” In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.” Judges 5:6 Matthew Henry makes an observation about what this verse meant: First it meant “No trade. For want of soldiers to protect men of business in their business from the incursions of the enemy, and for want of magistrates to restrain and punish thieves and robbers among them (men of broken fortunes and desperate spirits, that, having no employment, took to rob on the highroad)….” Secondly, “No travelling. Whereas in times when there was some order and government the travellers might be safe in the open roads, and the robbers were forced to lurk in the by-ways, no, on the contrary, the robbers insulted on the open roads without check, and the honest travelers were obliged to sculk and walk through by-ways, in continual…
Category: <span>National Interests</span>
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4 “…advances in technology have provided both the blessing of a more informed public and the curse of a misinformed one — men and women who are sure they know the truth because of what they have seen or been told on social media.” “The advantage of a free press is diminished when anyone can claim to be an objective journalist, and then disseminate narratives conjured out of thin air to make others believe rubbish.” “Each year, more states employ squads of opinion shapers to flood online sites. Extremist political movements … Engage in the same practice.” “These troublemakers can generate products that can show people… doing things they didn’t do, and saying things they never said…” …
Belonging? to be suitable, appropriate, or advantageous, to be in a proper situation. to be the property of a person or thing to be attached or bound by birth, allegiance, or dependency to be a member of a club, organization, or set The very human desire to belong has been recognized since the garden of Eden, as our first parents forfeited ‘belonging’ for personal advantage. Enacting their ‘unbelonging’ experiment by defying their Maker, Adam and Eve discovered fear and hiding, a covert strategy for life. As their guilt filled nature developed under this false cover — through their offspring — so all of its malignancy’s many squirms and weasels came out. All of us have paid severely, victims of other’s deviations — victims of our own frightful hearts. James 4:1-2 explain this further: “What causes wars and contentions among you? Is it not the cravings which are ever at war…
“The aims of a great empire and the moral health of the people are incompatible.” “Holding on to a great empire means to contribute to the extinction of our own people.” “And since the faceless and greedy pack did what it pleased, more often than not in our name, we will not be able to wash ourselves clean as quickly as the others have.” Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn from “The Russian Question” As the leadership of a nation goes, so are it’s people judged. Sadly, a majority of the citizens could disagree with the rulers, but they are not differentiated. These, unfortunately, bear responsibility of all actions; the blessings of kindness — the guilt of wrongs done. Presumed on by outsiders, many bear the brunt of a nation disgraced, a name disintegrated. So, what can we learn? Many things: Private reputations often yield unconsciously to group evaluation. People judge often by national…
…For those who are in Christ Jesus. The King James writers saw fit to add the words, “who walk not after the flesh…” This addendum is not in the original text. Why? Because Paul meant what he said, “there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus — period.” We must see that the unconditional statement, “no condemnation,” provides the only deliverance from an indwelling sin principle, a Law principle, an impotent “will” and a slavery to it all. Paul’s answer, and ours, is the miracle of Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, Jesus alone solved the “sold under sin” dilemma as He became sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21, took it to its death and burial, rose out of death, ( sin did not revive,) and offered to us “newness of life” and all this “in Christ.” Our answer to the frightful double-minded “willing to do good, yet…
In the ancient garden, God planted trees good for fruit. The tree of life was there, so also grew the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This second tree became a forbidden one, since God warned Adam to not eat of it. “…for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17b Then God formed Eve of Adam’s rib and the Hallmark Channel had it’s first story to tell. Problem came, as the ‘intuitive’ first lady ate some “knowledge tree” and so joined her Adam; death happened to both in the form of a brand new Consciousness. In one fatal swoop, a Serpent enabled an awareness of an evil kingdom — it’s evil side, but also it’s good side. On the evil side of darkness, our first parents opened a Pandora’s Box of things like hatred, killing, rape, theft and overall abuse of fellow…
I have good news and bad–First the bad. Angrily driven, my hatred propels me to unprecedented heights of mischief and pain-inflicting. Then, righting my wounded soul by raucous revenge, I hurt that which has so damaged my cause. My deeds are done. My world of entitlement returns for my enjoying. Who cares if my methods were not exactly legal? “The end justifies the means;” because power has been regained. Yes, power. To manipulate, to steal, to wield the axe of “freedom at everyone else’s expense.” Question? When the rambunctious radical gets what he or she so desires, what now drives him? When revenge finds its sweet release, do revengers turn into happy caring individuals again? I think not. Their ugly self-validated, psychologically justified souls, have spilled over for all to see. These have played the “hate card,” the same card that we all could play, but have dared not, as…
“And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.” Genesis 9:20-23. Shem and Japheth went backward and their faces were backward — in order to not see their Father’s nakedness. A strange picture, but apparently necessary to avoid seeing their father in a precarious way. What can we learn? We must turn ourselves in such a way to not see certain forbidden things. Why not just close our eyes? Not enough — blindness to the entire world of sense perception…
Yes, where are we now since a killer virus surfaced to destroy lives? Most have tried to adapt, but easier said than done for many. Frustration seems to abound. The highways near my home have become racetracks, shopping pains us to go, restaurants are too risky, professional sports have no longer home and away games — all is fan-less and fun-less — rebellious people spew hatred in newly invented ways. Blame has become popular, as has varied verbal sewage — slander, jealousy, envy, threats. Many unfortunately have shown their true colors and have declined in popularity with the general public, hearts are being revealed — some ugly ones but also some beautiful have come out of their closets. Coping and adaptability also go up and down the grid. Depression rising, so it’s ill effects of addictions and suicide are gaining in number. A true Christian seeks communion with The Divine.…
From a mere sociological view, “Man’s answers to the problem of his existence are in large measure fictional.” ‘His notions of time, space, power, the character of his dialogue with nature, his venture with his fellow man, his primary heroism — all these are embedded in a network of codified meanings and perceptions that are in large part arbitrary and fictional.” “This begins at earliest childhood and it occurs as Adler said: as a reaction to the child’s impossible situation.” Becker “…anthropology has taught us that when a culture comes up against reality, on certain critical points in it’s perceptions, then that culture is indeed eliminated…” Ludwig von Bertalanffy Christians are privileged to know this reality in the Person of Jesus Christ. However, fiction based cultures seem to maintain for long periods before reality sets in. Why? “…because the earth has been so bounteous. There has been plenty to…