Joy To The World

Joy to the World, The Lord is come...Those words by Issac Watts reflect the angelic message to shepherds faithfully carrying out their menial tasks.

Joy to the World...It blares from digitally enhanced church steeples even as anxious shoppers within its sound trudge from store to store only to be confronted by short-tempered, ill-mannered, and inconsiderate shoppers and shop keepers.

Where is the “Joy” in Christmas? Everywhere one turns he hears, mumbling, grumbling, groaning, and complaining. The oft heard comment, “I just don’t have enough time,” reflects the consternation the Christmas Season brings.

I think it is time to take stock of what Christmas should be all about. It should be a time of willing self-sacrifice, not grudging dutiful drudgery. It should reflect the willing sacrifice Jesus Christ made when He left the glories of heaven to be born as a vulnerable human being during a time of poverty and political oppression, so that He could offer Himself a sacrifice for the sin of the world.

Should we approach the purchase of gifts as an opportunity to express our love and appreciation of those for whom the gifts are intended, we might be less frustrated in our search. Those people with whom we deal are simply obstacles placed there by the enemy to challenge our resolve to act in Christ-like love to those who serve us in our pursuits.

The driver who swerves into the parking place ahead of you, the shopper whose self-centered dash upends your load of packages, the clerk whose aching feet and splitting headache override her normally courteous behavior, and the myriad of others you encounter are simply opportunities to demonstrate that the Angels were not wrong. They did bring good tidings of great joy, and Issac Watts is correct, we can have joy.

Joy which is dependent upon perfect external conditions is not really joy at all. Joy is an expression of an internal condition which naturally flows from an ongoing and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

JOY TO THE WORLD!!! THE LORD IS COME!!!

From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry

© 2009 Mike Rasberry

The Gift of Self

As you continue searching for the perfect gift for that special person during this Christmas Season, why don’t you consider the giving a more complete “You.” While such a gift is not monetarily expensive, it is costly. Such a gift means that you choose to forego the personal pleasures to which you’ve become accustomed in order that you might be more available to the one(s) you love.

A great gift for any loved one is when you choose to put aside some habit or indulgence in order to make another’s life more full and meaningful. Several destructive habits and indulgences which steal one’s time and wreck relationships include, but are in no way limited to:
Alcohol
Tobacco
Computer Games
Pornography
Gossip

During the Christmas Season, that indulgence most often bringing destruction is the use of alcohol as a beverage. Misery will greet huge numbers of homes this season because of the destructive nature of alcohol and the hold it takes on men when they imbibe.

This season, purpose to give your loved ones the gift of a sober, rational, and whole person by choosing to stay away from the deadly brew.

Johnny Sanders Pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Downsville, La. Copied the following poem off the wall of Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman several years ago. The author is unknown to this writer.

THE BAR
The name of each saloon is bar,
The fittest of its names by far.
A bar to Heaven, a door to hell;
Whoever named it, named it well.
A bar to manliness and wealth,
A door to want and broken health.
A bar to honor, pride, and fame,
A door to grief, sin, and shame.
A bar to hopes, a bar to prayers,
A door to darkness and despair.
A bar to honored, useful life,
A door to brawling, senseless strife.
A bar to all that’s true and brave,
A door to every drunkard’s grave.
A bar to joy that home imparts,
A door to tears and aching hearts.
A bar to Heaven, a door to hell,
Whoever named it named it well.

Taken from "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry

© 2009 Mike Rasberry

Criteria for a Just War

A recent article in Associated Baptist Press by Bob Allen reported on a speech by Robert Parham in which he outlined five criteria for a war being “just.” I agree with some, but with some of his listed criteria, I take issue. What are your thoughts on the matter?

The first standard necessary for a “Just War,” he said is a “Just Cause.” I must agree with this standard. The use of force to protect America, her allies, her citizens, and those unable to defend themselves seems a legitimate criteria. Whether of not popular opinion considers it “Just” is not the issue. Those who stand on the side of justice often must swim upstream against the ever increasing tide of those who, when they begin to experience personal hardship abdicate their moral responsibility.

Parham lists the second standard as property authority. Again, I agree with this criteria. However, he includes the UN as such an authority. I do not believe the UN has any kind of moral authority to wage war. I do not believe in a one-world governing entity, which such authority will inevitably bring about.

The third standard which must be met according to Parham, is “last resort.” That is to say that a country should attempt to mediate through peaceful means before turning to war. I agree with this point in a limited way. The United States kept giving Japan chance upon chance to turn back from her treacherous course. Time and again, the Japanese were caught in their web of lies, yet the desire to try one more time eventually left us ill prepared for the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. There must be a firm time table with tangible positive response. In the case of overt attack as in the 9-11 assault, reaction must be swift and comprehensive.

Parham lists the fourth standard as “probability of success.” I think this is a terrible criteria for war. There can be nothing but victory in war. Anything less than the total commitment of the people to the success of the endeavor will spell eventual disaster. One man suggested that Gideon would never have gone forth with his 300 hearty men had probability of success been a criteria. George Washington’s heroic stand against the greatest military power of its day would never have gotten off Long Island if probability of success had been a consideration.

The fifth standard listed by Parham is “proportionality.” This is the most absurd of the criteria listed. Proportionality means that the nation attack with only the amount of force necessary to eke out a victory. It is the concept of “proportionality” which resulted in the loss of Korea and Vietnam. It is proportionality which has kept our troops bogged down in the Middle East for nearly nine years. When a nation goes to war, she should unleash the power necessary to bring a quick end to the conflict. Untold tens of thousands of American lives were spared by the unleashing of the Atom bomb on two Japanese Cities. Do you really believe that the last fifty years of privation suffered by the people of North Korea would have occurred if American leadership had demonstrated the resolve to unleash MacArthur on the Communist giant growing on the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese mainland.

While I regret the loss of so-called non-combatants, I doubt the existence of many such. Those in war torn areas are already involved. The Vietnamese peasants were NOT non-combatants. They either supported the Allies or the Viet Cong. I suspect that is the case in most areas. That folk can live in the midst of war without taking sides is something for the movies, but doesn’t exist in reality.

© 2009 Mike Rasberry

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THOSE WHO SERVE

When I arrived back in the Continental United States in September of 1967 from Vietnam, I was not met with a hero’s welcome. Rather, some of my first “greeters” were protestors carrying signs calling me a “baby killer” and worse. I was spit upon, cursed, and derided in every conceivable manner. Now those folks did not know my name, but because I wore a Marine uniform, I was the enemy.

I’m thankful to Holy God that He saw fit to use me in the defense of this great country, just as He used my Dad before me. As I look back, I can see the Hand of God in His intervention in my life. Some of those I was raised with, trained with, and fought with did not return alive, or whole after the war. I don’t know why God chose to deliver me, but I purpose to so live my life as to demonstrate my appreciation for Him and for those who died in my stead.

Thank you Holy God for giving us men and women who are willing to serve to the uttermost in these uncertain times.

Thank you men and women of the military, for doing what you do. Please know that there are millions like me who appreciate your devotion to duty.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THOSE WHO SERVE!!

Happy Birthday Marines!!

The year was 1965 and I was the fresh faced, smart alecky hard head who thought he was really tough. I had failed to graduate from high school and was working in the oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico, when I received the notice to report for my physical prior to induction in the Army.

I knew I didn’t want to be drafted, so I began investigating the other branches of service and settled on the Air Force. I had my airplane ticket to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for recruit training when I was visited by a Marine Corps Recruiter. Before he left my home, I was singing “The Marine Corps Hymn” and preparing to catch a bus to Birmingham, Alabama where I was sworn in along with about twenty others. Then it was on to Parris Island, South Carolina.

My recollection of that first few days remains somewhat foggy, but I remember waiting in the very cool night air outside the gate for a bus to take us to our orientation area. Once inside the gates of Parris Island, all civility ceased. The sergeant, who had been so courteous and gregarious outside the gate, instantaneously metamorphosed into a hideous antagonist seeming intent of destroying every iota of self image we possessed.

We learned quickly that we were the scum of the earth hardly worth the taxpayers money expended in a probable ill fated attempt to transform us into Marines. We were relieved of our clothing and personal belongings, and issued Marine Corps skivvies which were sufficient clothing for us to fill out what seemed like reams of paperwork. Then we were marched, in skivvies, to another building where we received ill-fitting utilities and boots.

As dawn broke upon us we were herded, what we did was certainly not marching, to the mess hall to partake of our first real Marine Corps meal. Over the years, I’ve become convinced that the first meal is especially designed to so repugnant that future meals will be appreciated.

The day was spent outfitting us and explaining a few rules: like “if you mess up my Marine Corps, I will personally give you a vertical butt stroke.” I had no idea what a vertical butt stroke was, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t good.

Night time was anticipated in much the same way a starving man anticipates food. We were emotionally and physically exhausted. Eighty plus men in our squad bay fell instantly asleep.

At 4:30 A.M. a short Corporal named Sparks started beating on the metal G.I. cans in our squad bay and screaming that we had fifteen minutes to be dressed and lined up outside so that we could get a little exercise before breakfast. I’m not sure how far we ran, but I was grateful that I was in pretty good shape.

So began my love affair with The United States Marine Corps. I learned to never give up on myself, my country, and The Corps. I learned that the whole is much stronger than the parts which make up the whole, and I learned to really love this great country in which we live.

I entered the Corps, a snot nosed, immature, boy. After Boot Camp, ITR, specialized training, thirteen months in Vietnam, and my terminal assignment in Yuma, Arizona; I left the Marine Corps as a man committed to impacting society for good. I thank my God regularly that He so orchestrated events as to place me in The Corps.

It was during my tour that I regained that lost love of learning which continues to press me to study today. It was during my tour that I married the love of my life, who has been a positive influence upon my life. And it was during my tour that God directed me to the First Southern Baptist Church of Yuma, Arizona where He spoke clearly to me about the life work to which He was calling me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!
Semper Fi!!!

THE MARRIAGE DILEMMA

People choose to marry for many reasons. Here are just a few of the reasons listed in numerous surveys:

• To be free from parents.
• To have sex.
• Love.
• To relieve loneliness.
• To be happy.
• Physical attractiveness.
• To have a baby.
• Financial security.
• Immigration purposes
• Friends are married.
• Fear of not finding a partner.

In Christian Circles “Love” is listed as the primary reason for marriage, but one must question whether or not those listing “love” actually understand the meaning. God commands Believers to love one another. Therefore, one must conclude that love is not an emotion. Now, none will deny the emotional aspect of what the world calls “falling in love.”

Love, it seems to this writer, is acting in such a way as to demonstrate one’s care for the welfare of another. Love would, therefore, be quite selfless in its actions always seeking first to make the other successful and fulfilled, and thereby gaining a sense of fulfillment in those very acts.

God seems to command the Believer to marry and raise up children who are taught to love God and live their lives as a reflection of that love. Therefore, the primary reason for marriage ought to be obedience to God. If two Believers are committed to walking with Christ, they will develop a strong emotional tie as a natural result of their acting in love toward one another.

The tragedy of contemporary marriages between Believers is that most are based upon an emotional attraction which, unlike a faith commitment to God, often changes based upon the circumstances of life. Therefore, marriages between Believers are dissolving at an alarming rate.

It seems to this writer that two Believers who genuinely “like” one another and are willing to act in love toward one another, as unto God Himself, would make a great marriage. They could grow together over the years, and would stand a much better chance of success than those marriages based upon emotional attachments and/or physical attributes.

Don’t mistake the emotional attraction for “love.” Few couples genuinely understand love until they’ve been married for some years. Emotional love is important, but it should be that which has grown out of sharing, struggling, and growing together.

© 2009 Mike Rasberry

FEARS FROM THE RIGHT

Breitbart.com quotes from an Associated Press interview with the British singer Sting that he believes President Obama is sent from God to straighten out the world’s mess. He says of the opposition to Obama, "It's aggressive and violent and full of fear."

He is correct about one thing. The opposition to Obama is full of fear:

• Fear that an oppressive one-world government is coagulating.
• Fear that those of us who believe in Biblical Christianity will soon face Dark Age type persecution where opposition to the official church-state position is deemed heresy, and as such worthy of incarceration and/or death.
• Fear that our children and grandchildren will not enjoy the freedom to develop their lives to their fullest potential.
• Fear that our freedom to share our faith will be deemed “Hate Speech.”
• Fear that American Exceptionalism will become American embarrassment at our accomplishments.
• Fear that untold millions will continue to be slaughtered by the ruthless selfishness of contemporary liberal attitudes toward abortion.
• Fear that our young men and young women will be encouraged to continue exploring sexual depravity until the natural God-given sexual appetites are extinguished.
• Fear that familial relationships will continue to disintegrate as marriage is abandoned and short-term “relationships” flourish in a vain quest for the fulfillment which ironically only comes with genuine commitment.
  
• Fear that the burden of caring for the elderly and infirm will be seen as too onerous to continue.
  

While this is by no means an exhaustive catalog of fears conservatives have, it is a starting point for discussion.

May God have mercy on our land, and may we soon cry out to Him as did the Children of Israel to be delivered from the oppressive hand of this heathen administration.

© 2009 Mike Rasberry

National Council of Churches--A leftist Group of Individual Denominations

I’m often asked why I don’t participate in ecumenical meetings with churches of other denominations. The following churches are members of the National Council of Churches (NCC). Their liberal political agenda is a reflection of their theological understanding of Scripture. The rare exception to this group is that the American Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly opposes abortion.

I cannot and will not participate with those churches which are a part of these communions. While the members of some of the local assemblies are extremely conservative they too, contribute numerically and financially to the national strength of these organizations, thereby giving them a greater voice in national affairs.

A recent move by the NCC has been to partner with the National Hispanic Media Coalition, which filed a petition in January demanding that the FCC collect data, seek public comment and "explore options" for combating "hate speech" from staunch critics of illegal immigration.

They call “hate speech” any attempt to criticize the “open borders” philosophy they espouse. Branding such as “hate speech would criminalize those who disagree with them.

Friends in Christ is nothing less than an attempt to silence those who disagree with the leftist policies and aims of these churchmen who quite often completely deny the authority of Scripture and believe that social activism is the path to right standing with God.

I would encourage you to refuse to support any of the following entities by your finances or your membership. Your participation emboldens them as they seemingly seek to destroy the country God has given.

* African Methodist Episcopal Church
* The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
* Alliance of Baptists
* American Baptist Churches in the USA
* American Conference of Catholic Bishops
* Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
* Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
* Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
* Church of the Brethren
* The Coptic Orthodox Church in North American
* The Episcopal Church
* Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
* Friends United Meeting
* Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
* Hungarian Reformed Church in America
* International Council of Community Churches
* Korean Presbyterian Church in America
* Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
* Mar Thoma Church
* Moravian Church in America Northern Province and Southern Province
* National Baptist Convention of Americn
* National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.
* National Missionary Baptist Convention of America
* Orthodox Church in America
* Patriarchal Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA
* Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
* Polish National Catholic Church of America
* Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
* Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
* Reformed Church in America
* Serbian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A. and Canada
* The Swedenborgian Church
* Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
* Ukrainian Orthodox Church of America
* United Church of Christ
* The United Methodist Church

Both hands are off the Steering Wheel, and they don't even Know it.

Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that racial politics played a role in South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress last week and in some of the opposition the president has faced since taking office. "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American," Carter told "NBC Nightly News." "I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that shares the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African-Americans."

I wonder what President Carter thinks was the reason he had almost as much opposition as President Obama has. It is strange, indeed, that these liberals can just pull the race card out at anytime to attempt to justify their abhorrent policies, and under gird themselves with a sense of martyrdom when it becomes obvious the public is not buying what the snake oil they're selling.

Carter retains a reputation as one of the half dozen worse and ineffective Presidents ever to hold the office. Perhaps his problem is that people just don't like peanuts, therefore they just could not appreciate depth and sincerity of his profundity.

As President Obama continues his herky-jerky leadership style, I'm reminded of my sister, Sue, as she began to learn how to drive our old 1947 Chevy with the standard 3 on the column shifter. She would start off by revving the engine, the letting the clutch out rapidly which resulted in a spin of the wheels, a lurch forward, and an abrupt stop. Never one to give up, Sue finally was able to get it moving jerking fashion until it was time to change gears. The trick, of course, is to take the right hand from the steering wheel, grasp the shift lever, and with the clutch depressed, moving the shift lever to second gear, al the while guiding the car with the left hand. But my sister has never been conventional. She took both hands from the wheel grasped the shift lever with both hand while allowing the rutted road to determine the direction of the car.

I'm afraid that the hands are off the steering wheel, and America is being guided by the well worn and failed ruts of liberal ideology. Steep and mirey ditches line the narrow roadway and the the Obama apologists can't even see that there are no hands on the wheel, or worse, don't realize the proximity of destruction on either side of the roadway.

Is President Obam's Staff Really That Inept?

Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky wrote regarding the controversy with President and his speech to America's School Children that there is nothing sinister about President Obama's desire to speak with our children.

I agree with Dr. Mohler's basic premise that we must respect the Office of The Presidency, and therefore the President. Upon further reading, however, I find several areas of extreme disagreement. The primary area is that Dr. Mohler seems to believe the President's problems are the result of poor planning, and careless preparation by his staff.

I doubt this is the case. This is a man who does little, and has done little over the last several years which is not calculated to the "n"th degree. He has surrounded himself with radical subversives who believe it is their divine right to rule and thereby remake American society in their own image. They know that winning the hearts and minds of America's Youth is essential to full and complete "change." Every despot has learned well that lesson, and those surrounding President Obama appear despotic in their quest for power.

Dr. Mohler's conciliatory message seems to imply that conservatives are simply being distracted. He acts as if there is no sinister plan. I'm sorry. I just don't buy it. I believe the presidential advisers definitely planned every aspect of the lead up to his push for a national health care plan. They cannot on the one hand be brilliant tacticians, and on the other, bumbling fools.

I believe they knew enough conservatives who really want to think well of them, would step forward to blunt the harsh criticism, if things went against them. In any campaign, whether election or policy, there are a few calculated risks which must be taken. I believe this was one. The potential reward outweighed the potential fallout. Now, a new text has been prepared and he looks like a benevolent father, rather than a grasping politician.

Good theater, too bad, Dr. Mohler became his shield. Dr. Mohler's article can be be read by clicking on his name in this sentence.

I Do Not Trust President Obama To Speak To America's School Children

Many have asked what it will hurt for President Obama to speak to America's school children. The problem, as I see it, relates to his trustworthiness. I simply DO NOT trust him.

If he would go there and encourage the kids to stay in school, work hard, and achieve success, even citing his own unlikely route to the presidency that would be fine. But we just don't trust him to do that. Even the study material dispensed to teachers began with questions like, "How can we help President Obama in what he is trying to accomplish."

I don't want him to accomplish his goals. Rush Limbaugh was absolutely correct: "I hope he fails." He wants to lead us into Socialism. At a time when socialist nations are becoming more and more capitalistic because socialism has failed everywhere it has been tried, he wants to lead us down that dark path. I believe a more sinister purpose is behind him, and that is simply one of complete control of the masses by the elitist ruling class which of which he is a simple pawn.

He has proven that he cannot be trusted. I don't trust him to even do what he says in advance he'll do. He is a better liar than Bill Clinton ever was. I want the children of this land to respect the office of "The Presidency." I don't want them enamored with the "Cult of Obama."

Mao Tse Tung developed a following among the school children and the "Red Brigades" became the ruthless enforcers of Mao's will. Children reported their parents for their words and actions. The same happened in Nazi Germany. Hitler's youth forces not only carried the day, they were so impressed with the "Little Corporal," they reported their parents as enemies of the state because said parents opposed Hitler's policies.

Let the teachers teach about the presidency. Hang his photo in the room along with Washington's, but don't give him unimpeded access to the ears and hearts of America's children. As his former pastor was fond of saying, "America's chickens have come home to roost." He was elected by a majority of those who troubled themselves enough to register and vote. We must live with the consequences of that vote. Now like the Children of Israel we need to cry out to God for deliverance, and ask God to raise up a judge who lead us out of this dark time.


He is a radical and cunning liar, who seems devoted to his own daddy, the father of lies. NO!! And Again I say, "NO!" The children of American should not be subjected to his radical agenda with the only voices there, the fawning devotees of the Teacher's Union.

Now some will dismiss this as simply a bitter diatribe. It is not. I pray for President Obama, but I simply cannot look away from his actions and his policies. Some will say, "You're just prejudiced because he is black." Well, in the first place, he's just as much white as he is black. Secondly, I oppose him because he represents policies which I fought against in Vietnam, my Father fought against in World War II, and the Founding Fathers risked everything to prevent occurring here in the United States.

ARISE!! IT IS TIME TO GO TO WORK!!

The time has come for those who believe in capitalism and the American way of life to stand up and be counted. Laws upon laws are being passed without the consent of the people by elitist government officials almost completely detached from the local citizenry. Radical social extremist are intimidating Corporate America to such an extent that even the Salvation Army is not welcome at many locations across the land.

Recently criticism of President Obama exposing his obvious racist agenda and attitudes has landed Glenn Beck in trouble with advertisers who do not want to advertise during his time on the air. Now, I have no trouble with corporations supporting who they will, but I do have trouble supporting those corporations when they deny support to those who espouse the same views about America I do, while lending their support to the radical extremist who seem bent of destroying the America I love.

Colorofchange.org is a radical political action group seeking to influence advertisers to boycott Beck’s show. The co-founder of Color of Change, Van Jones, now serves as a special advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Now it starts to make sense. Beck recently exposed Van Jones’ as being a self-professed “Black Nationalist.” “Black Nationalists” desire to make black culture the dominant culture of America. He is a radical extremist who has no business in government, but he is typical of those with whom President Obama is surrounding himself.

Walmart, CVS Caremark, Clorox, and Sprint are among those companies who are reported to be boycotting Beck’s program. The time has come for those who care to do more than attend a “Tea Party.” We need to contact those who are boycotting Beck and respectfully express our extreme displeasure with them in ways they will understand. We need to hit them in the pocketbook.

To be effective, in such an endeavor requires commitment. We Americans have trouble with commitment which costs us a part of our leisure time. We simply cannot miss the golf outing, the hunting expedition, or the sporting event in order to involve ourselves in the perpetuation of our culture. THAT MUST CHANGE. The Founding Fathers of our great nation risked everything they had to give us a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. IT IS TIME to set aside our perpetual pursuit of pleasure in order that we might leave that same heritage for those generations which come after us.

What can we do? We can begin by personally contacting the offending corporate entities and expressing our displeasure in their actions by email, written letter, and telephone. All three entities might take a while, but consider exactly what your failure might result in. Then we can contact the local outlet personally and let the manager know of our displeasure. Next, we can refuse to patronize those entities, and use their products. Yes, it will be inconvenient, but not nearly as inconvenient as it will be when we have lost our ever shrinking freedoms. Finally, we can offer ourselves for service by running for office.

Arise from those feathery beds of comfort, it is past noon, even moving toward the evening and still the work is not done. Who knows but that the night might come upon us more quickly that we imagine when the opportunity to work is no long present. Christian Patriots everywhere need be about the work of preserving this great country which God has allowed us to enjoy, so that we might continue to utilize our great resources to take the Good News throughout the world.

© Mike Rasberry 2009

Is This President Acting Deliberately or Ignorantly?

Paul Driessen reports on townhall.com that the Denver Art Museum spent $720,000 for taxpayer subsidized photovoltaic solar panels for its roof. He further reports that while the panels will certainly reduce conventional electricity bills that it will take 110 years to save enough on those bills to pay for the panels. The problem is the panels are designed to last only 30 years.

So what is the point? Exactly this. President Obama gets to promote solar power, with the majestic Rockies in the background of his photo op.

I'm not opposed to solar energy. It just isn't cost effective as long as we have such an abundance of petroleum resources available, albeit, under lock and key.

The time has come for the American populace to rise up in mass and tell our representatives, this is a representative democracy after all, that we want the doors to our petroleum reserves unlocked. We need to drill and drill often. We need to tell those states, California, Oregon, and Florida which don't want drilling that they can like it or lump it. Their jurisdiction reaches only seven miles.

We need to open the vast reserves in Alaska and we need it now. Ecological concerns have long since been adequately addressed along the tundra. The only justifiable reason for continuing the moratorium on domestic drilling is to quiet the shrill, non-sensical voices of the lunatic left which is led by very belligerent radical activists. Let them yell--let them scream, but drill, drill, drill!

President Obama has agreed, it seems, to help Brazil develop their vast offshore oil reserves. If oil is morally wrong, what is wrong with this picture? Recent reports have China, the most populous nation in the world, investing heavily in oil development with their oil rich trading partners with never a word of rebuke from this administration. If oil is so morally wrong, why not slap China with trade restrictions.

It seems to this writer, that oil is only morally wrong if drilled in the United States. Thereby giving a picture of an administration deliberately, or worse ignorantly, guiding us inexorably toward total economic destruction.

The recent "Cash For Clunkers" program certainly generated sales of new cars, but it removed thousands of good used cars from the lots where those who cannot afford a new vehicle at this time have fewer and fewer choices. The used car salesmen, have an immensely depleted inventory. The mechanics who maintain these vehicles have less work, and the taxpayer is hit with a $3 billion dollar bill. Is it deliberate or ignorance?

The anecdotal evidence that this administration is following a path which could lead to the ultimate destruction of our entire economy is enormous. The question we must ask: Is it a deliberately chosen path where they are fully cognizant of the potential, or is it simply ignorance based upon the belief structure they have developed from their association with the radical leftist fringe of society. Which ever is the case, we must pray for Divine intervention, and mobilize the masses lest we be swept into irrelevance in much the same manner as other historical dominant cultures.

Homosexuality--It Is Different.

The editor of The Baptist Standard, the house organ of the Baptist General Convention of Texas recently blogged about homosexuality.

Let me say first that homosexuality certainly is sin in the same manner of other sins in that when it is confessed and repented of it is completely forgiven. The problem is the nature of the problem with homosexuality. Few who practice it seem to believe it is sin. We, who are Genuine Believers, should pity those caught up in homosexuality and offer God's loving Grace with grace to them.

I believe the reason most Christians treat it differently is that God seemed to treat it differently in Scripture. God so hates homosexuality that he almost wiped out the entire tribe of Benjamin because of it. It is a blatant attack upon God's established order. Throughout history those nations which have accommodated it were on their last legs, and fell soon after.

Certainly we should reach out to the homosexual just as we reach out to the prostitute and drug dealer. The problem with homosexuality is the unwillingness to accept homosexuality as a sin. Even this, the editor of the Baptist Standard, says he doesn't know if men are born such. Well, I unequivocally believe men and women are NOT born homosexuals. People have weaknesses in different areas of life. Some have a proclivity to laziness while others are bent toward selfishness. Still others are easily hooked on drugs, while others struggle with self confidence, or arrogance. The weaknesses within us seemed designed to make us aware of our need for a Saviour to keep us from becoming immersed in the natural tendencies we struggle with. I believe the same is true of homosexuality.

Accepting sin of any sort in life leads to facilitation of that sin, and eventually overall approval of it. I do not believe we should treat the homosexual any different than the prostitute, or drug addict; however, it is extremely difficult to separate the sin from the sinner in the case of homosexuality because the sinner seldom admits he is a sinner. He seldom accepts responsibility for his actions and seems to believe that his overwhelming desire is greater than the desire of those with other weakness, then his must be in keeping with God's order.

Pondering Today's events

Many events to cogitate over today:

• On the anniversary of John Wayne's death, I'd like to talk about the need for heroes in today's world. Manly men, patriotic, hard-working, sacrificial, and dedicated to the American ideal. Feminine women, teaching and molding children, strong and self-sufficient, dedicated to the American ideal.

• But then there is the matter of a report out of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where the President of that institute, Dr. Akin, is calling for larger families. His premise that the downturn in SBC baptisms is a consequence of smaller families is, I believe, misplaced even if accurate. The premise for larger families should be that God wants Genuine Believers to raise up families who will be a light to the world. If the larger families are simply to increase baptisms, there are much easier ways to do it. One could offer $1,000.00 per family to each family which joins the church and stays for a year. Surely some of them would stick around longer. And it would certainly not cost the individual family as much as having a child. Better still, each young family could spend $5,000.00 every five years and get five families. That would certainly be easier and cheaper than raising a child.
  

• Today's Drudge Report links to a news report headlined: California Nears Financial Meltdown...". http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE55974820090610 I wonder just how long those on the left coast are going to continue to overlook the obvious. Begin drilling for oil off your coast. The influx of money will be almost instantaneous as people jocky for position and purchase land for building support industries. The working people of California will be heartened by prospects of new found wealth, and the rest of the country will have a reason want California to not fall off into the ocean.
  

• Then, of course, there are the Lakers. Kobe failed to deliver in the last close game, so he must be losing it. I wonder if sports writers have any idea of the intense emotional drain high intensity sporting events have on people. There are inevitable let downs in anything where one must be at his best continually. However, when the Lakers win he will once again be hailed as "the greatest." Amazing.
  

• Why do people who have wronged you, feel such a need to denigrate you? When people or groups lie and fail to follow through on promises, they tend to try to justify their own failure to act by manufacturing offenses by you. Then, of course, they want to break off all contact. Perhaps that is to lessen the guilt which comes to them when they think of you. It is worse when the group or individual is Christian based.

• Just not sure I trust Newt Gingrich. He is a great thinker, and has some terrific insight, but he appears, to me, too willing to make the Republican Tent inclusive of vastly divergent concepts. He invokes Reagan's appeal to a wide range of people, but seems to forget that Reagan didn't accomodate such divergent views, he won people to his view. That is the profound difference between Gingrich and Reagan.
  

The Wake of Johnny Davis

The Wake of Johnny Davis

It wuz the Sprang before my eighth birthday that Jack came to live with us. During those days there war’ many Jacks trav'lin the southern route of Highway 80 through Meridian. It was the time of the Great Depression and nobody seemed to thank much of a stranger show'in up at our place thar’ along the Sowashee Creek.

Now Pap didn't thank anything just happened. He believed the Almighty wuz working things out to benefit those what b'longed to Him. So, since him and Uncle Will wuz figuring on clearing that new ground south of the creek and Jack was willing to work fer feed and found, it seemed to him that this was the Almighty's way of saying to git started..

I‘as always jest a little scart’ of Jack. I thank maybe it was cause of the scar that started at the corner of his left eye, curved back in front of his ear and ended right on his adam's apple. He said once that he'd got it from a gator down in Lou’siana. Pap said the gator was mor'n likely a Cajun frog sticker.

But, in spite of my fear, I’as drawn to him like a tack to a lodestone. He had a queer way of looking at ya, almost like he’as pulling your leg. And that twinkle in his eyes, devilment Pap called it, seemed to say, "Sump’um's ‘bout to happen." Well I just couldn't get enough of him, er his stories either fer that matter.

He told stories about every kind of thang imaginable, but most of them wuz about practical jokes. Like the time he found a bunch of boys and girls skinny dipping in the creek over near Montgomery. He took all their clothes and left town. You found yourself wondering if such thangs really could happen. Yet, there always seemed to be ‘nough truth in’em to whur they just might have. But nuthun he ever told topped what actually happened one August Night.

Johnny Davis had been coon hunting down on the Valley Road and he died when he fell out of a tree and broke his neck. Well, Pap took all us over to the Davis house whur the body was laid out in the parlor. In them days people would come to the home whur the body was laid out and set up with the body all night, ever’ night until the funeral.

As the evening wore on, the sweltering August heat influenced nearly everyone to work his way out to the front porch and into the front yard with the hope of catching a good breeze. Jack said that he'd stay in the house with the body while er’body cooled off.

The mosquitoes began to find the range as the evening wore on and people started to head back inside. Somebody asked where Jack had got off to, but nobody thought much about it until one of the wimmin went back into the kitchen to fix some coffee. After a few minutes a bunch of high pitched, hysterical screams seemed to rattle back and forth off the walls and throughout the rooms. Er’body was tripping over er’body else as we all tried to crowd through the door to get to the kitchen. By the time we finally reached her, the screams had trailed off to a kind of pathetic wail.

She was whiter‘n a ghost and she jest kept a’wailing and a’pointing. Soon’s we all turned towards the source o’ her distress, I felt my blood run cold, for thar’, propped up in the corner behind the door, with a fresh rolled cigarette stuck in his mouth, and his arms crossed just like the funeral home director had left him, was ol' Johnny Davis.

I don’t think I’m the only one who was scart’ nearly to death, cause someone ran back to the parlor to see if the casket was really empty. To this day, I’ve not heard such screaming and carrying on.

By the time Pap and the others finally got poor ol' Johnny back in his casket again and everybody settled down, it was pretty late for us young'uns. Pap said they hunted for Jack most of the night but didn't see hide nor hair of him. He said it was just as well cause lynching fever’d already hit some of the men and they had plenty of ropes.

It seemed to me like most of Meridian was at the funeral. Pap said that folks are just naturally curious about such strange happenings. Uncle Will said that ol' Johnny'd probably thank Jack for causing such a turn out for his burying, if he could. Everybody kinda laughed and it seemed like the anger just disappeared.

After a while people stopped talking about Johnny's wake. Everybody seemed to forget Jack ‘cept me and Pap. But now and again something would happen to cause folks to think about ‘ol Johnny standing there in that corner with a cigarette in his mouth, and er’body'd laugh.

We didn't hear from Jack for a long time, but I knew we'd see him again. And I knew I'd ner’ fergit the wake of Johnny Davis.

"The Wake of Johnny Davis" Copyright by Mike Rasberry, 1996. All rights reserved.

On Being Successful

A Word For Living
Mike Rasberry
April 15, 2009
On Being Successful

Burt Lancaster, the late Academy Award-winning film actor, was a circus acrobat before he headed to Hollywood. Several films allowed him to display his physique and athletic skills. Chuck Conners, the star of TV’s popular Rifleman, was both a professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics and a professional baseball player with the Chicago Cubs and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was also drafted by professional football’s Chicago Bears. Ronald Reagan was a radio sports announcer before becoming a Hollywood film actor and then successful politician.

Burt Lancaster was associated with liberal Democratic causes while both Conners and Reagan were closely associated with conservative Republican causes, but all three share a trait necessary for success in today’s world. They were willing to walk away from that which they had chosen as their life’s work to pursue a new career.

Someone has said that if you’re the same person you’ve always been, then you’re not a Christian. I think that is absolutely true. When one becomes a Christian, he becomes a new person, with a new direction and a new purpose. He does not continue in the same general direction he was going, simply making corrections to his course. He makes a 180 degree turn and begins a walk in the diametrically opposite direction. Where once he was walking away from God, he is now walking toward God.

When men can leave their chosen vocation, as the before mentioned actors, to head in a totally different direction, not once but multiple times, why do those who name Christ as Lord find it so difficult to leave behind their life before Christ. The Genuine Disciple of Christ has the empowering and sustaining comfort of the Holy Spirit to assist him in his quest to live for Christ. He is not dependent upon box office revenues or public acclaim. His is not the life of finding the most palatable compromise which will enhance his career without diminishing his platform. The Genuine Disciple has, but one over-riding purpose, to follow while obeying the Living Christ.

The difference between the old life and the new life in Christ is consequential. It affects every aspect of one’s life. Yet, the Genuine Believer is not alone in his new walk. He has the body of believers as well as the indwelling Christ. He has everything necessary to make the trip successful. He can come to the end of his life’s walk and say that he has finished the course that God laid out for him. He can call his life successful.


© 2009 Mike Rasberry

Try A Little Kindness

A Word For Living
Mike Rasberry
April 14, 2009
Try A Little Kindness

In the late 1960's and early 1970's my wife, Diane, and I lived in Yuma; in the Southwest corner of Arizona. During days spent exploring the rock strewn hills, dry stream beds, and mysterious caves we came to realize that the desert environment considered desolate and forlorn by outsiders, was actually teeming with abundant life. We were continually surprised by the abundance of those shy and reclusive desert creatures.

In those days, BCP (before cell phones); as we traveled for hours without meeting another human being, we began to understand and appreciate our dependence upon one another. For that reason, I believe, “Kindness” flourished there to a greater extent than I’ve experienced in my lifetime.

It was not unusual for the unsuspecting traveler who had run out of gasoline, water, or food to have the first person who passed his way provide his needs and send him on his way without accepting anything other than the promise that should the traveler cross the path of another in need, he would likewise demonstrate “Kindness”.

Perhaps Glen Campbell, who lives in Arizona, was considering this when he sang “Try a Little Kindness”.

If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he’s sowed;
And if you see your sister falling by the way,
Just stop and say, “You’re going the wrong way.”

You got to try a little kindness.
Yes, show a little kindness;
Just shine your light for everyone to see;
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.

Don’t walk around the down and out;
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt;
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way.

You got to try a little kindness.
Yes, show a little kindness;
Just shine your light for everyone to see;
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets.


For the Genuine Christian, “Kindness” is one of the fruits of the Spirit of God. It is one of the personality traits which should characterize Christians. Perhaps you and I should look more carefully at ways to demonstrate “Kindness” to those we meet. Should we consider each meeting a “Divine Encounter”, an encounter orchestrated by Holy God; we will be more likely to act with kindness toward those we meet.

© 2006 Mike Rasberry

ABSALOM

A Word For Living
Mike Rasberry
March 26, 2009
Absalom

King David’s son, Absalom, was a man with unlimited potential who failed to realize that potential not subject God’s authority, is bound to bring disappointment and destruction. Absalom was obviously David’s favorite. He had long flowing locks and drew people to himself easily. His place of favor might have influenced him to believe he could act with impunity against his father’s wishes. However, his growing disregard for the authority of his father, led him to murder his brother for an act of violence against his sister.

His imprudent act resulted in his being banished from the kingdom for a time, but he soon wormed his way back into the kingdom and eventually into the palace itself. Once ensconced again at the gate of the city, a place of influence, he began to undermine his father’s regime by subtle ways. His subtlety eventually turned to outright rebellion, and he stole the hearts of the people and created such an environment that David had to flee for his life.

Those loyal to David, including his general, Joab, wanted to kill Absalom for his inciting of the rebellion, but David continued to hold out hope that the matter could be resolved peacefully. However, during a battle when Absalom was defeated by David’s army and he was fleeing, his long hair became entangled in the limbs of a tree and unseated him from his galloping horse. When he was discovered, Joab, had him killed.

David wept bitterly when he heard of his son’s death, but there was nothing more he could do as he again ascended the throne.

Several points jump out at us from this story: First, David failed to teach his son proper respect for God established authority. Second, Absalom seemed to have no sense of God’s leadership in his life. Third, David was willing to subject the kingdom to vulnerability in order to satisfy his own personal desires. Fourth, David seemed indifferent to, or ignorant of, the subversive actions of his own son. Fifth, David’s failures in regards to his son brought about his own ignominious retreat and the death of his favorite son.

It might be appropriate, in light of world conditions, for us to consider those we love and what we are teaching them. I pray that we will remember that children are an heritage of The LORD, and parents are expected, yes even commanded to train them up in such a way that they will know God’s way. More and more I hear parents lament their children’s lack of discipline, but when I ask if discipline has been taught and the “rod of understanding applied to the seat of understanding”, I am thought of as barbaric.

Dear Friends, rather we be thought of as barbaric than we allow our little ones to grow up without a sense of right and wrong. Scripture tells us to not despair when they cry, because they will not die. I’m not speaking of harsh cruelty. I am speaking of the need to exercise Biblical Discipline with love.

Following Mississippi State in the NCAA's

• The first ten minutes of the game were played as if both were afraid to take the lead.

• I'm surprised that Varnardo has been kept in check. He has to break loose in the second half.
• Unforced errors in first half made MSU look outclassed. Must get shots off.
• Beginning to wonder about those statements that Stansbury is great regular season coach, but outsmarts himself in tournaments.
• Washington seems almost able to do whatever they want at 3 minutes of the second half.
• Varnardo's block could ignite MSU and they do need to be ignited. 44-30 Still scored only two baskets in second half.
• Four fouls on Varnardo at 14 minutes. That big center, Brockman, is tough. He looks like he's about three ax handles wide.
• State makes a couple of good plays than makes four very poor one. A steal leads to a fast break opportunity only to have the player pushing the ball throw it away. A total lack of discipline.
• Back to a twenty point lead for Washington with 3:42 left. Thought when the deficit was cut to fourteen with 7 minutes left they might cut it to ten with five minutes, but made several errors.
• One thing for sure they never quit. That is the mantra of the losing team, is it not?