.  А тем, которые приняли Его, верующим во имя Его, дал власть быть чадами Божиими,  которые ни от крови, ни от хотения плоти, ни от хотения мужа, но от Бога родились. 

И Слово стало плотию, и обитало с нами, полное благодати и истины; и мы видели славу Его, славу,как Единородного от Отца. (Russian Synodal Translation) 

 

 John1:1-14 (English) 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (New King James Version) [1]

 

Monday, October 28, 2024

What Would We Do?

If you are critical of Israel for their military response to the atrocity committed against them on 7 October 2023, ask yourself, “What we would do?”  How would we respond in the same circumstances?  If a hostile country provided money, material, arms, ammunition, training, and indoctrination to terrorists who sent suicide bombers to kill our civilian citizens, what would we do.  Israel built a wall to keep them out. 

Then the terrorists lobbed rockets and other projectiles into Israel for years.  The rest of the world, including the United States, effectively told the Israelis they would just have to put up with it.  When the Israelis struck back from time to time, they were condemned by the international community at large, and they were sanctioned by the United Nations.  What would we do if we were in Israel’s shoes? 

If that hostile country mobilized the terrorists that the Biden Administration has allowed into the USA, and they attacked a small American town, what would we do?  Yes, what would we do if those terrorists killed over a thousand US citizens, raped - gang raped - the women, decapitated babies and the elderly, put babies in ovens and made their parents watch while they baked the babies to death, and took hundreds of people hostage, what would we do? 

If our military response was effective, and the hostile country retaliated by targeting our major cities with hundreds of rockets, drones, and ballistic missiles, what would we do?  Go ahead, tell us what we would do! 

On 11 September 2001, terrorists hijacked airliners and flew them into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC.  Thousands of innocent, civilian American citizens were killed.  In response, we invaded two countries and stayed for 20 years in one of them … trying to drag a corrupt government, tribal leaders, and drug warlords into the 21st Century.  We are the only country in the history of NATO to invoke Article 5 of that treaty, asking our allies to join in the conflict with us.  THAT’S WHAT WE DID! 

It would be helpful for the world community of nations, the bought-and-paid-for college professors, their miseducated students, and the craven politicians who are catering to them to take a step back and consider how we felt when our people were murdered.  Then, step right up and cast the first stone.

If, God forbid, we are ever attacked like that again, I hope we respond by reducing the nation responsible to dust.  I hate war.  That is why we need to do more that tell Iran, “Don’t.”  If our enemies think we are weak, they will force war upon us, just like they have been doing to Israel.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

A House Divided

“Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.  And all the people were amazed, and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.’  Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.  And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.  But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.  Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.  Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.  And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.’”                                
(Matthew 12:22-32 ESV) [1]

Monday, October 21, 2024

God is Our Strength

 

"When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
I was brutish and ignorant;
I was like a beast toward you. 

Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." 

(Psalm 73:21-26 ESV) [1]

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Believe in God's Son

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.  We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.  Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 

And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony.  So we have these three witnesses— the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.  Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son.  All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son. 

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1John 5:1-12 NLT) [1]

  

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”  Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.  For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’” (Romans 1:9-13 NLT) [2]

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

The Lesser of Two Evils

Having voted in 13 presidential elections, it has become apparent to me that the American people are usually faced with a choice between two flawed candidates.  People have shortcomings, and it is no surprise that the people who run for President of the United States are not perfect – although they seem to want us to believe that they are. 

I voted for George McGovern in 1972.  I was young and liberal back then, but I voted for McGovern mostly because he was not Richard Nixon.  I just didn’t trust Nixon, and Watergate later proved he could not be trusted. 

The liberal press ridiculed Gerald Ford mercilessly, but I voted for him in 1976.  He was a good, descent man who kept the Democratic Congress from excessive spending that would have made the financial mess we were in worse.  Jimmy Carter won, made the economy worse, and then blamed the people for it. 

If I remember correctly, I voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980.  A lot of people did, mostly to get Jimmy Carter out of office.  We the People would rather have voted for Mickey Mouse (another actor) than Carter.  We were all hurting because of the Carter recession, and Reagan eventually turned it around. 

There was a clear choice, for once, in 1984, and I chose Ronald Reagan over Walter Mondale … along with a vast majority of the voting public.  Reagan’s ideas were working, at home and abroad.  Back then, people had the good sense to stay with what worked. 

In 1988, Geoge H.W. Bush defeated Michael Dukakis.  I reluctantly voted for Bush.  Dukakis was obviously too weak to be President.  Bush was an “establishment Republican,” but he was the lesser of two evils.  I didn’t think Bush would fully support continuing Reagan’s policies, and indeed he did not. 

George H.W. Bush lost the White House in 1992, in an upset by Bill Clinton.  Clearly, the choice was between two very bad candidates, and I couldn’t bring myself to vote for either one.  It is debatable whether third party candidate, H. Ross Perot, damaged Bush’s chances more than Clinton’s, or vice versa.  I voted for Perot because his ideas were better.  Perhaps it was a wasted vote, but he was the better man of the three. 

The Republicans ran Bob Dole against Bill Clinton in 1996.  Dole was a lackluster establishment Republican who didn’t campaign very hard.  He was elderly, and he did not appear to have the vitality needed to govern.  I voted for him because he was not Bill Clinton. 

George W. Bush defeated Vice President Al Gore in 2000.  Basically, Bush wanted to continue his father’s vision of a compassionately conservative America.  In other words, he was an establishment Republican in disguise.  Gore’s sense of entitlement was a total turn-off, and he promised nothing new except the Internet.  I voted for Bush, whose ideas were at least a rejection of the Clinton era’s politically correct Progressivism.  Again, Bush was the lesser of two evils.  I was so glad to see the Clinton’s go.

Surprisingly, George W. Bush acquitted himself well during the economic downturn of 2000 and the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001.  He made mistakes after that, but the only one who doesn’t make mistakes is the person who does nothing. (Henry Ford)  So, I voted for him again in 2004. John Kerry was a phony whose ideas were failures waiting to happen.  A subsequent example of which is the defeatist nuclear agreement he made with Iran.  He is not worthy of any public office, period. 

The “too big to fail” banking crisis began just before the 2008 presidential election.  John McCain rushed back to Washington to help congress deal with it.  His selfless act may have cost him the election.  Like Kamala Harris today, Barack Obama ran a “hope and change” campaign that was long on promises and short on specifics.  I voted for McCain, mostly because I felt his running mate, Sarah Palin, was an effective advocate for conservative ideas. 

In 2012, Mitt Romney looked like a promising alternative to the nauseating progressive garbage Barack Obama was handing out.  I voted for Romney.  That was before I found out what kind of people he and Paul Ryan are.  Now, I would never vote for them again.  That poses a problem, because I could never vote for a Democrat either. 

I have spent much of my life serving society in the military and government.  It is our duty to vote, which leads me to the 2016 election.  I didn’t vote for Donald Trump in 2016.  His conduct during the Republican primaries, his assumption that a billionaire can buy an election, and his super-sized ego caused me to question whether he was presidential.  Of course, I couldn’t vote for Hillary Clinton.  The Clinton’s are corrupt, self-serving, Progressive political operatives.  Their tactics are ruthless and ethically bankrupt.  There is no government office that Hillary is fit to occupy.  I wrote in for Sen. Ted Cruz. 

I voted for Donald Trump in 2020.  His first term in office demonstrated his uncanny ability to identify the nation’s greatest challenges, and to come up with innovative solutions.  He was unbelievably good for the USA.  Unlike with Ronald Reagan’s reelection, this time the American people did not choose to stay with what was working.  For reasons I will never understand, they elected Joe Biden.  Mr. Biden has taken Jimmy Carter's place as the worst president in living memory. 

On 5 November, we will again be voting for one of two flawed candidates.  The purpose of this walk down memory lane is to show that this is not the first time.  The primary election system has made candidate selection more “democratic,” but we need a better way of doing it.  Kamala Harris’ candidacy demonstrates that the system can be subverted.  Further, running for the nomination has increased campaign costs.  The need for money is the root of many political evils, and we must find a way to keep it from tainting our elections. 

I’m voting for Donald Trump.  I am vigorously opposed to his reluctance to provide aid to Ukraine, and his public threats not to defend NATO allies who do not meet his approval.  NATO is a treaty. Treaties have the effect of law, even taking precedence over other laws.  The President of the Unites States is not above the law.  The rule of law means that we are “ruled” by law – not by men.  I do not agree with Mr. Trump’s idea that he can cut deals to solve the geopolitical problems that we face.  We must oppose the enemies of freedom with every means at our disposal, including force if all else fails.

You can’t make a deal with Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un, or the Mullahs in Tehran.  They will make unreasonable demands, stall, and undermine progress. They will fabricate alleged violations of agreements, and then blame others for them.  They will use the allegations as an excuse to violate an agreement when an opportunity for aggression presents itself.  International relations are not the same as real estate development. 

Taken as a whole, however, Donald Trump’s ideas are leagues ahead of the liberal, even Marxist, ideas of Kamala Harris and the Progressive cabal that is running the executive branch now.  All Kamala Harris will bring us is more of the same failed policies of the Biden Administration, only on steroids.  Pay no attention to her recent reversals on her previous stands.  Once elected, she will revert back to who she really is.

It will be great when the election is over.  I’m sick of the speculation and hype. I’m earnestly praying that God will cause His will to be done.  I’m voting for Donald Trump, and I urge you to do the same.  He is definitely the better of the two alternatives.