Depravity

If there was no other evidence that humankind has a depraved and sinful nature, the atrocities committed in Israel by Hamas over the last week or two would be sufficient.  No matter how wronged people believe themselves to be, no wrong suffered could justify the beheading of even one poor, defenseless little baby.  Murder, rape, disfigurement, mutilation of the dead, and hostage taking are beyond vile barbarism.  They are not worthy to be called human behavior.  Therefore, we call them inhuman.  Mere words cannot, however, adequately convey the disgust we feel.

Are these brutalities really inhuman, though?  If they are done by human beings, are they not human behavior?  True, it is human behavior of the worst kind, but unless we are willing to dehumanize the depraved, we must acknowledge what the behavior is - human. 

Carefully now.  If we dehumanize any human being, no matter how sickening their actions are, do we not dehumanize ourselves as well?  We are all cut from the same cloth, are we not?  In our fallen, sinful nature haven’t we all done some reprehensible things?  So, is it a matter of degree then?  The Bible points out that there is no degree to sin, and all sin eventually leads to death. (James 1:13-15, James 2:10-11) 

God will forgive any sin, except rejecting Jesus.  If we believe in Jesus Christ we will not perish, and if we repent, and confess our sins to God, He will forgive us.  Believers, however, must not continue in a sinful style of living.                          (John 3:16, 1John 1:8-10, 1John 5:16-18) 

Some believe that the Palestinians are the aggrieved party in the conflict with Israel. Others believe that Israel has the “moral high ground.”  The streets are full of them, waving flags and carrying signs.  To their shame, there are those who would turn a blind eye to the war crimes Hamas committed.  To reiterate, however, nothing can justify what Hamas did – nothing. 

Yet, no matter how hard it is to accept, God’s love is so great that even these fiends can be forgiven.  Please join me in prayer for the people of Israel, the victims and their families, that God will comfort them in their loss and protect them from future harm.  Please pray with me, also, that the perpetrators of these horrible atrocities will realize the total depravity of what they have done, repent, and come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Rest for the Soul

Are you weary of life’s troubles?  Are your shoulders aching from the burden you carry?  Do you long to be free from the chaos your sinful style of living has created in your life?  Are you amazed at the blindness of the world - our leaders, the intellectual community, and the money-mad, sex-crazed, drug addicted, technology-dependent society we live in?  Are you spending your life serving evil, rather than good?  Do you long for a change? 

If we repent and humbly come to Jesus with a child-like heart, He will show us the way to peace and the assurance of an eternity of joy in His presence. 

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:25-29 NIV) [1] 

As the hymn Power in the Blood by Lewis E. Jones goes: 

Verse 1

Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Would you o'er evil a victory win?

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Verse 2:

Would you be free from your passion and pride?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide–

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. 

Refrain:

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

Verse 4:

Would you do service for Jesus, your King?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Would you live daily His praises to sing?

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the precious blood of the Lamb. [2]

Please do as Jesus said.  Come to Him and He will give you rest.

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[1] https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/11.htm

[2] https://hymnary.org/text/would_you_be_free_from_the_burden_jones

 

Love and Marriage

 STOP: If you are under 18 years of age get your parents’ permission before you read this post.

The older I get the more I realize that life is full of pitfalls, mistakes, stumbling blocks, and rabbit holes.  I have made enough mistakes in life that it would be hypocritical for me to judge others. (Matthew 7:1-5)  The following is not intended to pass judgement, belittle, or condemn anyone.  I hope it will be taken in the spirit in which it is intended … which is to gently give others insight into the Word of God and His will for our lives. 

Jesus’ prohibition against judging others does not mean that Christians must suspend critical thought or spiritual discernment.  We are given God’s Holy Word, the Bible, as a guide by which we can know how God wants us to live our lives.  For the Christian, the Holy Bible is the ultimate and final authority that supersedes all others. 

Judgement is the Lord’s job.  The Bible tells us that we all will stand before the Lord for judgement (2Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10); Christians for their reward (Romans 8:1, Psalm 103:10-12, John 5:24, Ephesians 6:8), and unbelievers for punishment (Revelation 20:7-15).  Everything we have done in this life will be made known … everything (Luke 12:2-3).  Yet, because Jesus’ righteousness has been substituted for our failure to live according to God’s holy standards, we can come before Him with confidence in our redemption (1John 4:15-19). 

God’s Word tells us that Christians have a duty to lovingly warn others – believer and unbeliever alike - if they are disobeying Him.  If we fail to warn, we share the responsibility for their disobedience, (see our post on Friday, 28 July 2023). 

Same sex marriage has become a controversial issue here in the United States.  Those opposed point out that it violates our traditional values and was virtually unheard of until recent times.  They worry that their parental rights are being taken away because our public schools refuse to let them opt their children out of classes that advocate for acceptance of same sex marriage and “gender identity” issues.  They point out that it violates the tenants of most of the world’s major religions.  Those in favor argue that people have the right to love anyone they choose, and that opposition to same sex marriage is no less bigoted than opposition to interracial marriage was a generation or two ago.  They say that one person’s religious beliefs are not binding on the person who believes differently, and that people should not be allowed to impose their religious beliefs on others. 

Activist groups in the United States have attempted to use the law to force Christian business owners to participate in same sex weddings against their sincerely held religious beliefs.  This has stiffened the resistance to nation-wide legalization of same sex marriage.  People wonder, what’s next?  Will attempts be made to force Christian Ministers, Muslim Imams, or Jewish Rabbis to officiate at same sex marriages? 

The Holy Bible tells us that from the beginning of creation God provided us with His plan for marriage: 

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”  And out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.  The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  Then the man said, 

“At last this is bone of my bones,

And flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called ‘woman,’

Because she was taken out of man.” 

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.  And the man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.               (Genesis 2:18-25 NAS) [1] 

When Jesus talked about marriage, it was always in the context of a union between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-6, Matthew 5:32).  The Epistles (letters) in the new testament contain many references to marriage, but there is not one single mention of same sex marriage in any of them. 

It is wrong to condemn (judge) anyone.  However, Jesus has given me the love and courage needed to warn others that: 

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”             (Hebrews 10:31 NAS) 

I have lived long enough to understand that individual sexual preferences vary.  My job is not to judge anyone.  It is to help people find the way to escape the coming divine judgement of God.  Jesus gives us victory.  We do not need to be enslaved by our lust.  Those Jesus sets free are free indeed.  Please believe in Jesus Christ and be saved today.   

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nasb_/genesis/2.htm

 

A Haiku of Praise

 Praise God for Autumn

For good food and cool weather

His grace knows no end

Political Correctness

"How many legs does a dog have if you call his tail a leg? Four.

Saying that a tail is a leg doesn't make it a leg.”

Abraham Lincoln [1]

Some people seem to believe that the way we perceive something can be changed by changing the language used to refer to it.  They are not entirely wrong.  We think in language, therefore, changing the language we use to describe a thing can change the way we feel about it.  However, as President Lincoln so aptly illustrated it, changing the language used to describe a person, place, event, or belief system (for example) does not change the reality of what it is.

It is not moral or ethical to use language to manipulate others.  It is also wrong to prevent others from saying or writing things that are not politically correct.

It’s okay to try to persuade others to believe as we do, but it is un-American to shout down the opposition.  It is wrong to use brainwashing or “mind games” to change another’s perception of reality.

Truth is truth.   It must be spoken in love, but it must be said clearly and honestly.

Lamp in a Corner fully supports the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.   Authentic Americans do not deprive their fellow citizens of our constitutional right to free speech, even if we believe what they are saying is wrong or offensive.

We should respect each other. Considerate people do not misuse free speech to purposefully wound, offend or diminish others. Nevertheless, it is our duty to be honest and truthful, and that duty outweighs avoiding the possibility of ruffling somebody’s feathers.

Polling shows that a majority of Americans think that political correctness has been taken too far. [2]  I have disliked it since the Clinton Administration, when I first became aware of its oppressiveness. If you agree, vote for candidates who favor free speech over political correctness in 2024.

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[1] Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/abraham-lincoln-quotes

 [2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/bowmanmarsico/2017/06/05/polls-on-political-correctness/?sh=a78671d60939

 

Aid to Ukraine

Since the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, the United States has provided aid to the Ukrainian people to help them defend their country.  I am embarrassed that some of our politicians have begun to waiver in their willingness to give aid to Ukraine.  They argue that we would be better served by spending the money on the needs of our own people.  They say that the Ukrainian government is corrupt, and that some of our aid is being misused.  They point out that too much spending by our government is inflationary.  They assert that American vital interests are not at risk. 

It may come as a shock, but I firmly believe that American politicians do not know everything.  Looking at the actions of some European nations since the invasion, we might conclude that they see things differently. 

On 4 April 2023, Finland became a member of NATO.[1]  Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Finland has ceased to be dominated by Russia to the degree they formerly were.  It is clear that they fear Vladimir Putin’s aggressive attempts to restore the Soviet Empire. 

Sweden became a neutral country in 1812, over 200 years ago.[2]  In recent years, the Swedes have been strong advocates for resolving disputes between nations through diplomacy.  Now, however, they want to become a member of NATO, too, and Sweden would join were it not for opposition from Turkey. 

What do you suppose the Swedes and Finns know that some of our misguided American politicians do not know?  Does a sharing a border with the Russian Federation change one’s point of view? 

According to one source, the aid the Unites States contributes to Ukraine ranks 12^th among contributing nations in terms of a percentage of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product).  The nations contributing more of their GDP (from highest to lowest) are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Czechia.  Sweden’s contribution is virtually the same as ours.[3] 

Admittedly, one percent of the U.S. GDP is a lot more money than one percent of Latvia’s GDP.  Nevertheless, please consider the possibility that it may be more difficult for Latvia to do without a percent of their GDP than it is for us. 

Look at the countries that are giving “more” to Ukraine than we are.  As a rule, their former status as Soviet client states and their proximity to the Russian Federation seems to affect the amount of their contribution to Ukraine’s defense.  Well, doesn’t it? 

Unfortunately, many of the shortsighted, geopolitically ignorant American politicians who want to reduce or eliminate our aid to Ukraine are Republicans.  They point out that recent American support of military adventures overseas have not turned out well, and that we can no longer sustain our role as “policeman of the world.” 

To these politicians and their supporters, I would ask, if we step aside and let Vladimir Putin have Ukraine will it end there?  Clearly, the folks who live next door don’t think so.  Which former Eastern Bloc country will be the next one that the hardliners in Russia want to restore to the fold?  Will it be the Baltic States or Poland?  They belong to NATO.  If the Russian Federation invades them, the United States is obligated by treaty to defend them – with our own armed forces if necessary, (and it will be).  That could lead to a regional war with Russia, and if they use their nuclear weapons, or if China gets involved, what then – World War III? 

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is too important to be made into a political football here in the United States.  Republicans should not oppose support for Ukraine just because Joe Biden has provided them with assistance.  This is too important. 

My only issue with Biden’s support of Ukraine is that he hasn’t done enough to enable them to win.  They had the Russians on the run a year ago, but they had to stop because they were out of gas and ammo.  Now the Russians have had a chance to regroup and dig in.  Due to geopolitics, the Ukrainians can’t flank the Russians by moving their forces through Russian territory.  Consequently, the current Ukrainian offensive has been a frontal assault against fortified positions.  That is a WWI style slugfest, and progress has been slow and costly. 

I ask, again, that the United States give the Ukrainians the help they need to win.  I hope it is not too late.  If there are problems with the way our aid is handled – fix them.  We must not, however, allow Putin to succeed.  The risks involved in that are too great.

 

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[1] https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_213448.htm

[2] https://theconversation.com/sweden-a-history-of-neutrality-ends-after-200-years-183583

 [3] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1303450/bilateral-aid-to-ukraine-in-a-percent-of-donor-gdp/

 

How Old is Too Old?

We hear a lot in social media and on the news regarding concerns about the mental fitness to serve of some elderly leaders in Washington, D.C.  People like President Joe Biden and Senators Mitch McConnel and Diane Feinstein have visibly struggled while speaking, and they have seemed to be plagued by confusion and memory lapses. 

Many of us have had the misfortune of watching friends and relatives succumb to the ravages of Dementia.  It is heartbreaking to see those we love suffer from degenerative brain disease.  It can break the health and finances of the people who provide care for the victims of these illnesses, which are increasing in frequency of occurrence in the United States.  Certainly, the publicity surrounding Dementia has heightened public awareness. 

Consequently, we can empathize with those of our leaders who seem to be struggling. Hopefully, we will be careful about criticism involving their fitness to lead. 

There has been support among some for legislating a mandatory retirement age for elected officials.  Most federal civil service jobs have a mandatory retirement age of 65 years.  The downside is that to receive federal retirement benefits, one must work for 20 years.  Therefore, persons who are over 45 years of age are not allowed to apply for federal civil service employment.  That is age discrimination.  Obviously, these rules do not apply to elected officials like the president, senators, or congressmen, however, in my opinion the same principle – age discrimination – applies to a mandatory retirement age for them. 

Many people are fortunate enough to be of sound mind and in good health well into their seventies, and a few can even make a significant contribution in their eighties.  In my opinion, they should not be prevented from doing so because an arbitrary number of years has been legislated that prohibits it. 

It is reasonable for officials who are over an agreed upon and legally defined age to undergo a competency evaluation based on objective, quantifiable criteria.  It is wrong for our elected officials to be disqualified based on professional opinion, which is founded on theory or may be swayed by political bias.  Any test of mental capacity for elderly representatives should not be so difficult that it cannot be passed by a majority of the younger persons holding the same office. 

There are a few things you should know in the interest of full disclosure.  I have personally experienced caring for family members with Dementia.  In years past, I have been prevented from applying for federal civil service employment that I was eminently qualified for because I was over 45 years old, and I think I was discriminated against on the basis of age.  I am now 75 years old, healthy, and in full possession of my mental faculties.  Therefore, you might say I have a dog in this fight. 

Finally, the best interest of our nation could be harmed by allowing mentally impaired persons to serve in high office.  That must not be permitted to happen.  We must, however, have safeguards in place to prevent decisions about mental competence to serve from being manipulated for partisan political ends.