Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Last Ounce of Courage

If you haven't seen "Last Ounce of Courage," it's worth your time to go see it. It's a very patriotic movie about taking a stand for the Christian faith and for freedom in America.

The story takes place in a small town, where Christmas has been over-commercialized and the town's leaders are afraid to display the traditional Christmas symbols anymore for fear of a lawsuit. It takes the town's mayor standing up and fighting for religious freedom for the town to restore Christmas to its true meaning — a celebration of the birth of Jesus.

The movie is really about every town in America. We're seeing it happen more and more. In schools, Christmas holiday has become "Winter Holiday," and kids can't even sing Christmas carols at school anymore. In stores, employees are told not to say "Merry Christmas," and many towns don't have the courage to put up manger scenes — or even a Christmas tree — because they're afraid of "offending" someone.

"Last Ounce of Courage" shows us we still have a right to celebrate Christmas and to put the focus back where it belongs — on Jesus! It should remind us all to take a stand in support of our beliefs.

Marshall Teague, who plays the town's mayor in the movie, said in an article we should be proud of America's founding values and stand up for our freedoms of expression.

He says, "Brave men and women have unfortunately lost their lives to defend our freedom. You have the right to religious freedom, the freedom to speak your mind. When that is taken away, what have you got?"

Our freedoms are quickly disappearing in America. We must take them back.  Freedom is worth fighting for, even if it takes our "last ounce of courage!"

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Psalm 103: God's 401(k) Plan

I like reading the Psalms because they remind me of the blessings of God. Psalm 103 is one of my favorites. It is described as "God's Benefits Plan."

The first part of the psalm reminds us to take time to remember all of God's blessings and lists just a few of His benefits:

"Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits —
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s".

Those are awesome benefits! You can't get that kind of benefits in any retirement plan or your 401(k). Only God provides these great blessings! God's benefits plan is all-inclusive. It says He forgives ALL your sins and heals ALL your diseases. He doesn't hold anything back. God will supply ALL your needs (Phil. 4:19).

Another part of Psalm 103 tells about God's endless love and compassion for all who will come to Him and surrender their lives:

"But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts."

God's love for us never ends. It can't run out or go broke like many companies' 401(k) plans. God's love for His children is constant through all generations. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

The last part of the psalm reminds us again to praise the Lord for His benefits and says:

                                    "The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
                                                   and his kingdom rules over all."

In this time of violence and confusion around the world today, we are assured that God rules over all the earth. Right now, we see nations fighting other nations and governments on the verge of collapse. But God's kingdom will never fail!

This psalm gives me great assurance and hope for the future. No matter what happens in the world, I know God's benefits are more than enough to see me through. So I say, like the psalmist, "Praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that's within me, praise His holy name."

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Heaven's Sounding Sweeter

I've been thinking lately about an old hymn, "Heaven's Sounding Sweeter All The Time." I love that old song. Especially now, with all the chaos and violence erupting in the Middle East this week, heaven is sounding better and better all the time.

I really don't think it will be much longer before we see that blessed hope — when Jesus will return to Earth to take His saved ones back to heaven with Him. Everything — and I mean everything — is lining up perfectly with the prophesies in the Old Testament.

In Zechariah 12:2-3, it says, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about... And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces."

When Zechariah spoke those words around 520 BC, Jerusalem lay in ruins. But God said it would become the focus of the world's attention! Last week at the Democratic convention, the party platform was amended so that Jerusalem is no longer recognized as the capital of Israel. The world's attention is now focused on Jerusalem and Israel.

In Zechariah, it also says all nations will turn against Israel. We're seeing that happen every day!

One day, the Bible predicts, Israel will have no allies, and all nations shall be gathered against her. The TV news shows you that we are on the road toward that battle.

Even the U.S., which has been Israel's strongest ally for years, seems to be turning its back on Israel. Yesterday, President Obama snubbed Israel again, saying he doesn't have time to meet with Israel's prime minister when he comes to the U.S. later this month.

Some prophesy scholars believe the return of Christ will coincide with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. So is it a coincidence that these things are happening right before Rosh Hashanah 2012, which occurs next week?

The timetable has been set, and the events are quickly playing out. It's just a matter of time now until we see Jesus return. I can't wait for that day! Yes, heaven's sounding sweeter all the time!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Are We Becoming A Godless Nation?

The Democratic convention won't be remembered for its speeches — not even Bill Clinton's 50-minute speech aggrandizing Barack Obama. It won't be remembered for the broken promises. It won't even be remembered for Obama's empty rhetoric and Socialist agenda.

This convention will be remembered as the year the Democrats took God out of their party's platform. Party leaders removed all references to God and Jerusalem from the platform. Even though they were forced to reinstate the references a day later to save face, the damage has been done — damage to the Democratic Party and damage to the country.

Obama's minions were quick to say the president wanted to put the references to God back in the platform. Don't believe that for a second! This is a clear example of what we can expect if this godless president is returned to office.

I could not believe the way the delegates cheered every time a speaker mentioned killing babies, calling it "women's right to choose." Or how delegates booed when they voted to reinstate references to God to the platform. I couldn't believe that was happening right here in America!

Americans had better wake up. The Bible warns about nations that forget God. Psalm 9:17: "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

Remember, this president has already said America is NOT a Christian nation. He ended all National Day of Prayer observances at the White House. He tried to ban Bibles at Walter Reed Medical Center. Can you see where we're headed? If Obama is re-elected, I guarantee he will do everything he can to take God out of America. Don't think it can't happen here. It can!

America was at its best when it was truly a God-fearing nation, and the more ungodly we become, the weaker we have become in every aspect. We're already seeing the curses on America because the country has rejected God.

I read this quote in an article: "When a nation turns from God, all these curses come, and sadly, they are here:

Our food supply is foreign;

Our financial system is foreign;

Our military is stretched to the max;

Our leaders are the tail and not the head;

Our nation has become perverted and corrupt, and God has removed His hand of blessing!"
It's not too late for America yet. If we will return to Him and repent of our sins, because of His great compassion and love, God will forgive us. But time is running out. If you're not right with God, I wouldn't wait another day to make things right! You can't wait! Jesus could return before this election. He could return today. Are you ready? Really ready?

No matter who wins the election, America will never be the same. Our only hope is Christ! THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN GOD AND GOVERNMENT. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” Psalm 33:12; “The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17.

Think about it. Then go to God in prayer and make sure you know where you're going to spend eternity.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Send in the Clowns!

Let the freak show begin! This week, top Democrats and their delegates (a.k.a. the "Occupiers") will hold their propaganda dog-and-pony show in Charlotte. Strap on your waders! We're about to jump into the cesspool of politics!

Why do Democrats have to be so mean? You know their entire convention will be about attacking Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. Yeah, Republicans did the same to Obama last week, but their attacks were all true. Obama is a failed president. He can't run on his record. He has to run FROM his record.

This week will be quite a contrast from last week's Republican convention. Let's compare:

Last week, we heard the success stories of people like Marco Rubio, Susana Martinez and Kelly Ayotte. This week, they'll have failed politicians like "Jimma Karta" (Jimmy Carter), Dirty Harry Reid and Nazi Pelosi.

Last week, we saw the inspirational video and speech from 30-year-old Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love. This week, they'll have 30-year-old grad student Sandra Fluke, who still wants the government to pay for her birth control.

We had men of faith like Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum. They'll have the president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund and a lesbian congresswoman.

We had speeches from powerful women like Condoleeza Rice and Governors Nikki Haley and Mary Fallin. They have speeches from Gwen Moore, Donna Edwards and Rosa DeLauro. Never heard of them? ME EITHER!!

We had the inspiring speech from Ann Romney. They have anti-American first lady Michelle Obama.

We had Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood!! They have Desperate Housewives bimbo Eva Longoria. (They must really be desperate!)

We had budget expert Paul Ryan and successful businessman and CEO Mitt Romney. They have idiot Joe Biden and community organizer Barack Obama, who didn't pass a single budget in the four years he's been in office.

The choice is pretty obvious, don't you think?