Bible gets a reality check - Cosmic Log - msnbc.com
REALLY? The BIBLE gets a reality check? How about the skeptics get a reality check?
They will.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
HILARIOUS!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/11/16/do1610.xml
NASA declares October the hottest on record - by using September's temperature readings.
The head of this particular lab happens to be buddy-buddy with alGore.
NASA declares October the hottest on record - by using September's temperature readings.
The head of this particular lab happens to be buddy-buddy with alGore.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Is God on our side?
A little something I wrote and preached:
JOSHUA 5.13-14
PSALM 46
Is God on our side? On the side of America?
Certainly God has greatly blessed the USA over its history. Much of our history can only be explained by God’s providence. Many of our victories can only have occurred by His intervention. We like to credit American power, American courage, American ingenuity for our successes; but, I would suggest to you (based on what I have observed in my reading about WWII and the War for Independence) that many more battles went our way than should have - certainly more than could be explained by mere chance.
So, is God on our side? Did you know that in the Civil War, both sides claimed God on their side. There were generals on both sides who were professing Christians; yes, even slave owners claiming God’s support. Of course, many of the founding fathers of our country were slave owners as well. Was God on our side in the War for Independence? My reading on the subject leads me to conclude that without God’s intervention, there would be no United States of America. George Washington and his troops lost - at least for awhile- virtually every battle they fought.
Is God on our side? On America’s side? On the Republican’s side? On the Democrat’s?
Is He on the side of Bible Baptist Church of Osborne?
The answer to these questions can be found in an incident that happened some thousands of years ago, in the dark of the night, near a hostile city surrounded by an imposing wall.
A leader of Israel met a mysterious figure and asked - challenged, actually - Him our question: Are you on our side? Years ago, as I would read this passage, the answer this mysterious Man gave always seemed contradictory - or, at least, non responsive - to me. But now, I think, I understand His answer. In a column I read in the most recent (Nov.1/8, 2008) issue of WORLD magazine this week, this incident was referenced in the context of the election, and on the subject of in whom or what we are putting our trust.
Is God on our side? Was God on Israel’s side? The leader asking the question was Joshua. And, as has been discussed more than once around here recently, we know that the powers that be (government) are ordained of God - this includes such powers as Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein; Hugo Chavez, as well as those we may think are/were good leaders. But even beyond that general rule, that governments are ordained of God, Joshua was a leader who was specifically chosen and publicly approved by God as the successor of Moses and the new leader of Israel as they were on the brink in entering the Promised Land. So, surely God was on his side?
And, who was this mysterious figure? I believe that this was an appearance of God the Son, Jesus Christ. He often appears in the O.T. as "The Angel of the Lord." He is not called that here, but there are reasons to believe that this is He. One is that Joshua calls Him "Lord" as soon as He answers the challenge; a second is that who else could claim to be the "Commander of the army of the Lord"?
Was God on the side of the chosen leader of God’s chosen people?
(Read Joshua 5.13-14). The leader, again, is Joshua; the city is Jericho; the figure is the Son of God; the situation is Israel’s beginning of conquering the Promised Land.
Joshua is wisely surveying the situation
He encounters a Man
The Question
"Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"
Are you on our side?
The Answer
Part One
"No..."
I am not for you OR for them
Is God on our side, or that of our opponent? NO.
INTERESTING
Part Two
"But as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."
I am here to lead the followers of God; to do God’s will and work; to fulfil God’s plan.
This is the part that confused me in times past. "No, but..."
Is God on our side?
WRONG QUESTION!
The Response
Joshua fell on his face and WORSHIPED
The right question is: Are you on God’s side?
Is our nation on God’s side? Is your political party on God’s side? Is your candidate on God’s side? Is this church on God’s side? Are you on God’s side?
Janie B. Cheaney, WORLD Magazine, Nov. 1/8, 2008, p.32 writes: "Christians everywhere should be falling on their faces. Whether or not the Lord’s angel stands over America with drawn sword, our shield is a hope that does not disappoint. Whether or not God is on our side, we must endeavor with all our might to be on His. Psalm 46 describes catastrophe: Nations rage, kingdoms totter, mountains collapse in the heart of the sea. But ‘God is our refuge and strength....Therefore we will not fear.’
Rather, we lift up our heads: the world’s catastrophe is our opportunity"
JOSHUA 5.13-14
PSALM 46
Is God on our side? On the side of America?
Certainly God has greatly blessed the USA over its history. Much of our history can only be explained by God’s providence. Many of our victories can only have occurred by His intervention. We like to credit American power, American courage, American ingenuity for our successes; but, I would suggest to you (based on what I have observed in my reading about WWII and the War for Independence) that many more battles went our way than should have - certainly more than could be explained by mere chance.
So, is God on our side? Did you know that in the Civil War, both sides claimed God on their side. There were generals on both sides who were professing Christians; yes, even slave owners claiming God’s support. Of course, many of the founding fathers of our country were slave owners as well. Was God on our side in the War for Independence? My reading on the subject leads me to conclude that without God’s intervention, there would be no United States of America. George Washington and his troops lost - at least for awhile- virtually every battle they fought.
Is God on our side? On America’s side? On the Republican’s side? On the Democrat’s?
Is He on the side of Bible Baptist Church of Osborne?
The answer to these questions can be found in an incident that happened some thousands of years ago, in the dark of the night, near a hostile city surrounded by an imposing wall.
A leader of Israel met a mysterious figure and asked - challenged, actually - Him our question: Are you on our side? Years ago, as I would read this passage, the answer this mysterious Man gave always seemed contradictory - or, at least, non responsive - to me. But now, I think, I understand His answer. In a column I read in the most recent (Nov.1/8, 2008) issue of WORLD magazine this week, this incident was referenced in the context of the election, and on the subject of in whom or what we are putting our trust.
Is God on our side? Was God on Israel’s side? The leader asking the question was Joshua. And, as has been discussed more than once around here recently, we know that the powers that be (government) are ordained of God - this includes such powers as Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein; Hugo Chavez, as well as those we may think are/were good leaders. But even beyond that general rule, that governments are ordained of God, Joshua was a leader who was specifically chosen and publicly approved by God as the successor of Moses and the new leader of Israel as they were on the brink in entering the Promised Land. So, surely God was on his side?
And, who was this mysterious figure? I believe that this was an appearance of God the Son, Jesus Christ. He often appears in the O.T. as "The Angel of the Lord." He is not called that here, but there are reasons to believe that this is He. One is that Joshua calls Him "Lord" as soon as He answers the challenge; a second is that who else could claim to be the "Commander of the army of the Lord"?
Was God on the side of the chosen leader of God’s chosen people?
(Read Joshua 5.13-14). The leader, again, is Joshua; the city is Jericho; the figure is the Son of God; the situation is Israel’s beginning of conquering the Promised Land.
Joshua is wisely surveying the situation
He encounters a Man
The Question
"Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"
Are you on our side?
The Answer
Part One
"No..."
I am not for you OR for them
Is God on our side, or that of our opponent? NO.
INTERESTING
Part Two
"But as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."
I am here to lead the followers of God; to do God’s will and work; to fulfil God’s plan.
This is the part that confused me in times past. "No, but..."
Is God on our side?
WRONG QUESTION!
The Response
Joshua fell on his face and WORSHIPED
The right question is: Are you on God’s side?
Is our nation on God’s side? Is your political party on God’s side? Is your candidate on God’s side? Is this church on God’s side? Are you on God’s side?
Janie B. Cheaney, WORLD Magazine, Nov. 1/8, 2008, p.32 writes: "Christians everywhere should be falling on their faces. Whether or not the Lord’s angel stands over America with drawn sword, our shield is a hope that does not disappoint. Whether or not God is on our side, we must endeavor with all our might to be on His. Psalm 46 describes catastrophe: Nations rage, kingdoms totter, mountains collapse in the heart of the sea. But ‘God is our refuge and strength....Therefore we will not fear.’
Rather, we lift up our heads: the world’s catastrophe is our opportunity"
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