Blameless

 

The political divide leads to tribalism.

“Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:1-11.

On the 25^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade towers, the Pentagon, and the “let’s roll” heroes’ circumvention of flight 93 in Pennsylvania, our nation could not be more divided. After those heinous attacks on that day left 3000 innocents dead, our nation came together regardless of political persuasion. In times of war, the United States citizens support one another, and our military so that the goal of protecting our freedom triumphs. Not so today. Political and policy disagreements have distorted reality for many of our friends on the left. Gone are the days where politics were put aside and we worked together to achieve common goals. The goals of the left contrast with those of a free and democratic society.

Jesus called us to forgive as our Father forgives us. Leftists, anarchists, race baiters, Islam sympathizers, America haters, antisemites, “pro-choice,” and those who disparage success all come from one end of the political spectrum. Why do leftists accuse, disparage, and begrudge those with differing political opinions? There is little or no forgiveness in their hearts. They have been taken captive by the evil one. Policies that the left support reads like a list of not-to-dos from Scripture. Leftists cannot defend policies that do harm to this nation. Democratic socialism, Marxism, and communism outright reject God and lift the State as paramount.

The current iteration of the democrat party has fallen into the trap of opposing policies that a majority of the citizenry support and support what the majority opposes. How then can this nation be relatively evenly split between the left and the right? Far too many conservatives do not vote. Voting is a sacred honor and a responsibility for each and every citizen. There are few excuses to neglect that responsibility. Whereas the left is motivated to crush their opponents they view as the enemy. Normal, everyday Americans that support the rule of law and cherish their freedom are hated by the left. They will do whatever it takes to destroy our society and create a new nation in their own image. Billionaires, such as George Soros and Neville Roy Singham spend $Millions to elect leftist federal, state, and local representatives, judges, District Attorneys, and even school board members to enact policies that no one wants but them. Ballot harvesting is illegal in most states, yet democrats use this system to collect thousands of ballots, particularly targeting swing states.

In other words, those who neglect their responsibility to vote enable the left to triumph in elections where there are conservative majorities. And when the left wins, there will be no forgiveness. There will be no live and let live. There will be revenge and retribution. There will be policies and laws enacted that will tear apart the fabric of a civil society. If these leftists will tear apart their own families over political differences, they will tear down this nation just so they can rule over the ashes. The only way to stop this insanity is to have democrats lose election after election until they decide to moderate. We all have differences and diversity of opinion makes us stronger. The hatred that the left evokes weakens all of us. Hatred is a tool that Satan wields to cause us to drift away from God. Hate is the cudgel that dominates the democrat party. Democrats and their policies must be rejected until they realize the error of their way. Make your voice heard and counted!

 

Accountable

 

Obama intentionally fostered divisiveness and society is paying the price.

In a perfect world, the color of one’s skin would not become the primary identifying factor for individuals. In a perfect world, we would view all members of the human race as brothers and sisters. In a perfect world, nations would be united under the common cause of loving one another as Christ loved us. Unfortunately, our world is broken. Our world has neglected the One who created all things and we have become enamored of the things of this world. Our former and continuing divider in chief, Barack Obama, never ceases to use any opportunity to further divide the nation.

Prior to Obama’s 8 years in the White House, we were well on the way to overcoming our sordid past and evolving into a color-blind society. Once our first black president was elected, it was expected that the racial divide would finally become but a distant and faint memory. But Obama chose to shine a spotlight on our differences and revert back into the community agitator that he truly was. He used his bully pulpit to make certain that any and all racial animosity would be resurrected from the dead and positioned as a fundamental issue into the nation’s collective consciousness. “The police officer acted stupidly,” “If I had a son he would look like Trayvon.” For Obama, there were few incidents that race did not play a prominent role.

One of Jesus’ most important commands was forgiveness. Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Matthew 6:14-15.

Our history is not pretty, but it is no worse than other nations. Slavery and racism were not confined to America. Those detestable acts were part and parcel of developing nations throughout the history of the world. Far too many have lost their lives for far less than what happened during our history. If we dwell upon the past, it can, not only define us, but it can overwhelm us, acting as a cudgel that destroys a right relationship with God.

“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner!” Max Lucado.

Karmello Anthony, a 17-year-old African American high school student athlete, decided to enter a tent of an opposing team at a track meet armed with a knife. He was looking for an excuse to use his weapon. When asked to leave the tent by a 17 year old white student athlete Austin Metcalf, Anthony responded, “Touch me and see what happens.” After a brief altercation, Anthony stabbed Metcalf in the chest killing him. Anthony has since been convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The African American community, especially some of the leaders, are outraged, accusing “the white dominated system” of making an example of Anthony because he is black. When you enter hostile territory and arm yourself with a knife, your self-defense strategy is defective.

The Obama administration championed undeserved scrutiny against law enforcement and defended accused persons of color to recompense past grievances. The President of the United States defended those practices and directed his DOJ to enforce them. That has incited racially charged incidents into needless confrontations that often escalate to violence. The implementation of DEI and CRT further bolster this grievance and entitlement culture among minorities. Virtue-signaling liberal elites, predominantly white, use their influence to further the lie of an unjust, white male patriarchy that systemically instills racism at all levels of society. This helps create the aura of unaccountability for persons who believe they are resisting an unjust and unfair society.

Democrats manipulate those who accept the grievance culture narrative and who want “their fair share” as reparations for past injustices. Democrats can rely on receiving votes from the “underclass” that they have created for themselves by using government largesse as inducements. Even though most receiving those benefits remain trapped in poverty, they falsely believe that democrats are more compassionate and reward them with their votes.

“Their false compassion is called compassion and their false understanding is called understanding, for this is their most potent spell.” Aleister Crowley.

Democrats are the ultimate manipulators. Democrats not only love hypocrisy; they revel in it. Democrats will use any strategy to gain and maintain power, no matter who they destroy in the process. For democrats, those foolish enough to vote them into office are just that, fools they care not about until it is election time.

“We live in a world where unfortunately the distinction between true and false appears to become increasingly blurred by manipulation of facts, by exploitation of uncritical minds, and by the pollution of the language. Arne Tiselius.

Until democrats reject the leftist ideology that has overtaken their party, they must be rejected at the ballot box. Until democrats agree to uphold their oath of office, submit to the rule of law, and advocate for the truth, they cannot and must not hold positions of authority. It is time for our Constitutional Republic to be restored as one nation, under God. In order to have an environment where we can seek a better life, enjoy liberty, and be free to pursue happiness, democrats and their leftist cohorts must be soundly rejected.

These Days

 

God put us here for a purpose.

“Maybe we were made for these days.” These lyrics from a Jeremy Camp song fall short of God’s expectations for His people. Equipped with the time and talents provided to us, God did indeed put each of us in this time and in this place for His purpose. We were created to pursue justice. We were created to spread the Gospel to all the ends of the earth. We were made to take a stand against evil. We were made to worship and glorify our God by spreading the love of Jesus to all our neighbors. Yes, we were wonderfully made, specifically created for times such as these.

Evil thrives and violence spreads throughout our nation and the world. The current strategy employed that ignores the growing threat only encourages further escalation of that evil. Just as children who do not face consequences for their actions become spoiled and disobedient, today’s left pushes the boundaries of lawlessness as far as the consequences, or lack thereof, will allow. The left’s embrace of evil is metastasizing as if it were a cancer spreading throughout the human body.

Leftist ideology is attacking the most vulnerable as our children are indoctrinated with deviant sexuality. It is attacking the very fabric of this nation as the left calls for insurrection and disregard of the rule of law. It has infiltrated our churches, replacing the worship of our God with the worship of tolerance, diversity, and the things of this world. Our institutions have been polluted with antisemitism, the embrace of socialism, and hatred of opinions deemed inappropriate to their chosen wokeism tenets. There is a real danger that our nation, the last bastion of true freedom in the world, will be lost forever.

There is a great evil overtaking our nation and world. Evil thrives in an environment that allows it to grow. The silence of good people is deafening. We can no longer simply remain silent and “let someone else” confront this evil. If unchecked the left will destroy everything that is good and true. If unchecked the left will lead this nation down a path to destruction. The democrat party has not only embraced leftist ideology, but they have also doubled down on all things woke. Democrats must be voted out of office until they become an impotent minority. We must retake our schools to eliminate the indoctrination of our children. If we fail to hold the left accountable, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

The easy way to combat this rampant evil would be to respond in kind, but we cannot repay evil with evil. Hatred only begets more hatred that is certain to entangle us within the influence of the evil one. The easy path can often be the most dangerous path. We can only mend fences and open minds through and with the love of Christ. Christ died for our sins while we were still sinners and enemies of God, including those unduly influenced by the evil one today.

We are long past due to stand strong in our faith. We were made to be God’s hands and feet on this earth. We are called to plant the seeds of faith so that the Holy Spirit can nurture and grow those seeds within those we meet and receive. Sharing the love of Christ is our greatest calling and the best way to show God our gratitude for our undeserved grace. To share the joy of salvation with the lost is our sacred duty as Jesus called for us to make disciples of all the world in the Great Commission. We need to keep singing and sharing until all have heard!

The first step in reconciliation is forgiveness. Without forgiveness, doors will remain shut and walls cannot be overcome. Without forgiveness there is no avenue to engage in constructive dialogue. Without forgiveness both sides remain at odds. Once anger, bitterness, and resentment are eliminated on one side of the equation, one can truly love one’s enemy. There is but one bond that unites all humanity and His name is Jesus Christ.

“And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.” Acts 4:29

 

Loving your Neighbor

 Is meaningless without first loving God.

Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40.

While these two commandments are the foundations of our faith, our love of our Lord supersedes the call to love our neighbor and ourselves. This current generation has lifted the love of self to transcendent heights. Mainline churches feed this narrative by affirming those who choose to elevate their desires above all else. We absolutely can love our neighbor as ourselves without affirming that which separates them from God’s love. Once our human desires supersede our identities as followers of Christ, we no longer worship Him, we worship ourselves.

In deference to the Beatles song, love is not all you need. The dichotomy of loving, while correcting, is a difficult road to travel. Our unrelenting judgementalism often closes the door while eliciting anger and resentment from the very people we are to be reaching out with love. While we endeavor to help the lost find Christ, our spiritual ineptness often shuts down any opportunity to do so. Question is, how do we “gently instruct” the misguided back to Christ before they are lost to the evil one?

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 

Even though we were enemies of God, Jesus went to that cross and died for us, and through our faith in Him, grants us forgiveness of all our sin and guarantees a place with him throughout eternity. Is this too great an ask? By faith alone. He only wants our heart, nothing else. Heavy stuff. God wants all His children to be with Him in eternity. It pains Him greatly if even one of His children are lost to the evil one. God loves all His children unconditionally. By His grace and mercy, He forgives all sin, no matter what! But, in order to partake in His eternity, faith in the Risen Christ is necessary. If our well-intended actions push away those in need of God’s grace, we are not building God’s Kingdom. We have become an impediment to it.

Human sexuality is the vehicle used by the evil one to divide and conquer. Humankind’s innate selfishness is the tool that sharpens the sword that separates us from God. Perverting humankind’s diversities creates an easy avenue to divide and create dissention based upon insignificant differences, such as skin color, socio-economic status, political and religious beliefs. We are all God’s children. That makes us all brothers and sisters. Even that pink haired, nose ringed young lady who shouts out her distain for Christianity. Even that young man who identifies as a woman. Even those who spew hatred towards others that have different opinions than themselves. God loves and wants each and every one of His children to come to Him.

With Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection, God opens reconciliation to all who believe. Without legitimate discourse, human to human reconciliation can never be reached. The goal is to engage in real discussion, which also includes listening without judging. It is not our job to judge. This is a tall task as it remains all too easy to remain bound by the law. While the Gospel frees us from the consequences of the law, the law teaches what God expects of us. Sexual immorality is mentioned over 6000 times in the Bible. Any sexual relations outside of the sacrament of marriage is called immoral. The sacrament of marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. What of our neighbors in a same-sex relationship? Those that identify as transgender? Those who have multiple sex partners in and out of relationships? We are wondrously formed by God, each designed for His purposes. No matter how we look, what our strengths or weaknesses, talents or lack of talents, or our status in life, God has a place for you in His plan for us. Just believe!

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  He died for everyone. His mercy and grace is available to all, no matter what. He loves the worst of us, even me and you.

We are called to testify to our neighbors about Christ’s love for them. We are to share the joy we receive from being loved by Him. We are called to plant seeds that the Holy Spirit can nurture and grow. We are not called to cast judgement or try to save the lost of our own volition. We must find a way to reach out in Christian love with the hope that the door may open, if just a crack, for the Holy Spirit to take root. The late Pastor Tim Keller had a way to disarm the most fervent denier. Listening, while posing questions about the person and their beliefs. Often, the person discovered that their own arguments lacked validity, opening the door to rational discussion. Be immersed in His Word. Pray for guidance. Wear your spiritual armor and listen to the Holy Spirit when an opportunity to testify arises.

“The whole being of any Christian is faith and love. Faith brings the person to God; love brings the person to people.” Martin Luther

 

 

 

 

ELCA Pastor Response

This ELCA pastor has overdosed on the Koolaid. 

Unwitting Pawns was also published as a Guest Opinion piece in the West Bend Daily News on February 11th, 2023. Pastor Schoob's critique of the article says it all. The ELCA is awash in heresy and cares little about preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world in order to bring the lost to Him. Please pray for Schoob and especially for his congregation. If his sermons mirror his stated beliefs, his flock is not being fed the bread of life.

GUEST OPINION

Tolerance more than just a phrase

Can’t paint Christians with wide brush

By David Schoob

I am responding to Don Kriefall’s article “Unwitting Pawns,” printed in your paper. To paraphrase words from Luke Skywalker in a recent “Star Wars” film, “Almost every word in that article is wrong.” The only sentiment of his that I can agree with is that we should have a more tolerant society. Yet the article itself seems to be the poster child for intolerance and misinformation.

Where is it wrong?

The idea of accepted social norms varies depending on perspective. I and many others find the author’s idea of social norms narrow, abusive, and founded on a desire to keep the white, heterosexual male as the ideal.

He is wrong that there is a common understanding among Christians of what constitutes sexual deviance. My church is open and receiving of those in the LGBTQIA+ communities.

He is wrong that all Christians hold a common understanding of biblical material. There are many passages that Christians understand in different ways. Many Christians understand certain passages as being grounded in a different culture and time period. New understandings of our humanity lead us to examine passages in a different light of those understandings. You cannot use one interpretive approach as normative and call it “Christian.”

Most of the society does not hold that people must be defined by the binary male and female. Most also are open to recognition of gay and lesbian committed relationships. A majority of Americans embrace an idea of acceptance toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Almost all the experts on human behavior recognize a fluidity to gender identity.

LGBTQIA+ identity is not in any way connected with the lack of a mother or father.

LGBTQIA+ identities are not developed because of a secret plot by educators. Educators instead teach information to help young people understand themselves and others.

The understanding of systemic racism does not arise from a left-wing plot. The understanding of systemic racism arises out of a careful study of history and a sensitivity to the cries of communities of color. Parents are always free to remove a student from a history class if they do not accept the information and move their child to another school that is less rigorous in its analysis.

In the same vein, Black Lives Matter does not stand in opposition to the idea of All Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter affirms that all lives matter, but is honest about the mistreatment of blacks and speaks for those whose voices are not heard. The members of Black Lives Matter remind us all that black lives do matter as much as white lives. If we are all of one race as asserted in the article then there should be justice offered equally to all. Race is a social construct, (another correct assertion in the article) and continues to be used to promote injustice by a white-dominated society each and every day. The idea of Christian nationalism that the article espouses is not consistent with the constitutional understanding of the nation or the understanding of Jesus. Jesus refused a crown and called his followers to the law of love before any law or nation.

Finally, the article says that the left is always using the tactics of bullying, manipulation, and misinformation to try to drive people to their point of view. I would ask the author to follow his own advice: “We need to look at ourselves in the mirror and recognize who we really are.”

(David Schoob is pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. He lives in West Bend.)

 

Unwitting Pawns

Everyone should practice tolerance, inclusion, acceptance and welcoming in their daily lives. Sharing those values within our community allows society to thrive. Problem is, these ideals have been corrupted by those that wish to foment distrust and division in this nation. Many who fall prey to this perversion of wholesome principals believe that past perceived injustices merit the abandonment of accepted societal norms in order to “make things right.”  Unfortunately, appeasing the loudest voices and acquiescing to radical ideology, allows an unfettered rush to a fundamental transformation of this great nation.

Deviant sexuality has prospered in this nation due to the mistaken belief that acceptance is the appropriate response to properly love your neighbor. This only promotes further attacks on the moral fiber of society. Like the school yard bully, inaction only increases the bully’s resolve. Without moral clarity, humankind’s innate selfishness takes the reins. We need to look at the reflection in the mirror and recognize who we really are. When traditional values are rejected and replaced with “new things” that disregard moral decency, one cannot easily justify those behaviors.

God created each of us with intrinsic differences, with different skills and talents. The gifts afforded to each of us vary. It is our differences that enable us to fulfill various roles that benefit all. Men and women are created to fulfill specific, yet equal roles, when raising children. Eliminate either from the equation and you stifle the child’s development. Both are necessary to guide and nurture the child. Both are necessary to instill values, morals, and faith. Both are necessary to impart the unique skillsets they possess to teach their children to become productive members of society. Without a mother or father, the child will seek to fill that void elsewhere.

Woke educators attempt to usurp parental rights by mainstreaming and encouraging experimentation with LGTBQ lifestyles, promoting transgenderism, and indoctrinating our youth with Critical Race Theory, at the expense of core education. Children are particularly impressionable and vulnerable to suggestion as they develop and learn. Trusting that curriculum will follow accepted societal norms is no longer acceptable. Without parental involvement in the education of their children, children will be at risk of the dominant woke culture that seeks to discard traditional values and replace them with leftist ideology.

Black lives matter, but no more than any other life. With God as our father, we are all brothers and sisters, no matter how we look on the outside. Race is a social construct. We are all members of one race; the human race. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself, yet leftists are relentless in their attacks on Christianity. Forgiving others and turning the other cheek must be too foreign for leftists to understand. Revenge does nothing to right any perceived wrongs. Retribution does nothing to lift the spirit. Reparations do nothing but punish those who have committed no crime and reward those who have not suffered loss.

Those that agree with the path that the current administration is leading the country need to wake up. For those who acquiesce to the insanity that has overtaken this nation, hear this; You will have no place in this new world order, you are advocating for your own demise. The fundamental transformation of this nation is being abetted by those who put tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion above common sense. Leftists mean to tear down traditional society and replace it with socialism. Socialist elites will then make decisions for their benefit, while everyone else will be mired in mediocrity.

Look around. Are you satisfied with the current trajectory of our nation? Can you rationalize the criminality occurring on our city streets daily? Will you willingly choose to turn your life over to a ruling elite? The “leaders” of the World Economic Forum would like that. They have openly stated such. They know what is best for us underlings. If we sit back and allow it, it will happen and your worst nightmare will be realized.

It’s time that we turn back to the Judeo-Christian beliefs that made this nation great. It’s time that we are able to share differing opinions without being maligned. Leftists silence dissent. Leftists accuse their detractors of racism, homophobia, and transphobia. Leftists want you to be willing sheep to be led to slaughter. This is our future if we fail to uphold our Republic, founded as a more perfect union for all. And fall it will, if we sit back and do nothing.

 

Forgiveness

 

We need to heal wounds, not emphasize past wrongs

If one holds a grudge, emphasis is on a negative emotion. When one looks past a personal slight and can offer forgiveness to the person who did you wrong, it will often lead to a positive outcome for both parties. Dwelling on past insults or offences can lead one on a path of distrust, suspicion and cynicism. These emotions will do nothing but fester within the person that perceives the wrongdoing. Our society is evolving and not in a good way. Diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives are heading our nation in the wrong direction. These “values” emphasize our differences rather that work to unite us within our similarities. Subjugating us by the color of our skin is simply a return the days of segregation and furthers the goals of racism.

We are all children of God. We share a common Father. Does that not make us all brothers and sisters? Are we not simply the human race regardless of how we look? Pull away the skin and we are all the same. This movement, rooted in Marxist ideology looks to divide us in order to create an upheaval meant to lead to a reinventing of our society. In other words, a fundamental transformation of this nation. This embrace of diversity, inclusion and equity pit those perceived to be oppressed against those perceived to be the oppressors. In other words, pitting us against each other. This divisive ideology rejects forgiveness and reinforces the ideas of retribution, retaliation and revenge. How this can be a positive for society eludes me. Whether or not you are Christian, as a society, we should be able to agree that in order to live in harmony with one another we need to learn to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Diversity is defined as, a set of conscious practices that involve: Understanding and appreciating interdependence of humanity, cultures and the natural environment. Practicing mutual respect for qualities and experiences different than our own. Understanding that diversity includes not only ways of being, but also ways of knowing. Building alliances across differences so that we can work together to eradicate all forms of discrimination. Excerpted from Queensborough Community College/CUNY. Sounds like this is a good path to unite, until you read the sentence that I omitted. Recognizing that personal, cultural and institutionalized discrimination creates and sustains privileges for some while creating and sustaining disadvantages for others. This is what the purveyors of this divisiveness concentrate on. You are privileged because of your skin color and if you are a person of a certain color, you should be personally affronted by the fact that you are being held down by the “Man”.

We all have experienced different cultures. We have often not practiced mutual respect for the qualities of those differences. We need to build alliances to eliminate racism and inequality. We need to understand those differences and treat each other with respect and dignity. That is how a civil society thrives. How a civil society dies is when we hold grudges and vilify others for past grievances, real or perceived. As we continue to acquiesce to this divisive ideology and incorporate it into acceptable society, we are witnessing, firsthand, the death throes of our society and nation. And most of us sit back and say nothing. When you are old, you can tell your grandchildren how this nation was once free.

Inclusion is referred to how diversity is leveraged to create a fair, equitable, healthy and high performing organization or community where all individuals are respected, feel engaged and motivated and their contributions toward meeting organizational or societal goals are valued. Excerpted from Austin Community College research guide. Sounds great. Again, everyone contributes, everyone is respected, and everyone’s contributions are valued. But, that word equity instead of equality stands out. Why has equity replaced equality? Why is equity of outcome more valued than equality of opportunity? These words seem so similar, yet their meanings are far different.

Equity refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances. The process is ongoing, requiring us to identify and overcome intentional and unintentional barriers arising from bias or systemic structures. Excerpted from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. President Barack Obama said in 2014, at the College opportunity Summit, “The premise that we’re all created equal is the opening line in our American story. And we don’t promise equal outcomes; we’ve strived to deliver equal opportunity – the idea that success does not depend on being born into wealth or privilege, it depends on effort and merit. You can be born into nothing and work your way into something extraordinary. There was not much common ground with our former President and I, but this speech was extraordinary and right on point.

If we fail to recognize the evil that exists is this wonderfully sounding ideology and continue to mainstream these ideas, our nation will definitely be fundamentally transformed into something few of us would want. The opportunity to push back and defend your liberties and freedom and prevent this divisive ideology from infecting all aspects of our lives is waning. Want to reminisce about the good old days when freedom reigned in American in your old age, or do you wish to maintain this shining light of freedom on the hill? What are you going to do about it, remain silent or push back? The choice is yours. Make a difference or stand by idly as we fall.

The Woke Inquisition

 

There is still time to reverse course

Confess heretic! Confess wrong thinker! Today, woke “Inquisitors” search tirelessly for anything that can emasculate their foes. Unfortunately, for those deemed as “wrong thinkers”, any meme posted on the internet is there forever. It may take gleaning numerous pages, posted years ago, but rest assured if you have offended, you will pay. Think you can go back and delete any offensive material, think again. If it was once there, it will always remain somewhere to be found. Those of the “cancel culture” are ravenous and their thirst for blood is unquenchable. That humorous e-mail that you forwarded or posted on Facebook, will become fodder for those who revel at destroying others.

Speech or actions deemed appropriate for the times in which they occurred, are described as racist, sexist, homophobic, trans-phobic, or simply unacceptable to the Left’s ever-changing standards. Statues that honor anyone that offends the sensibilities of the left are defaced or torn down. Longstanding institutions must bow down and grovel at the altar of the “woke” Left by virtue signaling their support for all manner of depravity that so permeates the Left’s ideology. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln are now judged to be racists and must be erased from history. What’s next, book burning?

Jon Gruden sends off a litany of offensive material via e-mail, and it’s not enough to simply destroy him. The rest of the NFL are deemed equally evil and demands are made to release all e-mails in order to find others that can be destroyed. You were once young and foolish, not held responsible for your juvenile misconduct? No excuses allowed by the ever-tolerant left. MLB players Josh Hader, Trea Turner and Sean Newcombe were vilified for offensive tweets made in their teen years. Just as malevolent nations like North Korea have thousands of internet hackers searching for vulnerabilities of their enemies, the Left intends to destroy anyone with the audacity to challenge their inane ideology of hatred, division and racism.

We are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. With the left, there is no forgiveness, only retribution and revenge. “Love trumps hate” was the Left’s rallying cry during the Trump administration. This could not be further from the truth. Hate and divisiveness are the driving forces in the left’s unabated assault on our freedoms and civil society. Responsibility for your own actions? It is all about blaming someone else for one’s shortcomings and failures. Got to find a boogeyman to blame, so white supremacy and white privilege is the new strawman. Admittedly, the road to equality in the United States has been a long and arduous path. Our past sins are many and troublesome. This attempt to perpetuate the mistakes of the past is foolhardy. There was hope that Barack Obama would finally unite our nation, eliminate racism, and achieve lasting equality. Unfortunately, those hopes were shattered by divisive comments made from his bully pulpit. Our nation and our people are not perfect, nor will we ever be. We all make mistakes. We all hurt those we most love.

Those who have endured within the rise of China, the Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela and other nations who embraced leftist ideals can see the similarities of the path our nation is traveling. Those governments sowed division by utilizing class warfare. Our new “democratic socialism” divides by race, creating a new generation of racism and bias. This does not “level the playing field”. It is simply perpetuating our past critical mistakes. Barack Obama said in 2014, at the College Opportunity Summit, “The premise that we’re all created equal is the opening line in our American story.  And we don’t promise equal outcomes; we’ve strived to deliver equal opportunity -- the idea that success does not depend on being born into wealth or privilege, it depends on effort and merit.  You can be born into nothing and work your way into something extraordinary.”

Who can ask for more than that? The destructive ideology that is the left must be rejected. Cancel culture must be cancelled. Our history is what it is. Let us learn from it and not make the same mistakes again. Let us unite as a nation. Let us learn from the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” It is time to move forward and work toward the goal of providing for the common good. Who will step up and lead?

Sins of the Father

    Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.  Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.  And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.  For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.                                                                               Romans 5:12-21

Adam’s fall from grace, or what is also known as “original sin”, led all of humankind to be separated from God by our sinful nature. To reconcile His children, God sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die for all of our sins and to redeem us from our just punishment. In His great mercy, He took our place and He bore the full penalty for our sins. Total and unconditional grace for those who fall so far short of the expectations of our Creator. We could not make ourselves right with God. Only He could endure the punishment meant for us. He did not require sacrifice, He sacrificed Himself for us. Every past, present and future sin, forgiven and every sinner redeemed at His expense.

Fast forward to the present and the past sins of our more recent forefather’s cause many of us to be stigmatized and reviled. Today’s “woke” society refuses to allow any clemency for past transgressors, their descendants and those with whom they disagree. Accusations of racism ring through our society and revenge must be legislated with reparations for those who never experienced slavery, paid for by those who never owned slaves. In a few short years, accepted societal norms have been swept away and replaced by aberrant behavior, in the name of tolerance, diversity and acceptance.

Equality is intertwined with the concept of equity. Equity is far from equality and is contrary to equal justice under the law. From Miriam-Webster, “Equity is often related to justice or proportional fairness. Equality differs from equity in that it relates more to sameness or equal distribution. In society, equal treatment does not always produce an equitable result.” The key words here are proportional fairness. For equity to be achieved, it is required that provisions are made proportionally to the strength of the assertions at issue. In other words, if you are one of the protected classes or “oppressed”, the scale is to tilt in your favor. Fairness and impartiality are thrown out of the window in an effort to level the playing field. You are granted special dispensation equal to what the level of the prevailing and ever evolving “woke” perception merits.

In an utter reversal of fortune, “whiteness” is the new target of racial bias. The new boogie man is the white supremacist, Qanon and right-wing domestic terrorists, or what is commonly known as conservatives. After all, someone must pay for any real or perceived unfairness in our “white patriarchal” society. The fact that those who have long complained of racial injustice now cast their prejudice upon those with a skin color other than theirs, is utterly contemptible. Committing another sin does not correct the first offense. I guess trampling on other’s human rights is the great aphrodisiac.

“In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:34-35

American history is being erased or revised, according to the new values assigned by the woke education establishment. This is necessary to push the narrative that our nation is utterly and unredeemably flawed, that our nation’s wealth and status were ill-gotten and undeserved, and that it must be fundamentally transformed. Understanding the triumphs and pratfalls experienced during the rise of our nation must be silenced and be replaced with a morally and factually bankrupt interpretation that pushes the left’s narrative that the United States is an evil empire that can no longer stand.

If this great nation can no longer realize that we all have common ground and must stand firm together to attain goals that facilitate improvement of the common good, we will no longer have a nation. If all we can do is point fingers at one another and fail to unite for the common good, we are doomed to failure. If we can no longer forgive as our Father forgave us, we will be treated as we deserve to be treated, with utter contempt and abandonment.

 

 

Audacity of Faith

“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake his life on it a thousand times.” Martin Luther

It is difficult to wrap one’s head around the fact that God’s grace is freely and unconditionally given to those who believe in His one true Son. That by simply believing that Jesus Christ went to the Cross carrying all of our past, present and future sin and died the death that we all deserve guarantees our salvation seems all too easy. There has to be a catch. Nothing so valuable, nothing so delightful, and nothing so important could be given without first earning it, could it? What about the “Golden Rule”? What if I fall short and disappoint God with my failures and doubts?

“To be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing.” Martin Luther

There is nothing that you can do to make God love you any less. There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more. His love is infinite and He loves us more than we could ever imagine. These words are spoken at all of our Baptism celebrations. Let that soak in for a minute. I can never do enough to earn God’s love and I can never fail enough to have Him turn away. Absolute love and grace to each and every believer by our loving Father. No strings attached! So, why do many Christians serve their neighbor in God’s Name? It is because of the gratitude of the believer that he wants to please our Lord in everything we do.

“The law works fear and wrath; grace works hope and mercy.” Martin Luther

So many Christians seem to be stuck in the law. Our default is the false belief that grace needs to be, somehow, earned. We so often engage in “finger pointing”, emphasizing other’s shortcomings as if by doing so, our innate sinfulness is obscured by those we believe to be worse than us. The law convicts, the Gospel frees. We are freed from the consequences of our sin by the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The law simply informs us of behavior that is not pleasing to our God.

“Grace remits sin, and peace quiets the conscience. Sin and conscience torment us, but Christ has overcome these fiends now and forever. The law says, 'Do this,' and it is never done. Grace says, 'Believe in this,' and everything is already done.” Martin Luther

Luther is quite repetitive in his interpretation of grace. Grace by faith alone. Not by works, but works do fulfill an important component in the Christian’s life. As you want to please your spouse in everything you do, we endeavor to act in a manner pleasing to God. Forgive as He forgives you. Help those who need your help. In everything you do, do so that those who observe, will recognize the love of the Lord in your deeds. No, these good deeds are not a requirement of our faith, but our appreciation of our Lord’s sacrifice for us directs us to love others as He loves us and sacrifice for them.

“This grace of God is a very great, strong, mighty and active thing. It does not lie asleep in the soul. Grace hears, leads, drives, draws, changes, works all in man, and let’s itself be distinctly felt and experienced. It is hidden, but its works are evident.” Martin Luther

Despite Ourselves

I am a Christian, yet I am terribly flawed. As a disciple of Christ, I know what my Lord expects of me. Yet, try as I may to be what God wants me to be, I continue to fail miserably. I am indeed fortunate that God is faithful and just and will forgive my sins, because I need to ask for His forgiveness over and over again. I am often a poor example. Many who see my faults, cite those shortcomings as excuses to not accept Christ and not engage in fellowship with the church. I am to be an ambassador for my Lord and people are watching, and they often don’t like what they see. I am judgmental. I criticize what I perceive as the inadequacies of others, but fail to recognize my own shortcomings. I will look down upon those that are different or have opinions that are different than mine. I hold an inflated opinion of myself and will perform my good works in a way that others can see, so that I can take the credit for those good deeds.

I am a Christian, yet I am selfish. I will, more often than not, ignore that little nudge from the Holy Spirit to complete a task for our Lord, and instead, take the easy way out and do what it is that I want to do for myself. This is my biggest failure and my gravest sin against my Lord. For when my wants and desires take precedence over my Lord and Savior, I deny Him and worship myself, my identity and my possessions. I fail to remember that everything that I have, even life itself, is a gift from God. When I fail to welcome others, to share what I have with those in need, and to give of my time to those who are lonely, I also deny my Lord and Savior. Mark 8:34-38, “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

I am a Christian, yet I continue to commit sins against my Lord. My proclivity to feed the desires of the flesh, more often than not, cause me to err and to fall into sin. I take for granted my gifts from my Lord and I am often much too eager to accept the praises of others when I step out and serve the Lord. I fail to acknowledge God for the gifts He has given me and then selfishly keep them to myself. I am called to tithe, to give to my Lord only one tenth of what He has given me, yet I often only place a few dollars in the offering plate. Leviticus 27:30, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD”. My world revolves around myself, not God, making me an idol worshipper, lifting myself up as the idol.

We are Christians and children of God. No matter what it is that we do, despite all of our faults and failings, our God loves us all beyond our understanding. There is nothing we can do to earn His love. There is nothing we could do that would cause Him to not love us. 1 John 3:1, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” I am made perfect in Christ." Colossians 1:22-23, “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.” Jesus took upon Himself all of our sins, suffered and died on the cross in our place, and defeated death so that we may be granted salvation and eternal life with our Lord.

We are Christians and we are saved. We can be eternally grateful that our Lord and Savior forgives us unconditionally despite the errors of our ways. Hebrews 9:15, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” The truth  is that God wants all of His children to believe and be saved, that everyone comes to Him through faith in the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. There is much sacrifice to be made by a disciple of Christ. There is nothing easy about the tasks our Lord sets before us. But, when we obey our Lord and trust in His will, we will be made perfect in His sight. All of us unworthy, sinful human beings are sanctified in God’s eyes by the blood of our Savior. And the cost to us to be able to receive this offer of grace from our God; nothing more than faith in the Risen Christ. Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

May everyone have a blessed Easter, remembering what Christ did for us, to grant us the gift of salvation, opening the door to eternal life in paradise with Him!

Something to Talk About

So, the CEO of Starbucks wants his charges to begin conversations about race relations. How quaint, yuppies sipping their $7.50 frosted lattes conversing about race with minimum wage earners. That will certainly be a great start in saving the world. Then we have ELCA presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton using her bully pulpit to put in her two cents worth by addressing racial equity, or what the ELCA so often describes as, “white privilege”. From Eaton’s letter to members of the ELCA, “Overt forms of racism are no longer legally sanctioned, but the legacy of racism, sadly, endures. Institutional policies and practices still privilege some while limiting access and opportunities to others. Today, the Voting Rights Act has been weakened by the removal of federal oversight of local voting laws and millions of poor and people of color fill the cells of our criminal justice system.” The emphasis upon promoting racial justice reminds one of former presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s little two step dance of placing his “so-called” gospel of radical inclusiveness on equal terms with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let’s address Eaton’s contentions point by point;

The legacy of racism, sadly, endures. Apparently, forgiveness is not considered by the misguided leader of the ELCA. Eaton and her predecessors side with the progressive left and call out any and all perceived slights to anyone of color. When a black man dies at the hands of the police, none of our progressive brothers and sisters notice that criminal behavior initiated the police action. When a black man commits a crime against a white person, even when witnesses report the perpetrator using racial epithets, our justice system determines that it is not a hate crime. When a police officer is targeted, they deserved it. Seems that racism is a one way street in this country. “Hands up, don’t shoot!’ is the rallying cry by the progressive left, even when this is discredited as a false narrative. The legacy of racism endures with the race baiters like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the progressive left.

Institutional policies and practices still privilege some while limiting access and opportunities to others. The institutional policies that tend to limit access and opportunities are the same entitlement programs that shackle those in poverty, giving them just enough to survive, but not enough to escape poverty. And these benefits enable the poor to afford a few creature comforts. Yet they remain loyal to the party that panders to them, offering entitlements for votes while they demonize those who succeed as “privileged”.

Today, the Voting Rights Act has been weakened by the removal of federal oversight of local voting laws. Here Eaton evidences her lack of understanding of the law by parroting progressive talking points. The voting rights act was amended due to the fact that the states continue to provide equal access to all to vote. The voting rights act was implemented to stop states that put up barricades to persons of color in an attempt to deter them from voting. Most of those states that regularly violated the rights of persons of color to vote were southern states run by democrats. Funny how history has a way of being remembered the way a person wants to remember it. Voter ID is also decried as a way of subverting the vote and discouraging persons of color from voting. It does nothing of the sort. In Milwaukee County Wisconsin, the 2008 presidential election had more that 5500 more votes tallied than persons that had cast votes. The only thing voter ID will do is make it more difficult for persons to vote illegally.

Millions of poor and people of color fill the cells of our criminal justice system. The question should be, “Why do persons of color commit so many crimes?” We need to diagnose and treat the disease, not simply treat the symptoms. The lack of a father in many poor families, particularly the African American community is the disease. There is a reason that God created them male and female. Jesus said in Mark 10:6-9, “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” A mother and father is how God intended to be a family, and together they would raise their children. Each has a defined role. Eliminate the father and a void exists, often to be filled by joining a gang and/or engaging in criminal behavior. The progressive left wants the government to replace both the father and God in the family. Eliminate the father and God, and everyone looks to the government and is beholding to it. Shame on you Bishop Eaton, you side with those that wish to make you and your God irrelevant.

Perhaps if the leaders of the ELCA would concentrate on bringing the lost to Christ, many of the ills of society would begin to heal themselves. Perhaps if less emphasis was given to social justice, more effort could be spent on preaching the Gospel to the world. Perhaps if forgiveness was not a word that is apparently foreign to the progressive left, we could truly begin to love one another. Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Let us begin with forgiving others as He has forgiven us. Pray that the Spirit will fill more and more hearts with the love of Christ. This is how we will overcome our many differences.

Who's in Charge?

The shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black man by police in Ferguson, Missouri, has sparked the flames of racial anger. At first, angry but peaceful protests began, followed by the cursory rioting and looting, with many of the participants from outside the community, including those that always seem to show up at incidents like this to create and foment chaos. Some of the looters shout that they deserve what they have stolen. The national media empathizes with the victims, accuses law enforcement of “systematic police brutality” and not only downplays the lawlessness, but questions whether it is “what goes around, comes around” and is just payback for past racial discrimination. The media interview the race activists who complain that the personnel of the police department does not properly mirror the racial makeup of the community. (There goes that quota affinity so vital to progressive philosophy.) Notwithstanding that the investigation is ongoing and any determination as to what actually occurred has not been completed, our President sends the United States Attorney General to make certain that no shenanigans are taking place by law enforcement, the local District Attorney and the County Coroner.

Meanwhile, thousands of Christians are being murdered in Africa and the Middle East and our President eschews sending any “boots on the ground” to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ, but he finally agrees to send humanitarian aid, albeit begrudgingly. At least they will die with a full stomach. ISIS, or as President Obama insists is ISIL, so as to not admit that his failure to enforce his “red line” in Syria has opened the floodgates to this murderous gang running rampant from Syria into Iraq. ISIS will continue to kill Christians, kidnap Westerners and video-tape gruesome executions, promising to kill even more if America takes action against their stated goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate. Our President gives a speech denouncing the murder of an American journalist and then goes golfing, yucking it up with his friends as if nothing happened. The days of America using its’ power to protect those who cannot protect themselves, is apparently over, at least while this administration reigns. Obama claims that the world is not on fire, blaming social media for exaggerating events around the globe. Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” 

Every leader has been placed in their position by God, for His purpose. No matter how bad it seems on this earth, hear this; this earthly existence of ours is but a grain of sand in the hourglass of eternity. What is important for us while we live out our lives on planet earth is that we work to further the Kingdom of Christ. Dwell on the evil that men do and we will lose sight of a greater purpose that God has in store for us. As Christians we are not to be led like sheep to slaughter, we need to work to see that our leaders are grounded in the Word. Elect leaders that believe and uphold Christian values. Then we will be able to take back our country and lead it on the path that God intends. Each vote is important and it is our responsibility as, not only citizens of this country, but citizens in the Lord's kingdom here on earth. A great revival is happening all around us. More and more young people are coming to Christ is spite of the progressive’s battle against Christianity. Perhaps, leaders that continue to try to push us away from Him are being used to wake us sleeping Christians from our slumber. The leaders of the ELCA certainly woke me up. God definitely used the misguided ELCA church-wide assembly in 2009 to jumpstart my faith. Even though it was because of my misunderstanding the consequence of the law that began that fire in my heart, through the power of the Holy Spirit things started to become clear. It is not about disobeying the law by accepting as right, what God prohibits, it is about surrendering our lives to Him. Matthew 10:37-39, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” When we truly surrender our lives to Him, our desires become secondary and we delight in obedience to our Lord.

Doctrine is important. Doctrine gives us instruction as to how God wants us to live our lives. Doctrine disregarded or altered to fit our modern sensibilities leads us away from our relationship with Christ. The ELCA is enamored with the idea of eliminating or minimizing hell. This only leads to further erode the Christian’s true calling, to bring the lost to Christ. If there is no hell and everyone goes to heaven anyway, there is no need for a Savior. If there is no need for a Savior, there is no reason to believe in anything other than yourself. If one does not believe, this life becomes empty and meaningless. The leaders of the ELCA are seeking to make a God to meet the expectations of a progressive, secular society. Oh they seem to say the right things, like their social justice agenda is based on loving their neighbor, but their insistence to elevate that agenda over saving the lost, pushes God onto the back burner. There is a reason we are called Christians, and it is Christ, not social justice.

There are over 4 million brothers and sisters in Christ adrift in the apostasy ridden organization that is the ELCA, most of them truly believing that they are the right path. Many will come to discover, too late, that their name is not written in the Book of Life. As Christians, we cannot allow that to happen. God has placed those leaders who are in charge of the ELCA. Perhaps, it is to awaken some of us sleepy Christians and light a fire under us to help lead them back to Him. 2 Peter 2:20-21, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.” We can truly be the hands and feet of Christ and lead our brothers and sisters back to the path of righteousness. I pray every day that more will come to know the lies perpetrated by the leaders and scholars of the ELCA and return to a church true to the Lord.

Lowest Common Denominator

In mathematics the lowest common denominator is the least common multiple of the denominators of a set of vulgar fractions. Ie; 4/16 divide each number by the lowest common denominator, 4 and you come up with 1/4. Use the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of each denominator in the set. This term has entered popular culture and now denotes the least sophisticated person(s) in a particular situation. The term is often used as a figure of speech indicating the most basic, least sophisticated level of taste, sensibility, or opinion among a group of people. Most reality TV shows tend to appeal to the lowest common denominators among us. If you tend to gravitate to “Honey Boo”, “Jersey Shore” or the “Kardashians”, you just may fit into the category of lowbrow, uncultured, or low information individuals looked down upon and considered to be on the fringe of society.

Of our own accord, many of us would stoop to our lowest common denominator and sit for hours and watch “Dancing with the Stars” instead of taking time with our God in prayer or meditation on His word. ELCA teachings step away from the words of our God and decide that, “the times, they are a’ changin’” and tweak the words our God decided were the best path for His children to take. Our more enlightened friends that lead the apostate ELCA decide to modernize God’s word and contrive all sorts of “new things” that they believe that God must have really meant in that “book of faith stories”. Take Christ out of Christianity and we engage in doctrine that lifts up the true selfish nature of humanity. Christ died for all humanity, so why not neglect to emphasize that faith in the Risen Christ is necessary to gain salvation. It’s hard to deny oneself and so demeaning to admit to our selfish and sinful nature. Think that the producer of “Noah” took creative license with the story of the flood, think again. These supposed men and women of God have, with the stroke of a pen and the vote of a fallen humanity, attempted to change God’s will forever. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-19, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Disobedience is so easy. We are all rule breakers at heart. We expect the leaders of God’s church to preach the pure Gospel, as it is stated in God’s word, the Bible. Having the very persons charged to uphold sound doctrine, contrive ways around our Lord and Savior’s teaching is beyond the pale. We do quite a fine job of finding ways to displease our God all by ourselves, we don’t need the church affirming us within our sin. But, Luther himself said to sin boldly, so what is the problem? He also said that we are at once, both saint and sinner. In other words, we remain a sinful humanity that continually falls short of the glory of God. We need to recognize our sinful nature and how easily we fall into disobedience. We need to recognize that we need a Savior, because we can never earn the grace that is so freely bestowed upon us. We need to recognize that, because of our faith in the Risen Christ, we are forgiven. What the leaders of the ELCA fail to understand is that, if there is no sin, there is no need for forgiveness. If there is no need for forgiveness there is no need for a Savior. If there is no need for a Savior, there is no need to attend a church that is welcoming, tolerant and affirming of sinful behavior.

More of Luther’s letter to Melanchthon. “Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong (sin boldly), but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2 Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.” The false gospel of tolerance and affirmation trivializes Christ sacrifice upon the cross. Essays published in the “Lutheran” magazine and what is being taught in ELCA seminaries attest to the fact that the leaders of the ELCA are deliberately fomenting a revolution against sound Lutheran doctrine and the authority of Scripture. This battle against God is extraordinarily insidious as the ELCA promotes all sorts of unsound theology at its’ seminaries and then persecutes and silences any and all seminarians that resist its’ false teachings. Bound conscience is truly a one way street, contrived to silence any opposing, traditional voices.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ adrift in ELCA churches need to wake up and smell the roses. They are being led onto a path towards destruction. Accepting the false doctrine of bound conscience is tantamount to worshiping themselves. Believe what the snake oil peddler is selling and you will fall to your lowest common denominator, the sinful human being lavishing even more sinful behavior upon yourself, secure in the fact that your church says that it is okay. Pray long and hard for our brothers and sisters to realize that fact before it is too late.

Merry Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfmZZdRtaYg 

I usually don't post links on this blog, but this song says it all.

The Other "F" Word

Colossians 3:13, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus said, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” It should be so easy, but forgiveness is one of the most difficult tasks a human being may ever undertake. Anger is so effortless and although it eats away at our very own well-being by giving us a sense of bitter satisfaction, it somehow remains very appealing. After all, when someone wrongs us, it seems to be so right to carry a grudge against that someone who deliberately, or perhaps unknowingly committed that act that caused us so much consternation.

The song “Forgiveness” by Matthew West says it so well, “It’s the hardest thing to give away and the last thing on your mind today. It always goes to those that don’t deserve. It’s the opposite of how you feel. When the pain they caused is just too real. It takes everything you have just to say the word …Forgiveness. It flies in the face of all your pride. It moves away the mad inside. It’s always anger’s own worst enemy. Even when the jury and the judge say you gotta right to hold a grudge. It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’ …Forgiveness." 

God forgives each and every one of us, no matter how serious our sin may be. Complete, absolute, and unwavering forgiveness, each and every day, by faith alone, whether or not we ask for it. God sent His one and only Son, who took on human form and presented Himself as a sin offering for each and every human being, past, present and future. Jesus, one with the Father and the Spirit, God incarnate, became a man and experienced the ultimate form of forgiveness, willingly taking the punishment that a sinful humanity truly deserved. Even while dying on the cross in Luke 23:34, “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” As disciples of Christ, we attempt to achieve some small measure of the righteousness that our Lord and Savior demonstrated during His ministry here on earth. Yet, we remain steadfast in our refusals to grant forgiveness to those who slight us. In our politics, in our relationships, and in our biases, and even toward our fellow Christians we continue to hold that grudge. Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Forgiveness frees you and cleanses your soul, eliminates anger, and anger is a great toehold that the evil one uses to cause us to stray. Anger poisons the soul and along with any other negative emotion may seem to fulfill some need, but simply fulfills a sinful craving of a misguided human being. Colossians 3:8-10, “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Forgiveness truly allows us to become that new creation, one transformed by the love and forgiveness our Father has given us. From the last verse of the song, "By what you see through eyes of grace, the prisoner that it really frees is you...Forgiveness"
 
Many still struggle with the hurt and are angry with the leaders of the ELCA and withhold their forgiveness to those that have caused so much pain and strife. It is not for us to judge, but rest assured, our Father will make the appropriate judgment of those leading His children astray. It is difficult to retain that righteous anger that leads us to proclaim the truth so that all can hear and understand the fallacy of the wide and easy path of tolerance and diversity that has persuaded so many of our brothers and sisters to fall away from our Lord’s teachings. Our perceived anger simply causes those we are trying to reach and gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, to ignore our words and lash out in anger toward us. Forgiveness disarms those who would harbor a grudge against those that simply pray that their eyes be opened to the truth. But, as we forgive, we must also never forget. Far too many of our brothers and sisters continue to cling to the misguided belief that the ELCA is on the proper path. We are charged to continue to proclaim the truth and expose the heresies that may threaten the very salvation of those foolish enough to lift up these false gospels. Prayer can move mountains and we must continue to pray for our brothers and sisters adrift in the ELCA.

Are you in Denial?

reposted from 5-26-10

The Apostle Peter, the Rock, denied Jesus 3 times on the eve of Jesus’ crucifixion. He denied our Lord to save his skin, since he believed that he too, may have been brought to judgment on that night. How many times have you denied the Lord his proper place in your life? Our denials are not always as literal as Peter’s. We deny our Lord by placing ourselves and our interests before Him. Jesus told his disciples in Luke 9:23-26, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up the cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit your very self? If any of you are ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” To follow our Lord requires complete dedication and willing obedience. If we choose to concentrate on our own identities, our own families, our successes, or accomplishments, we will lose that which really matters, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is necessary in order to gain our salvation. Those of us more concerned with satisfying our worldly desires and pleasing ourselves before pleasing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will have no part in His kingdom.

So, we must deny ourselves in order to place Christ first and foremost in our hearts. This is not such an easy task for a sinful and selfish humanity. The ELCA is so passionate in their struggle for social justice that they have lost sight of the reason that we should work to right the wrongs of this world. Jesus is the reason that we strive to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, provide care for the sick and injured, and welcome all sinners to worship our Lord. We do these acts, not of our own volition, but because Jesus himself first did these things in His Father’s name. Without our Lord, we are lost, trapped in our selfish world, full of sin, with no one to deliver us from the corruption that can so easily overcome our lives. Luke 18:26-27,29-30, “Who then can be saved? Jesus replied, “What is impossible with human beings is possible with God. Truly I tell you, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Salvation is a gift from God alone. No matter how we hard we try attain the kingdom of God by the virtue of our own accomplishments, we will fail. Only by the grace of God are we granted salvation.

Acts 4: 11-12, “Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.” Jesus is indeed the cornerstone that our faith and church is built upon. Without His death and resurrection, we all would stand accountable for our sins and the punishment that we so greatly deserve. All that we are and hope to be is a gift that He has provided to us. Since we owe our very lives to our Lord, why is it so difficult to thank and praise Him in our daily lives? Study God’s Word and you will be filled with His Spirit. The Bible is God speaking to each and every one of His children. Read it, learn it, and let His Word lead you to the personal relationship with Christ that He desires and that we all are seeking.

1 Peter 4:1-2, “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because those who have suffered in their bodies are done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.” When we place our Lord at the center of our lives and express our love for others as He did, sinful desires and worldly practices that we once placed as priorities, will cease to be important in our daily lives. We must be diligent then and temper our desires for the things of this world, so that we always place Christ first in our hearts.