As Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow, I thought that I would take a moment and list a few things for which I am grateful.
1) I am thankful that Jesus Christ came to earth more than 2000 years ago to die on the cross for the sins of mankind, which paid for our redemption and salvation.
2) I am very thankful for the message of repentance, baptism in the wonderful name of Jesus for the remission of my sins, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Without this message, I would have never had a hope of the salvation that was provided for me.
3) I am grateful that I have received this precious salvation which has given me a pardon, but has also made me the heir of Jesus Christ, a child of the King of Kings.
4) I am thankful for the name of Jesus that I can call on when in trouble or in joy, and He will be there to answer me.
5) I am thankful for the Bible, the inspired Word of God, which shows me how to live my life in holiness and righteousness. It is a light to show me when I begin to stray from the right path, and it shows me how to live a life that is pleasing to God.
6) I am thankful for my Pastor and his wife who provide wise council and teach the Word. They give me instruction and clear direction so that I may walk this way more perfectly.
7) I am thankful for the various ministers that I have heard preach over the course of my life. There is always something to be gained when the Word is preached, no matter how long ago the preacher preached it. The Word is still as anointed and powerful as it was when it was first preached.
8) I am thankful for the Church which provides fellowship, comfort, strength, and aid when I have needed it. The Church is a very large and extended family. If a person is on a journey, they should be able to walk into in Apostolic church and be able to feel as if they are among family.
9) I am thankful for my Mom and Dad, also my Pastor and wife, who raised me to walk in the light of the Word. They have overseen my education and instruction in both school and the practicalities of everyday living.
10) I am thankful for friends with whom I can communicate and enjoy Christian fellowship.
I have much more to be thankful for, but I figure that this list will cover it for now. Let us remember that we need to always be expressing our gratitude for the many blessings that we have been granted, and never let us take these gifts lightly.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The Importance of Convictions: Part 1
I have given much thought to this topic, especially as it relates to our current political situation.
I will commence by stating that I view myself as a Conservative first and a Republican second. This is based on my convictions of what is both good and right. I understand that not everyone will agree with me on all points, but there are a number of factors that I believe must be addressed concerning the future of the Republican party and the fate of our nation.
For the last several years, I have listened as members of the Republican leadership have bemoaned the fact that the conservative Christians had such a major influence over the party and focused heavily on 'social issues' rather than economic issues. However, these individuals are the same ones that have chosen our last two Presidential Candidates, and both have lost. The only question remaining is why?
The simple answer comes down to conviction. If one has a firm belief, it is called a conviction. The Democratic party has for the last 100 years advanced their agendas leading us ever toward a socialistic economic situation and gradual societal change. As they achieved one objective, they naturally shifted their gaze to the next logical step. Thus, the radical ideals of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, and the others in the early eugenics movement, have become institutions of the Democratic Party.
Where have the Republicans been?
The Republican leadership has always been more concerned with maintaining the status quot rather than actually attempting to make a change. Thus they only attempt to maintain governmental control and influence at the point that they acquired power rather than attempting to decrease its size and scope. This is because they do not actually believe what they say. The leadership of the Republican party lacks any principled convictions. Thus, when they 'compromise' with the Democrats, the Democrats gain 60-70 percent of what they want.
The deepest conviction of the Republican leadership is that they must be liked by those who they perceive as being the ones with power and authority. Because the Democrats stand by their convictions (even though they are always 'evolving'), they project the power and authority that the Republican 'leadership' desires to cooperate with in hopes of gaining their approval. That they must appeal then to a constituency that also has taken a firm stand on their convictions in order to win, but which places them in the place of unpopularity in the circles that they wish to associate, frustrates and angers them.
In recent years, they have begun to manipulate their power and influence to alienate the one constituency that has placed them in positions of influence over the last 40 years. This can be seen by the ever decreasing turnout by the 'Evangelical' voters.
Senator John McCain has long been more interested in the friendship of the Democratic Party rather than taking a strong stand on conviction. This has lead him to support 'campaign finance reform' in a bill that bears his name, agreeing to pass only a few of President Bush's court appointments in return for not using the 'nuclear option' in preventing the Democrats from using the filibuster on those nominees, and many other similar incidents.
Governor Mitt Romney has long been criticized by both sides for his vacillation on the issues dealing with homosexuality, abortion, governmental healthcare, and many other issues. His stands sometimes seemed to change by the year. This vacillating did not help him in this last election as many of the more conservative voters remained at home.
House Speaker John Boehner has recently decided to attempt another 'compromise' with the Democrats on issues such as Obamacare and taxes. He stated that he did not know of any Tea Party Caucus even though a number of influential members are currently involved therein. He also has sought to compromise, only to be hindered by the members of the House who came to power in 2010.
As long as the Republican party refuses to take a stand and develop convictions, is willing to cease playing 'nice', and unwilling to make a plan for moving the nation in their direction, they will always be the weaker party, and eventually they will place themselves in a minority status for the next 100 years.
I will commence by stating that I view myself as a Conservative first and a Republican second. This is based on my convictions of what is both good and right. I understand that not everyone will agree with me on all points, but there are a number of factors that I believe must be addressed concerning the future of the Republican party and the fate of our nation.
For the last several years, I have listened as members of the Republican leadership have bemoaned the fact that the conservative Christians had such a major influence over the party and focused heavily on 'social issues' rather than economic issues. However, these individuals are the same ones that have chosen our last two Presidential Candidates, and both have lost. The only question remaining is why?
The simple answer comes down to conviction. If one has a firm belief, it is called a conviction. The Democratic party has for the last 100 years advanced their agendas leading us ever toward a socialistic economic situation and gradual societal change. As they achieved one objective, they naturally shifted their gaze to the next logical step. Thus, the radical ideals of Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, and the others in the early eugenics movement, have become institutions of the Democratic Party.
Where have the Republicans been?
The Republican leadership has always been more concerned with maintaining the status quot rather than actually attempting to make a change. Thus they only attempt to maintain governmental control and influence at the point that they acquired power rather than attempting to decrease its size and scope. This is because they do not actually believe what they say. The leadership of the Republican party lacks any principled convictions. Thus, when they 'compromise' with the Democrats, the Democrats gain 60-70 percent of what they want.
The deepest conviction of the Republican leadership is that they must be liked by those who they perceive as being the ones with power and authority. Because the Democrats stand by their convictions (even though they are always 'evolving'), they project the power and authority that the Republican 'leadership' desires to cooperate with in hopes of gaining their approval. That they must appeal then to a constituency that also has taken a firm stand on their convictions in order to win, but which places them in the place of unpopularity in the circles that they wish to associate, frustrates and angers them.
In recent years, they have begun to manipulate their power and influence to alienate the one constituency that has placed them in positions of influence over the last 40 years. This can be seen by the ever decreasing turnout by the 'Evangelical' voters.
Senator John McCain has long been more interested in the friendship of the Democratic Party rather than taking a strong stand on conviction. This has lead him to support 'campaign finance reform' in a bill that bears his name, agreeing to pass only a few of President Bush's court appointments in return for not using the 'nuclear option' in preventing the Democrats from using the filibuster on those nominees, and many other similar incidents.
Governor Mitt Romney has long been criticized by both sides for his vacillation on the issues dealing with homosexuality, abortion, governmental healthcare, and many other issues. His stands sometimes seemed to change by the year. This vacillating did not help him in this last election as many of the more conservative voters remained at home.
House Speaker John Boehner has recently decided to attempt another 'compromise' with the Democrats on issues such as Obamacare and taxes. He stated that he did not know of any Tea Party Caucus even though a number of influential members are currently involved therein. He also has sought to compromise, only to be hindered by the members of the House who came to power in 2010.
As long as the Republican party refuses to take a stand and develop convictions, is willing to cease playing 'nice', and unwilling to make a plan for moving the nation in their direction, they will always be the weaker party, and eventually they will place themselves in a minority status for the next 100 years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)