Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts

Monday, August 26, 2013

Homeschool- First Day of Fifth Grade

Well, I have a headache....

Yes, I feel like I could just go to bed and sleep and call it a day, BUT it isn't due to home school, I have the bee sting inflicted at our local pool the previous day to thank for that. The sting ensued into a sleepless night with a foot soak at a god-forsaken hour and high doses of Vitamin C to curb the pain. It felt like I rolled my ankle and touching the sheets with my foot was instant pain. I finally hobbled to my bed and managed two hours of decent shut-eye before the big First Day arrived.

With body pain behind me, the first day of home school seems promising. We were able to accomplish the first day's work in a well paced time format. No feeling rushed or lackadaisical or lost with the material. We still have our concerns about certain subjects but over all feel we have a handle and can maneuver through the gamut.

In fact, the day felt so normal, Alex associated the daily events as, "Summer but with Academics". I was happy to hear she was relaxed, to make sure there was no surprise, I gave a little foresight wisdom that the course material will get harder.

Fifth Grade Profile Picture: Growing Up 

We got up and got ready, ate breakfast together and sent Dad off with a, "love you and have a good day." We walked the dog for morning exercise, began our Reading and Writing section with Poetry selections of Henry Wordsworth Longfellow. Read Mark 1 and discussed what was going on in the chapter and took notes on the History book Discoverers and Explorers by Edward Shaw. This book opened up some pathways to my old days of school and helped me remember Prince Henry of Portugal, the Father of exploration who set up a school and launched the likes of Eric the Red.

We refreshed in Science what invertebrates and vertebrate animal classifications were about and discussed how a nervous system applies to the lesson. It was great to learn a new word, notochord; the rod of cartilage that supports your spinal chord and helps protect vertebrates nerves.

We even did a small music refresher and read a bit on woodwind instruments. I learned the piccolo is is considered by many to be the most difficult wind instrument to play.

She also was able to get a few minutes drum practice in before heading to her Math Class. (Not to mention, a run to the grocery store)

As we were at the computer, reading, talking, hanging out and giggling, Alex came up with these pros herself for homeschooling.


PROS
1) I can ask a question right away
2) I feel comfortable at home
3) I can snack whenever I am hungry
4) I can call my teacher (Mom) a wacko and she won't get mad
5) I can get my work done in about 4 hours compared to 7 hours
6) I don't really have any homework


Fifth Grade Home School Year Book: A Fresh Beginning

Mom's Pro List
1) I can be the teacher and class-clown
2) I can oversee what is being taught
3) I get to hang-out with a pretty cool person all day
4) Homeschooling lines up with my life motto: Simplicity 
5) No agenda but learning 
6) Opportunities are endless

A con we both worry about is making friends. It can feel a little lonely out here in home school land. I think we'll be fine though, pro-active people usually take a con and turn it around in their favor. 

The journey continues....
Stay tuned as we explore, discover and make new trails. We may run into a few bumps and bruises along the way but that's all part of the adventure....right?!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Pagan Nation

Our family just got back from a wonderful vacation at Disney World and now my daughter is on Spring Break from school. We've been filling recent time with a little fun I would say.

These back to back fun filled excursions have broken us from the normal routine. We are somewhat sheltered from what goes on in the world, some of this is intentional. We just don't like the rat race and the keeping up with the Joneses and the constant go, go, go. I always joke I'm going to be the grandma that doesn't know how to work the newest techno gadget and I can't wait to call whatever it is "that darn new fangled thing." 

By: HikingArtist.com
This post is titled Pagan Nation. Pagan means country dweller or heathen, and the word usually conjures up scenes of ancient civilizations harvesting crops and their seasonal festivals and feasts celebrated by sacrifice to their gods. America has its own form of Pagan worship through the guise of taking care of the Earth and depicting humans as thoughtless inhabitors who abuse it but can save it if they change and make the effort to make a difference. The worship doesn't have to be in the form of witches, spells and Hollywood antics. It is an I'm alright your alright everything goes mentality with a focus on nature. (Just look up paganism on google and there's a wealth of information) it doesn't take much anymore to show the Pagan slant our country takes.

Disney World is family oriented and has a rhythm of its own. You do feel time has its own beat and you do not focus too much on what is outside the property line when you are there. My daughter, husband and I were walking along the lake at Epcot leisurely licking the caramel, ginger ice cream we found from the Japanese pagoda nestled among the various restaurants depicting countries of the world. It was dark and that nights fireworks show was about to begin. We parked our tushes under a large fire lit lantern and began to watch the show unfold. It was an amazing show with fireworks reflecting on the lake. Something told me to pay attention to what the announcer said as the details of the show unraveled. I was just happy seeing all the amazing pyrotechnics and wasn't really interested in the narration but I was glad I payed attention. The announcer mentioned how communities around the world gathered around the bonfire and a large barge in the middle of the lake burst into flames and all the lanterns along the lake shot out their fire high into the sky. The announcer proceeded to talk about the earth as a big ball glided into the center of the lake and opened up to reveal more fire and fireworks. The announcer mentioned healing the earth and a few other things that give everyone a feel good message about our duty to come together through community to take care of the earth. Frankly, it was a big production that sickened me. My dad was standing next to me and I leaned over to his ear and told him, "I'm sick of all this Earth worship I see everywhere."  The ice cream just wasn't enjoyable after that.

I just got home from taking my daughter to see The Lorax. We laughed and giggled and had a great time, but I found myself warning her of the messages of indoctrination throughout the film. The overall message was a decent one but the anti-capitalist, humans destroy everything message was loud and sung clearly throughout the show. I remember warning her about the same 'humans stink' message in Wall-E, another annoying film depicting the human race as fat, lazy, stupid idiots who destroy earth.

And to think our kids are bombarded day in and day out with this message. Ive seen this collective minded 'save the world' message in various forms and degrees in schools, businesses, ads, games etc. I know this is why people so blindly shrug it off because it is blanketed within every aspect of our life. Some may not care and go on with girders on, some still don't care and can't even see the spiritual deception of it all and some do know and teach their children as I do.

I am smiling right now as God brings to memory what he showed me a few weeks back in Psalms 104. (I blogged about it) Do you see the wonderful teaching hand of God as I do? He made something I knew (the fact He is in control and is the sustainer of the Earth and all that is in it) so real through the teaching experiences at Epcot and The Lorax. If I wasn't paying attention at those moments, I wouldn't be praising God right now for all He is and does. This gave me an opportunity to worship HIM and to praise HIM for the glorious handiwork I live in and enjoy. If only the world would get it right and worship the one who Created the Earth instead of the Earth itself, what a difference that would make!

What are some every day examples you've noticed of Pagan worship?

 

The Worn Soapbox

My soapbox is firmly planted, I put my right foot on the worn surface. I stop, my knee bent and see a ragged hole or two on the surface, I look at it with pride before my left foot follows and I plant my body firmly in the middle. I scan the view before me as my head turns from right to left. My eyes encompass a foggy, barren field but my mouth opens anyway.
Photo by: Gracey

For those sparse few that read my blog, you understand I use it for many purposes. I often wield words against unjust causes and harshly scrutinize the world yet on the other hand will gush sentiment over a bee on a flower. I write what life teaches me. This post is dedicated to the few who see truth, don't try to change it to fit their world, embrace it, let it change them and go on to valiantly write and/or stand on the soapbox and open their mouths to speak what they have learned.

The Possession


My soapbox is the possession I carry on my narrow walk. Sometimes I sit on it, other times I kick it around. I pick it up every now and then and sling it over my shoulder, I let it dangle down my back and move along the narrow path waiting for the time when the cumbersome square will once again lift off my shoulder to be set on a level plane and bare the weight I carry.

The Path

The longer I try to walk the narrow road the more sensitive the rocky path seems to feel beneath my feet. The prick of the jagged rock is not a feeling you shrink from but one you welcome because you know it is there to teach you to be aware; to pay strict attention to lest you should misstep and fall.
Photo by: imageafter

The Perception

Subtle whispers echo across the wide road only to hit your ear drums as loud roars. So you shout back in order to be heard through all the background noise packaged in so many forms categorizing them would be a useless task. You try to be succinct in your call so the words will travel across the chasm with full force and hopes that those who are faced in the right direction will be able to transmit the faint noise.
Photo by: Aunt Owwee

The Reason

JESUS
He is the light to my path, He keeps my way straight. He teaches, reveals and guides me along the way and balances me in the process. (Psalms 23:3, 25:4 Proverbs 3:6, 4:11)

To walk on the narrow path is to take up your cross and follow Him. Sometimes He requires you push forward with nothing but the clothes on your back, sometimes to give your last possession to another you meet along the way, other times you will rest when you want to run forward. Sometimes He will hide and you will have to seek. Along the way you learn to know His voice but it gets even better with His promise to one day see His face.

I plan to keep following him along the path with my worn soapbox in tow.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Simple But Profound : Kindness

Sometimes when I work I use my phone and ear buds for listening to music. Eventually the station I like plays too many re-runs or has background static, so I scroll through my other options and today I heard a message on the CNN radio network. I don't keep up with christian radio but every once in a while I'll tune in and when I do a man named Alistair Begg tends to be the one that I really listen to. Not only because I like his British/Scottish accent but because he tends to teach the Gospel without diluting or changing it. In fact, his message was about that topic today; keeping the Word of God pure. He talked about Paul's relationship with Timothy and keeping the legacy of the Gospel alive for future generations. He spoke of apostleship and how we need to take special measures to guard the truth. (2 Timothy)

I immediately thought of our roles as a parents, we are the first torch bearer that either passes the torch on or let it go out. As a parent you are the "priest" of the family and what a huge responsibility that is. I find myself constantly assessing if I am living, teaching the truth of the Gospel. Do I handle the scripture correctly? Am I a living example of Jesus changing me? Do I live what I preach, do I walk the talk?

Alistair talked about the role encouragement takes in the life of the believer. Paul was in prison awaiting execution when he wrote to Timothy. Paul's letter was one of encouragement despite his circumstances. (Paul thought of Timothy as his "son" in Christ)

Then Alistair made a great point, "Mental cleverness may live on in the printed page, eloquence will quickly be forgotten, but genuine kindness will live on in the hearts of men for many a generation."

Then I asked myself, Do I express that simple lesson so easily missed, yet pours out on the pages as you read the Word, do I express kindness? The act of kindness certainly is encouragement. Paul wrote to Titus about doing what is good. Chapter 3, verse 3-8. "And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good."

Knowing truth also requires acting on it; in the correct manner. Titus 1:12, "Say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and live self controlled, upright and godly lives...

I can honestly say I have failed in that simple act (sometimes knowingly and sometimes from neglect). I can write about my favorite words, I can post a flowery lesson on what  God is teaching me but the lasting lesson that binds and lives on is born from the conviction and heart behind it.

My lesson for today was a simple yet deeply profound one. How you handle truth and pass that to others makes a memory; which one are you going to make? A good-kind one that shows the fruit of the Spirit, or one from the flesh that bares nothing.

Please let me know what opportunities God lays in your path to show kindness.

* Click on Alistairs name to hear his message on the Legacy of the Gospel...

Update: Watch out for the social gospel... it is not kindness. It is putting the cart before the horse. The gospel is speaking truth in love even at the cost of offense. True kindness is founded in this not feeling or emotion.

Sadly, Alistair is hanging with the Ecumenical crowd... he won't be sound much longer... 6/14/2019.
:(


  

Sunday, January 29, 2012

His Wondrous Works Still Speak Truth Today: Psalm 104

A while back I wrote a post describing how God eliminated a wrong way of thinking I had. It had to do with this big ball we call the Earth. My misconception was born from incorrect teaching and my failing to research and ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance in the Word. Thank goodness for time and the people that God places in your life because He finally showed me through correct teaching and my own seeking what the truth really was. Talk about freeing and invigorating and walking on cloud nine. Chucking the old and replacing with the new was such a great experience I love to go back and reminisce quite often about this particular lesson with the Lord.
NASA Photo

I notice that once the Lord lays your foundation of faith through letting Him teach you, He likes to build upon it. He did this for me today when I was reading more about His wondrous handiwork in Psalms 104. What a beautiful, poetic passage! The title of the chapter in my Hebrew Greek Key Study Bible is God is the Creator.  The first line starts with "Praise the Lord, O my soul," and mine was soaring as I continued reading the description of our Maker's personal involvement in His creation.

At verse 30  I had to stop and smile because this verse talks about sustainability. A word our culture and the modern, industrial age has embraced. The word is everywhere; ads, marketing, teaching material, documentaries. I see time and again a negative ploy against humans because we are 'destroying the Earth' our carbon footprint is the cause supposedly. I don't spend too much time on the issue because it is an absurd one. Don't get me wrong, I am for stewardship and conservation; humans need to be responsible, no argument there. BUT....let's get down to the nitty gritty of the matter. The earth is eternal and it will stay that way by the grace and plan of God.

Psalm 104:30 states God, the magnificent Creator of the Earth; the great ball we live on and use, is also its Sustainer. "...and You (God) RENEW the face of the earth."

And may the Lord get the glory (verse 31) for it.

The Hebrew word "earth" translated from verse 30 is 'Adamah' and means "ground" "land" and "country". It refers to the soil, agriculture, fruit, produce , region and even the ENTIRE EARTH. ( page 1575 - Lexical Aids to the Old Testament)

The Merriam Webster Definition of the word: Sustain: 1 to provide with nourishment 2 to keep going: prolong 3 to hold up:prop 4 to hold up under: ENDURE 5 to support as true, legal, or valid: prove corroborate.

A Godly perspective of sustainability sure does take a weight off the human race! Knowing God will nourish and prolong the earth through eternity and the fact His previous, present and future actions proved valid and true in His word should make us REJOICE!

Since the last verse in Psalms 104 rightly states my sentiments I'll quote it now, "Praise The Lord."

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Wondrous Works Of God

Photo by Alex Brown
My daughter Alex and I have our best chats just before bedtime. Pillow talk has become a pastime we both look forward to. Often we end up talking about God and that always leads into a late night and more subject matter to build on for our future pillow talks.

One night Alex said, "Mom, why don't we make a list of all the awesome things God has done in the Bible," after we just got done listing a few things He had done for us personally. We started with a few from the top of our head and realized we would need to get a pencil and a lot of paper as we proceeded to list things from the Bible.

We started this exercise as something fun to do and it has started to branch into something more. We started in the very beginning, Genesis. I began to think, "since God has done all this why do I fret, and get anxious especially when he has proven over and over again through His Word and through His active participation in my life that He IS ALL that He says He is and DOES ALL that He says He's going to do.  The phrase, "O, ye of little faith" from Matthew 8:26 just hung in the back of my head as a mirror of my frailty for not always fully trusting Him when evidence is so easily documented. (I won't get into all the ways in which this is born out, that is another post)

No one likes being reminded of the things lacking or in need of refining in their life, yet the task in writing out the amazing, awesome things God has performed for our well-being, benefit and strengthening of our faith makes me reflect on His utter goodness, His plan, His glory and through this I am strengthened with a new perspective.

Take a look at this list packed full of amazing wonders God personally performed for you and me. We barely made it out of the first chapter of Genesis. ( Alex said we will probably take a year to get our list done..she's probably right!)

CREATION:
1.   Universe (Heavens and the Earth)     Genesis 1:1
2.   Angels                                                 Job 38:1-7
3.   Light                                                   Genesis 1:3
4.   Day and Night (Time)                        Genesis 1:4,5
5.   Water                                                  Genesis 1:6
6.   Atmosphere (Firmament)                   Genesis 1:8
7.   Land                                                    Genesis 1:9,10
8.   Sea                                                      Genesis 1:10
9.   Plants                                                  Genesis 1:11
10. Moon (lesser)                                      Genesis 1:14,16
11. Sun (greater)                                       Genesis 1:1,4 16
12. Stars                                                    Genesis 1:16
13. Sea Life                                               Genesis 1:20,21
14. Birds                                                    Genesis 1: 20, 21
15. Animals                                               Genesis 1:24
16. Man (In His image)                             Genesis 1:26, 27
17. Food (vegetarian)                                Genesis 1:29,30
18. Rest                                                     Genesis 2:2

If you ever have a chance to watch the documentary God of Wonders your spirit will rejoice in the creation of our Intelligent Designer.
Another must watch documentary series for educational viewing is, Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution with Dr. Jobe Martin.

Netflix had both of these on the instant watch recently.

What wondrous things has God done in your life?

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Current News Article Helps Put Perspective on OBE

I have spent much time on past history of the Outcome Based System. I was happy to have this current news article surface. It was posted October 27, 2011 by The Blaze Website and Titled, Education Teacher's Union Offered Grant to Create 'Activists' Out of 1st and 2nd Graders by Tiffany Gabbay.

Before you read it, remember the beginning post of this education journey and how I stressed the importance of words and language.

Remember William Spady's admission he was a "wordsmith"

Remember the video of the NEA stating their goal wasn't about the children but power and support of this declaration was given with standing ovation.

Now go ahead and read the article.
I'll give you a minute or two....

What a relief the superintendent knew the language was dubious and declined the grant. That he "asserts that the teachers' intent and meaning of "activism" differed from the obvious interpretation."

Let me make a point that can easily go unnoticed. Don’t let anyone fool you, just because integrity and good intention may be behind some of the teachers wanting to use this, one can’t be naive to the fact the federal government is the one who is ultimately in control and will dictate the requirements for curriculum. They may say you have the reigns but who provides the money and the framework?

Did you notice the Activist's Library? It was filled with known supporters of Marxist-Leninist, Communist ideology. 'Ahem'... Saul Alinsky.

And remember the root of how Socialism and fascism works; from the top down. This system leaves no room for individual freedom's to be exerted. Control from the top down means your intentions get left by the wayside and you in turn support something wrong and downright evil.

Sometimes life demands we shun a system even when good people are entangled in the web. How else can freedom reign?

We must be expert linguists and listeners in order to overcome this great deception. People like William Spady find the time to weave words to further their ideology just as the snake cunningly deceived Eve with the twisting of God's words.

I'm not exactly sure who Edmund Morrison is but I like his quote:
"Like stones, words are laborious and unforgiving, and the fitting of them together, like the fitting of stones, demands great patience and strength of purpose and particular skill."

We need to be attuned to what the language user's purpose and skill support as they are building a foundation. In simple terms the saying, "sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us," needs a revamp. Words craftily strung together can deceive, our bones may not be broken but something much worse is at stake, our souls.

Monday, May 16, 2011

The "Ergotized" Kingdom And The Farmer Who Saves The Crop

I should be attending my Monday chores of cleaning up the house after the weekend onslaught of messes but I think this is a more important matter. All weekend long I have been reflecting on the Matthew 13 parable Jesus told his disciples about the darnel and the wheat; the word Mercy kept scrolling through my mind as I thought about the story.

As the heading note in The Chronological New Testament states, "It is important to understand the term, "Kingdom of Heaven". Found only in Matthews gospel, it describes the current age in which we live." It is important to understand the wheat is the true followers of Christ and the darnel is the many deceptions that lead one astray. One can list many, many things that fall under the darnel category.

As I read the story and got to verse 29, the reason the word mercy was so prominent in my thoughts made sense. The servants of the field had found out the enemy sowed weeds in the framers field and asked the farmer if they should take care of the problem immediately. The farmer replied, "No, lest perhaps while you gathered up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them."

Darnel is called false wheat, it looks just like real wheat except it has unworthy attributes. (See the amazing facts below taken from botanical.com by Mrs. M Grieve)

1)When Darnel has been given medicinally in a harmful quantity, it is recorded to have produced all the symptoms of drunkenness: a general trembling, followed by inability to walk, hindered speech and vomiting.

2)The ancients supposed it to cause blindness, hence with the Romans, lolio victitare, to live on Darnel, was a phrase applied to a dim-sighted person.

3)The alleged poisonous properties of Darnel are now generally believed to be due to a fungus.

4)It is said that the country people of Cheshire believed Darnel to be 'degenerated wheat'

5) In the East it is a more serious enemy to the farmer, and in the low-lying districts of the Lebanon and other parts of Palestine it becomes alarmingly plentiful. If inadvertently eaten it produces sickness, dizziness, and diarrhoea. It would seem that the 'malice aforethought' of sowing this wild grass deliberately (as in our Lord's parable), was a not unusual practice. The following is a quotation from an old newspaper:
'The Country of Ill-Will is the by-name of a district hard by St. Arnaud, in the north of France. There tenants, when ejected by a landlord, or when they have ended their tenancy on uncomfortable terms, have been in the habit of spoiling the crop to come by vindictively sowing tares, and other coarse strangling weeds, among the wheat, whence has been derived the sinister name of the district. The practice has been made penal, and any man proved to have tampered with any other man's harvest will be dealt with as a criminal.'
6) Chemically the seeds contain an acrid fixed oil and a yellow glucoside, but as far as microscopical appearances indicate, the Darnel contains nothing that is not contained in wheat, and analysis has not yet revealed its poisonous elements.

I find it amazing that even modern science has trouble distinguishing the false from the real and in the case of darnel, a new word to describe its malice has been created in order to describe it. The word is ergotize and means to be poisoned by grain...

Can you see why the farmer said to wait until harvest? Can you see how sneaky the evil sower is trying to"ergotize" the real? (Religion, in ALL sects, forms and denomonations worldwide certainly are candidates for being placed under that "darnel" category.)

Can you see the wonderful act of grace and compassion in the decision of the farmer? He waits until the harvest where only a trained eye can distinguish the real from the fake. Isn't He the only one who knows our hearts? (Jeremiah 17:10)

The good news of the wheat and the darnel parable is this; the farmer; Jesus, came to fulfill the promises given in order to save us from being strangled out by the darnel. If we keep our eyes on Him, take up our cross and follow Him, learn to submit to what His will is through obedience made possible only through a daily relationship, we can be made ready for the harvest and "shine forth like the sun." (Matthew 13:43). The field is the world, the wheat is the real and the darnel is the false.

Jesus and all He has done and IS, is MERCY. He is the "farmer" that constantly tends to the crop, surveying the heart (substance) that seeks His truth. He makes strong those "stalks" of wheat that reject the facade of the darnel as it bides its time growing in the Kingdom of Heaven side by side.

The truth will set you free...(John 8:32) even in a world choked with weeds...

Friday, April 29, 2011

Chronological New Testament: A Few Thoughts


"Do whatever He tells you"
by andycoan

I've been reading The Chronological New Testament, and have been eating up every page. As I read the books of the New Testament on the timeline in which they happened, I find certain dynamics being revealed in such a way that it caused me to feel as if I was reading The New Testament for the first time.

I wondered why the members who debated, studied and eventually put together the twenty-seven books known as the New Testament Canon, did it in the order they did. I've heard some evidence points to the notion the books in the order we are use to were aligned this way in order to help make doctrinal issues clear. Without going into that tangent; following the order of events as they took place in time has only helped make doctrine clear for me and I've read the New Testament in "traditional" order many many times and have never seen things as clear. The problems that arose and how they were addressed, the struggle to keep the church pure, the teachings of Jesus born out in believers life through real experiences all follows the sequence and definately reveals a pattern that if we pay attention shows us clearly how the church should function.

Does the modern church live this pattern out? There's some homework for ya!

There have been many moments where the words have popped off the page and started a brainstorm of thoughts. Since being part of the church means sharing your experiences with the Lord with other believers I thought I'd at least share how this book, put into action by a believer so others could benefit, has at least on a basic level helped spur me on in my understanding of how to walk with God and be an active participant in His church (I Corinthians 16:15-18 CNT WebVersion).

The book starts off with the preparation of men who were to take God's message out into the world, Acts 1-11. Paul's experiences have a great impact on the church and as the text unfolds I notice I can relate as the Holy Spirit has taught me some of those same things through my own personal experiences and have also given me reason to keep trying for those things I know I lack.

I read 2 Corinthians 11 and 12 and I can understand Paul's point, talking about his weakness is made strong in Christ. In chapter 11 he talks of being unskilled in speech yet he speaks boldy the things of Christ. There are times I feel the worlds weight glaring down on the truth and my flesh wants to quiver and hide, yet through the Holy Spirit's strength and guidance He has made my mind sharp and strong able to dispell the world's reasoning in order to show Christ's glory for what it truly is. I am honored and humbled this vessel was used to Christ's gain.

I read chapter 11 verses 22-33 and if you look at that account of peril through fleshly eyes it makes no sense that someone would go through all that for his fellow believer and to be obedient to Christ. Why would someone choose this path of constant struggle and pain? Then in chapter 12 the Lord sends a demon to keep Paul in check, he even asks for it to be removed and the Lord says no and Paul responds with gladness. Paul understood the principle of sumbission at all cost because his gain was Christ. His spiritual life meant more to him then the fleshly, time condensed one he had now. Being able to go through this willingly and gladly has to have personal, knowledge and devotion to something alive and tangible and utterly true. From a fleshly point Paul would look insane but when someone has found the truth and knows it, they are a rock unmoveable and it doesn't matter what the rest of the world thinks.

I ask myself the hard question, Could I go through what Paul went through to follow Christ? (Remember Christ was our ultimate example in what He gave for us)

The more I talk to God, get to know Jesus and follow what the Holy Spirit teaches me through real life events, I'd like to think, YES. Experience to experience I am being transformed by the reality of Christ in my life and the joy given only by God surpasses any worldly sorrows.  There is gladness in my weakness because He is being glorified for who He truly is and I get to be part of something I don't deserve. I am coming to understand what taking up your cross really means through the personal teaching of the Holy Spirit as He reveals to me what I need to do or what He wants to do, confirmation of it in scripture and then relating it to other believers carrying their cross too. Now that is the real church and I am proud to be part of it.

As the first lines in the Chronological New Testament say, "The first church was not the one in Jerusalem; it was Jesus and the 12 disciples. The real pattern cannot be based on mere assumptions drawn from letters Paul and others wrote. Jesus set the example for His church."  It is based on relationship.

Paul is a shining example of following Jesus' pattern, as were countless others in the New Testament, and we must include the righteous in the Old Testament as well. The fact I am offered the chance (my life) to try and follow the example and pattern too makes my spirit soar....

Thanks to Ken Brown and James Dinsmore for putting together the Chronological New Testament!

Note: The picture above has special significance pertaining to my walk with God...2 Kings 4...when I found this on the photosite I use the title the photographer gave it sealed the deal for my choice in using it with this post...

Saturday, January 22, 2011

The Wolf in Sheeps Clothing

Ideas Shape The Course of History
John Maynard Keynes

In the world of 21st Century politics it is common knowledge and safe to assume that power is at the core of what is debated, analyzed, struggled over and what ultimately shapes the laws that control life's qualities. To make the definition of politics simple it can easily be described as a moral war fought out through ideologies.
I like asking questions where you know I'm going to give my answer to them so hear it goes... If politics is an ongoing moral war, why do people view it as a separate subject from religion, economics and education when in reality politics effects and encompasses this broad spectrum? While you gather your answer I want try my best to explain how ideologies or what I like to call thoughts and beliefs shape our views and influence us to become side takers in this moral war.
Before I proceed I want to go back to the prize of this moral war; power, and ask another question. If power is the ultimate glory of winning the moral war and comes at a great price, what is the power used for?

First, I'd like to introduce you to the teacher's of ideology, the moralist. The definition of a moralist in the Webster Dictionary is: "one concerned with regulating the morals of others."  So the teachers of ideology use influence to direct their thoughts and beliefs to their students, usually those are the ones who will listen and then adopt and integrate those beliefs into their daily lives through activities. Those activities involve going to school to learn a trade or career that suites their desires and beliefs with many many books being studied with certain ideologies attached; that sounds like education. Then they find a job and work it in order to spend the money; sounds like economics. Sometimes those students with strong feeling for the good of others or to feel good about themselves join a congregation and discuss their moral codes between other like-minded students; sounds like religion. This cycle of life lived out has an ideology proding them in these daily decisions.

Now there are myraids of idealogies in the vast world. Many seem similar, some are born out of others, cultures and tradition create some, some seems so out there that only a few relate, the factions are countless. One can spend a lifetime studying these various sects. When you begin to widdle the similarities and differences down a pattern emerges that consistantly leads to two main ideologies. These two ideologies are opposing, making it simple to distinquish what faction goes where. I call them the For and Against Sides. For and Against what? For and Against God.  I do admit there are a few out there that have done a great job masking themselves to look like they belong on the For side and that is where one needs the Holy Spirit to quide them in truth. The For Side is much simpler than the Against side because it is cut and dry; simple. It states what it is and hasn't changed since the beginning of time as we know it. It is one way, Jesus and if the criteria doesn't fit with what He taught then one knows to automatically put it in the Against side.

If you are still with me, I'd like to use an example of an ideology that is current in today's world. This one falls under the somewhat complicated, masked to look good but really isn't category. It's adopted name is Fabion Socialism. I say adopted because this idea is not new, it has been tweaked a little here and molded a little there to fit in with the times, there will be more on that later. This widely unheard of ideology is actually everywhere you go but most do not know that what they live in or experience has this name. This form of socialism is like a chameleon and changes to fit the agenda at hand. Their international symbol is that of a turtle with the motto: "When I strike, I strike hard" The turtle represents the slow, gradual way in which they insert their beliefs and the hard shell represents their resolve to do what they set out to do. The original Fabian Society emblem is quite telling and should make one stop and think about this choice of symbolism long and hard. It is a wolf wrapped in a sheep's hide. I'd say that is blatant and in your face yet they have been able to accomplish their goal virtually unnoticed. How ironic!

So what do these Fabian wolves want to do, what is their goal? It starts as a pretty good story with promise as most stories do but as the emblem portrays, ends with the sheep slaughtered. So please, as you read on ask yourself if you've been a sheep lead astray.

Fabian Socialist admit their goal is by scientific design to mold and push the world into one world governance, also known by most as The New World Order. Socialism by definition is the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.Socialism on the surface seems fair and just but in reality, this ideal is unattainable under human control. There will always be something lacking. Why should I dash this inspiration to make life fair, ruin a dream, call it out on the floor as wrong and even go as far as to call it evil? Because it is a bastardized version of God's original plan. Remember when I mentioned Fabian Socialism adopted its name, its long lost lineage lies in the age old struggle between God and Satan. Its root grows from the idea of wanting to be like God, to have His power and to control the Earth and this power grab is accomplished through religion. Remember how I mentioned religion, education, economics and politics are really all intertwined, these are the vehicles used for deception and manipulation to keep you in the dark to what is really going on.

Let me explain the connection with quotes from dedicated Fabian Socialists and see if you can put the puzzle pieces together.

First, what Fabian Socialism IS:
1. A mixture of capitalism and socialism (reason they mix this is to slowly get rid of capitalism, strategy of      using the system to change the system)
2.Corporate fascism
3.Globalism, One world Government and Economy, they will use religion as the vehicle to accomplish this goal. (remember the definition of socialism from earlier in the article...and apply that to what a one world economy and government would look like...here is a first hand account of what living under socialism is like..it is a good account of how great it seems until you find out what freedoms have been taken from you. It is a system for the betterment of the few while they sell the system as a betterment for all. (If you believe everyone will benefit from this way of life you have been sold a lie.) Socialisms terminology is well-known  and used, for instance we've all heard of the greater good.  This idea is sold through the venue of community service. There is nothing wrong with community service until they REQUIRE it of you, then the terminolgy needs to change to enslavement. This community service will have ties to taking care of the environment, again nothing wrong with taking care of your surroundings, recycling, reusing etc. but when they can threaten to take away rights and freedoms we take for granted such as; owning a home because you only have a family of three when a family of 6 can USE that resource more efficiently, the real meaning of their IDEA becomes clear. These examples are real, and happen already in socialist countries like Cuba. Do you see the subtle way in which this has crept into the American way of life. (The phrases or words highlighted in red and yellow are cues; I suggest keeping the definition of socialism in the back of your mind as a filter when hearing or seeing these cues used in political speeches, at the pulpit, in your school etc.)

Economics:

London School of Economics
John Maynard Keynes, Fabian Socialist 
"The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens."

This rip-off of the American citizen began when the Federal Reserve Act was implemented in 1913.  A main supporter of this Act was John Rockefeller, a Fabian Socialist.

Politics:

Agenda 21 or Division for Sustainable Development
Council of Foreign Relations (also started by the Rockefellers in 1921)
The United Nations (started by Council of Foreign Relations)
Richard Haass: President of Foreign Relations
"The near monopoly of power once enjoyed by sovereign entities is being eroded, states must be prepared to cede some sovereignty to world bodies. Globalization thus implies that sovereignty is not only becoming weaker in reality but that it needs to become weaker. The goal should be to redefine sovereignty for the era of globalization, to find a balance between a world of fully sovereign states and an international system of either world government or anarchy." For the Full Article click here

Mix of Politics and Religion:

Doctor Walter Rauschenbusch, Fabian Socialist
"Socialism can only succeed with religion."
Father of the Social Gospel wrote a book called Christianizing The Social Order.
His teachings/theology was that Jesus death was out of love for society but has no bearing on
sin or that He was Deity. And that our "higher thought" will give us answers the Bible can not give.
This gave birth to what we know as Dominion Theology or Kingdom NOW ministries. This falls under the humanist thinking that heaven can be made on earth through man's good works and promotes group salvation, the individual is not responsible for looking to God but sees himself as a god...more on this later (For those who know the Bible good works do not lead to salvation) 

Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister of Britain, Fabian Socialist  
" Despite all of the various obvious differences in policy and attitude and positioning a lot of the values of the Fabian Socialists and George Bernard Shaw stood for would be very recognizable, at least I hope they would in today's Labor Party." He said this in regards to the famous stained glass window Mr. Shaw commissioned but was lost and refound in 2006. Click here to see the window. it depitcs two men hammering/molding the world on a table, on the bottome people praying, above the world is the fabian emblem of the wolf in sheeps hide. (Look up Matthew 7:15-16) (keep Tony's words in mind when you watch the video on Mr. Shaw in the following section.)

"I think the place of faith in the era of globalization is the single biggest issue of the 21 century. In terms of how we live together, how we minimize the process of conflict and maxamize the propects of peace. The place of religion in our society is essential. I think religion could be in an era of globalization, a civilizing force."

Tony Blair started the Faith Foundation after becoming a Catholic, Rick Warren sits on this board. He was mentored by Peter Drucker who was mentored by...John Maynard Keynes, Fabian Socialist.

Pope XVI aligns with the Fabian Socialist in his encyclical. he called for reform of UN for true political authority, global tax and redistribution of wealth and energy.


Education:

Richard Rorty, (Grandson of Dr. Walter Rauschenbush) Professor of Philosphy At Stanford University, Fabian Socialist
"It seems to me that the reclative idea that we, heirs of the enlightenment, we sociocrats, most frequently use to criticize the conduct of various conversational partners is that of needing education in and to outgrow their primitive fear, hatred superstitions, is a concept which like I, most Americans who teach humanities or social science at colleges and universities invoke when we try to arrange things so that students that enter as bigoted, homophobic, religious, fundametalists (he's talking about those of the Christian Faith who believe Jesus is the Son of God, Died for OUR sins, was resurrected and that He is the only true way to know God) will leave college with views more like our own. (socialist, who believe Jesus was just a social justice hippie, and that they are in fact gods unto themselves..more later on this) The fundamentalists parents of out fundamentalist students think that the entire American liberal establishment is engaged in a conspiracy, the parents have a point." 

I highlighted enlightenment, what has he and other Fabian Socialist been enlightened with? Look up Genesis 11, it is the account of the Tower of Babel. Verse 4 talks about the tower man will build to reach into heaven. This is the beginning of religion, a man-made way to try to reach heaven and be like God according to their own set of rules. This "enlightenment" has it's root all the way back to this first ideology that man can do it on their own. (If you know your Bible, God has always shown His way to man through the covenant and then through Jesus, the new covenant and man consistantly rejects that) If you go further back the account of Lucifer wanting to be like God you'll see where these ideals are not new. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

It is simple to see where ideologies fall when you trace them back to their original source. There are two worldviews and those are; For or Against God.

Entertainment/Literature:

George Bernard Shaw, writer and co-founder of The Fabian Society
Click here to see this video and you can see why people are worried about the "end of life section found in the Health Care Bill but in fact is already funded for in the Stimulus Plan under the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

"As a socialist I have to preach as much as anyone the enormous power of the environment, we can change it, we must change it, there is absolutley no other sense in life then the task of changing it, what is the use of writing anything if there is not a will which finally molds chaos itself into a race of gods."

Religion:

First, did you notice the end part of Shaws quote...this isn't an isolated person in the Fabian system. This idea that man can be little gods is rampant in our society...it also has a name, Pagan Spirituality. Maybe you've heard the all too familiar sayings, phrases or quips...


"It is never too late to embrace your truth."
"What is your truth whispering?"
"Use compassion to stay on the path to your own truth
"There is only your truth."
Sounds good on the surface, but is rotten to the core.

These phrases are common in the New Age or Nature Worship sects of Pagan Spirituality and one doesn't have to go to church to be a part of it. Pick up a Self-Help book and you will most likely see these phrases in there.

If you read this entire article and clicked on all the links, I think you'll find it was impossible to seperate out the politics from the religion, the religion from the education, etc. It's one massive, united ball meant to collapse America and the most important thing, keep the masses in spiritual darkness.

I leave you with these words from a known communist as food for thought, "America is like a healthy body and its resistance is three-fold, patriotism, morality and spirituality. If we could undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within." Joseph Stalin

It is here, don't be fooled! John 14:6 means more to me than ever....

(With thanks to Brannon Howse, watchdog for the American Christian)