DREAMS FROM MY FATHER

August 23, 2012

I would like to thank Barbara Anable for sending me an email with this YouTube video.  In her email, Barbara writes:

“Joel Gilbert has guts made of steel to make this speech to the National Press Club in Washington.
You will cheer, you will shudder, and you will pray for his safety.”

I did and will do all the above.

As a former journalist, I share Mr. Gilbert’s frustration with the press.  My frustration starts at the local level and goes all the way to the big guys.

Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.”  May we only have the truth?

CR


The Hunger Games

August 20, 2012

My daughter thought I should watch the hunger games.  She wasn’t sure how I would react.  There was a bit of curiosity in me. When she bought the video, we sat down as a family to watch it.  My wife and I hadn’t seen it.

I understand that on Amazon Books The Hunger Games books have already outsold the spell-ridden Harry Potter series.  As there are more Harry Potter books, a statement can be made about the popularity of The Hunger Games.

One thing is obvious.  It is evident that the author knows about Agenda 21.  Agenda 21 is real. It is a United Nations’ plan that would set up the real world to look similar to the “world” in The Hunger Games.

It would be quite a surprise if the author didn’t know about Agenda 21.

The author’s intent is unclear.  I checked her background and there doesn’t appear to be any support of a one world government.  I must say the bios I’ve read are limited.

Either way the movie is a fable and I think the real Agenda 21 will never happen.

Those who are planning such a world don’t mind a movie like this.  Although the message of the movie seems to “speak” against crowding humans into cities separated by natural zones, the idea is there.

I think those in power love movies like this.  They love to think the world will be like “The Hunger Games” world some day.

The author depicts the cruelty of such an arrangement.

Is there hope for the future in the movie?  I would say not.  To be fair to the author, I have not read any of the books.  I have only seen the movie.

Our only hope is in Jesus Christ.  I don’t think Agenda 21 will ever happen because I think the second coming of our Lord will happen first.

Those who don’t believe in Him see a world like the one in The Hunger Games coming.  And if Jesus doesn’t come for quite awhile, Agenda 21 will be implemented.  It must give the unbeliever a hopeless feeling.

I do not think the real near future looks rosy.  We have gotten away from our Bibles and it has been and will be costly.  The Bible speaks about days of hunger.

I don’t know exactly how it will all pan out.  But Bible prophecy is the only place where real answers may be found.

I enjoyed spending the time with my family watching the movie.  Afterward, I enjoyed our conversation.

As I have stated, I don’t know the motivation of the author.  I think the movie makes some people very happy and others very sad.

In my case, it is evidence that we are living near the time of His advent.  But, I knew this before I watched the movie.

I am filled with hope.

Chris Reimers


2012 Olympic Ceremonies Occultic?

August 14, 2012

Do you think that the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies were strange?  Well, I do.  I had to shut off the closing ceremonies because it was so strange.  For those who think some sort of statement was made, I would say that I have to agree.  Whatever was being communicated was certainly not Christian.

The article I linked to in my previous post about the opening ceremonies was thought provoking.  I have found another article.  To be honest, I don’t know if the article is really critical of the closing ceremonies or attempting to promote what it pretends to unmask.  In either case, it is interesting.

We live in very strange times.  They are Godless times.  Read your Bibles.  Know His Word.  And the peace that passes all understanding will rule in your hearts today.

Chris Reimers


THEY WEAVE A SPIDER’S WEB

August 8, 2012

“They weave the spider’s web.” Isa 59:5

See the spider’s web, and behold in it a most suggestive picture of the hypocrite’s religion. It is meant to catch his prey: the spider fattens himself on flies, and the Pharisee has his reward. Foolish persons are easily entrapped by the loud professions of pretenders, and even the more judicious cannot always escape. Philip baptized Simon Magus, whose guileful declaration of faith was so soon exploded by the stern rebuke of Peter. Custom, reputation, praise, advancement, and other flies, are the small game which hypocrites take in their nets. A spider’s web is a marvel of skill: look at it and admire the cunning hunter’s wiles. Is not a deceiver’s religion equally wonderful? How does he make so barefaced a lie appear to be a truth? How can he make his tinsel answer so well the purpose of gold? A spider’s web comes all from the creature’s own bowels. The bee gathers her wax from flowers, the spider sucks no flowers, and yet she spins out her material to any length. Even so hypocrites find their trust and hope within themselves; their anchor was forged on their own anvil, and their cable twisted by their own hands. They lay their own foundation, and hew out the pillars of their own house, disdaining to be debtors to the sovereign grace of God. But a spider’s web is very frail. It is curiously wrought, but not enduringly manufactured. It is no match for the servant’s broom, or the traveller’s staff. The hypocrite needs no battery of Armstrongs to blow his hope to pieces, a mere puff of wind will do it. Hypocritical cobwebs will soon come down when the besom of destruction begins its purifying work. Which reminds us of one more thought, viz., that such cobwebs are not to be endured in the Lord’s house: he will see to it that they and those who spin them shall be destroyed for ever. O my soul, be thou resting on something better than a spider’s web. Be the Lord Jesus thine eternal hiding place.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

I have the hard copy of Mr. Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening,” which gives a devotional for each morning and evening. It is my favorite.

You can read it daily HERE.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

CR


HOW FAITH IS STRENGTHENED

August 4, 2012

“The people that do know their God shall be strong.” Da 11:32

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to “have an unction from the Holy One”, and it is the Spirit’s peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what he has done for us, and what he is doing now, we cannot love him much; but the more we know him, the more we shall love him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the “knowledge” of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

I particularly like this statement: ” Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith.” How can we know about God unless we know what the Bible says?  We must be continually learning.  The older I get, the more I feel I have only scratched the surface of the deepness of the scriptures.  We must continue to learn.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

CR


My “Choice” in 2012

July 23, 2012

With less than four months left before the election, I guess it’s time to state my opinion.  Anyone who reads this blog knows how I have to vote.  Do I think it is an important election?  All elections are important. Every Christian is responsible to know who to vote for not only in the highest office, but in the lowest as well.  What is happening to America is not only caused by incidents in the highest office in the land.  I lay the largest blame on our demise at the feet of the “Christian” church in America.   Most of us call ourselves “Christians,” don’t we?

I must digress a tad.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer visited America twice (Note your spell check and his name is spelled incorrectly in Word).  He was a leading German Christian several decades ago living in a time much like today.  The last time Mr. Bonhoeffer visited Americas was in 1939 for 26 days.  If you have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend the latest biography written by Eric Metaxas.  Mr. Bonhoeffer understood what was happening years before the tragedy of WWII.  America is headed down a road not untraveled.

Here is what Mr. Bonhoeffer wrote after hearing a famous, nationally known, American radio preacher before he left America on his final visit:

“The Americans speak so much about freedom in their sermons.  Freedom as a possession is a doubtful thing for a church; freedom must be won under the compulsion of a necessity.  Freedom for the church comes from the necessity of the Word of God.  Otherwise it becomes arbitrariness and ends in a great many new ties.  Whether the church in America is really ‘free,’ I doubt.  They are lonely Sundays over here.  Only the Word makes a true community.” (1)

On his first trip to America, Mr. Bonhoeffer arrived on Sept. 12. 1930.  He had come to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

“Bonhoeffer had no idea what he was walking into at Union, but the bloody battle royale between the liberals and fundamentalists was in full swing in 1930.”  (2)

My point is that the spiritual ruin causing all of our other national problems was underway long before 1930.

“(Harry Emerson) Fosdick had been the pastor at New York’s First Presbyterian Church when in 1922 he preached an infamous sermon titled ‘Shall the Fundamentalists Win?’  In it he had laid out a kind of Apostate’s Creed in which he expressed his serious doubts about…the virgin birth, the resurrection, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, miracles, and the Bible as the Word of God.”  (3)

By 1930, John D. Rockefeller had built Riverside Church very near Union Theological Seminary.   Mr. Rockefeller handpicked the pastor, of course.  It was Mr. Fosdick who was “the most famous liberal preacher in America.”  (4)

America was already in trouble in 1922.

Our situation is much worse today.  Look at the presidential candidates we have to choose from.  One we know very little about (the one in office) and the other one is a Mormon. Mormons have a developing Jesus. In fact, they believe that “As man is God once was. As God is, man may become.” (5)  Does that statement sound familiar?

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall surely not die:  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  (6)

This is one of many reasons that Mormonism is considered a cult.

Romney was a Mormon Bishop. (7)  To get such a position, an oath of obedience to the latest Mormon Prophet running the Mormon Church is necessary.

At least we can say that we know Mr. Romney’s past.

When Mr. Obama’s “official” birth certificate was posted on the White House website, a brilliant 16 year old who, I’ve heard, has made alot of money because of an app he created, tore it to shreds as a fake.  One can see the video of him doing so here. (8)  If you think the young man lacks credibility, you can watch this. (9)  This video is less than 3 minutes (earphones may be needed) and features Mara Zebest, an Adobe expert.  I have heard extensive interviews with Mara and they are quite impressive.

Thus, here are our two choices:

  1.  A man who has no problem lying to us, and
  2.  A man who has had a high position in a cult

As a Christian, what should I do?

Psalm 32:12 states:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”

So, as the t-shirt says: “My faith and my politics can not be separated.”

Before I go any farther, I would like to share an email with you that I received this week.  It is from a man who has been published in our local newspaper several times.  I think he makes some good points.  I have edited only a few things.  You are reading it as it was intended to be understood.

Dear Editor,

 With the great anticipated National election soon approaching, I would like to remind all readers some of the “accomplishments” this President has done during his term thus far.

 #1.

 He was able to convince some of the American public that his designed health care system was beneficial and that government control was needed. You are aware that there will be an increased health insurance fee for medical effectiveness research. Major insurers were already doing their own research, but according to the Obama administration, it lacked the credibility of government sponsored studies. So what if government  becomes judge and jury.

 #2.

 He expanded programs that increased the national debt to an unbelievable level and continues to do so. It now has increased almost 33% since he came into office. That is more than 27 times faster than during the rest of the nation’s history. One way of looking at this is; if you are driving at 65 MPH and a car passes you going 27 times faster, that car would be going 7,555 MPH!! It doesn’t matter that future generations will be saddled with the debt.

 #3.

 He showed allegiance when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, but never wore an American flag pin and folded his hands at waist level when the National Anthem was played.

 #4.

 He appointed White House cabinet posts to Cass Sunstein, Anita Dunn, Valarie Jarrett, Carol Browner and Van Jones. Even though Mao Tse Tung was a favorite of one, many admitted being avowed Socialists. And then there was:

 #5.

 Obama and his administration tried to shut down all oil drilling and exploration in the Gulf. Fortunately he was not as successful as he would have liked, but he did manage to curtail drilling and exploration by his permitorium cutting production to a loss of 375,000 barrels per day. I wonder if he realizes that Offshore drilling is vital to U.S. energy security and supports more than 242,000 jobs. By the way, food stamp recipients have increased over 35% and all unemployment has increased 24%, among minorities it has increased 25%. To make matters even worse, America approved an investment in Petrobas, helping Brazil to become one of the largest oil exporters in the world. We lend them money so that we can buy the oil they produce with the money we lend them. Wow, what a deal!! Mr. Obama spoke of the desire of the U.S. to secure even more oil from Brazil in the future after his talks with President Dilma Rouseff in Brasilia earlier in 2011. Are we right to wonder why Mr. Obama is happy that Brazil is doing what he won’t allow at home? Oh, and the pipeline that would increase jobs and oil refinery here in the U.S; the Keystone XL pipeline? Mr. Obama was against it until… Yep, you guessed it, election time in 2012! That pipeline would have delivered an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 barrels of oil per day! By allowing the industry to produce at capacity it could generate $44 billion in U.S.GDP, reduce by $15 million the amount we send to foreign governments and create 190,000 new jobs. It would help ensure a supply of energy that cannot be manipulated by hostile governments. What a President. What a catastrophe! And to think that he was able to do these things and more, even though he had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing.  Speaking of community organizing, Obama has a long history of wanting to change social structure and behavior thru community organizing in Chicago. He has credited it by citing public housing being renovated, parks refurbished and city crime and drug problems curtailed. Ask anyone living in Chicago if any of this exists. Mr. Obama talks a lot but it is only blather. I hope this letter reminded you of another reason or two for not giving Obama your vote in November. We can no longer afford him.

 Sincerely,

 Joseph Burba

 I would like to thank Mr. Burba for his contribution.

As a Christian, there is the problem of Mr. Obama’s stand on abortion and homosexuality.  If the scales weren’t slanted greatly in favor of Mr. Romney before these issues, they become so.

It is going to be hard to vote in November.  However, it is my duty as a Christian to vote for the person who is the closest thing to a real Christian.  If our leader is separated from the God of the Bible, how can our nation be blessed?  Our leader is a reflection of the people.

The only man I felt comfortable voting for in the primary was Rick Santorum.  Yes, I threw my vote away.  I went to vote because of a local man I wanted to help make it past the primary.  He did, thankfully.

I will be voting for Mitt Romney in November.  It is not a vote I want to make but I have no choice.  I hope you vote.  I hope you check out the lesser candidates and choose those who best line up with Godly views.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

—————————————————————

Notes:

(1)   “Bonhoeffer” by Eric Metaxas – pgs. 342-343.

(2)   Ibid. pg. 101

(3)   Ibid. pg. 102

(4)   Ibid. pg. 101

(5)   http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon140.htm By the way, the Elder Marion G. Romney who is quoted as saying, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become” is Mitt’s second cousin.

(6)   Genesis 3:4-5

(7)   http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-03-28/mitt-romney-mormon-bishop/53836844/1

(8)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9StxsFllY

(9)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv19avtHVcc


ISRAEL WILL SURVIVE

July 21, 2012

I rarely add to the words of Mr. Spurgeon.  Usually, I can add nothing more.  However, I live in a different time. Israel became a nation long after Mr. Spurgeon passed.  And I have studied the Assyrians and their king, Sennacherib.  You see, I did a report in college on the Old Testament book of Nahum.  Most of you know the story of Jonah and how he eventually got around to telling the Assyrians to repent.   AND THEY ACTUALLY REPENTED.  Sadly, Nahum came a bit later and recorded 4 major prophecies that had to do with the destruction of the Assyrian Empire.

So what does this have to do with the following piece by Mr. Spurgeon?  Israel was in trouble when Isaiah wrote the following verse inspired by God’s Holy Spirit.  Israel is in trouble today.  What did Israel do then?  Eventually, they trusted that God would save them.  What will happen to today’s Israel.  Read your Bible.  God will save them.  They will not be exterminated like so many wish.

A popular, current Christian best seller calls the Assyrians the “first terrorists.”  I don’t know if this is true, but I know that their armies were terrorists.  I can’t relate the details here as I’m eating my breakfast.

What does Mr. Spurgeon do with the words of Isaiah?  He does what he always does.  He attempts to relate it to our personal lives and our relationship with God.  I think he does an admirable work here.

Those who have read much of the Bible at all know that there are layers.  It is why we can read the same verse many times and get something new.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible.  What a wonderful privilege it is to have God’s Word in my hands.

Chris Reimers

“The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.” Isa 37:22

Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the pricks to their own wounding, and rush upon the bosses of Jehovah’s buckler to their own hurt.

We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord ariseth, they shall fly as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth, may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks laugh them to scorn.

Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he cometh forth from his place, the potsherds of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigneth, and his foes shall be as straw for the dunghill.

“As true as God’s own word is true;

Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,

Against us shall prevail.

A jest, and byword, are they grown;

God is with us, we are his own,

Our victory cannot fail.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

CR


“Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross…”

July 14, 2012

“If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” Ex 20:25

God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in his dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning’s text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

CR


GOVERNER BEEBE APPOINTS FIRST OPENLY GAY MEMBER TO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

July 8, 2012

For those who read this blog from outside of Arkansas, we’ve done it again.  I must say we are not as spiritually “gone” as many states, but we are not immune from the cultural change that is occurring nationwide.

Sadly, one of the state’s lesser known news sources, printed an illuminating article which one may read here.

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/07/06/right-wingers-blast-jay-barth-appointment-to-state-board-of-education

The article gives more info on Mr. Barth’s lifestyle.  He traveled to New York so that his homosexual marriage would be legal.  Additionally, the piece calls Jerry Cox, a man whom I have worked with on a moral issue, the leader of the Arkansas Family Council, one of the state’s oldest formal hate groups.

Jerry Cox is one of the bravest, godly men in Arkansas in my opinion.  He has stood up for Biblical principles when many pastors haven’t.

And now Jerry is the leader of a “hate group,” according to a newspaper that has quite a circulation.

It is interesting that the newspaper itself admits that Mr. Barth has written for it.  They are proud of it.

I know Jerry Cox well enough to know that the only thing he hates is sin.  He does not hate Mr. Barth.  It is evidence that taking a Biblical stand on an issue makes one a “hater” in certain circles.

Need more be said?

Yes.

I live in the “Bible Belt.”  There are 230 churches in my county.  There are 75 counties in Arkansas. This gay man will be helping make decisions that affect the education of the children around me and around the state.

I thank God for men like Jerry Cox.  Please pray for the pastors and workers that are drawing a line in the sand.  Unfortunately, the majority of folks don’t know what’s happening or don’t care.

I care, and if it wasn’t for my pastor I wouldn’t have known about this story.  Is your pastor informing you of these issues?  If not, you need to find a good source of information; one that tells the truth of our situation.

My pastor thinks we can still reverse things.  He is correct, of course.  God’s Word says that, if His people will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, he will heal their land.  The question is: “Will we turn from our wicked ways?”

We don’t have a very good track record of late.  Our situation, combined with the situation in the Middle East, and the financial situation worldwide leads me to believe the answer is “no.”

What has created the entire mess?  Sin.  The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that I believe there is only one answer.  That answer is to trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

God will not bless those who do not trust.  I’m not referring to financial, personal, or physical blessings.  I am referring to spiritual blessings.

When Jerry Cox becomes the “leader of a hate group,” we are in serious trouble.

May God have mercy on us.

Chris Reimers


The New School Prayer

July 8, 2012

A dear friend of mine gave this to me at church today.  I have edited it a bit (removed one paragraph), but I think it is telling.  Just this week, I was reading information about today’s teens gathered by a famous polling group.  The poll was, I think, taken within the last 10 years and found that only 9% of American teens believe in absolute truth.  And we wonder why things are falling apart.

By the way, I don’t blame teens for these sad numbers.

The prayer is not attributed to a person.  It only says that it was written by a teen in Bagdad, Arizona.  I don’t know if this is true, but the “prayer” is true in many places in our country.

CR

The New School Prayer:

Now I sit me down in school where praying is against the rule.

For this great nation under God finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites, it violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow, becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange, or green, that’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise; prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall, might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate, God’s name is prohibited by the state.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, and the “unwed daddy” our Senior King.

It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong, we’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls, study witchcraft, vampires, and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No Word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess, when chaos reigns school is a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make: should I be shot my soul to take.