May 23, 2013

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U.S. Supreme Court Protects the Cross

March 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The U.S. Supreme Court Protects The Cross

After a holiday season where atheist organizations across the country seemed to have a run of legal victories which successfully removed Christ from Christmas, their win streak came to an end this past January.  The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a final appeal in a lawsuit challenging the use of state funds to renovate an 11-story cross atop southern Illinois’ tallest peak, ending the legal dispute spanning more than two years.

The nation’s high court declined without comment to review confessed atheist Robert Sherman’s request to hear his case. It involved a $20,000 grant given in 2008 for the 111-foot-high Bald Knob Cross of Peace near Alto Pass.  The cross was built largely thanks to local farmers’ profits from selling pigs. It has been a fixture on the 1,025-foot-high Bald Knob Mountain, looking over forests and the region’s orchards and wine country. Easter services have been held on the mountain since 1937…and it looks like this Easter they will continue with the tradition.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/25/supreme-court-rejects-atheist-appeal-over-11-story-illinois-cross/

 

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President Obama Travels to Israel

March 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

President Obama Travels to Israel

No miracles to shore-up the U.S. and Israel relationship are expected as President Obama makes his first visit to Israel next week after being in office for over four years.  The good news is when Obama steps off Air Force One on Israeli soil he’ll feel the immediate safety of landing in friendly territory.  No doubt the President will be struck by the warm hospitality in a faraway land.  Previously, four sitting U.S. Presidents (Nixon, Carter, Clinton, Bush) have been able to consider Israel their second home while visiting the hostile environment of the Middle East, whether Obama gets to that point is yet to been seen.

 Whatever differences the U.S. has with Israel about Iran’s nuclear program, both countries agree they must prevent Tehran from successfully developing nuclear technology. With the Arab Spring destabilizing Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, hopefully Obama will get a new perspective on what to do about the revolution going on in Syria. No matter how unsavory the regime in Syria, U.S. and Israeli officials know, as Russia has warned, things could get a lot worse toppling the Syria President, Bashar al-Assad.

So what’s the most we can hope for with this inaugural visit?  We are being told that Obama will assure the 63-year-old Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that the U.S. will in fact support President Ronald Reagan, President George Bush Sr., and President George W. Bush with the philosophy, “No negotiations with terrorists” regardless of the political circumstances.  Please join me in praying for our President during his visit as we are “urged” to do so in 1Timothy 2:1-4:

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

http://www.rr.com/local/topic/article/rr/4473267/82854961/Obama_resets_relations_with_Israel

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Red Carpet Treatment

February 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Red Carpet Treatment

On February 27, 2012 I wrote a blog entitled “Academy Awards”.  In that blog I gave the history behind how the Academy Awards came about.  At the conclusion, I sarcastically wrote that I might blog about the history of the “Red Carpet”.  Surprise!  Here is Wikipedia’s version of the royal truth about every celebrity’s fantasy:

The earliest known reference to walking a red carpet can be found in a play written in 458 B.C. entitled “Agamemnon by Aeschylus”.  When the title character returns from Troy, he is greeted by his vengeful wife, Clytemnestra, who offers him a red path to walk upon:

 ”Now my beloved, step down from your chariot, and let not your foot, my lord, touch the Earth. Servants, let there be spread before the house he never expected to see, where Justice leads him in, a crimson path.”  Agamemnon, knowing that only gods walk on such luxury, responds with trepidation, “I am a mortal, a man; I cannot trample upon these tinted splendors without fear thrown in my path.”

The first actual modern day “red carpet” roll out may have occurred in 1821 when U.S. President James Madison arrived at a river welcoming.  Later in 1902, the New York Central Railroad used plush red carpets to direct people as they boarded their 20th Century Limited passenger train. This is believed to be the origin of the phrase “red-carpet treatment”.

Since that time, a red carpet has become traditional with the Oscars.   In fact, it is this annual event that is being credited with the increase in popularity for the now famous way to offer a special welcome to people held in high regard.

So there you go…a play which alluded to false gods, a U.S. President, and the railroad are credited with paving the path for rolling out the red carpet at the Academy Awards.   Are you wiser for reading this blog?  No…but hopefully it distracted you enough to get your Monday morning creative juices flowing again.  Now get back to work :)     

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Should America Take A Global Stand for the Persecuted Christian?

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Should America Take A Global Stand for the Persecuted Christian

Should America be the one to stand-up for the persecuted Christians in the Middle East?  The argument commonly heard is, “If not us, then who?”  I’m certain a Christian woman and her family in Egypt would like to see the U.S. take more of a stand abroad.

The Egyptian government zeroed in on Nadia Mohamed Ali, an Egyptian woman, and handed down an alarming 15 year prison sentence for converting back to Christianity after her Muslim husband passed away. 

Rep. Frank Wolf, (R-Va.), co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus here in the U.S. says, “Too often we in the West have turned a blind eye to the suffering of persecuted people of faith.” 

This may be true but it may also be because we are now finding our country in an internal battle over Christian beliefs like never before.  The world may still see us as a Christian nation…but are we?

“…Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!’” (Luke 19:40)

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/22/us-urged-to-aid-egyptian-family-facing-prison-for-converting-to-christianity/

 

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Veterans Day History

November 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Veterans Day is the official federal holiday when we celebrate and honor all armed service veterans.  Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who lost their lives while serving. Veterans Day was originally known as “Armistice Day”, but Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans,” and it has been known as Veterans Day ever since.  What was Armistice you may ask?

Armistice was the agreement the Germans signed at the end of World War I.  This signing formally ended the military conflict at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Therefore we acknowledge here in America that the official day to show homage to our Veterans is always on November 11th.  However, we find ourselves celebrating today Monday, November 12th, as well because anytime a federal holiday falls on a Sunday, most of us take Monday off from work.  This is a prime example of the unique freedom we enjoy here in America because of the sacrifices our military men and women have made over the years.

So with sincere honor, appreciation, and gratitude I say to my family, friends, and all military personnel both current and past:

“THANK YOU!”

“Thank You” for helping to secure our freedom here in the United States of America.  The “One Nation Under God” that I hope and pray will continue to remain “indivisible”.

 

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Puerto Rico: The 51st State?

November 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Is the United States of America going to expand from 50 states to 51?  Here is news hot off the press from Election Day.  Puerto Rico voted in favor of changing their relationship with the U.S.A.  54% of the voting populous decided they wanted to change from their current status of being a U.S. territory to actual statehood.  The success of this vote marked the first time in history the people voted to become one with their North American legislators.

This brings to light a question that will be placed directly on to President Obama’s lap.  Is 54% a large enough majority to consider their request?  If so, then there is a good chance that Puerto Rico would become the 51st state to make up this great nation.

Here are some basic statistics regarding Puerto Rico:

* Geography: It is located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The main island is Puerto Rico but it includes various smaller islands

* Population: 3,706,690

* Currency:  U.S. Dollar

* Economy: It is weak due to a heavy reliance on tourism and currently has a 15% to 17% unemployment rate

* Official Language:  Spanish and English

* Main religion:  Roman Catholic and Protestant

* Main Sport: Baseball

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/07/puerto-ricans-opt-for-statehood-in-referendum/

 

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Coke and Communism; It’s The Real Thing

June 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Coke and communism appear to be going hand in hand in the near future.  The Union of Myanmar, otherwise known as Burma, has just found out that Coke will be selling its product for the first time in 60 years.  The U.S. government is about to remove its investment sanction because of the country’s democratic reform.

I can speak to this issue from personal experience.  While I was in Thailand this past October, we crossed over into Myanmar.  The reason for crossing the border into a communist country is a topic for another blog.  However, I can verify that Myanmar has definitely embraced the democratic way.

The minute we crossed from Thailand to Myanmar, we were greeted with solicitors that made the Tijuana border street vendors look like amateurs.  We could buy everything from hand carved wood workings, to clothing with famous labels.  How do I know they were legitimate labels?  Because the price was the same as though I was shopping in Times Square in New York City…no deals to be found in Myanmar.

However, the most amazing item I discovered for sale was right outside a Buddhist temple.  The item was a necklace with the cross of Jesus.  That’s right, the most famous symbol for Christianity for sale right outside the Buddhist temple and on Buddhist land.  If that is not an example of democracy, then I don’t know what is…I guess the biblical scripture found in the book of Mark Chapter 16, Verse 15 is truly occurring:

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”

 

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3 Training Requirements

May 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Alex Morgan, a member of the U.S. National Soccer Team who is heading to the 2012 Olympics, gave 3 requirements for training like an Olympian.  In a recent interview, she stated that diet, motivation, and exercise are essential when training.

I find it interesting that even back in the days when Paul was writing certain portions of the Bible, he referenced sporting events as an example as to how we should conduct ourselves as Christians.  Here are 3 scriptures to support my point:

“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” (2Timothy 2:5)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” (2Timothy 4:7)

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.” (1Cornithians 9:24)

Paul had a great understanding of the correlation between what it takes to keep our physical bodies in shape and what it takes to keep our spiritual life intact.  If Paul were alive today, I could see him being a huge fan of the Olympic games, the Dodgers…and maybe even the Angels.

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