Spiritual Mountain Climbing

I really enjoy a good, soul inspiring moment from time to time. You know, when God seems to show up big time, not the wee small voice, but the booming thunder that announces He has done, or is about to do something big. Ah, the anointing, the tingles, the refreshing breeze generated by the Spirit....love it--love it--love it. Give me more, I say! In fact, I relish those moments of impact. But the problem is, they are just moments, periods within time that come and go. Why?

As I ponder the question, I am reminded that I once hiked up a mountain. I climbed a volcano in Costa Rica too, but it was only about 3000 feet tall and doesn't count. I'm talking about the real thing...the genuine article... I climbed my way up Mount Evans in the Colorado Rockies. We're talking fourteen thousand feet at the summit. I never actually got to the top, but I gave it a good, out-of-shape attempt. Though I failed, recounting the experience helps me to understand when real growth occurs...growth of character, spiritual maturity, and faith. To put it simply, the greatest moments of inspiration, the tingling, the overwhelming sense of rest and presence occur on the summit...or shall I say summits. You see, when one is journeying up a mountain, there are several points of accomplishment, points that are reached that allow one to feel the exhilaration of being blessed. Let's call them mini-summits. You get to one and wow, the vista is great. God feels close. Rest and recuperation flow. Joy is present. New goals are set. Encouragement to continue is gained. Then you move on to the next.

Now, in my experience, my muscles were never exercised and strengthened while standing on a mini-summit. My lung capacity wasn't expanded. The toxins were not purged from my body. I never had to push myself while standing on a mini-summit, and my climbing effort was never challenged while I was enjoying the panorama. Nope, the real work takes place while your feet are plodding, your head is bowed in the effort of the climb, and your back is bent against the incline. Health happens when you are sweating, and moving, and panting, yet you keep climbing.

Okay, you get it. Growth doesn't happen on the summit. Character is developed on the climb. Faith grows by forging upward in obedience. Christ likeness is refined by pushing through the pain of the climb. But God is so full of grace and encouragement, that he places one of those mini-summits along the trail at just the right time. He allows us to stop and drink, to get sight of the real goal, the ultimate summit of eternity. He gives us a refreshing breeze and the bread of life. Then, it's time to plod onward and upward in the drudgery of the climb.

If you're on one of the more difficult sections of the trail where rocks trip you up and the incline slows you down, don't stop moving upward. Don't give up. Don't worry about speed. Just keep going. A mini-summit will appear, and you'll be restored to one of those fantastic moments of exhilarating and praise. Believe it or not, you are growing by climbing. Plod on dear friend.
Pastor Jim

Oh, The Weather Outside Is Fightful

Man, it's cold outside. The thermometer at the back said '0,' but the ends of my finers (great calculators of when cold turns to frostbite) were beginning to go numb. And that was before I stepped out of the house and into the garage!

Now, I know some of you folks in Alaska, regular readers of this blog, are chuckling among yourselves, saying words like.... "Sissy" ....and... "He has no clue what cold is!" You're sitting in your igloo, fishing through a hole in the ice, and laughing it up. Go ahead. It's still cold!

It all makes me look forward to a couple things. First, Spring is coming. There will come a period, in a about three months, when buds will appear on the trees, Robins will return, grass will green, and thunderstorms will replace snow storms. What a time that will be. Refreshing...renewal...blessings of newness. I can hardly wait.

But I also set my eyes on Paradise...the place where Jesus dwells...the home of the Father...the place where the city limit passes through a pearl...the land of pure rivers and eternal delight...the throne room, with all its glorious grace. Some call it heaven...some call it "up there." I call it home. It is a place...an actual place. Death does not exist there. No sickness. No arthritis. No bellyaches or belly aching. No guilt-driven regrets. No more battle with depravity. No degenerate behaviour. No complaining over who is politically correct enough to pray during the inaguration of the King. Just life, peace, renewal, refreshing, new challenges of creativity, perpetual joy and delight, NO SIN! Ah, come Lord Jesus, come!

Now, let me share a hope. I hope there is a special room in that New Jerusalem, a room separated from all the rest. I want it to be a place that one can visit, linger, and leave. In fact, the room should be totally unique, decorated in white, and freezing cold. It will house the icecicles, snowdrifts, and howling winds. And if a guy doesn't want to go there, he won't have to.

And you thought I was going to be spiritual!!!!
Have a wonderful Christmas wherever your winter wonderland happens to be.
Pastor Jim

In Troubled Times, Faith is Our Constant

Paul’s words to Timothy ring true. “In the last days, perilous times will come.”(1) Jesus told us nation would rise against nation, kingdoms would go to war, and calamities would strike in ever increasing rhythm. Uncertainty and fear are the watchwords of the day. Markets are unstable and values are threatened. More than ever, we lift our eyes and hope for the eminent return of our Lord. Yet, for the believer, faith in Christ remains the constant that will see us through our times.

When every other foundation crumbles, what is it about authentic, biblical faith that makes it so powerful?

Biblical faith has a specific object. A story in Mark chapter nine becomes a potent lesson. A man is in the throes of his own perilous times. He knows nothing but difficulty and fear. His son is possessed by an unclean spirit, and he has nowhere to turn. Jewish national faith in God was at its lowest point, and whatever remained of Israel’s great expressions of worship were now impotent. The man was alone, until news reached him of a man who held authority over demons.

Hope was rekindled. Help was within a day’s journey. If only he could get to the one called Jesus of Nazareth, his precious son would find deliverance. We can almost see life return to the man’s discouraged face as he forgets his long days of trouble and begins to envision the restoration of his family. Jesus would be the object of a renewed faith.

Biblical faith maintains a simplicity in its expression. Jesus was evidently busy when father and son found the crowd. Many were there with similar difficulties, and Jesus was touching them all. Whether by decision, or by design, Jesus’ disciples were the first to bring ministry to the man. The Scripture does not reveal much about the scene. We don’t know if Jesus’ men were just attempting to emulate the Master, or the demon was simply too much for them to handle. We do know their ministry did not work.

The new light of hope in the man must have been dimming as he approached Jesus. For in explaining the problem, the man slipped into a desperate plea: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."(2) No, the father’s faith was not in the form of a positive confession of victory. There was no attempt to conjure a belief that did not exist. He simply expressed his need to the only one who could meet it.

How often we are tempted to turn to other sources. At times, we forget who holds us in his hands. But Jesus will never fail to touch us in our deepest need.

Biblical faith is sustained by the Word of God. Jesus responded to the father’s plea by revealing the limitless possibilities that accompanied a true belief. Nothing is impossible, and any trouble can be overcome. In that instant, the man seemed to get it. The overwhelming weight of his difficulties continued to hold sway over part of him, maybe even a large part of him. But a spark of faith existed, and with that little fire, the man chose to believe the Word of the Lord. “I believe; help my unbelief!”(3)

In his version of the story, Matthew takes us further into Jesus’ lesson. The disciples were perplexed, wondering why they didn’t have the power to cast out the demon. Jesus explained; “…if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”(4) Yes, the man’s faith was only a spark, but Jesus’ faith was immense. The simple expression of belief on the part of the father was enough. In the end, his world of trouble was overcome. The same will be true for you and me. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(5)

Today, when people are crying out for peace and safety because of its lack, when fear has gripped the planet, and every manmade foundation is being shaken, one constant remains. A simple, steadfast faith, whose object is Jesus Christ, will overcome a world troubles. Hold tight to that spark. Believe the word of the Lord. Your perilous times will lead to new possibilities.

Hang in there, Jesus is coming!
Pastor Jim

1 First Timothy 3:1 (ESV)
2 Mark 9:22b (ESV)
3 Mark 9:24 (ESV)
4 Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
5 Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

the Lord's Delight

To the blog faithful...I apologize for missing a week (actually more.) Too many things going on, and Christmas is on the horizon. NO matter...the great thing about following the Master is he never, ever takes a holiday. In fact, as I muse on the thought, we are his holiday!

You might wonder how I can come up with that preposterous sounding statement, but it's true. Now, you're thinking things like: "Wait, I'm just a poor sinner saved by grace. I'm not perfect, far from it" stuff like that. But did you ever take much time to chew on the fact that his followers are his delight? We get caught up in beautiful panoramas, special events, and finding tiny moments of escape from our reality. However, I'm not so sure God sits back and ponders the glory of the heavens. We're to do that in order to see a glimpse of his glory.

Now, don't get me wrong. God stepped back from creation, looked it over, and said "It is good." Cool! But he had bigger goals than forming temporary vacation spots for himself. His prize was, and is, and always will be, the redeemed!

Oswald Chambers said this; "Pride is the deification of self... To say 'Oh, I'm no saint,' is acceptable to human pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. It literally means that you defy God to make you a saint, 'I'm much to weak and hopeless.' Humility before men may be unconscious blasphemy before God. Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe God can make you one."

Whoa! To remember that we are God's redemption project should cause us to want to partner in his success. Sure, we are not perfect yet...but are we moving deeper into the folds of his grace, learning to walk deeper in the joy of his holiness, and leaving that which is behind in order to press to the goal of the high call in Christ?

As we go further into fellowship with the Master, I believe we'll understand better that Jesus has, does, and will continue to delight in his bride. Then, on a soon coming day, he'll split the sky, give a shout, order a trumpet call, and call his delight to his side. Very cool!
Pastor Jim

Iran and the Bomb

You may have heard the latest estimates concerning Iran and its ability to put together a nuclear bomb. This is the most chilling report yet, as it moves up the time estimates that were given a few weeks ago. Senator Joe Biden (Vice-President Elect) forwarned that President Obama would face a major international situation in his first few months in office. It looks like Joe is a prophet, although most of us had a pretty good idea he was talking about Iran.

What will happen? I have no idea...Obviously, George Bush has washed his hands of anything international, other than his last desperate attempt to divide Jerusalem to the Palestinians. Israel has yet to form a new government, leaving Ehud Ohmert in office until February. He continues to wreck havoc!

President Obama will, most likely, fulfill his campaign pledge to sit down and talk with Ahmadinijad without preconditions. That means Iran will have plenty of opportunities to use their latest toy on Israel or the United States. Trouble is definitely around the corner. Stay tuned.
Pastor Jim

(Enjoy the article)
Iran has enough nuclear material for a single A-Bomb – IAEA
DEBKAfile Special Report

November 20, 2008, 9:05 PM (GMT+02:00)


Enough for a single A-Bomb
Iran has now produced roughly enough nuclear material to make, with added purification, a single atom bomb, according to nuclear experts analyzing the latest report from global atomic inspectors.

This is the conclusion contained in the report leaked by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna Wednesday, Nov. 19, for submission to the agency’s board Nov. 27-28. This alarming development is headlined by the New York Times and Bloomberg website Nov. 20, but does not rate Israeli official comment or a mention in the its media.

In the last few weeks, Iran has doubled or even trebled the pace of its uranium enrichment process. Nuclear watchdog sources report that in October, Iran was known to have accumulated 480 kilos of low grade 5 percent enriched uranium, a short step from “break-out” to weapons grade (90 percent) material.

By mid-November, the Iranians topped this up to 630 kilos, adding 150 kilos in six weeks. By the end of 2009, Iran will have enough enriched uranium for 2-3 nuclear bombs.

Tehran has thus jumped three months ahead of US and Israeli intelligence estimated timeline of February 2009 as the timeline for a sufficiency of enriched uranium to build a bomb. The experts ask how long until Iran has the know-how for further purifying the fuel and perfecting the design for an atomic warhead. DEBKAfile’s sources report that Tehran acquired this technology some years ago from the Pakistani nuclear smuggler Dr. A.Q. Khan.

How Faith Grows

This is from a sermon by Charles Spurgeon. I hope you find it helpful in your walk of faith.

Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators. When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship moves not to its harbour; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush howling forth, and let the waters lift up themselves, then, though the vessel may rock, and her deck may be washed with waves, and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway towards her desired haven. No flowers wear so lovely a blue as those which grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam so brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky; no water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God's strength had you not been supported amid the water-floods. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

Let not this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them: the full portion will be measured out to you in due season. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise Him for that degree of holy confidence whereunto you have attained: walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.

Stuck With Me...Oh My!

Listen to this,
"for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

No doubt about it...the Lord is faithful! He is stuck to me like glue with his faithfulness. When I'm pulling my hair out, he's faithful. When I'm going bonkers, he's faithful. When I'm bored...yep...he's faithful. It's probably within those long stretches, when nothing seems to be happening, good or bad, that many of us tend to start wondering what happened to God. He's like adrenaline to us. We either have to be able to turn to him when we're freaked, or feel a surge of the "Joy of the Lord" when we're blessed.

I am always hearing someone say, "Pastor, God is about to do something big!" I like that. It says people are projecting their faith. But the big never seems to happen. Either I am missing God and his plan, or we are projecting our faith too far into the future.

What is the Lord doing in the here-and-now...when nothing seems to be breaking loose...when a revival seems far away...when boredom lurks? I am learning that these are the moments when God's faithfulness is demonstrated and proven. I find that he is concerned with being glorified in me, and you, more than he is with our definition of a 'move of God.' Hmmm He is faithful when nothing seems to be happening. ("Seems" is the key word.) I wonder if that shouldn't be what defines our faithfulness as well. In other words, is God stuck with us, too?

Ponder on that for a bit.
Pastor Jim

Endure

I was stricken today by this passage...stricken with true hope...not the hope of an empty suit...but a true and living hope. See if your spirit is touched as well.

"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,
'Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." Hebrews 10:35-39

The greatest days for the church of believers are still ahead. Not days of cathedrals and throngs, but days filled with acts of deliverance, spirit-let witness, and an overcoming tenacity to see the King glorified. Prosperity will no longer be marked by materialism, but an integrity of spirit in the individual. Blessing will be defined as process, namely, souls being brought into the Kingdom. Now is not the time to shrink back into world-birthed ideologies and philosophies. Now is the time to stand for the TRUTH.

Stand strong, Jesus is on his way, either by a new outpouring of the Spirit, or with the sound of a trumpet. Both are good!
Pastor Jim

So, The Sun Came Up

Yes, the sun came up, the ice caps didn't melt, nor did the earth quake in the wake of Barack Obama's overwhelming victory yesterday. Many have already called to ask how I felt about it all. Am I depressed? Nope! Am I upset? Uh-uh Am I ready to cash it all in and head for the hills? Only if it means I get to enjoy some hunting for a week or so.

Here's what it does mean....God knows what he is doing. "He will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is stayed on HIM!" It is all going to work out to the good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purposes!

Be ready for multiple opportunities to share the hope that is in you....it may take a few months for the consequences of this election to begin to show. But when they do, people are going to be looking for answers to their disillusionment. Jesus is the only answer...and we know how to point people his way.

So, look up. Your redemption is getting closer. People are hungry...search them out and feed them. We have a bigger reason for being than ever before. Go for it...know holds barred. Forget about Barack Obama's rise to power, except to pray for him daily. That is our duty! Make it count by being sincere. God will see us through!!!
Pastor Jim

Whatever Happened to Human Life?

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
"I see no reason for attributing to man a significance different in kind from that which belongs to a baboon or a grain of sand."

What is the ONE issue that makes this election so important? LIFE
At the very foundation of what we are voting upon are fundamental questions: What is the meaning of human existence? Why are we here? What is the value of human life? It is NOT THE ECONOMY STUPID! (Sorry, got a bit heated there!)

The cramming of Naturalism (Evolution) down several generations of throats is catching up with us. If we evolved from the primordial soup, we fall into the non-valuable state of Oliver Wendall Holmes statement. If we believe we are created by a loving, transcendent God, then every life has intrinsic value, importance, and purpose. If we are no more than a baboon, then personal choice---in all its aspects---is paramount. We are relegated to the level of all animals...living by an instinct that is only slightly more advanced on the evolutionary scale. Thus, it is okay to abort a fetus, okay to let a child die, okay to dump your toddlers off at the nearest hospital because they are a burden, okay to euthanize your grandma because she's lost her mind, okay for someone else to euthanize you because you believe in God. This is the direction to which Barack Obama's philosophy of life will take us. He has stated clearly that, within his first 100 days as President, he will sign the FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT (FOCA for short) that grants unlimited abortion at any stage of development, even after live birth, and paid for by taxpayer funding.

But, if you believe in Life, that the weakest of us must be protected because of the individual value of every person, then you need to step up and not be swayed by the sweet rhetoric flowing from an empty suit. Out of one side of his mouth, Obama claims Christ as his saviour. Well and good. But out of the other side of his mouth, he denies the value of the creation's prize...man made in the image of God.

I may be speaking to the choir, but there are some in the choir that have missed the point! I will be held accountable for my vote, especially if it leads to the death of one more innocent. Think it through. Besides all the socialist-leaning dangers, LIFE remains the issue. Vote and vote often...(that is if you know anyone from ACORN that can register you multiple times!!!)
Pastor Jim

Too True!

Iran & the Bomb....Sooner Than We Think?

With Senator Biden's latest gaff (truthfully spoken, but it's the last thing the Obama campaign wanted him to make public) is that a major international crises will incur within the first six months of Barack Obama's presidency. Is it any wonder, knowing that Biden has full access to military and foreign intelligence, that he would predict such a thing when Iran seems to be on the verge of finalizing the development of a nuclear weapon? Hmmm .... I don't know what gives me more alarm, Iran with a Nuke, or Barack Obama calling Hillary at 3:00 in the morning asking her what he needs to do!

The last thing I want to do as a follower of the AUTHENTIC MESSIAH is to become alarmist. God has this thing all under his control. However, I will predict something: (No stoning if I'm wrong.) I believe that if Obama wins in two weeks, George W. Bush will act...not for his legacy...not to leave Obama a mess....but in the interest of the United States and Israel. I believe he will attack Iran in an attempt to stop said development. It may slow them down, but it will not work. However, if John McCain is elected on November 4th, Bush will leave it to him to deal with. Why? He knows John has the right vision and chutzpah to do the right thing.

Read the following from the DEBKA Files...formulate your own thoughts. Let me know what you think by clicking the comment line. Remember, God is good and Jesus is coming soon!
Pastor Jim

US intelligence: Iran will be able to build first nuclear bomb by February 2009
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report

October 21, 2008, 8:46 PM (GMT+02:00)

US intelligence’s amended estimate, that Iran will be ready to build its first bomb just one month after the next US president is sworn in, is disclosed by DEBKAfile’s Washington sources as having been relayed as a guideline to the Middle East teams of both presidential candidates, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

The information prompted the assertion by Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden in Seattle Sunday, Oct. 19: “It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy.”

McCain retorted Tuesday, Oct. 21: “America does not need a president that needs to be tested. I’ve been tested. I was aboard the Enterprise off the coast of Cuba. I’ve been there.”)

DEBKAfile’s military sources cite the new US timeline: By late January, 2009, Iran will have accumulated enough low-grade enriched uranium (up to 5%) for its “break-out” to weapons grade (90%) material within a short time. For this, the Iranians have achieved the necessary technology. In February, they can move on to start building their first nuclear bomb.

US intelligence believes Tehran has the personnel, plans and diagrams for a bomb and has been running experiments to this end for the past two years. The UN International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna last week asked Tehran to clarify recent complex experiments they conducted in detonating nuclear materials for a weapon, but received no answer.

The same US evaluation adds that the Iranian leadership is holding off its go-ahead to start building the bomb until the last minute so as to ward off international pressure to stop at the red line.

This development together with the galloping global economic crisis will force the incoming US president to go straight into decision-making without pause on Day One in the Oval Office. He will have to determine which urgent measures can serve best for keeping a nuclear bomb out of the Islamic republic’s hands - diplomatic or military – and how to proceed if those measures fail.

His knowledge of the challenge colored Sen. Biden’s additional words in Seattle: “Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.”

Israel’s political and military leaders also face a tough dilemma that can no longer be put off of whether to strike Iran’s nuclear installations militarily in the next three months between US presidencies before the last window closes, or take a chance on coordination with the next president.

Waiting for the “international community” to do the job of stopping Iran, as urged by governments headed by Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert - and strongly advocated Tzipi Livni, foreign minister and would-be prime minister - has been a washout. Iran stands defiantly on the threshold of a nuclear weapon.

World Financial Crisis Needs A Messiah

President Bush hosted the G-7 summit and held private talks with French President Sarkozy in and attempt to get a handle on the Global Financial Crisis. His attempts to restore confidence in the markets by speaking to the American public have fallen on deaf ears. Actually, no one is listening. Not only is the President a lame duck, he is now without any influence in the USA whatsoever. Therefore, he has turned to the European Union and is moving toward a mentality of globalization.
That is eyeopening for anyone paying attention. Take the time to read below, then keep your eyes open for a special 'guru' to service, one who will initiate a cure for the world's financial ills. I suggest you keep and I out on Mr. Sarkozy.

Rescue the Old World Financial Order or Build a New One

DEBKAfile Special Analysis

October 11, 2008


This weekend sees make-or-break efforts by Western finance ministers and international financial institutions to produce a plan that will drag their economies back into equilibrium before the world’s markets open Monday, Oct. 13. They are working to the dread drumbeats of turmoil, panicky investors and looming recession, which some economists predict will be more disastrous than the 1930s slump which led to World War II.

Two major rescue plans for the banking and financial systems by the US and UK have fallen short of luring fleeing investors back to the markets. In seven black days, crashing global indexes led by Wall Street - which tumbled 18 percent and London by 21 percent - followed by Asia, wiped $4.5 trillion off share values world wide. In the UK, it was calculated that one person goes bankrupt every five minutes. Iceland’s entire economy is bankrupt.

The plan on the G7’s table is essentially to partially nationalize almost half of the Western banking system by buying up stakes in troubled banks or shoring up the banking system as a whole.

In their statement Saturday, the G7 said that they were working on a rescue package tailored for each country within a common framework that would include recapitalizing banks, ensuring strong deposit insurance to protect savers and restarting frozen credit and mortgage markets.

Many leading Western economists strongly doubt that these measures will do the trick. DEBKAfile’s sources note that what the Americans and British have been aiming for until now is to restore investor confidence in the existing financial system by increasing credit, the lifeblood of economies based on the free market.

But matters have gone too far for what is essentially a patching up job. The upheavals of the last two weeks have demonstrated that the entire system is discredited. Trust has been suspended not only in the financial system but in the ability of political leaders to come up with solutions to protect the individual investor and taxpayer.

The partial nationalization of banks in the US and Europe breaks with the rules of the free market, of which the United States is the global epitome - a major factor in its superpower status. While Asia has prospered by embracing free-market practices, resentment is deepening over its shortcomings for which the US is blamed.

The Columbia University Nobel-prize winning economist, Prof. Joseph Stiglitz told the Washington Post : “People around the world once admired us for our economy and we told them if you want to be like us, here’s what you have to do – hand over power to the market. The point now is that no one has respect for that kind of model anymore given this crisis."

And of course it raises questions about our credibility. Everyone feels they are suffering because of us.”

The only Western leader to address this problem head-on was Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. At a government session in Rome, Oct. 10, he revealed: “The idea of suspending the markets for the time it takes to rewrite new rules is being discussed.” Berlusconi added: “They can’t just be for one country, or even just for Europe, but global.”

This remark was quickly retracted after a phone call from the White House in Washington, according to our sources, because it opens up the even more problematic question of who is competent to lead the rewriting of the rules. However, the IMF, high priest of the gospel that the market knows best, has already turned around and is calling for more international regulation and oversight on global finance, a further retreat from its basic tenets.

The looming leadership vacuum is fueling financial fears. The US president George W. Bush’s presidency ends in January, Canada faces an election next week, Japan is on its third prime minister in a year; Britain’s Gordon Brown is fighting sliding opinion polls.

Who will therefore lead the transition to a different, or even amended, world financial order? And how credible would a G7 or EU consensus be, given that so many major economic powers including China, Russia, India and Brazil, were excluded from their counsels?

He Meant To Pass Them By

Mark 6:48 is an amazing verse in an amazing passage. Jesus has miraculously fed the five thousand and has sent his disciples on a boat ride to the other side of the Galilee. He remained on the hillside, dealing with the loss of John the Baptist and talking it over with the Father. He was also keeping an eye out on his guys.
A storm came up, the wind blew, the boys really had to work to keep the bow lined up and the water bailed. Jesus saw it all. In fact, the text seems he was looking on with the faith of knowing they were going to get across to the other side. He cared, but he didn't get all nervous and edgy.
The verse says, "And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass them by, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost," They freaked out, probably lost control of the boat because they were all screaming like girls, and he had to jump in and calm the waves before they sank. But did you notice that he meant to pass them by? Kinda sticks a wrench in my well-ordered theology of Jesus coming to the rescue whenever storms hit.
This tells me he doesn't always calm the winds or still the waves. Whoa!
However, when I think it through, I see a tremendous keeping power of grace in this story. Jesus sent the guys out! Jesus watched from afar! Jesus went out to be nearby, though without the intent of bailing for them! I think if they hadn't gone neurotic, Jesus would have gone on ahead and breakfast would've been ready when they got there....wet...worked up....tired....but absolutely fine in the end!
What does that say to me? Well, he said he'd always be with me. I might have to work through some stiff winds and hefty waves...might even get wet and worn out in the battle...might get a rope burn or a jammed thumb...or have to learn to lift faith above fear...but, he will always be there. Fact is, I might be a whole lot better off by trying to avoid going psycho in the really rough weather of life. I'm learning to think of the breakfast waiting for me on the other side. How 'bout you?
Pastor Jim

A Chilly Wind and a Setting Sun

We've heard it so many times on the television that we've become desensitized to the impact of the words. Your ears have picked up on its dramatic affect on a relationship: someone looks at their spouse and says something like; "I don't know how or why it happened, we've just drifted apart. I don't love you anymore." What a masterful way for one to tell another, "I no longer care about you, just me." Maybe I'm being too harsh in my assessment, but it seems those words are popping up with way too much frequency lately, and in more places than marriages.

I was reading the words of Jesus this morning, words of warning that portray a diminishing affection on the part of most of his followers just before his calling of the bride. Matthew 24:12; "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of most will wax cold." Maybe I'm overeating, but that is a frightening verse.

Not to bore you with profundities, but I did a bit of word study on the verse and found some enlightenment. First, love = agape, or the genuine affection reciprocated between the Lord and his followers, a selfless, committed, sacrificial, unconditional love that has a well-spring in God loving us first. When we believed, that love was birthed in us and is to flow sweetly back to Jesus in a vibrant relationship. He said that at the end, and because of an increase of iniquity, that selfless love would grow cold. (I'll blogatize that in a moment.) It is the word iniquity that concerns me. It basically describes a transgression that is done with an attitude that is diametrically opposite of agape-love. It is to willfully disobey or go in the wrong direction. The meaning is clear: because of an increase of iniquity in the heart of the believer, his selfless and committed holy love will grow cold.

Now, it doesn't happen quickly. "Grow cold" is formed by the word psuchesetai, which implies a slow chill. That thought blows a chilly wind through my soul, mainly because I must search deep inside to see if the hot fervency of my own love for God has begun to cool. Then, if it has, I must ask myself what I'm going to do about it?

The verse shouts that there is a personal knowledge of the chilling effect of iniquity, but that the knowledge is being ignored. It is done to the peril of the believer. What horrifies me is the thought of seeing it happen!

A paradox is upon me. My understanding of scripture mobilizes me to believe for the greatest ingathering of souls the world has ever seen. I'm praying for it, desiring it, believing it will happen soon and that it has already begun. But I'm also painfully aware of the above named phenomenon....a chilly wind is blowing and every believer, every child of God, must cover his heart-love to keep it warm in fervency.
Temptation to pull back and "do our own thing" will increase. Opportunities to "go our own way" will show up out of the blue. Remorse for our disobedience will wane, if we let it, and the cold wind will blow. Sadly, many will be setting in church, in the presence of God, as it happens.

Someone emailed me with a thought.... If John McCain wins on November 4th, Jesus will come back. If Barack Obama wins, Jesus will come back sooner!

I'm more inclined to wonder what will happen if Jesus doesn't come back soon: What kind of fervor will believers live? Will the economic crises prove that money is the god of the land? Will the love of most grow colder still? Please, friend of mine, no matter what your persuasion or politics, find a way to return to the first, white-hot love for Christ that you had at the beginning, then, get hotter.
Pastor Jim

Why I'm Voting For, Backing, and Advocating For McCain

I have not always been a McCain supporter. I think he is too bipartisan, too quick to come to agreement with the left. I didn't like McCain/Feingold's restrictions on free speech. Sometimes I get irritated by his goofy grin as he wraps up a slogan, phrase, or sentence. I don't like the fact that he hasn't hammered Barack Obama on his philosphical underpinnings.

But, I believe in the right of every child to live, from conception onward. I believe every human life is a sacred gift of God. I believe that God created this world and is intricately involved, especially wherever he is invited to be. I believe that big government IS the symptom of a greater problem.....than all men everywhere desperately need something bigger than themselves to give them worth and save them from chaos. But government, no government, is the answer. I believe it should be the church that takes the lead in helping the poor and caring for the orphan and widow. (Shame on us for surrendering that responsibility and learning to shrug our shoulders in dependence to Uncle Sam!!!) I believe Israel must be supported and Jerusalem must remain undivided. I also believe the Palestinians, those that are not radical jihadists, must be loved and cared for, even given a greater autonomy.

I believe taxes are a necessary evil, but high taxes are a travesty to freedom. I believe that re-distribution of wealth is WRONG! It is SOCIALIST and breeds a perpetually dependent and massive class of unmotivated sheep with the mentality of Pavlov's dog.

I believe that the definition of marriage means that one man marries one woman and holds that covenant for life. I believe abortion should be illegal and divorce should be hard to obtain. I believe that adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lying, cheating, murder, covetousness, and a thousand other sins, are all disqualifiers for eternal life. I also believe that Christ died to forgive them all, as long as his gift is received and repentence is lived.

I believe there is evil in the world and it should be confronted at every level. I believe there are evils that seek to destroy my country, my family, my freedom, my Christianity, and me! But I also believe there is a way, one way, for all men to find a relationship with their Creator. His name is Jesus.

John McCain and Sarah Palin come closest to my belief system. In fact, they seem to match it right down the line. So,I will vote wholeheartedly for McCain, even if it looks like he might lose! I challenge you to stand on your priniciples and understand that IT'S NOT THE ECONOMY STUPID! (I said that with a smile and with much love.)

Someone Stole My Sign

Yep, can you believe it? Someone stole my sign. It was nicely placed in my front yard for everyone to see, but somebody didn't like it. It was there one minute, and the next, poof....gone....wisked away by an offended party. Having lived for a number of years in two, third-world countries, places where politics often carried assesinations, I am not terribly shocked at the act. What makes me mad was that it happened here, in my nice, quiet neighborhood, on a street where two local law enforcement officers live.

Why was it stolen, pilfered, carried off, and probably trashed? Again; someone was offended. So, in our pluralistic society, where we are supposedly blessed with the freedom to speak as we choose, people take it upon themselves to squelch my speech.

I admit, my sign was extremely offensive. It would naturally draw out the ire of many individuals, it was so bold and heinous. Someone gave in to their baser nature and ripped it out. I can understand their feelings because I have had them too. Thank the Lord, he has given me at least a modicum of self-control. I've seen signs that lambasted our leaders, signs that advocated child-pornography, signs that were flat out lies, signs of hatred, signs that call for the execution of those with opposite views, signs that riducule what I believe. At times, I've wanted to stop a dude or two, just to let them know how stupid they were, but I didn't. People's signs are theirs to do with as they please. They can flaunt ignorance, stupidity, religious persuasion, even promote a good thought....excellent. Free speech, freedom of thought, FREEDOM.

But my sign offended someone! Wow! My Bad! My callousness brought it on, and for that, I apologize to my neighbor. Oh, what did my sign say?.....
McCAIN/PALIN

If someone has a couple extra laying around, I'll gladly take them and repost my standards of freedom in my front yard; right there for some poor person to be offended. Sorry!
Pastor Jim

Fairness and Taxes...hmmm

I will cheat with this blog and pass on words that are much more 'thought out' than my own. I ask you to remember, as you read this opinion, that I believe the foundation of everything Obama-ish is multi-culturalism. Having rejected the existence of absolute truth, multi-culturalism adopts group truth. In Obama's case, group-truth involves class envy, class warfare, and socialist economics. He does not believe it is fair for there to be a rich class or a poor class. The money earned by the rich is owed to the poor. Those that advocate such are generally elected to office on the wings of a large class of people who have either grown accustomed to the free ride, or believe that the government is their one hand up. Those of us who believe government is the problem and not the answer, who believe that hard work and humility are the only way to get ahead, are deeply disturbed by what seems to be coming around the corner. I can describe it in one word (though I am sure there are more...) RUINATION! Read on oh concerned one! This makes a ton of sense. (Thanks Dave, for passing it along.)

Debate Prep: Let's Talk Tax Fairness

If you were starting from scratch to design a new income tax system for America , how much would you have different income levels pay? Fairness is often mentioned as a goal. That sounds good - I'm for that. So what's fair?

Is there a minimum everyone should pay? After all, everyone receives some basic benefits and services such as roads, K-12 education, national defense, etc. Is it fair to pay nothing? Well, according to the IRS, around 40% of Americans pay zero today. If you split the country down the middle by income (which it appears some are trying to do, by the way), the lower 50% pays just 3% of all income taxes.

What should people with the highest incomes pay? Hopefully we can agree that no one should have to pay 100% in taxes - unless you believe in a government mandated "maximum wage". Most people believe that higher incomes should and can afford to pay a higher percentage, and they do. Again according to the IRS, the top 1% pays about 40% of all income taxes, the top 10% pays 70%, and the top half pays 97%. 97%! This includes all the loopholes and tax shelters that the tax accountants can find for their rich clients. And yet Senator Biden says wealthier Americans should "step up and get into the game" - that it would be "patriotic" for them to pay more, that they need to pay their "fair share".

Senator Obama says it would be "neighborly" for higher income people to pay more, that it's better to "spread the wealth around". He says that he doesn't want to penalize success; he just wants to make sure that "the people behind you have a chance at success as well". Well, there's always someone behind you, right? Does he mean that those people can't succeed without government assistance? Does he mean that the half of America earning less can't succeed in a free society where the other half already pays for 97% of government? Would it really make things fairer if they paid 98% or 99%?

Perhaps we could discuss more of Senator Obama's core beliefs in the final debate tonight. I'd like to understand this better.



Roger Merryfield

Midwest Voices 2008

Exchange

I just finished ripping out the old front door on myh daughter's house. It wasn't quite as old as the one pictured here, not even European, but it was old enough. It gave no privacy, it squeaked, it was hard to shut, and could be easily broken into. It was time to upgrade.

Upgrades are not so easy. There are consequences to disturbing the surrounding plaster, and the trim won't fit to the upgraded so it will have to be redone. That's tomorrow's project. The new door is solid, made of steel, tight to the seal and air tight. It shuts quietly and smoothly, and is reinforced with an iron plate. It will be really hard to break into, thus safety, privacy, and energy efficient. It's and UPGRADE.

Isn't it great that the Lord is always ready to give us an upgrade? Eph. 3:20; "To him who is able to do exceedingly more than we could ask or imagine." His upgrades leave our old plaster disturbed too, but his upgrades in our character, spiritual passion, and faith are worth the pains of change. Let him take out the old and restore it with his best.
Pastor Jim

The War of the Worldviews

"For a time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
2 Timothy 4:3,4

The presidential race of 2008 is a picturesque microcosm of the culture war taking place in America. What Barrak Obama and John McCain are bringing to the table is more than a philosophical difference in governance--it is an example of worldviews being polar opposites.

On one side stands the vanguard of the cultural elite: a worldview built upon a foundation of postmodernist, multi-culturalism. On the other stands an advocate for traditionalism. To understand better, I must attempt to define those grandiose terms so that a joesixpack, like myself (without the six pack) can understand.

Postmodernism....is the current norm that refuses to accept the premise that there exists a universal, transcendent truth. Flowing from naturalism (evolution), it reduces all ideas and truth to the level of personal preferences that are formed by environment, class, gender, and ethnicity. Truth is relative--making all cultures, all perspectives, all ideas, all morays, all lifestyles and behaviours, and all beliefs equally valid.

Multiculturalism....reduces identity to race, gender, or ethnicity. Since there is no transcendent truth (no Supreme Being from whom absolute truth flows) then the individual has no significance beyond his particular group. He adopts a group-truth, a group-validity, and a group-advocacy. To be valid within a greater culture, a group must rise to a place of power--not by persuasion since rational debate is rejected, by by force. This as also been labeled as Liberation Theology.

Then, there is Traditionalism....In simple terms, traditionalism is a worldview that staunchly holds to an absolute truth. There is a Transcendent Being from whom all truth springs, and to whom every individual is ultimately accountable. All individuals are equally valued and every life is sacred. But ideas, societal morays, philosophies, and behavior are not equally valid. Only the moral law, passed down from the character and nature of the Transcendent Being are valid. Therefore, culture, group, and other points of identity only have worth as they adhere to the truth of the Transcendent Being. In Traditionalism, family is elevated above race, gender, or a behavioral subset, and has a narrowly defined structure under the marriage of one man to one woman.

The Traditionalist values every life as sacred and attributes certain inalienable rights to each individual. Therefore, everyone must have the opportunity to grow both socially and spiritually and, in fact, all other structures should be formed as helps, rather than governors. The responsibility for growth, action, and well-being does not rest in the authority of a Utopian-bent government, but upon the individual within the confines of the Transcendent Truth that has been revealed by the Creator.

Now, with these definitions, one can better understand how one candidate might shirk from making a declarative statement concerning the moment a fetus can actually be considered to possess human rights; while the other candidate can definitively proclaim that rights are bestowed "at conception."


Using these terms, one can see how a postmodernist, multiculturalist candidate for president can sit under the teachings of a racism-spewing, group-elevating, fascist-sounding mockery of Biblical Christianity....seeing no reason to walk away until it becomes politically expedient.

One candidate (Barrak Obama) can sit across the table from an enemy bent on proven terroristic activity, and practice diplomacy without pre-conditions. Why? Because the other's worldview is as equally valid as the candidate's. The opposing candidate (John McCain) will establish pre-conditions because he holds his own moral truth to be valid,(based on God's transcendent truth) not the terrorist's.

For the moral-relativist, tolerance is the virtue....at least until he encounters a person with a view to absolute truth. In that case, intolerance is tolerable when it is committed by the "tolerant!"

Christianity, oddly enough, is just as infected with this cultural clash. Sound doctrine is no longer tolerated as it is too narrowly defined by the Traditionalist. (Judeo-Christian adherent) How can there be only one way to God? How could there truly have been a virgin birth or a resurrection? How can a Christian deny reproductive freedom (pro-choice) to a woman? How can the homosexual lifestyle be considered aberrant behavior according to the Bible?

These are all symptoms of the war of the worldviews! The race for the White House will end soon, but the philosphy that occupies the highest seat in American government might be established for an entire generation....it is that important an election. But before you become disheartened or discouraged, understand that, as postmodernism runs its course and is seen by the individual as empty and bankrupt, the gospel we preach will still "be the power of salvation to all who believe!" Keep loving, know what you believe and why, and tell everyone about the Truth every chance you get. Keep the faith, no matter what happens on election day.

Pastor Jim

Israel's Dismay at the Actions of President Bush

I have disagreed with the crux of the President's policy toward the Israeli/Palestinian issue for years. That hasn't changed. I remain constant in my belief that the division of Israel, especially Jerusalem, will unleash the wrath of God on all involved in forcing it to happen. The President, though distracted by the financial crises, has missed the boat again. He persuaded Israel to refrain from going after Iran's nuclear technology, then dropped the ball in doing it himself. Nothing, I repeat nothing is more dangerous to the world than nuclear weapons in the hands of the Ayatollahs of Iran...or Ahmadinijad, for that matter.

Listen to the sentiment of the Israelis through the following article which appeared Sunday in Debka.

Washington calls off planned diplomatic outpost in Tehran
DEBKAfile Special Report

October 4, 2008, 12:02 PM (GMT+02:00)

Secret US-Iran understandings go up in smoke
Saturday, Oct. 4, the Bush administration indefinitely shelved its plans to set up a diplomatic outpost in Iran for the first time in three decades, following Iran’s refusal to discontinue uranium enrichment and come clean on its suspected weapons program. Rather than appearing to try and influence the US presidential race, it was therefore decided to leave the decision to President Bush’s successor.

DEBKAfile’s military sources disclose that another factor influencing the decision was fresh intelligence that Iran has gone back to pumping into Iraq Shiite combatants trained by Revolutionary Guards and Hizballah instructors. Several hundred have crossed over and some are posted in Baghdad’s Shiite districts.

Furthermore, the backdoor US-Iranian meetings to resolve the nuclear controversy have run aground. Tehran appears to have taken advantage of America’s financial crisis and weak moment to step up the momentum of its nuclear arms program. Iran has also been encouraged by North Korea’s reactivation of its nuclear reactor in defiance of US efforts to bring Pyongyang back in line.

In sum, the Bush administration’s diplomatic offensive for an accommodation with Iran on the nuclear dispute, Iraq and Lebanon, has foundered. For a time, Tehran was helpful; it reined in Shiite militia attacks in Iraq and shared intelligence on al Qaeda and other terrorists, while in Lebanon an understanding between them brought about the election of a president. Bush and the heads of his administration had hoped to bow out leaving a certain level stability behind them in these areas.

However in recent weeks, when the administration’s focus shifted to putting out financial fires and the onus of the war on terror moved from the Middle East to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Washington’s understandings with Tehran faded into the background of major events.

Israel has lost out on its strategic options twice: At the beginning of 2008, the Bush administration discarded its military option for dealing with Iran and leaned hard on Israel to refrain from a unilateral strike against its nuclear facilities. The Olmert government was advised to rely on international diplomacy and sanctions. This substitute option has also gone bankrupt leaving Israel high and dry with the prospect of an unstoppable nuclear-armed Iran."

My Brief Commentary....

The elections in America tend to distract us from the seriousness of what is happening in the Middle East. We must continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as well as for our President until he leaves office. It is also extremely important to choose a new President that will stand of for a singular, undivided Israel. The problem is, that candidate doesn't seem to exist.
Pastor Jim

The Prospects of Virtue and Morality

On November 22nd, 1800, the second President of the United States, John Adams, issued the following prayer at the dedication of the new Capitol building in Washington.
"It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation to assemble for the first time in this solemn temple without looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and imploring his blessing. May this territory be the residence of virtue and happiness! In this city may the piety and virtue, the wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-government, which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be forever held in veneration! Here, and throughout our country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion flourish forever!"(John Adams, pg 554 David McCullough 2001 Simon & Schuster)

Imagine today, an unpopular and ridiculed President, standing before a joint session of congress and offering that prayer? Adams was at the very lowest point in his presidency, even though he had averted a war with France and had maintained a fragile peace with England; even though he held the new Union together when it was being bombarded by a growning internal strife over State's rights; even though his efforts to protect the country brought about the genesis of US naval power, Adams remained the but of jokes and disdain. Yet there remained in John Adams a deep desire, motivated by a true vision, that the country would somehow find its way forward by looking toward God. Amazing!

How would that play out today? For the most part, the entirety of the nation would receive that prayer. It would go over nicely. Few would get upset. In fact, whichever President voiced it would be pat on the back and appreciated. Our culture would probably react with a heart, Christianlike, 'Amen!' But would it mean anything?

The problem would not be with the words of the prayer themselves, nor with the humility in Adam's attitude. It would be in the current meaning of the words, not the words themselves. In Adam's day, everyone held the same definition of virtue and morality, of good manners, and proper conduct. Seeking a Supreme Ruler of the universe meant seeking calling on one, and only one being. They all knew who He was.

Today, virtue means anything an individual wants it to mean. Noah Webster, a contemporary of John Adams, the creator of Webster's dictionary of the English language, defined virtue like this: "conformity to a standard of right: a particular moral excellence: manly strength of courage: Valor: commendable quality: chastity in a woman." In our culture, this word has given way to ambition and appearance, not genuine integrity of character. When an occupant of high public office can, in private, commit generally defined sexually immoral acts, yet be extolled for his virtues as a leader, something is amiss. When a candidate for the same office can sit for twenty years and listen, with all acceptance, to morally bankrupt drivel from his spiritual leader, yet be seen as a truly virtuous follower of Christianity, something is wrong. When a candidate can politically partner with known terrorists, frauds, and the Hollywood elite, yet still be rising in popularity, something is horribly wrong with today's definition of virtue.

Morality....there's another one. Adams knew what it meant...so did the congress. It meant an avoidance and disdain of every appearance of evil. Shame was the natural result of adultery, or incest, or homosexuality. Sure, sin was just as present then as it is now. But can we honestly say that our society accepted it then as it does now? I think not! In the 1800's, breaking God's moral law was genuine taboo. Today, morality is relegated to individual preference....preference being the new standard of truth. If it's okay for me, then it's not a sin...it's not immoral. That's how we got a Bill Clinton, or a John Kennedy.

Let's talk about manners and decency. What, you ask, is good manners? If I would have walked down the street as a teenager with my pants hanging at half-moon level, I would've been corrected by every man and woman who could get their hands on me, plus, I would've been taken to the woodshed by my peers. STANDARDS APPLIED! Sure, legalism can get harsh, yet no law gets harsher. What happens if this slide into a standardless, indecent culture continues unabated? Homosexuals already have the right to parade in public...ludeness included....pornography is rampant....language standards have been removed from the public airwaves....violence has become a virtue...there is no true religion...hmm. How much worse can it get?

If John Adams or George Washington were to visit the Union and the Capitol today, I do believe they would quickly succumb to death by heartbreak. There is no longer any public virtue, morality, or good manners..in their definition of the terms. Oh, there is seeking after a Higher Being...several Higher Beings in fact. It's all good! Right? How the mighty have fallen!!

But, there is still virtue, there is still morality, there are still good manners. They are wrapped up in one...Supreme Being....and his name is Jesus of Nazareth...Messiah, Son of God, soon coming King! His kingdom is real. We who call upon his name must begin to live out loud with his virtue, his morality, his good manners, his holiness, his truth, his incredible love, and with his boldness to speak the truth, even when it got him a cross. This is the only hope for America. This is the only straight talk. It is the only CHANGE that will work. Are you on board to live out loud? Go John Adams!
Determined to Believe,
Pastor Jim

Reach Higher, Go Farther

As believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ, we live with a mandate. It is simple, we are to go into every nook and cranny of our world and proclaim the relevancy of the sacrificial death and resurrection of our King.

It is a daunting task....impossible in scope. The world's population is 6.8 billion and growing by 145 people every minute. Four babies are born every second. Reaching everyone with the word of life is way beyond our ability to accomplish. It is multiplying too quickly. But the good news is, nothing is impossible with God.

The truth that we proclaim is that God has already accomplished the impossible on our behalf. It was impossible for any man to be found right according to God's moral standard. Everyone has sinned to some degree...from murder to the little white lie, its all a transgression of God's law. Hopeless! Yet God sent his only son, born without the bent-towards-sin nature by way of being conceived of a virgin (impossible), to take all the penalty of our law-breaking upon himself. He died with it...he died in my place...with my death penalty. Then, God did the impossible again and raised his Son from the dead! Why? He did it so you and I, our neighbor and co-worker, and the guys and gals on the other end of the planet can experience true spiritual life. He did the impossible so we could be God's friends!

The task of sharing that life with everyone is impossible. But we serve the God of the impossible. So....how do we get it done?

Three Thoughts from the experience of the prophet Isaiah. Listen to how he describes his life-changing experience in Isa. 6:1-8
"I saw the Lord, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim....And one called to another and said, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the threshold shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said; 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal from off the altar. And he touched my mouth and said; 'Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin is atoned for.' And I heard the voice of the Lord saying 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I.'"

The only way we can accomplish anything of value is to understand the True Ministry Begins With God.

A vision of the glory of God is the starting point of all ministry. If we, as Christians--believers and followers of Jesus, do not have a fresh revelation of the glory and majesty of our King, then we have no point from which to launch. Without an experiential knowledge of the glory of God, we cannot reach this burgeoning world.
I must go higher....meaning, I must be jettisoned into his presence...before I can go farther into a need-filled human race.

The only way to get anything done is to understand that True Ministry Is Received Before It is given.

At first hearing, that may sound selfish. However, Isaiah's experience shows us that our own shortcomings, our own sin, our own inabilities, and pride, and self-centeredness, must be dealt with before an outward ministry can make any profound dent in the world. Listen, something happens when we encounter the glory of Jesus. We get perspective....we are broken...and that's good. Our pride in our own brilliance and talents is our downfall. It is the obstacle to the miraculous, and only the miraculous will reach the 5.8 billion that have yet to hear of the hope that we profess. Only when we figure out we're not so big after all can we find the empowerment that we need to get the job done.

Then, the only way to accomplish our mandate is to understand that True Ministry Is Directed By God.

Isaiah received a revelation and ended up freaking out at his own inadequacies. But then God stepped in and made Isaiah right. God cleansed his heart. Then, God stepped aside and challenged Isaiah with a call to empowered service.
Here's the deal:
With a revelation of Jesus comes the PASSION of Jesus.
He desperately wants the friendship of everyone on the planet, and his passion drives him to call to imperfect people like you and me. He calls us to go and tell as many others as possible that Jesus really does love them and will prove it.
With God-sized Passion comes God-sized vision!
With God-sized Vision comes Christ-like POWER!

Since nothing is impossible with God, then nothing is impossible for those who are called by God, for those empowered by God, and for those who have his passion.

Go higher....and you'll go farther. Get with God and stay there until you get a fresh revelation of his glory. With it will come a new passion. Stay there until you get some new power. Then, look out world....Passionate, powerful, purposeful Christians are on the loose!!!
Pastor Jim

CRASH and BURN?

We human beings have the most amazing ways of digging deep holes! We have even better ways of pitching ourselves into those holes. Case in point....the current financial crises. A REALLY DEEP HOLE has been dug, and our government is doing its best to throw itself...and us I might add....into a bottomless pit.

Now, I will be the last to attempt to portray how it has come about...all the corruption, mis-management, or errant philosophies that have led us to this precipice. But one thing I know, men have an incredible propensity to be stupid!

WHY?

We are flawed..pure and simple. If there is any evolution going on it is de-evolution! The farther men, governments, and cultures separate themselves from their creator....the dumber we get. Worse, dumb men are too dumb to notice their dumbness. (Do I sound senical? Actually thought I was being quite realistic.)

The thing is, I count myself as part of the human race. In other words, when I have a moment when I actually think I can rule my own life, the dumb-stick comes out and puts a knot on my head. The plain truth is: I NEED JESUS! He took our dumb and died with it on a cross. He took my just and legal punishment for breaking God's moral/holy law, and died so that I could be set free. He offered the same for all men, all governments, and all cultures. All we have to do is turn from the dumb and accept the rule of the only true, qualified, experienced KING. It's called repentance from DUMB!

So, what happens if our wisdom-challenged legislators in Washington don't get the BIG Bail-out done before the Stock Market opens on Monday? Or... What happens if they do? Yikes! Either way, everything could come crashing down into another Great Depression. Does that frighten you? Should it?

I have found one, and only one truth. "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread." (Psalm 37:25) Righteous you say? Who is righteous? According to the same Bible, none are righteous,no not one!" But, "he who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God!" JESUS!!! When I am included in him, I am made righteous....not measured by some standard of legality, but because of faith in him and his gift.

Everything could crash, but if you know Jesus Christ, you will be provided for...and it won't be coming from Uncle Sam. Look to the real provider, the real keeper, the one who owns it all and has paid the debt.
Pastor Jim

Israel's Current Dilemma...In My Opinion

Sep 22, 2008 16:11 | Updated Sep 22, 2008 20:00
'Fight terrorists, don't talk to them'
By JPOST.COM STAFF

"One does not talk to terrorists, one fights them," French Justice Minister Rachida Dati said Monday.
Dati stressed that France would never allow negotiations on Israel's security and existence. "When it comes to terrorists' activity that threatens Israel's security, our stand is very clear: ?one does not talk to terrorists and to the ones that call for the destruction of Israel, one fights them," she said.
Dati added that "France supports Israel's security. I also said it to the Palestinians yesterday. The Palestinian people are entitled to have their own country but that goes hand in hand with keeping the security of the state of Israel."
The French justice minister also called for open dialogue and for leaving past disagreements behind, like the French and Germans did after the Second World War. She emphasized that French President Nicolas Sarkozy was personally committed to Middle East peace process, since the safety of citizens around the world was dependent on the peace in the Middle East.

My Commentary

In the mean time, Israel has held elections in the wake of former Prime Minister, Ehud Ohmert's departure, and his foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, has won by a narrow margin. This will allow her to attempt to form a coalition and become the next Prime Minister of Israel.

The question is: will Livni follow the gutless policies of Ehud Ohmert, who by appeasement attempted to give away half of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Islamists, or will she be cut from another mold?

I remember the days of Golda Meir, the first real Iron Lady politician. Her stiff backbone, and undying defense of Israel led to victory over her enemies and the expansion of Israeli territory to the present borders. She was a model of courage....no backing down to overwhelming odds.

Ohmert, on the other hand, was tired of the constant battle involved in Israel's right to exist. His great ambition was peace...PEACE AT ANY COST. He held the opinion that anyone who believed in God's covenant promise of land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was dumb. To him, if giving away half of Jerusalem to the Palestinians looked like it might secure peace, then it was worth the cost. But he was dead wrong! Islam will not be satisfied with a part of the holy city. It will only be satisfied when all the Jews are driven into the sea and Israel is a side note in history. (Look up the words of every radical, Islamic leader and see if it isn't so.)

If Livni is able to form a government, watch closely the direction she takes in regards to a permanent Palestinian state and a divided Jerusalem. If she chooses Ohmert's route of appeasement, look out! Joel 2 and Ezekiel 38-39 will be just around the corner. If she chooses to defend Israel's territorial integrity and its national capital, Joel 2 and Ezekiel 38-39 may be just around the corner, but God will honor her.

That's not all....which direction will France and Sarkozy take? Will he really defend Israel, or will he push Livni towards a "peace-at-all-costs" position, with a promise to help defend her? Hmmmm The days, they are exciting!!!
Pastor Jim

Autumn Rush

Yeah, for those of you who've seen the recent movie, August Rush, this is kind of a corny play on titles. However, there is a point. At 10:44 pm (central time) last night, the season changed. (Amazing how it can happen in a moment!) Yup, Summer gave way to Fall and I paused before bedtime to look to the night sky for my old friend Orion. No, he hasn't shown up yet, and won't for a few weeks, but old patterns seem to follow the seasons.
For instance, with the arrival of Autumn comes several changes. A big one for me has always been a trek into the woods to get the ole deer stands in order. Hunting season is here. (Haven't done that one yet, Lita!) The other is the semi-annual cleaning of the garage in preparation for winter. (Haven't done that yet either..hmm) Then, a guy needs to start thinking about the great fall fishing at Smithville lake, Thanksgiving Turkey, Christmas, and eventually the bowl season of college football. Man, there is so much to do and so little time.
But Autumn speaks to me of spiritual things as well. It speaks of steeling the mind and spirit for a long winter....and I hate winter! Those terrible, snowy, cold, days of shortness drive me crazy. I'm a spring-guy, summer-thriving, lover of life, not a sit-around-and-shiver-dude. Yet the changes of the calender reflect seasonal changes in our walk with Christ. Thankfully, there seem to be more periods of fresh life and newness in our spiritual journey than times of cold, dark loneliness. But the dark times seems to stand out as being bigger. Why? Because we remember pain more than we remember health.
Just as seasons change in nature, so they change in life. Therefore, it is wise to use the time we have and prepare for those long, dark winter moments. A little spiritual house-cleaning goes a long way in removing the clutter that builds up around our faith. A little hunting after God does much to build up our faith-supply. A little expectation for great things to come keeps us going.
James said it this way: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. An when endurance has had its full effect, you will be perfect and complete, lacking nothing!"
I guess that means I need to get with it.....how 'bout you?
Pastor Jim

Iran Is At It Again

This from the Debkafiles:
Iran’s al Qods, Hizballah secretly integrate rocket and commando units

DEBKAfile’s military and intelligence sources disclose that an Iranian Revolutionary Guards delegation last week signed a secret accord with Hizballah leaders for the integration and operational merger of their missile-rocket and commando units.
This may not have been news to US vice president Dick Cheney, when he “revealed” Saturday, Sept. 6, that Russia had sold advanced weapons to Syria and Iran, some of which had been channeled to Lebanon and Iraq.
However, Israeli president Shimon Peres, who responded by waving aside the need for an Israeli attack on Iran, was clearly out of the picture evolving ominously across the border in Lebanon.
There, Iran and Syria are deepening their stranglehold on Lebanon and preparing to attack Israel by using al-Qods’ resources to further fortify Hizballah.
The new accord enables the two terrorist machines to fight under a unified command controlled from Tehran.
Like President Peres, the rest of Israel’s policy-making levels appears oblivious to the fact that key elements of Hizballah’s fighting machine against Israel have been taken over by the al Qods commander, Ghasem Suleimani, whom DEBKAfile identifies as the senior commander of Iran’s terrorist and intelligence networks in the Palestinian territories and the Persian Gulf.
Western military experts point to the contiguous operational control Iran has acquired for al Qods - from Iraq, via Syria, Lebanon and up to the Mediterranean coast of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Last week, defense minister Ehud Barak warned that Israel is closely and cautiously following developments to the north. “Our enemies” had better not put IDF to the test, he said.
Tehran, Damascus and Hizballah, already inured to such statements from Barak which rarely lead to action, simply ignored this one too.
Iran timed its move to coincide with the French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to Damascus last week, hoping all eyes would be fixed on the visit and no one would notice the al Qods team slipping quietly into Beirut for another step to plunge Lebanon further into Iran-backed Hizballah war preparations against Israel.

I'm surprised that Barack Obama has not called for direct, face-to-face talks with Iran over their continued digging at Israel. Not only is Iran attempting to construct nuclear weapons, they are doing more than ever to arm their mercenary wings with conventional weapons. Now, they are integrating Iranian fighters directly into the conflict.

Part of the premise of my book, "Distant Thunder" involves direct Iranian involvement within the ranks of the Hezbollah along Israel's northern border. It is beginning to happen. (Wish I could get the publisher to move more quickly to get the book released...hmm) Anyway, this is just another in a long series of connectors that indicate that the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecies are moving toward fulfillment.

What's next? It depends. If Barack Obama is elected to the Presidency in November, look for George W. Bush to go out with a bang by launching an attack on Iran's nuclear industry, probably using drone aircraft. I don't think he would mind leaving the mess in Obama's pretty hands. If McCain is elected, I believe Bush would step back and let him handle it. After that, I fully expect Syria to do something stupid...something that will cause Israel's next Prime Minister (possibly Benjamin Netanyahu) to obliterate Damascus. At that point, the dominoes will begin falling.

Am I being sensationalistic? Maybe, but so is the Word of God. Things have to come to an end at some point. Why not have Jesus come back during our generation?
Even so, Lord, come quickly.
Pastor Jim

Hurricanes and Elections.....One Must Duck

What an interesting two weeks have gone by in the world of politics. Two conventions and a hurricane pretty much describe the pollution and fog flying through the air, but hey, it's a four-year cycle. What else can we expect?
I was sent this little story that sums up much of what I feel as we move toward the November elections.
A cowboy named Bud was overseeing his herd in a remote mountainous pasture
in California when suddenly a brand-new BMW advanced out of a dust cloud
towards him.

The driver, a young man in a Armani suit, Gucci shoes, RayBan sunglasses and
YSL tie, leans out the window and asks the cowboy, 'If I tell you exactly
how many cows and calves you have in your herd, Will you give me a calf?'

Bud looks at the man, obviously a yuppie, then looks at his peacefully
grazing herd and calmly answers, 'Sure, Why not?'

The yuppie parks his car, whips out his Dell notebook computer,connects it
to his Cingular RAZR V3 cell phone, and surfs to a NASA page on the
Internet, where he calls up a GPS satellite to get an exact fix on his
location which he then feeds to another NASA satellite that scans the area
in an ultra-high-resolution photo.

The young man then opens the digital photo in Adobe Photoshop and exports it
to an image processing facility in Hamburg , Germany ..

Within seconds, he receives an email on his Palm Pilot that the image has
been processed and the data stored. He then accesses a MS-SQL database
through an ODBC connected Excel spreadsheet with email on his Blackberry
and, after a few minutes, receives a response.

Finally, he prints out a full-color, 150-page report on his hi-Tech
Miniaturized HP LaserJet printer and finally turns to the cowboy and says,
'You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves.'

'That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves,' says Bud.

He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as
the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then Bud says to the young man, 'Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your
business is, will you give me back my calf?'

The young man thinks about it for a second and then says, 'Okay, why not?'

'You're a Congressman for the U.S. Government', says Bud.

'Wow! That's correct,' says the yuppie, 'but how did you guess that?'

'No guessing required.' answered the cowboy. 'You showed up here even though
nobody called you; you want to get paid for an answer I already knew,to a
question I never asked. You tried to show me how much smarter than me you
are; and you don't know a thing about cows...this is a herd of sheep. . . .

Now give me back my dog!

Some have asked what I feel the root issues might be....I have no difficulty telling them what I think. So, I'll recap it for you, just in case you are wondering.

The First Big Issue is the BIGGEST ISSUE.....LIFE! We have a stark contrast in front of us and it isn't hard to choose. Life is the most precious commodity given us by God. It begins at conception, and is re-started upon receiving the Lordship of Christ when we repent of our sins. One candidate believes this....the other feels that kind of determination is above his pay grade....though he has no difficulty voting for a law which allows the killing of an already born infant that survives a botched abortion. Wow!

The Second Big Issue is how the occupant of the Oval Office leads the country in regards to Israel. One candidate believes firmly in maintaining and defending a united Jerusalem without appeasing terrorists. (Now, not all Palestinians are terrorists...Jamas is!) The other candidate goes with the flow. This clearly tells you that when the flow of world opinion turns against Israel, so will he. He's already proven it.

The Third Big Issue is the size and scope of the Federal Government. One candidate wants to exponentially increase the power of Washington....and the only way, I repeat: the only way that can happen is to increase taxes exponentially. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that raising taxes on anyone or any corporation takes money out of the pockets of the populace. You want high prices? Vote for bigger government. You'll get your wish. The other candidate seems to want to slash the size of Washington! I like that!

There are many other issues that are important.....but one MUST look at them from a moral perspective first, not from the financial. By virtue of being a follower of Christ and the absolute, unbending truth of the Word of God, I must consider first the moral inclinations of a candidates beliefs and voting record, then choose accordingly.

In this election....for me....the choice is clear. If I could put Jesus as a right-in candidate I would. I can't....so....I will vote McCain/Palin and for every Gubernatorial, Senatorial, Congressional, etc...candidate who holds the same moral stance on these issues, be they Democrat or Republican! There you have it.
Happy Consideration,
Pastor Jim