"The nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes." ~ Ezekiel 36:23

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

missing link found?

"The unveiling of the fossil came as part of a carefully-orchestrated publicity campaign unusual for scientific discoveries"

Gee, that doesn't sound in the least suspicious or conspiritorial!

The latest soon to be missing link hoax begins here.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Was the serpent depicted in Genesis 3 just a snake, or was it Satan?

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.  And he said to the woman, ..."  Genesis 3:1 NASB

Eve did not appear to be surprised to hear the serpent speak and the serpent is described as "crafty", depicting purposeful intelligence and design.

How is this?  Did all animals originally speak, or just this one?

Strong's Concordance lists the word "crafty" as arum, described as "cunning (usually in a bad sense): - crafty, prudent, subtil."  In a fashion, the serpent is depicted as having the ability to distinguish right from wrong and to make informed choices.

Interesting.

I am aware that in traditional Christianity we ascribe the serpent's abilities as being due to possession by Satan, but I can't find biblical confirmation of that.

Most point to the depictions of the serpent in the book of Revelation, but I see that the word translated into English (according to Strong's) as "serpent" is "ophis",  "(through the idea of sharpnessof vision); a snake, figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan: - serpent".

Not a reference to a snake at all, but rather to Satan's personality.  In other words, it appears that the characteristics of a snake are being given to Satan and not the reverse!

Why would God curse the serpent if it was acting solely under the influence of Satan?  Genesis 3:14-16

Thoughts?

Friday, May 08, 2009

statistical analysis

According to a WikiAnswers statistic, "at least 10% of the United States population labels themselves as homosexual". If this statistic is true, I wonder, "How do so many "gay" laws achieve passage?".

Volume.

To the loudest go the spoils.

We are so intimidated in America that we allow loud, rude, obnoxious behavior, to turn us from what is right and true, be it homosexual "rights", abortions "rights", union "rights", etc., etc..

How does it happen? Politicians are more eager for re-election that standing for truth, which naturally follows voter apathy.

The loud vote in concerted effort, the apathetic and intimidated stay home on election day.

Vote. Be loud.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

underscoring parental censorship

I'm sorry for some of the movies I have let my children watch.  I have spent a lifetime becoming anesthetized to violence and profanity in movies; I can't allow that numbness, however, to color my judgement of the movies I allow my minor children to watch.

But I have.

While condemning others for allowing their children to view movies I don't think are appropriate, I have been guilty of the same behavior; different movies, same lapse in judgment.

Girls, I'm sorry for allowing your minds to take on a perverse edge.  I'm sorry that you have witnessed events on the screen that no child, and few adults, should "enjoy".  I'm sorry for the bad dreams that so often accompanied your sleep.  I'm sorry for disturbing your precious minds.

Rom 1:28-32 "And because they did not think it worthwhile to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, disputes, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful. Although they know full well God's just sentence--that those who practice such things deserve to die--they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them."

All of these things I have allowed my children to watch from time to time.  All of these things, I have allowed my children to "applaud others who practice them.".

I ask God to forgive me for my sin of accepting a "worthless mind" that does not belong with a follower of the Lord Jesus.  I ask my children for forgiveness in allowing them to be corrupted at my hand.  I ask my wife for forgiveness in leading her astray and in not standing against evil in my home.

I have just read the review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, a movie I was looking forward to watching, a sequel to the X-Men movies I have enjoyed.  I had heard a reviewer on the radio the other day compare this movie to the recent Dark Knight, a movie I rented for my daughter,  and was stunned at his comparison of violence and language.  Upon reading his review, I'm no longer ready to watch this new film and am disgusted that I allowed my baby girl to watch the other.  It was not so long ago that I never allowed my girls to watch anything without my wife or I pre-viewing it for them and making a judgement based upon biblical standards.  I can not lay claim to that standard in the recent past.  I have reviewed in my mind some of the movies and shows I have allowed the girls, myself and my wife to watch, and I am ashamed.

I can't erase the scenes played out before my children's eyes or the words spoken into their ears, but I can ask God for His mercy on them and make sure that I do not engage in such unrighteous stupidity in the future.

Friday, May 01, 2009

loving your parents and letting them know

It has occurred to me that I was presented with untold opportunities to throw my arms around my Dad's neck and to tell him, "I love and appreciate you" and I took advantage of none of them.

I know now how much that must have hurt and disappointed him.

It's too late for me to tell him, but if you still have that opportunity, make sure you let your Mom and Dad know how much they mean to you, as often as you can.